TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
JUNE 21, 2022

Members Present:
Kathryn Ellis, Arts Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, Arts Councilmember
Sara Mohrman, Arts Councilmember
Bret Rohde, Arts Councilmember—excused
Zach LeFevre, Recreation and Community Events Manager
Cynthia Nelson, Deputy Recorder

Chairman LeFevre called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 10:16 p.m. The meeting was held June 21, 2022 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman LeFevre, Arts Councilmembers Ellis, Holmgren, and Mohrman, and Deputy Recorder Nelson. Arts Councilmember Rohde was excused.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the June 21, 2022 agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Mohrman. Vote: Councilmember Ellis – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Mohrman – aye, Councilmember Rohde – absent. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—April 14, 2022

Motion by Councilmember Mohrman to approve the April 14, 2022 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Councilmember Ellis – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Mohrman – aye, Councilmember Rohde – absent. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Discussion of mural project for 2022

Chairman LeFevre said we will continue efforts on the Shoshone Indian tribe mural. We were considering the alleyway across the street, but found we need permission from five people. That includes the City, those who own the building, the Shoshone tribe, Micah Capener, who owns the alleyway, and Soda Fixx since it would impact their business. At this point we do not see a way for the mural and petroglyph to be together. If we obtain that with the Shoshone tribe’s permission, it would go by the library. We originally wanted the mural to be on this gray building by Ridley’s, but were concerned how long it would be in existence. With the new barber shop opening there the City has more confidence in the building staying. When asked about a wall out west, Chairman LeFevre said it could work, but is outside the RDA, which is where some of the money would come from. The gray building was our first option originally. I will talk to the owner. The year is passing by quick so we have to get going. Once we have the building I will see what artists would be interested.

Motion by Councilmember Ellis to approve the move of the mural project from the alley to the gray building by Ridley’s. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Councilmember Ellis – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Mohrman – aye, Councilmember Rohde – absent. Motion approved.

b. Discussion of Farmer’s Market

Councilmember Mohrman provided an update, saying the Farmer’s Market has been really good. We had about 40 vendors for June, but will have a few less for July with the holiday weekend. We could let some of those on the waitlist come in so it is fuller. Some of our vendors are now starting to bring in their produce. For July we will have a watermelon eating contest with City leaders. We will also grill and giveaway hot dogs. We may even have popsicles. Chairman LeFevre said I have called Kents to see what the cost would be, but I have not heard back. Councilmember Mohrman said it has been great. Our vendors are thrilled and I have heard a lot of good chatter around town about the market. It has even brought people in from outside of Box Elder County and generated more traffic on Main Street.

Chairman LeFevre said in July I will be out of town but Councilmember Holmgren will be here. City Councilmember Connie Archibald has also lined up volunteers to help. Public Works Director Paul Fulgham will bring his grill and cook the hot dogs. Assistant City Manager Marc Christensen, who has experience with these events, will be there to help setup, as will Lynn Green. I will reach out for face paint for kids. Councilmember Mohrman said I heard from the mom of a teenager who wants to gain experience and will not charge to do the face painting. I will message her back and line that up. Chairman LeFevre said we will have different age groups for the watermelon eating to help provide unity and will figure out those times and categories.

c. Discussion of Midland Square chalk affair

Chairman LeFevre said we have 33 participants, but only a few teens, which is always the smallest group. We have some really good artists coming back. The event starts at 7:30 a.m., on Saturday June, 25. We will do the judging at 5 p.m. We usually have three judges. Councilmember Holmgren and Tamara Zollinger have traditionally helped. We need to find one more. The middle area is reserved for anyone to draw with Crayola chalk. I will get with Nikki Smart at Studio R to work on the award for the amateur (a canvas print of their work). Councilmember Holmgren said Stephanie DeFilippis is an artist and the one who taught us how to draw at a previous event. We could reach out to her.

d. Report on fairgrounds mural—First Rodeo Grant Entry

Chairman LeFevre said Artist Jason Nessen has committed to completing the fairground mural by July 1. He had been working on it. He was paid half upfront nearly four years ago and will get the rest upon completion. We are pushing to get it done this year.

4. Reports & Comments:

Councilmember Holmgren said it will be exciting to see the Shoshone mural be completed. Are we going to leave artistic latitude for the artist to come up with ideas? Chairman LeFevre said we will provide them with the history of who he was and that we want the mural centered around Chief Sagwitch and his culture. We would then let them interpret it and do a proposal. They would come back with ideas for us to choose from. Councilmember Holmgren said his story is one that should resonate with people. The struggles he had and his attitude at the end was one we can all learn from. He went on to explain the history of the Shoshone people here. People were moving into the area and taking his lands. The Bear River Massacre happened while they were at the hot springs in Preston. A union soldier and his army surprised and massacred everyone, but Sagwitch survived. In another instance soldiers attached his tribe in Mantua. Sagwitch was shot and my great-grandfather, who was close to the Indians, got word of that and rescued him. He was nursed back to health. Toward the end of his life, he reconciled everything. He said I understand they are coming in and taking our lands and game, and I am okay with that. All I ask for is a place to live in peace and quiet. That is what is so incredible about this, it is the way he led his life and the things that happened to him and his attitude toward people. It would be nice to have a plaque or description for this mural. We could look into a donation for that. Chairman LeFevre said we should get plaques for all the murals if possible.

5. Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Mohrman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 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 22nd day of December, 2022.

______________________________
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

Chairman LeFevre will talk to the owner of the building they are hoping to add the Shoshone mural to. Once approved he would start working with City Manager Shawn Warnke to start that process.

The Arts Council is promoting and will help cover their upcoming events, including the Chalk Art Affair on June 25, and their monthly Farmer’s Market on July 2.