2023-09-11 Arts Commission MinutesAedmonds
ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES 5:30 pm September 11, 2023
The Edmonds Arts Commission is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Community, Culture and Economic Development Department, September 11, 2023
PRESENT: Paul Cogley, Harry Kirchner, Lisa Palmatier, Rhonda J Soikowski, Lily Kamila (Student Rep)
EXCUSED: Richard Chung, Tanya Sharp, Ashley Song
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts and Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
The meeting was called to order at 5:32pm by Palmatier.
Land acknowledgement read by Palmatier
"We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their
successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care
of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water."
MINUTES
Changes to the July 18, 2023, minutes include correction of a typo and redrafting the Staff
Report regarding the City of Edmonds LTAC recommendation to the following: The City of
Edmonds LTAC recommends the 2024 Community Partnership amount recommended by the
Edmonds Arts Commission be $1500.
2. Approval of the June 5 and July 18, 2023, minutes will be moved to the October 2, 2023, agenda
or to a Special Meeting Date.
CHANGE TO AGENDA
Palmatier announced C.1 Funding and Administration Proposed Budget needs to be changed from
"2023" to "2024", and to move item's report to after A.2 Creative Programs Summer Concerts report.
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. Summer Concerts: Chapin asked for feedback regarding the past summer's concerts and
suggestions for next summer's series. Discussion followed regarding the groups to book
again and the type of performance and musical groups to feature in which park site.
2. Public Art Projects/Maintenance:
a. Annual maintenance of public art installations is budgeted annually at about
$3,000.
b. Chapin noted that the Library book drop in front has been removed and the
wall repaired and asked the commission for thoughts on moving forward with
the public art project originally approved by City Council for the location in
2020. Chapin outlined available public art funding from current budget but the
majority of the funding would have to be proposed as a decision package in the
2024 budget. Motion to Approve moving the Library Public Art Project forward
in 2024 with a total budget of $125,000 with funds drawn from 117-100 Ending
Cash and from 117-200 budget. Soikowski so Moved. Kirchner Seconded.
Approved.
C. Chapin referenced earlier discussions about the Hwy. 99 International District
public art project to create permanent banners for the red light poles. It would
be a design project call for artists with the fabrication and installation
contracted out by the City. Chapin outlined funding sources including $39,000
set aside for this purpose from the original project in 2014. Motion to Approve
initiating the Permanent Hwy. 99 Street Banner Public Art Project in 2023 with a
total budget of $78,000 funded from 117 and from the original project.
Kirchner so Moved. Cogley Seconded. Approved.
3. New Budget Items: Chapin reported the LTAC projections for 2024 hotel/motel tax
revenue will come in higher than originally projected when the EAC did their call for
applications in the spring. There is an opportunity to increase the Arts 2024 Tourism
Promotion awards through a decision package in the budget process. Once a proposed
total amount is approved by EAC it then has to be approved by LTAC and then City
Council. Discussion followed regarding administration of the program, available budget,
and inclusion of arts organizations who did not apply for 2024 funding last spring.
Soikowski made a Motion to Approve addition of $12,000 based on current projection
of LTAC revenue for 2024 Arts Tourism Promotion to increase funding cap from $2700 to
$3500 per application, and to re -open the 2024 Tourism Promotion application with a
deadline to apply for additional funds in November. Currently proposed 2024 awardees
would re -apply for increased funding up to $3500 and new applicant arts organizations
would be eligible to apply for up to $3500. Kirchner Seconded. Approved.
4. Write on the Sound: Rose reported the current status of the conference registration.
She requests commissioners' assistance at various times on Oct 6, 7 and 8, and will
email specific times for commissioners to sign up. Rose and Chapin reviewed primary
tasks for commissioners as hosts and greeters.
5. Creative District Update: Chapin reported she and CCED Director Todd Tatum will report
on the Creative District at the October 24 City Council meeting. The required
recertification process has begun and will be completed at the end of 2023. The
district's Advisory Committee has an open position for a Business at Large
representative.
B. Capital Projects: See A.2 Public Art report regarding permanent light pole banners.
C. Funding and Administration
Chapin reported on the proposed Arts Program budget for 2024. She reviewed the 117-100
Program fund; 117-200 Public Art fund; 117-300 Art Education fund; and the 123- Art Tourism
Promotion fund.
1. Summer Concerts and Write on the Sound are the largest annual expense from the 117-
100 fund. Other programs are On the Fence and Poet's Perspective. Summer Concerts
and WOTS are supported through revenues and contributions. Since 1988 $15,000 in
revenue has been provided annually to support arts programs from the City's General
Fund per City Council ordinance.
2. Outlined the funding for Public Art Projects that come from 117-100 and 117-200
budgets, including Ending Cash in the 117-100 which is critical for future projects as the
amount of percent for art funds in the 117-200 is very low. This is partly due to the fact
that many capital projects in the city are funded through grants which are not eligible to
be tapped for percent for art.
3. Other programs include the Tourism Promotion Awards program, Community
Partnerships, and Art Professional Development.
Discussion followed regarding budget items, funding sources and the status of the arts programs and
funding needs. Cogley made a Motion to Approve the 2024 Art Program Budget as amended with
Motions Approved in this meeting. Soikowski Seconded. Approved.
STAFF REPORT
Chapin reported Edmonds musician Ed Hartman will perform his original composition, Mika's Song, at
Mika's Inclusive Playground in the Civic Center Playfield Park in downtown Edmonds on Saturday
September 23 at 2:30pm. He will play the tubular bells that are installed at the playground and may have
accompaniment. EAC will provide a sound system. He hopes to engage the audience at the end of his
performance. Soikowski and Kirchner will host the performance.
Chapin encourages commissioners to attend the October 24 Council Meeting to hear the Creative District
presentation, but also to be in attendance for the annual National Arts and Humanities Month
proclamation for the City of Edmonds.
Rose reported that the Calls to Artists for the 2024 On the Fence and Poet's Perspective will go out later
in September. The new 2023 On the Fence works were installed the previous week.
Adjourned 6:55pm