Art Advisory Board - Regular Meeting

Pops in when she pops in. Yeah.

Good evening. It is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and the Art Advisory Board is now called to order. At this time, can I get a roll call, please? Lynn Falk, present. Don McCulley, present. Eva Rathgator, present. Jennifer Wilson, present.

Michael Davies, staff liaison.

OK, thank you. All right, at this time, can we rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

At this time, is there any public comment?

I don't know if you want to insert me in public comment.

There would be a card. We have public comment cards. Oh, OK. Do we have any? We can do it at the end. Or during, if she's trying to talk, are you trying to talk for a specific matter? Oh, yes. OK, then we'll list that on there for what you're wanting to speak to. And when we call for that, you can speak during that issue if you'd like. Tiffany is going to go get you a public comment card. Oh, OK. I missed it.

Thank you. OK. At this time, we're going to go ahead and go over the approval of minutes. 26-0991, approve the July 14, 2026 Art Advisory Board minutes. I don't know if I can approve what that is in here.

You can. The assumption would be you were given access to them you read them or, but yes, it is within your, yeah.

Second.

Okay. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Thank you so very much. Okay. So we are going to talk about some unfinished business 26-0674. Discussion and possible action regarding Garden of Five Senses sculpture project.

All right.

So Don McCauley, I think, will take it from you.

Sure, sure. It's proceeding. I've been in contact with my material supplier, let him know kind of the update and he's providing some insight into the best possible materials. And it's specifically said we want length of material life with best possible applications. Obviously, they can't determine all the factors. And right now, it's slated for my next project. So I'm looking at probably Depending on this one, it could be as early as November or probably January, I'm guessing. To begin or finish?

To begin. OK, to begin.

Yeah, that will take probably about six or seven months to six to eight. Well, let's say six to eight months to complete. OK. It's a doozy, but it'll be amazing.

I know it will.

I know it will.

Are there any modifications to it?

As far as I know, right now it's pretty close to the original. And I'll provide a new spec sheet and everything else. I've been running some other materials experiments. So it might differ slightly, but it's really the internals that put the outside. And full structure of it will remain the same. OK. Yeah. All right. And I can actually show you guys.

Yeah, I'm sure they'd like to see it. Yeah, I would love to see it. Are we still within the budget?

I'm getting there, but yeah. Oh, it will definitely be within budget.

Okay, super. 100%. Yeah, is it going to be up on the screen here?

How do we screen share, or if that's possible? If not, I can kind of have you guys just come.

Gather around?

Yeah.

Is it up right now?

It's just loading. Is it up in the, I mean, is it Google? Are you up in the cloud? Because you could come over here and log in.

No, it's through my personal computer, so. So this is the basic setup. And it is 5 by 5 feet and then roughly 5 feet tall. So this material base here is a log that was recovered from right after Hurricane Milton. Yeah, and it's red cedar. It's about four and a half feet tall. The rest of it will be composite epoxy or concrete materials. The lotus petals here will be a material called crystal clear, and it's water clear, and then with dyes injected into the material.

Will it have the shapes?

Yes. Previously discussed. Right. Yeah, that's the only part that I haven't. Oh, that's the butterfly. That's not there, though. Yeah, the butterfly will be there, and then I will contain exactly that.

Does this sit directly on the ground?

It does, yes. So the interior, essentially, will anchor it to the ground. Yeah, so yeah, and it'll be incredibly obvious.

Oh yeah, it's gorgeous. And do we have an exact location in the park?

I don't know because I'm not sure. We're talking the location in the Garden of Five Senses Park. Are you aware if Parks and Recreation has given us kind of a spot? I mean, I'm thinking it's going to be kind of over near the Zen Garden area, away from the playground.

Well, right now, I was looking, trying to see, find the minutes for the meeting where the sculpture was approved. So did the creation or installation, the commission, go to commission at some point, and they said yes?

I think so. I mean, I know that he had all of his paperwork submitted, which is gone.

The project was originally started in, what, 23, I believe? Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So I initially set it all up that way. Some things happened, and I said, no, I can't. And then now I joined the board again, and I I wanted to do it, but due to some unforeseen circumstances at the time, I had said no after basically I'd prepped everything and had it approved.

So, OK. Well, you can even elaborate more on this, but he had even tested the materials for a period of time outside to see how they would endure the elements. over many months in the summer, right? The heat, especially. So they seem to have held up from what I understand, if I remember correctly.

Yeah, no, unfortunately. Florida is special and eats everything else.

But of course, costs may change because they were different. Now things are more expensive, so I don't know where we're at on that yet.

Exactly, yeah. Once I nail down the exact materials, I can get a cost to you guys and... as, you know, as we get closer to that time. Okay.

Would we need to go ahead and get this re-approved since we're kind of starting all over again? Is this, I mean, you wouldn't have to let me know.

Again, just point of order. If, if it sounds, so when I came in January, this project existed, right? And then as you speak, you've spoken to, it started a couple years ago. Okay.

Okay.

And then at some point, and you weren't on the board, but you were part of the commission. So what we just need to do is confirm that this commission said, yes, go ahead and put this piece in the garden of five seconds.

I mean, as far as I know, they were because they had all the paperwork. Right. Or at least City Hall had the papers.

I just need to track all that down.

Right.

Then my understanding is that it needs to then, if it's already been approved, All we would need to do, I think, is for this board presently to say, we discussed it last time. You're back. You were charged with bringing an updated kind of presentation. You've done that. The board has reviewed it. And the board, you could put a motion right now on this item and say, we want to move forward with the new proposal. And then charge me to do the labor of finding out where does everything lie in terms of the city approval process. Report back to the next meeting. That is what I would recommend we do going forward.

And you can check with Parks and Recreation.

Right, I'll do all that. So if you guys vote today, if you say make a motion to go with the new updated proposal, you guys pass it, then you would just direct me. And you won't have to vote. You just say, please do this. I would then... do all that work of figuring out where we are in the city approval process, report back to the very next meeting and say, this is where we're at. This is what I discovered. In order to go forward, either it's already a green light and everything's fine. I just don't know. Or this is what you need to do. So that's what I recommend.

Is that also including a location in the park?

Yes. I think there was some, I think, I believe I had a conversation with Sandy, who's the director of parks, And there was like, where is this thing going? And I was like, they're still working on it. So that approval process, yes, Parks is going to have to approve it. And I think it may also have to go to the Parks Advisory Board. So you're the Art Advisory Board for the whole city. There's a Parks Advisory Board. Unless I discover, and I will do it this week, Everything was approved, right? Like we already said, yes. The commission said, yes. Put it in five sets of senses. Yes. Put it here. Okay. And it was, all that's happened is you, you have been administering the project and what happened is it kind of went sideways a little bit, which is fine. That always happens. And now you've got it back in on track and you want to then complete the original charge that you presented to the commission.

And of course, at the time, the budget was smaller than it is going to be currently.

I would need to check on the approval process as well as the funding.

And I can provide an updated scope with material costs and then time and labor and all that. So yes. And then once the location is decided upon, I can provide photos and whatnot. Exactly kind of almost what it will look like there.

I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say Parks Advisory Board and Parks will want to know exactly how much it's going to cost and exactly where you're proposing putting it. So it's important that when I come back and say, this is what you guys need to do to get this done, that you're aware that it's going to be all tied up with a bow and ready, boom, period.

Exactly. Yeah, sure. Sure, sure, sure.

Because otherwise, they'll just go, well, we can't make a decision, and they'll kick it down, and you'll be back here three months from now. We'll be having the same conversation. Right, exactly.

So Eva, do you have a specific place within the location that you'd like, or maybe that we can suggest a proposal, or I can put it into the scope?

Would it be best to mount it into concrete or to firm ground?

Firm ground. Concrete's not necessary because it is concrete and it will have posts. I don't... Yeah, no. Not necessary.

Okay, so when you pull into that park and there's the cul-de-sac and you can park around in the cul-de-sac area and your playground is over here. Over here is the Zen Garden or the water fountain that's over there.

Okay.

There is... benches or something. Um, and then there's a couple of little like children's statues. Like I think there's a kid reading a book or something.

Okay.

There's a piece of ground over there that doesn't have anything on it. It seems to be part of the property there. Um, that might be a nice location away from the playground.

So,

Is that what I'm seeing? Yeah. Yeah. OK, so back this way. No, no. Yeah, I want to go back this way. Sorry. OK, so this is where most people come and they park to go over to the park. So someplace. This is, I think somewhere over here is where the little water fountain is. But there's some ground area over here that looks like it runs kind of parallel to this ditch thing from the main road. That seems to be a nice spot off of the sidewalk here. I think it's too big possibly for what ground space you have there possibly. But you can certainly tell me what you think.

Because if you went back this way behind the playground, that's like a walking story trail. So you can't, we can't do anything over that way. But there seems to be some

area over here. I wish I could give you more specifics. That's okay.

I can go down and take some photos and whatnot.

Or somewhere close to that. But it seems to be perfect to be on this side because that's what that whole side is about. There's a sundial there. It's all about nature, butterflies, the feeling of peace and serenity. And that's kind of what this whole sculpture is all about and bringing you back to... a better frame of mind after Ian, basically, and many other reasons why. But yes.

So you need a motion. And I abstain. I can't make the motion. Michael, you said, and I thought I wrote it down somewhere, after you do this lovely spiel, we were supposed to repeat something and say, da, da, da, da, motion. The short guy.

Yeah, the short guy.

And I can't find where I wrote that down.

I don't remember it either. Are you talking about in terms of the process?

No, it's just some verbiage you said.

It was a shorter way to kind of say what you said. Oh.

Just to get to, like, ditto. You could say it like this. I mean, you could say, I move that we authorize Donald McCauley.

Well, now you're saying. OK, you say it all.

I am. merely your servant suggesting that this language, someone could use this language, which is I so move that Don McCauley be given the commission to complete the sculpture for the Garden of Five Senses project since you've reviewed it. So that's all you got to say.

Well, since you're not giving me that exact verbiage today. Well, I forget. I've forgotten what I said. I wrote it somewhere. I'm going to find it. I know what it is. I move for you, staff liaison Michael, to.

No, you don't have to. You can just, you guys need to make a motion to approve his new proposal. Oh, oh. That's it. OK. And then you just tell me. What to do. Michael, yes. Can you please do this back?

I make a motion to approve his updated proposal. Yes. For the Garden of the Senses sculpture, the hands with the lily.

Yes. Lotus.

Mm-hmm.

And someone has to second it, and you vote.

I second the motion.

All in favor? Aye. Aye. OK. The ayes have it. Motion carried. Oh, Michael, you love us.

That's good fun.

All right. And now we tell Michael what to do. Please and thank you.

But you need the updated proposal and the exact location when you go to the commission.

Right. So, yes. So that won't happen until I come back to the next meeting. I'll come back because I've got to make sure that I don't know, and I've been trying to find it, but I don't have time to do it. What exactly went to commission on this particular project? And if the commission said, yes, and I'm making this up, but if they said, yes, you can spend $10,000 for this project and put it in the Garden of Five Senses and put it here, that's all laid out, then I would come back and say that to you guys. And you can say, well, we don't like that location. We want to change it. That would just be administrative. And then you tell me to go back and talk to parks to see if they can move it. Welcome to government.

I know, but if they say, yes, it's approved, why can't you just pull out the paperwork then and say, if it's approved, this is where they'd like to put it, and this is the amount.

I may be able to do that. When I do the background, get the background on this stuff. If everything to me looks like, OK, this is all good, I will contact Parks and say, Sandy, They approve this. Here's all the minutes from the previous meetings. It's all good to go. And the only issue it seems right now is cost. Is it going to cost more? Now that will have to go back to commission. It's going to cost more. I'm almost 100% sure. And location. Location should be able to be handled just administratively between you guys, me, and Parks.

I thought... that the increased amount was approved.

We had talked about that with board members that have come and gone. I guess most of them are already gone. But they had approved to increase. Everybody was in agreement to rise this budget from $5,000, which was the original, up to $20,000. Yes. I was just going to say, I remember $20,000. We all came into an agreement. You probably would have to go back in the record, of course, and look at that, but that's where we were.

I can give you some rough dates. I would say it was probably between... This time last year, wasn't it? Right, yeah. Yeah, July. I would say probably June to July of last year.

Yeah, it wasn't that long ago when we increased the budget Okay, so now what I would suggest is you just need me to do what I need to do and then report back Time to once he has the updated completely the package with the bow on top and everything This is what it's gonna cost whatever just make that available to me. Sure and And we'll go from there. Because then you can move on to the other agenda.

Because I know that the board approved, everybody who was on the board at the time approved that we were on agreement that this project needed to be a bigger budget. Yes. So would you please do me the favor, not favor, but would you please look into making sure that the commission was aware? Right. Yes. So we can... not repeat this because I think that was where the problem lied prior to this, back two plus or so years ago.

There's an agenda item. Art on the Rocks, Rocking North Port. That's different. That was five senses. Discussion of possible action, five senses sculpture being built in the five senses garden. Call to artist packet review, next steps. That looks like, to me, Anyway, I'll find it. But I think in the interest of expediting everything, you've done what you need to do. I know what I need to do. And you can move on to the next item. Unless you'd want to discuss some more. I'm not trying to hurry you guys up. No, no, no. It's fine.

OK. All right. I think we've got our bases covered for now. And this will give you a month to get everything ready that you need.

OK. Super.

OK. Thank you, guys. All right, so we are going to move on to 26-0675, discussion of possible action regarding arts in the hall project planning.

OK, that's me.

She's going to discuss the item. And then I'll call the public. OK, all right. Thank you.

Thank you. OK. So we need to discuss the Arts in the Hall project planning for, it's going to be 2027. Is it 2027, Michael?

I'm sorry?

The Arts in the Hall project planning, is it for next?

It's really for, yeah, well, now going forward, yes.

Okay, so.

Because it was made clear to us at the last meeting that this is something that just goes on every year. Throughout the year, there's art in City Hall, and that different organizations come in and do it. What happened with this board was we came in in January. Coordinating that was trusted to one of the board members, who then was no longer there. So the ball dropped. Then we didn't have a quorum. canceled to me you know we didn't meet for two months basically exactly and so now it's July and we're trying to get back on board and I don't remember I should look but I remember offhand what who last year last time someone took it back on didn't one of the board members agree to do it myself it wasn't me oh was it um the woman that's no longer Christine Bonnie had come in my place yeah last meeting but didn't

There really wasn't any, we didn't move forward with anything on it. We talked about spreadsheets, I think. A spreadsheet or something.

Yes. And I uploaded that stuff to the minutes. Arts in the Hall contact list and the Arts in the Hall calendar. I think with unfinished businesses, someone on the board needs to become the quarterback for that. and work with the community to get that self-scheduled in. And then what you need from me would just be like, they're coming in these days. They're going to hang and help you guys with maintenance or whoever is going to coordinate this. But actually, I think Catherine knows a lot more about it because she's been in the community for a while and has done it before.

All right. Then I think at this time. OK, no.

For years, and I know previous to you folks on this board, The Arts Center conjured up artists in the area to do art in public places and City Hall off three floors. It used to be where we had the first quarter of the year and the third quarter of the year. The second quarter of the year was always given to the school children to have an art show. That didn't happen this year, unfortunately, and that's important. because we're homeless now as an arts center. We're still a nonprofit, 501c3. And we're continuing to do art in public places, including here. And so this third quarter, we're halfway through. It might be possible for me to organize and conjure up this last month and a half for artwork, otherwise it would would have to be tabled till next year, because City Hall decorates from October, November, December. That's then. So art in public places here is just the first 3 quarters of the year. So that's really up to you as to how you want to schedule, just because it's been that way for eons with that schedule. Even though we don't have an art center, We embrace any artist in the area. They don't have to be a member. We don't do memberships because we don't have a home. So I'm just here to see if we can schedule something for our next show. The artists that I bring in, and we hang it, and we know who all the contacts are as far as the hanging hardware, and blah, blah, blah, all of that. And of course, we usually like to do meet and greet the artist reception at the end of our quarter. But because it's kind of all up in the air here with the new group, and we're halfway through the third quarter, it just kind of depends on what your feeling is, what You would like to do.

My question to you would be, would this give you and the artists enough time to get something together before City Hall? Yeah, before they need to begin their decorations for the season? Yeah, we could. Yeah. It would be a scramble. I mean, I don't want to put you in that kind of situation.

Well, I mean, I came prepared because, you know, I had already contacted artists to go in July 1st. It didn't happen because, again, you did meet for a couple months and got some new blood and everything. So I'm just here to see what we can do. I could certainly put together enough artists to quickly do a one-month show, the remainder of this month, which we're almost halfway through.

You would need to do something between now and the end of September. Right. Because it's October.

Okay. Okay.

So, well, I guess I think we should discuss. My concern is that we don't have the capacity right now on the board to help you. At least I don't. I travel a lot with my business. I'm not gone for the next two weeks. I thought we needed someone to help. Oh, so we just approve?

No, we do it all on our own.

I have to interject. Point of order. Catherine has graciously given us some background information. However, her public comment is limited to three minutes. Also, the back and forth can't continue. I am sorry. I did raise the possibility that you could make a motion to allow her to speak more, but the only motion you could make would be for Catherine to come back and give a longer presentation. However, in the interest of the community's interest in public art and the Arts in the Hall project, I would suggest that the board can discuss, do you want to try and make it possible for this to occur in what remains of third quarter? in which case you would then need to appoint a board member to work with Catherine to coordinate that. The other option would be to say, well, we're going to make sure this happens. We get back on the regular calendar starting January of 2027. and we won't have any art in here third quarter, fourth quarter is reserved for the holidays, but then January you'll make sure that that happens. So those are the two possibilities.

And what would the point person need to do?

Point person would just be to work with her outside of the, you know, I don't know, is that illegal? Is that outside the sunshine? If you appoint a board member, this is a question, if you appoint a board member, And then they're supposed to work with the community to coordinate. They allow to do that, correct?

I think they've had people come in. Chuck English actually came and did a presentation for parks. And that's where it will allow more discussion because it will be part of the item. I think he's talking about outside of this meeting.

Once I say, if we say we want to do that, then who are they allowed then to work with the citizen to say, we're coming in on Monday and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Let me message Heather. I can see if I can get a response from you before the end of the meeting. But I think right now a motion would be to appoint somebody to be a point of contact for her. If you're going to be for quarter three.

Yeah, for any person. For Catherine's organization. Their organization really is what you want to say. Because then if it's not Catherine, it can be her designee. And the schools. So again, what your choices are, are we going to try and get this done this quarter, or are we just going to start over in January? And then additionally, which board member is going to be the point person? So those are the two decisions.

So I guess we have to discuss. I know you said you travel.

Yeah, and I'm still trying to get my baby project here.

Depends on what time of year it is. I travel a lot.

You can make the decision about whether to do it this quarter or January.

I'd say January.

You can punt on who's going to think. But you're going on the record saying, we've decided, unfortunately, we're not able to do it third quarter. We're going to definitely do it January. We'll have someone in place. Or you can say, we want to try and get something in third quarter, and this is the person to do it. But if you decide we don't really have the resources right now, we need to wait till January. Again, those are just possibilities as I see them.

OK. Yeah, because no one here is stepping up to say that they can. Not that you wouldn't want to, but just I don't know that we have the bandwidth currently. We need about five more members here to start taking on some of these projects.

I mean, I know my head has always been with the other project. I know. That has been my central focus. I don't know if I have enough time in my schedule to do it. I already take care of three foster children.

I know.

Your life is full. Yeah, it is. I'm almost inclined to you thought maybe we should go ahead and push it to really be able to plan this properly. Yeah. It feels very rushed right now. being that they missed a month and a half already. And we're down to what, like six to seven weeks before October.

One meeting left Michael you said it was for the children's art.

I don't think it's the children's No, third quarter would be Northport Art Center Historically first quarters went Northport Art Center Second quarter was the schools schools right third quarter was Northport Arts Center. Yep fourth quarter is the holiday decoration, correct and So if you decide, for example, that you want to push till January, you would simply say, your motion would be, in January we'll resume the regular calendar and have a person in place to work to make sure that the regular calendar is followed, which it was not, unfortunately, this year.

So in January, we would... Figure out exactly when they can come in.

You would want to figure that out like in November, December.

Yeah. All right. So what we need to talk about.

This will need to be on the agenda. Well, I would keep pushing it. I would push it to.

For just keeps talking about it every meeting. The unfinished business. Yes. OK. All right. Should we make a motion on that at this time?

Motion to approve. Oh, that. To continue. TO CONTINUE THE ACTION REGARDING ARTS IN THE HALL PROJECT.

TO THE REGULAR SCHEDULE OF 2021.

TO RESUME THE REGULAR ARTS IN THE HALL CALENDAR BEGINNING JANUARY 2027. CORRECT.

I'LL SECOND. ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. THE AYES HAVE IT. RUSH AND CARRIE, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. GOOD DEAL. Okay, so 26-0676, discussion and possible action regarding the Three Graces project.

So I'm still waiting for the county to come back to me to say if they are taking care of the lighting and the plumbing. They have taken care of the landscaping, but they're still not responding with lighting and getting the fountain back working. So I don't know how else I can rattle cages. I'm on their radar, but they're not responding. And we can't do anything to it until it's fixed. And then I gave them an idea to consider to attract more attention, and I asked them to think about signage. And they think this is all a great idea, but I've heard nothing. So, um, I don't know if I can try and go to the county and get an in-person meeting with someone. I mean, I'd love to meet someone on site so that I know someone's actually looking at me. Would that be a city manager to talk to? Not city. That's the county. And they, they had the maintenance people. who are able to get the landscapers out there. And that's as far as I can get. So I don't know if they should have insurance from Ian, which is the one that took out the electrical and probably ruined the pump. I don't know. But this poor little thing is still sitting there. And I just think it's especially with the place because it's probably all rusted or collapsed underground. Who knows? Option is to go through sandy with parks, even though it's she's city not County But because she's in charge of the mineral springs renovation of that historic building She might have some pull and a connection to the parks person and his County sounds like you need another name So I just sent sandy and Email or LinkedIn? Something. So I'm waiting to hear back from her.

Yeah, you should hear back from CID. I've had to contact her before.

All right. So that's my next. Fairly quick response back. Good. Good. So she's my next hope.

Yeah, because they would need somebody for plumbing and electrical clothes. Right. If the county's going to do it, they're going to have the lowest bidder come in and do it. I know. I know. I know. Well, I'd love to see the final results someday. So we'll have to just keep discussing, keep on the keep.

So we don't need a motion as long as I'm doing this on the side. Right, yeah. Just gathering information. Yeah.

to continue talking about the project um the uh three graces project or we can just have that on the agenda for updates i'll just keep if we need to keep talking about it because yeah you just say it's unfinished and you just tell me put it it's unfinished we're going to continue discussing it and i'll just kick it okay yeah because we're it is unfinished we need to get more I'm finding other ways to get information. Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yeah, I mean, a lot of these things are going to be ongoing. It isn't like you guys crank things out every month. I mean, these are long-term projects.

Yeah, that's just definitely something we want to get in there. Excuse me. Okay, so moving on to the next topic, which is 26-0797, discussion and possible action regarding peace polls project planning.

Who has that?

We discussed this last month. We were trying to resurrect this project. Yeah, but this was denied by the commission. The commission denied it. And I wasn't part of that because there's no public policy.

So we're going to have to write a policy.

Where are you at now?

I'm sorry. We are at discussion and possible action. Public policy.

So they provided us email with the minutes from the commission, and if we wanted to re-look at it or not, or if we want to just mix it.

And this is piece pulls on city properties, I'm assuming. Yes. Yes. And there would be a series, and they'd all be related, or what?

Well, originally, the project was something that was coming out of the art center that they were going to, manage all the peace poles. And it was something that you could buy at the Home Depot, these plastic things. And then if you purchased them, I think it was for $50, then you could paint them yourselves. But they all needed to stay within the theme with peace, love, community. How big are they? They're like the height of a mailbox, the pole you would put, or a pole that you would use for a for sale sign. That height, like four feet, basically. A very inexpensive project. And of course, everybody was really liking that idea. And the art center was really handling it. We just had to make this. the decision to send it forward to commission. And then at some point commission just did not want to do that.

Can you stay and just listen or do you have to go? I do that. Oh, okay. All right.

Um, she's going to come back.

Yeah. Okay. I feel like the arts center, get her on the reg.

She's going to come back to the next meeting, the very beginning. We'll get her on the regular meeting.

Okay. But can't the arts center not to sideways or go sideways, but can't the arts center be a topic for us too or no? Like finding a home for the arts center?

So under future agenda items tonight, you could say, I want to talk about this. You also could put something on the agenda. You could say items from the floor. So every meeting, I would put under, I don't know where I'd put it. Anyway, it would be on here, and it would be items from the floor. And what that would allow for is a segment for you guys to bring things up. but it would be regimented. So items from the floor is like usually the last thing on an agenda. Anything items from the floor?

Random things you want to talk about?

Yes. But it creates a space for it, but also allows that if someone was objecting to that, there would be a process for you to say, we don't want to talk about that.

I see. Do we need to make a motion to pass?

Tonight, you could do that. Say, I'd like to make a motion for us to open up the floor for items from the floor. Second then, you all go yes. Now you've done it officially, and you can do that. And then what I'll do is just keep it on the agenda so you can do what you just described.

OK. All right, so I would say for the peace polls, personally, that we put that on hold until we get, again, more people on this board.

Yeah, because I think we have one project already And then we have yours, and this is a big one. It's going to be a big one. But this was just another thing that we tried to get through. But I think maybe without having the art center as a representative here.

And that's why it should be on our agenda, because then we can be trying to build them up.

We had people that were on the board that were in the art center. And so we were in the loop of what they were doing, what their needs were, what they wanted to do, and we tried to work together. So without that, and currently they are homeless, so they're working from wherever. So we just don't have that insight to what they can do, what we can do, how to merge the two. So yeah, I do think maybe that is a project to put on hold, but not necessarily to forget, but something in the future as a beautification type thing, and just something maybe for welcoming new people to the city. And we're growing very, very quickly. So I think that would be something to talk about more at a later date. Thank you, guys.

OK, so just so I'm clear, you're basically tabling this project

For now. For now, but it may be resurrected again at some point.

Just be clear. I will not be putting it on future agendas unless you tell me you've considered unfinished business.

So it won't be it. I think our focus is to the two major big projects we've got. And then this other side one. Got you. OK. For now. Got it. Thank you. Thank you very much. OK. So we are going to move on to 26-0957, discussion of possible action regarding artist database.

Oh, well, we still have it. I don't know that much has been added to it.

The one that I know of.

One artist, Tiff. Oh, we did add. Yeah, OK. That was, yeah. She's based out of, I think, St. Petersburg area. And I've seen some of her art online through Instagram.

Pretty cool stuff. She does graffiti type art, if you will.

I don't know if that's the proper name for it, but it's kind of like graffiti style with spray paint or other techniques. But it seems like pretty cool stuff. So she might be somebody to think about someday in a future project.

Are there two artists on the agenda that asked to be put on the database?

Oh.

Were we able to find, I proposed last time, getting all the business tax receipts for those who applied as artists to be able to just populate onto the spreadsheet?

Oh, that's a great idea. I did not get a reply to that. I got to read. I'll address that again. Business tax receipts.

Yeah.

That's great. Because I think I just paid mine within the last month. So we should have at least everybody on that populated into that database.

That's what I immediately thought. I will fall in love tomorrow.

OK. Great. Great idea. Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you so much. Because we need more than a handful. Literally a handful. And we know there's many people out there. I mean, even I create art.

I know. But I think that's why the connection with the Art Center is so important. Because more people are going to go to the Art Center than come to the board of the city.

Absolutely. Okay. So, um, and would that be something we could get emailed to us?

So we all have it or it's on the agenda. There's a link to it in the agenda and the two artists that requested to be put on it are there's links in there to their work.

Um, I see it. Okay. All right. Great. Thank you.

I mean, I can just, you know, make this ongoing. And all you would need, it would be there for you. And you guys would decide who's on it and what to do with it. I would just be the clerk to maintain it.

Yep.

Perfect. That would be great. Lynn was maintaining it for a short time. A very short time. I got it going. Yeah. But yes, I think it should always be on our agenda.

So let's make it official. Somebody make a motion that the staff liaison be trusted with maintaining the artist database in perpetuity.

OK. I make a motion that the staff liaison take care of and maintain the artist database in perpetuity.

Yes. OK. Second.

OK. All in favor? Aye. Eyes, and the eyes have it carried over, motion carried. All righty, guys. So we are moving on to new business, 26-0989, discussion and possible action regarding holiday card project.

I don't know what this is. You weren't here for that. Yeah, no, it was brought up last meeting by Jill, who's not here today.

Yes, I don't know that we can even talk. It was kind of a project she was thinking of, right?

Yeah, something with school kids and holiday cards.

Yeah. So I guess I think what it was is the city was going to send out their normal holiday cards to whomever they send out their cards to using children's art as a

You know, but maybe I don't know if it was like the art classes submitting.

Yeah, if it was going to be more of a contest or within the grade levels. I'm not sure how that was going to be. Kind of like when they do print calendars and you get the best artist. So it was going to be like probably an assortment of covers.

