HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Public Art Selection Committee - 07/18/2023Public Art Committee
Approved Meeting Minutes
Tuesday July 18,2023
Attendees:Penne Tompkins (Chair),Jean Sebastien Chaulot,John Killacky,and Sebastian Ryder,
Ilona Blanchard (staff),Tim Barritt (City Council Liaison)
Public:None
Members absent:Sophia Babbitt,Amanda Holland,Michele Bailey
Minutes
1.Meeting was called to order at 5:32 pm.
2.Jean moved to approve the minutes for June 16,2023,John seconded;approved
unanimously.
3.Members,Ilona and Tim introduced themselves to new member Sebastian Ryder and she
introduced herself.
4.Committee Elections were held.Jean nominated Penne Tompkins to continue as chair and
Amanda Holland to continue as Vice Chair.John K Seconded the nominated slate.The
committee voted and unanimously approved the slate.
5.Comprehensive Plan Draft Review and discussion:
Committee members compared the text and revisions in the current July 6,2023 draft (pp 48-51)
the committee submission in late May.One challenge for our group is that our section includes
history as well as culture and art.We appreciated that much of the material we provided remained
in this version and for changes that were not germane,we have opted not to suggest revisions.
Notes below reflect changes our committee felt strongly changed the intent and meaning of what
was submitted previously or were stated more clearly previously.
P48,para2,last sentence,instead of:Alongside parks,libraries,and schools,the arts contribute to a
sense of place and community identity and raise the quality of life.Restore the previous PAC wording:
Along with parks,libraries,and schools,the arts build a sense of place,well-being,and belonging,all
of which contribute to building community and creating identity for South Burlington.
P48,under Community,History and Culture Goals:Remove the reference to vistas and viewsheds as
Scenic Quality was moved to another section.Protect important vistas and viewsheds,as viewed
from public vantage points (public roads,paths,land);and designated landscapes,sites and
structures of historic and cultural significance.
PAC action items suggested were deleted and should be reintroduced in the draft actions,
specifically:
●Cultural facilities and organization:add integrate art in the fabric of the community.
P49,para 3:the inclusion of language specifically highlighting two of the local religious institutions
was highly problematic for all members:there are many different religious faiths represented in our
community and it is “othering”to highlight just a few and thus feels not inclusive.Place of worship:
replace the exclusively religiously centered paragraph with the one we suggested that lists religious
institution,senior center,schools,etc.
John raised a concern,shared by the committee,about the multiple ways in which the document
refers to indigenous peoples.We recommend that the entire document addresses the indigenous
people in a consistent and sensitive way.In this small section alone,there were three different
descriptions.
Jean motioned that Penne proceed to provide our feedback to Kelsey,the motion was seconded by
Sebastian and unanimously approved.The due date for comments on this draft is August 2.
6.Annual report review will be postponed to next meeting.
7.Staff Update
a.Ilona let the members know about the Vermont Community Leadership Summit on
August 15 hosted by Vermont Council on Rural Development in Randolph.If members
are interested and attend (you will need to register),it may be possible that the city will
help pay for attendance which is $50.
b.We have received no update from the city council on the ARPA fund request.
8.Other Business
a.Curator Jessica Manley will attend our August meeting.
b.John asked about the status with Public Works regarding our idea to apply for a grant to
commission a mural for our towers.Ilona indicated that Public Works is okay with the
idea and focused first on getting the bond for the second water tower approved with the
voters next March.John will connect with Michele on the requirements for the Vermont
Arts Council Animating Infrastructure grant and report back to the committee on what
is involved.
Next meeting was confirmed for August 15,2023,at 5:30 pm.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm.