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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2025The Paducah Creative and Cultural Council met on Thursday 1/16/2025 at 5 pm at City Hall. ROLL CALL: Members in attendance were Cindy Ragland, Chad Clark, Michael Cochran, Cheryl Sullivan and Ashlea McMillan. City Employees present were Palmer Stroup, Hope Reasons and Carol Gault. CCC Members absent: Basil Drossos and Steven Page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Cochran offered the motion, seconded by Council Member Chad Clark. NEW HOTEL PUBLIC ART PROJECT: RFP FOR SOUTHSIDE PUBLIC ART PROJECT/REVIEW TIMELINE: Director of the Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Rhonda McCorrry-Smith attended the CCC meeting. She wanted to verify that there would be diversity on the judge's panel. Council Member Ragland assured her that there will be diversity. Ragland stated seven (7) people had been selected as jurors for this RFP process and those committee members are as follows: Gayle Kaler, Cheryl Sullivan, Rocia Keeling, Cheryl Goodwin, Todd Birdsong, Chad Clark and Paul Aho. Council Member Sullivan mentioned that Rocia Keeling might become too busy to serve. In her place, she offered Tanashea Young Williams. Rhonda McCorry-Smith offered Jeffrey Williams as an additional alternate because of his involvement in Southside neighborhood. City Employee, Hope Reasons stated that she will make an addendum to the RFP with answers to applicants' questions. Ms. Reasons will clarify that the artwork should be located only in the median. Ms. Reasons also said that so far we have only received 1 proposal. Ms. Reasons also stated that she would review how much traffic the RFP site had received. City Planning Director Carol Gault mentioned that we should have WPSD TV do a story on the call to artists. Council Members Cochran and McMillan mentioned that we should email all arts organizations as well. Council Member Cochran and Reasons felt that we will receive submissions closer to the due date as they have experienced in the past. They also mentioned contacting the Kentucky Arts Council about the Call to Artists. Council Member Sullivan expressed her discourage that local artist Toney Little felt that the $55,000 was too little for him to submit a proposal because of his busy schedule. BOARD MEMBERS UPDATE: Planning Director Gault said several board members terms end in March 2025 and the process would move more smoothly if we allowed those not qualified to renew to roll off at that time. It was suggested Mr. Todd Birdsong be considered as a new CCC member. Commissioner Cochran felt that other people should be considered in addition to Birdsong. Commissioner Sullivan and Ragland mentioned Mr. Jeffrey Williams should be considered as well. It was stated to encourage any interested to suggest they fill out a board application for the vacancy and Mayor Bray can review. Also, as a reminder, Carol Gault state she could not find where the CCC workplan was adopted. She suggested some work be done to the bylaws to ratify how long CCC Members serve. KINDIG KEAST RECOMMENDATION : Chairman Ragland stated that Kindig Keast Consulting Firm of Houston had been hired by the City of Paducah to work on the community’s comprehensive plan. In reviewing the recommendation associated with the comp plan it was noted there was mention of a percentage for the arts be discussed. In the context of the comprehensive plan, it was highlighted that other communities have a funding amount set aside for public art. Discussion followed as to how to pursue this funding mechanism. WEBSITE: Several questions arose about the state of the current website for CCC. Planning Director Gault explained that she understood Socially Present was paid to develop the CCC website as part of a NEA grant. Apparently there is some question as to how well the site works at this time and it still needs considerable work. Currently, Socially Present is paid $90/hour to edit the site. Cochran recommended that we consider Horizon Media's Austin Madding to redevelop the website. Ms. Gault said she would have some research done re: their price and time frame to make changes. NEW HOTEL PUBLIC ART PROJECT: It was brought up that the new hotel in downtown might also be a great location for public art. Chairman Ragland reiterated that the Southside project is the beta test for any future projects. RETREAT: Ms. Gault and Commissioner Cochran expressed that the bylaws need a workplan to clarify whether the CCC focuses inward or outward. Further, the CCC needs stated goals that explain whether we assist the artists in achieving their vision thru fundraising or if we go after projects ourselves. Chairman Ragland shared what projects the CCC have successfully been involved with such as: The Plein Air silent auction at the Garden Club of Paducah's flower show at Carson Center, the Barkley Airport grand opening and the CSI art exhibit. Ms. Gault stated that instead of being reactive in assisting projects, the CCC may want to be diligent in what their workplan is for each year and create an agenda reflecting such with a budget to reach CCC's goals. A retreat was discussed to create a Public Art Master Plan where the CCC creates an inventory of projects to complete for each year. It would allow the CCC focus on clear yearly goals with funding sources and track progress from year to year. ADJOURN: Commissioner Hope Reasons moved to adjourn, Cochran seconded.