City of Dekalb Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission met May 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission held a regular meeting in the Second Floor Training Room of the DeKalb Police Department, 700 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois.
Management Analyst Scott Zak called the meeting to order at 4:14 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Roll call was recorded by Mr. Zak and the following members of the CCEC were present: Melissa Beck, Jeanine Holcomb, Aaron Robertson and Ellingsworth Webb. Absent were: Chair Brad Hoey and Commissioners Kenneth Brown and Helen Umbdenstock. Also present was City Council Liaison Scott McAdams.
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
MOTION
Ms. Beck motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Robertson.
VOTE
The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote.
C. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY CHAIR FOR MAY 16, 2022, MEETING
MOTION
Ms. Beck motioned to make Ms. Holcomb the temporary chair, seconded by Mr. Robertson.
VOTE
Ms. Holcomb was made the temporary chair by unanimous voice vote.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 11, 2022
MOTION
Mr. Webb motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Beck.
VOTE
The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No public comments were received.
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. VETERANS MURAL UPDATE
Mr. Robertson said Kiptoe, an artist he is talking with about the project, believes a $10,000 budget would be too low and $15,000 to $20,000 is needed for artist compensation, supplies, room and board and travel. Donations may be needed or reducing the 3-story height.
Alderman McAdams suggested a cap on the City’s contribution to projects, and Mr. Webb said he would be willing to go up to $15,000. Ms. Holcomb added it should be made clear that amount is inclusive of all expenses. Mr. Zak noted the budget in the T-Mobile grant application included $14,500 for each professionally-created project.
2. MURAL CALL FOR ARTISTS
Mr. Zak said Chair Hoey had shared with him that the idea for the Call for Artists came out of a meeting between Chair Hoey, Mayor Cohen Barnes and NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Paul Kassel as a way to publicize that artists are being solicited for mural projects. The Commission was very supportive of the creation of the Call for Artists and discussed several sections of a draft prepared by Chair Hoey.
The Commission agreed that the submission requirements for applications should include a line-item budget. Ms. Holcomb noted this will show the community that the Commission did its financial due diligence. Alderman McAdams suggested adding a requirement that the artist is responsible for cost overruns.
The Commission supported listing the mural locations and that the Plaza DeKalb location will be a veterans mural and the underpass location will be a community pride mural. Ms. Holcomb suggested photos and the dimensions of the three locations be included in the Call for Artists.
The Commission supported the stipend amount going to the City Council for approval.
The Commission felt the sentence “The City … will pay for the substrate and equipment necessary to complete the project onsite,” should be stricken and replaced with “The CCEC Chair is willing to have discussions with applicants on possible work and equipment the City may be able to provide to reduce the project’s cost.” The City may be unable to install substrate or provide equipment and this may be a substantial cost commitment. By including these items in the budget, the artist will provide their expertise on how much these items will cost.
The Commission struck a requirement that the artist provide a refundable deposit of 50% of the project’s cost since that conflicts with the payments schedule earlier in the document stating the artist will receive one third of the stipend amount when the project agreement is signed. The Commission also agreed the requirement that the mural be completed in a year be eliminated since it is stated earlier that the project must be completed by Oct. 1, 2022.
In response to a question from Mr. Robertson, Ms. Holcomb said an Act of God clause that has become commonplace since the pandemic could be included in the agreement.
3. UTILITY BOX ARTWORK CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Commission supported the Call for Artists and felt applications for both painted and vinyl-wrapped boxes should be accepted and that $150 was an adequate amount for supply reimbursement.
It was shared that Jon Kuhn said the vinyl wraps could be printed and installed for $350 each if all three are done at once or $400 for an individual wrap.
Since there are two different size utility boxes and there are additional boxes mounted on them, the Call will explain that approved artists may be expected to modify their design based on their assigned box.
The Commission will look for a graphic designer who can help finalize the design template.
4. PAINT-A-PLUG APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL
Five Paint-A-Plug applications were presented for Commission approval. They are located at 2526 Pleasant Street, South Fifth and Girad Street, the southwest corner of South Third and East Garden Street, 663 Knolls St. W and across from 1325 Sycamore Road.
Mr. Zak shared Chris Perkovich, an artist who had four designs approved last year but could not complete them, is interested in doing them this year. Brian Oster has confirmed he is comfortable with providing $400 in incentives to one artist.
MOTION
Mr. Webb motioned to approve the five Paint-A-Plug applications, seconded by Ms. Beck.
VOTE
The applications were approved by unanimous voice vote.
5. NEA WEBINAR
Mr. Webb reported the webinar explained the types of funding available through the National Endowment for the Arts and state arts organizations. He said the best grant applications are those that include collaborations between multiple groups and the Commission should be looking at the grant deadlines.
Ideas were discussed for getting the community interested in art, including using the Sun Times’ catalogue of murals, asking downtown businesses to display a piece of art each month, asking the DeKalb School District to allow a Mayor’s Award at the student art show and working with the NIU STEAM group.
Mr. Webb suggested Give DeKalb County as a possible funding source for projects; although, Ms. Holcomb noted those participating in Give DeKalb County must be 501(c)3 organizations.
6. PUBLIC ART EVENTS
Mr. Robertson said there is a need for more art festivals in DeKalb and that money is leaving the City as people go to art events in other towns. He said many artists at the recent Back Alley Market were interested in an art fest, and he suggested Taco About Art and Art in the Park as two possibilities.
Ms. Holcomb suggested the Commission’s role could be championing events and finding the right organization to host them. Mr. Zak noted the City does not have funding budgeted or staff available for event planning. Mr. Webb suggested an NEA grant may be appropriate for funding events.
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. LET’S MOVE TO THE MUSIC
Commissioner Umbdenstock was unable to attend the meeting, so no update was given.
2. DOWNTOWN PLANTERS PROGRAM
Ms. Beck reported 12 businesses will be participating in the community planting day downtown on May 21. The businesses will pay $27 for a sign in the in ground planter they are planting and weeding.
3. PUBLIC ARTS WEBSITE
The Commission reviewed the Paint-A-Plug website created by the NIU 40tude group. It was suggested this summer the Commission could come up with other elements related to public art they would like to see added. Mr. Webb, who has worked with 40tude on Opportunity DeKalb’s website, believes the group will be able to turn the current design into a larger public arts website.
The Commission agreed a special meeting should be held in June to continue progress on public arts projects for this summer.
G. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Ms. Beck motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Holcomb.
VOTE
The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05162022-2181
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