Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Arts Commission met Jan. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. ROLL CALL

Present Quinn Adamowski, Lori Carmine, Eric Gorder, John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, David Wheeler, Vince Logan and Tom Grotovsky

Absent Giovanni Alvarado, Ellis Wright, Donna Franks-Tapley, Greg Peerbolte, Lonnie Posley and Deborah Summers

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Lori Carmine, seconded by Eric Gorder, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-6935: Arts Commission Minutes - November 15, 2023. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None.

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

4. OLD BUSINESS

A. City Square Sculpture RFP

Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the RFP. Heitner stated that the City's goal is to get the RFP out for public review by the end of the month.

Commissioner Adamowski asked if more than three months is needed for receipt of proposals. The Commission generally agreed that expanding the proposal window to four months is advisable.

Discussion was had about advertising mechanisms for the RFP.

Heitner provided an overview of the updated timeline for the RFP. Commissioner Adamowski suggested removing two weeks from the public input timetable.

Commissioner Simpson asked how city staff or the Commission would answer questions from artists on the RFP. Heitner stated that in addition to the addenda described in the RFP, staff might need to consider additional outreach in the way of Zoom meetings or follow-up addenda to all applicants. Heitner stated that he would add language to the RFP to allow the City to amend the schedule of the RFP as seen fit. Commissioner Simpson also suggested adding an estimate for fabrication time to the application.

This Agenda Item was approve with the following suggested amendments.

1. That the application receipt window be changed from three months to four months.

2. That the public review and comment period for selected pieces be reduced from six weeks to four weeks.

3. Pending Corporate Counsel review, addition of language that provides the City with the right to amend the RFP timeline as needed.

4. That the applicant shall provide an time estimate for fabrication of the proposed sculpture.

Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

B. Poet Laureate RFQ

Staff Liaison Heitner and Commissioner Gorder provided an update on the Poet Laureate RFQ.

The Commission discussed various advertising strategies for the RFQ.

Commissioner Adamowski asked about amending eligibility criteria to allow for musical lyrics as an acceptable form of media. The Commission agreed to amend the eligibility language to accept any media as documentation for publication. Commissioner Carmine clarified that there should still be a distinction between spoken word poetry and music.

This Agenda Item was approved with the following amendments.

1. Update of the cover page year to 2024.

2. Clarification that payment would be made per a two-year term quarterly basis of $1,500 for every six months of service.

3. That all media (books, journals, websites, etc.) be acceptable forms of publication for applicants.

Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. Election of Arts Commission Chairperson

A motion was made by Lori Carmine, seconded by Eric Gorder, to reappoint Ron Romero as Arts Commission Chair. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

Abstain: Romero

B. Election of Arts Commission Vice-Chairperson

A motion was made by Adamowski, seconded by Stoiber, to reappoint Lori Carmine as Vice-Chairperson of the Arts Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

Abstain: Carmine

6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

None.

A. Presentation from WriteOn

The presentation will be rescheduled for a future meeting.

B. Subcommittee Reports

i. Bylaws

None.

ii. Events

Commissioner Gorder discussed the Poet Laureate position and a potential pop-up art gallery project.

iii. Funding

Staff Liaison Heitner stated that he will try to schedule a meeting for either January 24 or 31.

iv. Public Art and Policy

Staff Liaison Heitner stated that he will try to schedule a meeting for either January 24 or 31. v. Vision

None.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Wheeler, Logan and Grotovsky

Absent: Alvarado, Wright, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Posley and Summers

This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780.

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2024/1/2078_M_Arts_Commission_24-01-17_Meeting_Minutes.pdf