AGENDA  #13b

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:      Acceptance and Referral of the Chapel Hill Public Art Contextual Plan

DATE:            June 12, 2006

The attached resolution would thank the Public Arts Contextual Plan Steering Committee members for their work and accept their report entitled Chapel Hill Public Art Contextual Plan. The resolution would also refer the report to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Greenways Commission, Historic District Commission, Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Transportation Board and the Town Manager and Town Attorney for comments and recommendations and would also require a minimum of one public forum to solicit input from citizens and the development community on recommendations presented in draft Art Contextual Plan. In addition, courtesy copies would be provided to the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen.

BACKGROUND

In July and August 2003, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission (CHPAC) met with Town representatives to discuss a process to develop a plan for public art that would look similar to other Town master plans.  To execute this request, a committee was formed to discuss how best to incorporate the goals of other Town Boards and Commissions and their interface with the Town. 

On February 7, 2004, a Community Open House was hosted by the CHPAC at the Public Library to solicit initial ideas and responses from residents.

During August 2004, the CHPAC presented an overview of the Public Art Contextual Plan to Town Boards and Commissions, inviting a representative from each to collaborate with the CHPAC through a formal Steering Committee that included Town staff, elected Council representatives, artists and interest groups. 

In June 2005, the Town Council awarded a $25,000 grant to the CHPAC to complete this planning effort; the North Carolina Arts Council also awarded funding to the CHPAC for the Contextual Plan in the amount of $3,500. 

In December 2005, public art consultant Gail Goldman was asked to guide this planning process and develop recommendations for the inclusion of public art in Chapel Hill.  Her first site visit was on January 17-20, 2006.  Gail Goldman returned to Chapel Hill from March 21-23, 2006 and April 24-26, 2006, meeting with the Contextual Plan Steering Committee, the CHPAC, arts professionals, the Town Council, Town Attorney, Town staff, community organizations, and other interested parties.

The Steering Committee, chaired by Janet Kagan and comprised of members of the Town Council, representatives from the Town Boards and Commissions, Town staff and professional artists, worked collectively to develop the ideas and strategic recommendations of the Contextual Plan.  Members of the Steering Committee included representation from the following Town boards and commissions:

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Board
• Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission
• Community Design Commission
• Greenways Commission
• North Carolina Arts Council
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning Board
• Transportation Board

On May 25, 2006, the CHPAC voted unanimously to forward the draft Chapel Hill Public Arts Contextual Plan to the Council.

DISCUSSION

The Contextual Plan Steering Committee has completed their work and submitted its Report to the CHPAC. On May 25, 2006, the CHPAC voted unanimously to forward the Draft Chapel Hill Public Arts Contextual Plan to the Council. The Council could accept the Report from the Committee and refer it to Boards, Commissions and the staff for further review. If the Council accepts and refers this Report we would collect comments and recommendations from all sources including board members, citizens, and staff; and make them available to the Council at a public hearing on October 23. We believe that final Council consideration and possible adoption of the Report could take place on November 6. The final adopted Report would be modified to address any changes and corrections required by the Council.

We recommend the following schedule:

June 2006

• Referral of  the draft plan to boards, commissions, and staff for comments

August - October 2006

• Review of the draft plan by boards, commissions, and staff

• Provision of copies to Orange County Board of Commissioners, Carrboro Board of Alderman, and staff

November 2006

• Public forum to solicit input from development community

January – February 2007

• Town Council pubic hearing and consideration for action

RECOMMENDATIONS

Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission: The Commission met on May 25, 2006 and voted unanimously to recommend that the Council approve the Draft Chapel Hill Public Arts Contextual Plan.

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution that would:

• Thank the Contextual Plan Steering Committee for their work and accept their Chapel Hill Public Art Contextual Plan.
• Refer the report to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Greenways Commission, Historic District Commission, Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Transportation Board and the Town Manager and Town Attorney for comments and recommendations.
• Include at least one public forum to solicit input from citizens and the development community on recommendations presented in draft Art Contextual Plan.
• Authorize the Manager to provide copies to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.