CC Minutes - 09/12/2012 Work Session

Home Browse Search

Councilor Farr noted that the Police Auditor position is one of only three employees who report to the City Council, so the general public may feel a greater degree of trust about the program because of this reporting structure. B: WORK SESSION: Public Art Master Plan Assistant Community Events Manager Isaac Marquez gave a PowerPoint presentation of art pieces in different places around the United States, and the stories that went along with each piece. The point of this presentation was to reiterate the importance of public art and further, to acknowledge the need for a public art master plan to help guide future choices, implementation and decisions. Mr. Marquez touched on a few local art pieces and then provided information about the current project of painting traffic junction boxes pink and having teens in an art project paint words from poems on the boxes. Councilors seemed impressed with the presentation and noted the following things: • Some councilors would like to go on a tour to see all the public art the City currently has, like poetry in the Overpark, the walking path between downtown and the U of O, etc. • The City should ensure the art in the old City Hall building is protected, saved and retained for future use. • Communities that invest in art are healthier and self - confident. • Efforts should be concentrated on Highway 99 and the "other" entrance into town, from the Airport into Eugene itself. This is one area that really needs some attention and art would be a great way to spruce it up. • The 1% for art initiative is codified and important, but staff needs to educate the general public. A lot of community members don't understand it and the City gets a lot of complaints about money being spent on art in tough financial times. • Art is needed which recognizes the African- American community in Eugene. • Publicity about the pink utility boxes is needed, so more people understand what the project is and why it is being done. • Some art is needed commemorating Native Americans. • A way should be found to link the things the community loves about Eugene through art projects, maybe through each neighborhood association. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michelle Mortensen Deputy City Recorder MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 12, 2012 Page 2 Work Session