TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
APRIL 13, 2021

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

Chairman Sorensen called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. The meeting was held April 13, 2021 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Sorensen, Arts Councilmember Ellis, City Councilmembers Holmgren and Rohde (arrived at 3:41 p.m.), Manager LeFevre and Deputy Recorder Nelson. Arts Councilmember Zollinger was excused.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the April 13, 2021 agenda. Motion seconded by Arts Councilmember Ellis. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—February 9, 2021 & March 4, 2021

Motion by Arts Councilmember Ellis to approve the February 9, 2021 & March 4, 2021 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Discussion regarding fundraising for new theater in Tremonton – Karen Stokes

Mrs. Stokes said we want to build a playhouse in Tremonton because there is a lot of support for one, but there are some problems. We need property and money for it. Councilmember Holmgren said why does the museum upstairs not work? Mrs. Stokes said we can only have 125 people up there counting the cast, plus there are 32 steps to get up there. We are still doing productions there. We have done fundraisers and people have pledged money toward this. In the theater, we will have the Carl Ashby Music Room and the Janet Carter Room. For City Days this year, we would like to rent the high school to do a remembrance for Dee Pace and raise money. For the new theater, we would like to have 230 seats, but if there is no ground or support, we will have to go to Brigham City. The theater Brigham City wants will have 500 seats and is something they have been working toward for three years. We may have to go there, but would hate to do that. This would be good for the community. Arts Councilmember Ellis suggested using the old Garland Elementary building, while Councilmember Rohde suggested using the old Greer’s building on Main Street that is now vacant. Mrs. Stokes said there is not enough parking there. Councilmember Rohde suggested a partnership with the high school. They are not using the auditorium all the time and some of the money could help fund the drama department. They already have a theater in place so that could be a win-win. Councilmember Holmgren said land is so expensive I just do not see where you are going to be able to get that and then put up a building—that will be millions of dollars. Councilmember Rohde said we are thinking of putting a stage on the south side of Midland Square—maybe there is a partnership with that. We also have stages at Library Park and Jeanie Stevens. Funding a big building like that will not be easy, but if you could show the demand and need for it that would help. We could do some awesome things with outdoor theaters. The easiest place now would be the library. It fits with movie nights and all the things we are trying to do as a City.

b. Discussion of upcoming Arts Festival

Manager LeFevre said I have some documents made up for vendors and entertainment. We are advertising for the chalk art festival and that is open for registration. Right now the categories are youth, teen, and children. For the adults everyone was in the same category so I added the amateur category with a printed canvas as their prize. There is prize money for the others. The previous weekend we selected is when a well-known chalk event is happening so we changed it to the last weekend in June. It is time to start pursing those ideas we have discussed and getting assignments made. There is not much involvement for the chalk art part just a station with basic information. Chairman Sorensen said we talked about a children’s area, food trucks, performances, vendors, and a photo competition of the festival. Manager LeFevre said I saw something similar to a photo booth. It is a printer that you put your phone on and it scans the screen. It would print out like a Polaroid camera for about $150. Chairman Sorensen said we could clothespin them up around the square and have an art gallery. We could do a theme and have pictures that incorporate that. Manager LeFevre said Chairman Sorensen and I will get together and see what you all want to be in charge of. We have to have a stage there for the entertainment portion, which will be like an open mic night. It would be open in 15-minute blocks and with breaks between. There would then be a concert at the end. Down the center of the square, families could draw with chalk and dance. They would bring their own seats for the grass.

c. Discussion of public arts projects

Chairman Sorensen said we have the money to do a mural this year as well as the sculptures. Manager LeFevre said I have met with Artist Doug Adams and the contract is signed. He is working on it and plans to have both sculptures done by Memorial Day. We also did a walk about looking at walls for future murals. It was suggested we do the Bird Refuge this year. It would go on the Studio R wall above Mack’s Family Drive Inn. It would be a 3D image with metal birds and depth to it.

The Council discussed the pedestals for the two sculptures and the timeline for those. Manager LeFevre said I will talk to Superintendent Lynn Green so we can figure something out for the concrete at the library.

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to allow Manager LeFevre to do some research and report back to them on the mural and potential artists. Motion seconded by Arts Councilmember Ellis. Vote: Chairman Sorensen – aye, Arts Councilmember Ellis – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved. Councilmember Rohde abstained from the vote.

Arts Councilmember Ellis asked about publicity for the arts festival. Manager LeFevre said we will work on that. Right now we have a flyer on Facebook.

4. Reports & Comments: None.

5. Adjournment

Motion by Arts Councilmember Ellis 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 8th day of June, 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.