I hate to say this, considering we're only in August, but I think there's not enough time for this.

Right, yeah. This is a planning.

Considering that we only meet monthly, And so this will move over to next month's, right? And we're already a month behind them. So this, I think, needs to probably be tabled and start talking about it more like the beginning of the year.

Well, I think this could be tied into when we start planning to have the children's art coming in. So we should be talking about this in January because we're going to be planning the other second quarter. And then when the kids are doing their art for arts in the hall, they can have already submitted some art for this possibly. This gives, I think that's what I think, but you know, if they need more time, I mean, It might be a fifth grade thing. So I don't know. Third, fourth, fifth graders involved. It could be little ones.

Could be littles, middle schoolers, and high schoolers.

Yeah, we leave it open to the whole spectrum there. But I think we should talk about this in January seriously so we can get that. really considering with the art that we're going to be asking of the schools to do for the kids. And then we can also have that. And then that can go into print at some point, be ready for. Because I like, personally, I like to have all my holiday cards out right around Thanksgiving time. Yeah, exactly. And get it over with out there in the mail, whatever. And I'm certain that probably the city handles their cards similarly. So I think. That would certainly give many, many months into planning.

I think it's something that needs to be discussed.

Does everybody feel kind of the same way? Agreed. On the same page. I need to make a motion to talk about this again.

I would say something like I move that we defer planning for holiday card project until January 2027 and then I'm sure it's on the agenda. That'll be on the agenda when we push this item to the January 2027 meeting. I move that we push this plan for this project to the January 2027 Art Advisory Board meeting. That'd be good.

I move that we push this project to the January 2027 Art Advisory Board meeting. I second.

Okay. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All right. The ayes have it. Motion carried. All right.

Do we need to, before we move further, do we need to make a motion about the art board? The art center.

I think at the end, we do items from the floor. But is that now? Or when do we do that?

You have one more agenda item. I'd like to make a motion that we discuss that we open the floor to items. we now open the floor to items from the floor. And then someone seconds it, and you just go, yes. And then you're like, OK, good. We can all talk about this. And the reason you do this is because you've created the possibility for someone to object to it. So once you create that item and you start discussing it, as things come up, you are allowed to discuss whatever you like in here. But if a member, which would never happen, objects, one of the moves they can make is say, call a question. And someone goes, second. That means those two people have said, we've talked about this too long. We need to fish or cut bait. Either put a motion on the floor or end the discussion. So it can't just be one person. One person can do that. That's simply to say that's sort of why we follow this, because it's legal and all that. But it also allows for, if someone were to object, they would have that ability within the confines of the meeting. So anyway, that's that.

OK, thank you. Okay, so we're almost there, guys. So 26-1048, discussion of possible action regarding the project tracking list.

You guys, again, who's going to maintain the project tracking list? That was the issue. I... My suggestion, merely from an administrative position, my suggestion for discussion, you can treat this like you're treating the artist database, that this is a clerical function that you would like to ascribe to the staff liaison, wherever that is. It will be on the agenda in perpetuity. And as it is updated, the staff liaison simply maintains it. Any actions or whatever are taken by the board.

make a motion that the staff liaison continues to update and maintain the project tracking list into perpetuity.

So just to clarify that means that I will always put unfinished as unfinished business the artist database And the project tracking lists are on there for you to discuss. If you get there in a meeting and you're like, we've got to have this discussed, you can just go, okay, we're done, move on. But I'll keep just moving it.

Is that possible to add essentially as a second sheet to like a spreadsheet with the artist database that way?

I will now, because Heather clarified this last meeting, there will always be a link in the, in the, agenda for you to click on that will open. It has to be public. So it will be there for you. And it is there today. I feel like we're all learning how we do this.

But I think to your point, Don, you were saying could it be one Excel and then there's a tab on the bottom for the artists and the project list.

I'll ask Heather. One spreadsheet with two tabs. I'll ask Heather. Obviously it makes perfect sense. City close. She runs. All right.

So we need to knock on her door.

All right. Was there another one we wanted to talk about before I open it up to public comment?

Lynn wanted to open the floor to issues from the floor. She has to make a motion to do that.

I'd like to make a motion to discuss items from the floor. And you need to be second and then vote on it. All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you. I would like to propose that we develop a stronger relationship and regular communication with the city art center, because I think they are critical to our growth, our expansion, our work in the community. I feel like without them, we're kind of working in a vacuum. And I don't know exactly what that means or looks like. If we could get someone from their board to be on our board, that would probably be ideal. So that someone's always here at a meeting every month.

I think it is vital. Yeah, because prior to that, we always had a representative. Because they were a sitting member on this board.

Yeah, I think it should almost be mandatory that we always have one, as long as they're in existence, that we have someone from their board represent.

It was nice because they would bring in flyers to show us what was going on with the center, different classes that were being offered, different projects they were working on, how the two could merge together. We haven't had that in a couple of years.

So is that something that we should have Kathy bring maybe somebody next time?

