TOWN OF GILBERT ARTS ADVISORY BOARD, REGULAR MEETING

GILBERT MUNICIPAL CENTER, 50 E. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
GILBERT ARIZONA

October 6, 2003

BOARD PRESENT: Chairman Jose Benavides, Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet, Board Member Susan Fleming, Board Member Betsy Harfst, Board Member Alan Luse (6:45 p.m.), Board Member Dominic Sibbio, Board Member David Shelton

BOARD ABSENT: Board Member Dwight Walth

COUNCIL PRESENT: Les Presmyk, Donald Skousen

STAFF PRESENT: Cultural Arts Coordinator, Kimberly Grace, Town Manager, George Pettit, Recorder, Linda Stanley

OTHERS PRESENT:        Hannah Smith, Pamela Tongchinsub, Cici Huang

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Jose Benavides called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Chairman Jose Benavides had Recorder Linda Stanley call the roll and a quorum was determined to be present.

MINUTES - Approve Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2003

Chairman Jose Benavides verified that everyone had a chance to review the minutes from the last meeting.

A motion was made by Board Member Dominic Sibbio, seconded by Board Member Betsy Harfst to approve the meeting minutes of September 8, 2003.

Motion carried 6 - 0.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS

Citizens present: Hannah Smith, Pamela Tongchinsub and Cici Huang, Mesquite High School students from Miss Abbott’s government class.

Chairman Jose Benavides welcomed them to the meeting.

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

STRATEGIC PLAN

Discuss and consider the revisions to the draft as proposed by the Advocacy Subcommittee.

Board Member David Shelton stated that the Advocacy Subcommittee met and that Ms. Cress - Sweet prepared a draft for the boards review. She reviewed the changes with the group.

Chairman Jose Benavides asked if there was any further discussion and since there was none he asked for a motion.

A motion was made by Board Member Betsy Harfst, seconded by Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet to approve the changes.

Motion carried 7 - 0.

Discuss and consider the revisions to the draft as proposed by the Community Arts Partnership Subcommittee.

Board Member Dominic Sibbio stated that the Community Arts Partnership Subcommittee met to finalize the objectives and goals. The education goal was rolled into a new objective C. Board Member Dominic Sibbio read Objective C - “Seek partnership to expand education for adults and youth by providing opportunities to experience arts and culture activities events.”

Chairman Jose Benavides asked if there was any further discussion and since there was none he asked for a motion.

A motion was made by Board Member David Shelton, seconded by Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet to approve the changes.

Motion carried 7 - 0.

Discuss and consider the revisions to the draft as proposed by the Public Art Subcommittee.

Board Member Alan Luse stated that the Public Art Subcommittee got half way through the strategic plan. Chairman Jose Benavides said that this matter would be tabled until the subcommittee meets again.

VISION STATEMENT

Board Member Dominic Sibbio said that he liked Ms. Kimberly Grace’s suggestions.

Kimberly Grace stated that she emailed them to everyone.

Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet said the simpler the better.

Chairman Jose Benavides stated that “A” looked like what he was thinking about for the vision statement.

Board Member Dominic Sibbio suggested that they leave out all citizens. He said it should read - be recognized as a vital presence in the community.

Vice Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet agreed that all citizens should be left out. The group concurred.

A motion was made by Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet, seconded by Board Member Betsy Harfst to approve vision statement A with the changes.

Motion carried 7 - 0.

MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING II

Chairman Jose Benavides would like to get a statement from the Town about the current status of the money for art projects.

Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet asked if everyone saw the article in the newspaper. She found it insulting. Chairman Jose Benavides was upset with the remarks made by Mr. Petersen.

Board Member Dominic Sibbio said that Mr. Petersen owes us an apology. He said that art projects and events could become moneymakers for the Town in the future, but they need council’s support.

It was suggested that the group provide status reports to council twice a year.

There was discussion on what the board could do to have the council review this matter and get it placed on the agenda again. It was suggested that at the next council meeting, which is scheduled for October 14, the group have several Gilbert citizens and businesses in support of arts speak during the communications from citizens. The board was encouraged to write letters to the editor and send emails.

Chairman Jose Benavides stated that the board needs to develop an action plan if they are going to get citizens to attend the meeting and speak on behalf of the arts. He suggested that each board member pick a business or organization to contact and tell them how you feel about the arts and ask them to attend the meeting on October 14. The board members chose local businesses to contact this week.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

PUBLIC ARTS SUBCOMMITTEE

Board Member Alan Luse said that the Public Arts Subcommittee reviewed slides and other submissions by artists who want to display art at the Library. They gave a list of submissions to Kimberly Grace. They saw some really good work that will be exhibited for free. It has been a very positive project.

ADVOCACY SUBCOMMITTEE

See comments in Strategic Plan section.

COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE

Board Member Dominic Sibbio said that the Community Arts Partnership Subcommittee is trying to move forward with what they learned at the retreat regarding programs and events. They formed a wish list of events that they want to look at doing in the future. They would like to create it in a calendar format. Some examples of events are: 1) October Fest, 2) Culinary Arts of
Gilbert, and 3) Art Festivals like Tempe and Scottsdale to generate revenue. They formulated an action plan to show the board. This action plan needs to go on an agenda for the board’s approval.

Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet said she would like to do the strings student concert with the Herberger String Quartet again this year. It was a very successful free event and the students really enjoyed it. The only cost was $700 for buses to take the students to Mesquite High School. This year she would like to make the schools responsible for the buses. Vice - Chairman Elizabeth Cress - Sweet wanted to know if she could work on this event. She was informed that it needs to be put on the next agenda.

The Community Arts Partnership Subcommittee wanted more interaction with the Parks and Recreation Department and other town departments, such as Economic Development. They want to get more visibility with the council and other boards.

COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF

Kimberly Grace, Cultural Arts Coordinator stated that the contract for the Municipal Office Building II Public Art Project was not approved by Council at the September 30, 2003 council meeting.

The deadline for submission of SOQ’s for the Public Safety Complex Public Art Project is October 23, 2003.

The Lobby for Art project on display October 14 - 27 is one of the three - panels of an anti - drug mural created by artist Martin Moreno and children. The artist displaying from October 28 - December 4 will be works in oils and acrylics by artist Diana Trucks Fleming. The exhibits have been scheduled through March. The March exhibit will be an artist who does wildlife to coordinate with the theme of the Riparian’s Fine Feathered Friends Festival.

Kimberly Grace stated that the Clerk’s Office has received 4 applications for vacant board positions. The council should be interviewing this month and we would possibly have a new person on board next month.

Ms. Grace suggested that the board members might be interested in serving as a liaison to other advisory boards. She said that it might help the board to become more informed about the community. They could hear what other advisory boards are doing and how they are doing it.

She informed the group that the Maricopa Regional Arts and Culture Task Force would be holding a public forum on Wednesday, November 5, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, 7550 E. Adobe, Mesa and that they might want to attend.

COMMUNICATION FROM CHAIRMAN

Chairman Jose Benavides reminded everyone that they need to vote for a new chairman on January 1 because the term is for one year. They need to nominate someone at the next meeting.

Kimberly Grace said that the election would be in December for the chairman and vice - chairman.

OTHER ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Board Member Betsy Harfst wanted to remind the group that the Tour de Culture will be taking place in Mesa on Friday October 10 from 6 - 9 p.m. and it is free. Kimberly Grace included the flyer in the packet of information.

NEXT BOARD MEETING

Chairman Jose Benavides said that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Center, Room #233. Please let Ms. Grace know if you cannot attend.

ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING

Chairman Jose Benavides adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

ATTEST:

Strategic Plan
Subcommittees

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Art Subcommittee - No report.

Advocacy Subcommittee Board - No report.

Development Subcommittee Board - No report

COMMUNICATIONS

Communication from Staff - Kimberly Grace

Communications from Board Chair - There was no report given.

Next Board meeting

Chairman Jose Benavides said that the next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2003. Please let Kimberly Grace know if you cannot attend.

Chairman Jose Benavides reminded the group that the retreat is scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at the Freestone Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING

Chairman Jose Benavides adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

ATTEST:

Recorder Linda Stanley