McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Arts Commission met Oct. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER 

A Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Arts Commission was called to order by Vice-Chair Susan Stelford at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 9, 2023, in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Woodstock City Hall.

ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken and Vice-Chair Susan Stelford confirmed a quorum was present.

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Barbara Bundick, John Hegner, Julie Miller, Mark Murray and Vice-Chair Susan Stelford.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Bethany Fritz and Chair Anne Marie Whitmore Lenzini. 

OTHERS PRESENT: Lydia LaGue, Woodstock Independent.

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson and Deputy Clerk Bernie Walker.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 

Motion by B. Bundick, second by J. Miller, to accept the minutes from the September 11, 2023, Arts Commission Meeting.

Ayes: B. Bundick, J. Hegner, J. Miller, M. Murray and Vice-Chair Stelford. Nays: None. Abstentions: None. Absentees: B. Fritz and Chair Whitmore Lenzini. Motion carried; minutes accepted.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

COMMISSION COMMENTS: Vice-Chair Stelford introduced and welcomed Mark Murray to the Commission and asked him to share a little about himself. M. Murray shared he’s lived in Woodstock for 18 years and that he has a background in sculpture, and works in private philanthropy for the Field Foundation of Illinois, where he is the Chief Operating Officer. Vice-Chair Stelford then asked the Commission to introduce themselves to M. Murray.

B. Bundick shared a picture of intersection art (books in a crosswalk) that she saw while in Eugene, Oregon. Vice-Chair Stelford mentioned that there is a grant for intersection art and that she will forward the link to B. Bundick. Discussion ensued about grants, timelines and working with Barb Szul, the City’s grant writer. G. Anderson mentioned his idea of placing music staff /notes in the crosswalk by the Opera House. M. Murray asked if the Arts Commission has a budget to which G. Anderson replied they don’t; however, they can request budget funding through the CIP process or through other agencies, local fund raising or grant organizations. G. Anderson also opined that the Arts Commission’s role isn’t to push specific art projects, but rather to establish policies that makes it easier for art to happen in Woodstock.

GENERAL BUSINESS/DISCUSSION 

1. Roundabout Feedback 

G. Anderson presented the Lake Avenue Roundabout ideas that were shared with Council members during their quarterly meetings. He shared that several members were leaning towards the flag pole, which incorporates all of the elements of the Square, and that the runner up was a monument sign.

Vice-Chair Stelford asked the Arts Commission how they felt about the flag pole to which they opined, it didn’t say much about art and it doesn’t say anything specific to Woodstock. The consensus of the Arts Commission is that the flag pole isn’t their favorite option.

Vice-Chair Stelford asked the Commission to share their favorite design. Discussion ensued as the Commission tried to narrow down to one design. They agreed they like Bobby Joe’s 3-person statue but proposed making some changes; adding different “charms,” installing a 1-2’ stone wall similar to wall on the Square, adding landscaping and adding colored floodlights. The Commission also discussed changing the scale (possibly 10-12’ high by 15’ wide) which could impact budget, and fundraising to close any gaps. They also want to know the title of the sculpture.

J. Hegner proposed inviting Bobby Joe to the November Commission meeting and M. Murray recommended sharing the Commission’s design ideas with him prior to the meeting, so he will be prepared to discuss changes. J. Hegner will schedule a meeting with Bobby Joe and G. Anderson. Vice-Chair Stelford will update Chair Whitmore Lenzini who will follow up with the Administration. G. Anderson will reach out to Public Works to get a cost estimate for the stone wall and nominal landscaping.

J. Miller passed around an updated rendering of the Renoir sculpture with landscaping added, clarifying it was between six and seven feet tall. There was also discussion about placing it in the Woodstock Square rather than the Lake Avenue Roundabout where people can get close to it and take pictures and/or selfies with it.

2. Process for Businesses That Want to Put Up a Mural 

G. Anderson met with Darrell Moore, City Planner, to discuss murals and shared that murals are not referenced in the UDO and that they are considered signs, per our city code. He also shared that buildings in the historic district have different rules than those outside of the historic district. G. Anderson reviewed the approval process, size restrictions, types, specific regulations, items of information and costs, adding that the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will get involved as they will need to approve any murals on the Square. G. Anderson stated that HPC supports murals, but they would rather keep them off the Square so it doesn’t distract from the historic nature of the downtown. G. Anderson then reviewed seven possible locations for a mural. J. Miller asked about prioritizing and B. Bundick asked about creating a procedure to which Vice-Chair Stelford suggested the Commission create a mural ordinance for people that want to have murals on their buildings.

Vice-Chair Stelford put together a document titled Business and City Art Partnerships that she presented to the Commission which covered the application process through the art unveiling. She highlighted specific areas that the Commission would need to work on, and suggested they work in groups of two outside of the Commission meetings. Vice-Chair Stelford also recommended pulling some information from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission (ECAC), and adding a City of Woodstock support section that includes resources. J. Miller asked who is responsible for fundraising to which Vice-Chair Stelford stated the building owner is responsible. G. Anderson will email the presentation to the Commission so they can review and be prepared to share what they would like to work on at the next meeting. M. Murray commented that MCC also has a similar application which may be useful so he will send to G. Anderson who will forward to the Commission. Julie asked if the Chamber could announce the new process, once completed, to the building owners so they are aware to which G. Anderson confirmed the Chamber or Staff could share. Vice-Chair Stelford clarified the document would apply to both murals and sculptures; however, it must be public art, not private. Vice-Chair Stelford also asked G. Anderson to send the final Mural RFP, Roundabout RFP and the Arts Plan from NIU from 1-2 years ago to the Arts Commission.

3. Artspace Plan 

G. Anderson stated there were no new updates.

4. NIU Arts Plan 

G. Anderson stated there were no new updates.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

The following items were identified for the next meeting:

• Melissa Cooney $10,000 Donation.

The following items were identified for future meetings:

• McHenry County Community Foundation Grant – Garrett will ask Barb Szul, Grant Writer about grant opportunities.

• Process for Businesses that want to put up a Mural

o Senator Craig Wilcox is interested in installing a mural on his office building. His staff has approached the City to inquire about proper procedures.

o D. Gulli reported the owner of Cesaroni’s is also interested in installing a mural on the side of their building that would be viewable from the Metra station. G. Anderson met with Brandon Cesaroni on 9/11/23 and he is supportive of having a mural on his building.

o Defining the Sign Code re: murals.

• D. Gulli plans to meet with artist Erik Blome regarding his interest in creating a Groundhog Day themed bench/sculpture for the Square.

• Vote on 2024 Vice-Chair.

ADJOURN 

Motion by J. Miller, second by B. Bundick, to adjourn to the next regular meeting of the Woodstock Arts Commission to be held on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at Woodstock City Hall.

Ayes: B. Bundick, J. Hegner, J. Miller, M. Murray and Vice-Chair S. Stelford. Nays: None. Abstentions: None. Absentees: B. Fritz and Chair Whitmore Lenzini. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/arts_commission/meeting/46596/6._f_-_10-9-23_arts_commission_minutes_-_final.pdf