I would love for that to happen. So we can, I mean, I'd love to see some new faces, you know, start to, I feel like we don't know who they are, you know. And they're our source. I feel like they're the catalyst. And they don't know us either. Right. You know, so I want them to.

I think it's we need them more than they need us. Well, that's for sure. That's for sure. So Michael, who is the person that can we just reach out to them? Or do we need to have someone from the city reach out to them?

To?

Invite one of their board members to become our board member.

Yeah, are we allowed to?

I don't know. How do people get on this board?

She's subtle over there.

So to start, if you wanted one of them to be on the board, they would have to apply to the board, just like all of you guys did. They would apply to the board. You could recommend it to them, and then they would just follow through with that process, and it would be added eventually to the board. What I would recommend and what I recommended to Mike a few minutes ago was to bring her back, make your motion to have her come back to do a presentation at your next meeting. That way, at least you have her back in the door

at that same time you can in the meantime you can allow her to apply to the board or somebody else from the organization apply to the board and that would also be on your next meeting yeah I think it's a good idea because I don't want her to feel discouraged like we don't want to be any we don't want to touch anything that they're working you know and she seemed very hopeful yes and I want her to feel that way I mean she's been trying very hard I can see um um And I think inviting her back is wonderful, plus maybe she knows somebody else that she would want to accompany her in her, you know, when she can't be here. But can't we call?

That's what I don't know if we can actually step in if that breaks the... Well, why can't we plant the seed that we're looking for someone? We'd like to invite Catherine back. but also if anyone else wants to come and or is interested in applying. Can't we reach out and have that conversation with them?

So there's two things. What Justine was suggesting is tonight, separate from your relationship with the art court, you make a motion for someone to invite Katherine back to speak and present at length on the arts in the hall. You then make another motion to say, to designate someone on the board to reach out to contact the North Port Art Center to discuss the possibility of adding a member from their organization. So then you've said, we all agree to this. We voted on it. We all do this and do this.

But may I ask why we need Catherine back to talk about the city hall art project? Because I feel like she has been here multiple times talking about it.

Well, our idea was that that would help you guys plan. Oh, I see.

Because she's in charge of it, really.

She knows everything. I know that right now you have limited resources in terms of people on the board, but someone's going to have to assume that responsibility if it's going to happen first quarter of 2027.

Well, that's what I'm hoping. Maybe if we get one or two board members from the Art Center board. that one of them could be working with her. I just hate to have her come back right away because I don't think we're going to do anything until January. So I would bypass asking her to come back to talk about the city hall project, but I can make a motion for myself to reach out to the, unless someone has to do it for me to reach out to the art center, whether it's Catherine or someone else and say, we'd like to have someone, a couple of you on our board, could you apply? And if you don't want to apply right away, then come and visit next time. Sit like Carol's sitting.

I don't know. Just to clarify, you can make a motion. You said, I want to open the discussion to issues from the floor. Is it all agreed? You're discussing the relationship between yourselves and the Art Center. any person decides at any moment to go, I think I know enough, I would like to make a motion. So I can do that? You can do that, yes. You don't have to wait for someone else to make a motion.

May I? I'd like to make a motion that I reach out to the Arts Center, the North Port Arts Center, and ask if any of their board members would consider being members of the North Port Advisory Art Committee.

All in favor? Aye. Aye. And the ayes have it. Motion carried.

All right. So what did we just do?

Write it down.

Lynn's going to reach out to the heart center. OK. This is from the floor. Now, this is why I asked you to make a motion to open the discussion, because now you've arrived at a decision. And if someone came back and was like, why did Lynn talk to the Art Advisory Board? You could say, you could point to the minutes and say, we follow the procedure and we decided we want to discuss it. We discussed it. We made a motion. Everyone voted on it. So everything is.

Do we have to make a motion every meeting to do the open discussion?

What I am going to do is, based on what you've said, is that will always be there. Issues from the floor will now be a regular feature of the agenda.

OK. Perfect. At the end. Thank you.

Always at the end.

Always at the end. Thank you. But I do think we need to, I don't think Catherine needs to come next month. I think it should be like October, November. Maybe. I would so that they can get in here. And we've already got it all right.

Well, reaching out to her, maybe you could see what her schedule is. Would that work? Yeah. Is that all right if she discusses that with her?

If we don't need to see her next month, we don't even have a motion to see her next month. I mean, she was just coming back, right? No?

It's really up to you guys. You guys have said, we're going to not do this till January, but we are committed to doing it in January. We know it's going to take coordination. We know it's going to have to start basically October. So if someone in their capacity on the board is going to be leading the coordination of that, it's certainly, you guys have said, that's OK.

All right, so we're going to wait till January.

No, you're going to have to start coordinating. Lynn wants to know if she can contact her out to start working on this. And the answer, I believe, the answer is yes.

All right.

I don't think there'll be any objections to that.

OK. All right, guys. Anything else? No? Okay, well, it is 7.05, and the Art Advisory Board is adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. It was a good meeting.