TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Members Present:
Leisl Sorensen, Chairman
Kathryn Ellis, Arts Councilmember
Tam Zollinger, Arts Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, City Councilmember—excused
Bret Rohde, City Councilmember
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Zach LeFevre, Recreation and Community Events Manager
Cynthia Nelson, Deputy Recorder

Chairman Sorensen called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 3:38 p.m. The meeting was held February 9, 2021 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Sorensen, Arts Councilmembers Ellis (via Zoom), and Zollinger, City Councilmember Rohde, Manager LeFevre, Deputy Recorder Nelson, and City Manager Warnke. City Councilmember Holmgren was excused.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Arts Councilmember Zollinger to approve the February 9, 2021 agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Rohde. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, Arts Councilmember Zollinger – aye, City Councilmember Rohde – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—January 12, 2021

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to approve the January 12, 2021 minutes. Motion seconded by Arts Councilmember Zollinger. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, Arts Councilmember Zollinger – aye, City Councilmember Rohde – aye. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Presentation by City Manager Warnke on downtown

Manager Warnke said I thought it would help to give an overview on what the City Council is working on so we can coordinate our efforts. He then addressed the ordinance that created the Arts Council, along with its purpose. That included creating economic prosperity, a vibrant downtown, enhancing the appearance of Tremonton, drawing people to Main Street and downtown, while creating events and a sense of place. This Council also creates art opportunities, an art culture, promotes the unique elements of Tremonton, and sparking enjoyment and appreciation for art with the hopes of sharing it with the greatest number of people. While there is an emphasis on downtown, the thought of sharing the arts with the more people allows things to happen outside of that area.

Manager Warnke then showed the Council what the City Council is hoping to do with downtown’s streetscape. The City Council has spent about $30,000 planning block by block (300 East to 400 West) on a conceptual level. This is 30% engineered and looks at the streetscape and different improvements that could occur. This would include planters, street trees, changing the shape of Main Street with bolt outs, and pedestrian lighting. Midland Square is an area that correlates with the Arts Council. The City has not done any studies with planning the streetscape, but the City did participate with a County effort to attract people to Box Elder County. Roger Brooks, a guru of tourism, came up with rule that if you can get 250 people into a public space for 250 days out of the year it really changes the nature of the downtown area. To achieve that takes active and passive programing. There are many opportunities for active programs and getting people to Midland Square like the arts festival, downtown movies, and classes, while passive programing could include a piano in public places and water features.

Manager Warnke said the war memorial takes up a good chunk of space at Midland Square. We could put another memorial there, but I would recommend against it. I want this square to be a more active space and that is not conducive of that type of memorial. I hope Midland Square will be a central gathering area. With our downtown blocks being so small, they lend themselves to those types of opportunities. Midland Square has great potential for concerts or musical performances. An amphitheater with a stage was contemplated. If you want to do a memorial, I think a better location may be the cemetery.

Manager Warnke explained to the Council that the City is working on creating a national historic district. That has been submitted to the national park service, which saw some deficiencies to address. I anticipate we will get that district. Not sure how they will contemplate wall murals and we want to be aware of that. We want to consult with the State on how to handle those. That will be a discussion point in the future. He then thanked the Council for all their efforts with successful murals and events.

b. Discussion of finalizing art piece for 2021

Councilmember Rohde said I have talk to Artist Doug Adams and he is willing to do two sculptures. I think the cemetery is a great place for the gold star statue and he could do another by the library. The cost would be $5,000. For the gold star, I recommend we do not put any names. We could direct him to look at other gold star memorials and come up with something. Chairman Sorensen said I think we should utilize him for something. The cemetery is a great place for that memorial. If he is going to give us two for $5,000, we should move forward with two. Manager LeFevre said the Arts Council budget should have that and we could do other events from the Community Events budget. Manager Warnke also suggested some funds from the RDA budget for public enhancements.

Councilmember Rohde suggested having cement pillars somewhere in town to display art from different artists for a year. Mr. Adams could get artists involved and the only cost to us is to make a nice pillar. Arts Councilmember Zollinger asked about a timeline for Mr. Adams and if they would have a preview of the work. Councilmember Rohde said it would be completed this summer. A lot of it is creating, which he does as he goes. I think we should let the artists have freedom to express themselves how they want. Manager LeFevre said I am sure there is plenty of space for a sculpture in the flowerbeds at the library. Manager Warnke said having a piece of art next to those paths could give people a reason to wander through. Councilmember Rohde said I envision this corridor from the library to Midland Square. It would be fun if we could get it designed right and pull attention there. I like the idea of Friday night food trucks there since we have picnic tables. Councilmember Ellis said I like the idea of connecting Midland Square and the library by putting something in between. That makes more sense.

The Council discussed where the gold star mural would be located at the cemetery. Manager Warnke suggested they talk to the Public Works department and coordinate a good location for maintenance and operation. Councilmember Rohde said that one would be four to five feet tall and sit on a cement pad that is two to three feet tall. How tall do we want the one at the library? Manager Warnke said I think it needs to be to scale. Councilmember Rohde suggested it be six to eight feet. We can go tour some of these locations with Mr. Adams and the public works.

The Council made a motion to amend their last motion and extend an invitation to Doug Adams to build two sculptures one at the library park and one at the cemetery. They plan to advance that recommendation to the City Council with a good description of what would be contemplated. Councilmember Rohde would reach out to Mr. Adams. He would then get the details to Manager LeFevre who would work up a contract with City staff.

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to make this recommendation and forward it onto the City Council. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ellis. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, Arts Councilmember Zollinger – aye, City Councilmember Rohde – aye. Motion approved.

c. Further discussion on Arts Festival

Chairman Sorensen said we hope to base the festival around the chalk art affair. We need to come up with a theme for the whole festival that will also serve as the theme for the chalk art. I thought of a few ideas: Home is Where the Art Is, Unmasked Beauty, and Coming Together While Staying Apart, but I am open to suggestions. The festival will be held on Saturday June 19. Manager LeFevre said I like the unmasked beauty it has a dual context. Councilmember Rohde suggested changing it to Masked Beauty. Chairman Sorensen said the sooner we come up with a theme the better. Then we can move forward with what we want at the festival. The Council agreed to continue using the app Trello to continue their efforts. They would come up with the theme they like best and what types of events they want to shoot for. Manager LeFevre said the staff and manpower would be the hardest part. I do not want us to overgrow and over extend the first year. We need to do what is manageable and slowly continue to grow.

4. Reports & Comments: None.

5. Adjournment

Motion by Chairman Sorensen to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Arts Council held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2021.

______________________________
Linsey Nessen, CITY RECORDER

*Utah Code 52-4-202, (6) allows for a topic to be raised by the public and discussed by the public body even though it was not included in the agenda or advance public notice given; however, no final action will be taken.

Follow-up items for the Council

Councilmember Rohde will talk to Artist Doug Adams and coordinate efforts there. Arts Councilmembers will continue coming up with ideas on Trello and come to the next meeting prepared to make decisions.