HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.09.22 - Arts & Culture Commission - MinutesPASCO ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
LOCATION – HELD VIRTUALLY
Pasco Arts and Culture Commission – Meeting Minutes 9/23/2020
o CALL TO ORDER by Chair Emma Barnes
o 6:04PM
o ROLL CALL
o Ana Armijo
o Emma Barnes, Chair
o Calumet Kubalek
o Saul Martinez
o Nisha McSwane-Franco, Vice-Chair
o Rebecca Merkley-Omeje
o Also Present: Angela Pashon, Grace Lieberman, Rick White, Eric Ferguson
o APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
o Chair Barnes motioned to approve the meeting minutes of August 26th.
o Commissioner Martinez seconded,
o Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
o APPROVAL OF WORK PLAN (with one change noted below)
o Chair Barnes motioned to approve the work plan
o Commission Merley-Omeje seconded.
o Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
o Facilitator, Grace Lieberman to revise section 2d as follows:
o Engage CBS (replace with CBC) and/or WSU Tri-Cities for additional art education
opportunities.
o GUEST SPEAKERS for Sign Code, Murals, and Policy for Public Art
o Rick White, Community and Economic Development Director
o Explained the existing sign code
o PMC 17.10.010
▪ “Sign – wall” means any sign, mural or graphic design which is
attached parallel to, or flat against, or is painted on, the wall or
exterior of a building or structure having a commercial message or
identification.
▪ “Sign – wall mural or artwork” means a mural or artwork painted on a
building wall that may or may not have a commercial message, name,
or other advertisement incorporated. (Exterior surface color alone is
not considered a mural or artwork.)
o Informed the commission that Elizabeth Garvin, city-hired consultant that
specializes in sign codes/murals will review sign code in two phases – the
first phase, almost complete, is more of an academic exercise to eliminate
redundancies; second phase focuses on options/recommendations.
PASCO ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
LOCATION – HELD VIRTUALLY
Pasco Arts and Culture Commission – Meeting Minutes 9/23/2020
o Eric Ferguson, City Attorney
o As city attorney, Mr. Ferguson stated the importance of rules/regulations
around public art. He used Town of Gilbert v AZ as an example, where the
Supreme Court considered whether local regulations governing the content
of signs in Gilbert, Arizona, violated the First Amendment. The Court found
that the sign regulations were content-based restrictions on free speech, and
could not survive strict scrutiny. He went on to state another example with
Hopper v. City of Pasco where the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that
the City intentionally had opened its display space to expressive activity by
the public without regard to content, thus making it a designated public
forum. Had the City established an objective, viewpoint neutral policy, which
was clearly articulated, then the policy could be constitutionally permissible if
it effectuated a compelling state interest. Without a well-established policy
though, the Court found the City’s actions were a violation of the artists’ first
amendment rights. Both examples, used to state the importance of and
need for well-defined policies.
o Commissioner Questions/Comments to Sign-Code
o Several commissioners including Commissioner Merkley-Omeje asked for further
clarification of the sign code.
o Chair Barnes asked if Commission could be included in Elizabeth Garvin’s phased
approach to the sign code.
o Commissioner Martinez reiterated the importance of public art, not as a content
neutral expression for all to agree upon but rather an opportunity to invoke
dialogue. He used Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” monument and its’ narrative
and resulting conversation that’s as much a part of the artwork as the artwork itself.
o Facilitator, Grace Lieberman asked if a color-block mural or paint-only (no
messaging) could be considered “in code” and forgo the 25% limitation of current
sign code? Commissioner Martinez furthered the question by asking if murals could
exist on rooftops or streets without being in violation of the code.
o Staff Report
o Angela Pashon suggested Zach Ratkai, Administrative and Community Services
Director as featured speaker for October meeting to discuss Peanuts Park.
o Grace Lieberman to conduct “discovery sessions” between meetings to advance
sub-committee focus.
o Public Comment
o No public comments were registered
o GOOD OF THE ORDER
PASCO ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
LOCATION – HELD VIRTUALLY
Pasco Arts and Culture Commission – Meeting Minutes 9/23/2020
o Commissioner McSwane-Franco asked if we could partner with other commissions,
such as the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Commission for art projects associated with
Kurtzman Pavillion.
o ADJOURNMENT
o There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Next
meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Approved 9/22/2020 at virtual meeting Angela Pashon
Chair Signature Staff Liaison Signature