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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-1999Auburn Arts Commission Monday, June 14, 1999 MINUTES Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Paul Dodsworth, Bonnie Egbert, Steve LePenske, Bobby Medina, Lynn Norman, Barbie Sharrard, Pam Smith, Gertie Sprenger, John Stanphill Commissioners absent: Don Gardner, Cheryl Hosking (both excused) Staff present: Lori Corso, Susan Sagawa Other people in attendance: Val Batey, Seema Chaudhary, Karen Kiest, Nancy Krause, Jack Locke, Bob Sokol I. INTRODUCTIONS. Chair Norman introduced the new staff member -- Lori Corso as the new Cultural Programs Specialist. Ms. Corso started on May 17. Previously, she worked as assistant director of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., and prior to that as a city reporter for the Federal Way News. II. CHAIR'S REPORT. A. Update on RTA Station and downtown plan Chair Norman introduced Bob Sokol, senior planner, city of Auburn, who presented an update on Auburn's Downtown Plan and the RTA station. Mr. Sokol said a citizens task force is in the process of updating the Downtown Plan, first adopted by the city in 1990. The task force began updating the plan in October 1997 and expects to adopt a revised plan in September. Sokol showed the commission renderings of what Auburn's downtown may look like in the future. The task force collected considerable public comment at a series of open houses and plans to host more open houses in the near future. Mr. Sokol invited commissioners to attend future open houses. Mr. Sokol explained the Downtown Plan has resulted in grant funding for downtown projects such as the Main Street improvements and the B Street Plaza. The updated plan identifies $45 to $50 million in public "catalyst" projects--such as commuter rail and a reconfigured interchange at State Route 18 and C Street. Such projects will result in increased private investments. The task force is also considering how to incorporate art in the downtown core and is working with artist Vicki Scuri to identify gateways to Auburn and explore ways to link downtown areas, such as Main Street, the hospital and residential areas. Chair Norman said the Arts Commission will wait until the complex system of ramps at SR 18 and C Street is complete before it decides how to incorporate public art at that particular site. Val Batey, Sound Transit Manager, and Karen Kiest, project landscape architect, presented an update on the design of the RTA station. Ms. Batey showed illustrated boards of the design for the station. Phase 1 is out for bid, and construction is scheduled to begin in August. The first phase of the Auburn commuter rail station will be complete in December. It will in,clude platforms, canopies, a clock tower, a bus lane and a parking lot. Phase II includes the plaza design and a parking garage. Recent discussions with the Arts Commission have resulted in the proposal that the majority of the art at the Auburn station be incorporated into the plaza design. The plaza will be the station's primary connection with downtown. The initial concept for the plaza area is an orchard, reflecting Auburn's agricultural heritage. Ms. Kiest of Robert Murase Associates will work with artist Vicki Scuri on the plaza design. When completed, they will present their ideas to the commission and the Auburn Technical Advisory Committee B. Chair Norman asked the minutes be approved as mailed. Commissioner Ansingh moved the minutes be approved. Motion seconded by Commissioner Dodsworth. MOTION APPROVED C. Update on community fundraising project Chair Norman reported that Leila Booth is organizing an arts fundraising event and is looking for volunteers to help plan the event. Mrs. Booth invited Arts Commissioners to a planning meeting at her home on Monday, July 19, at 4 p.m. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6, at Auburn Riverside Theatre. III STAFF REPORTS. A. New ticket pricing for BRAVOI 1999/2000 Susan Sagawa presented a new ticket-pricing proposal. Instead of a fiat rate for all events, ticket prices would vary depending on the event. The new ticket structure better suits the expanded BRAVO! series and incorporates Iow-cost programming for families. She modeled the proposal on ticket pricing structures in Everett and Kirkland. The new ticket pricing aims to increase the BRAVO! revenue. Season subscribers must select four or more of the season's 12 performances. Subscribers will receive a 10 percent discount and $2 off on additional single-ticket purchases. Ticket buyers 23 and younger and seniors 55 and older will receive discounted tickets. Groups of 10 or more will receive a 10 percent discount. Ticket buyers could also choose to purchase a 10-pack of vouchers good for any of the 13 performances. The new ticketing structure includes a simplified seating system. Seats in the main floor orchestra area are all in the highest one price tier. Tickets in the mezzanine are all in the middle price .tier. Balcony tickets are $5, available only on the night of the performance. A discussion ensued regarding the benefits of keeping the balcony open. The commission have considered closing the balcony in the past. Except for Puget Sound Musical Theatre's performance, all performances at Auburn Riverside Theatre will be festival seating. The staff will do its best to provide comparable seating to subscribers who attend the Puget Sound Musical Theatre Production. Commissioner Sharrard moved that the new ticketing structure be accepted. Motion seconded by Commissioner Dodsworth. MOTION APPROVED B. King County Library public art project Ms. Sagawa reported that artists Dennis Evans and Nancy Mee have moved forward to Phase II of the project: to start construction of the art work. The artists are aiming to complete the piece by Oct. 1 and place it in storage until the February installation date. Ms. Sagawa will arrange for the commission to visit the studio before the work goes into storage. She will check if a visit on Saturday, Sept. 11, will work for the artists. C. Update on BRAVO! 1999/2000 season Ms. Sagawa handed out an updated version of the'series along with the Auburn Symphony's revised program and performance schedule. The Symphony will self present its spring concert. The commission will list the performance in the BRAVO brochure, but the symphony will produce the performance and manage ticket sales. Ms. Sagawa is still negotiating with Radost Folk Ensemble as part of the King County Performing Arts Network. Harpist Bronn Journey has agreed to perform a spring concert at PAC on April 8. D. New staff appointments Ms. Sagawa announced Melanie White is the new temporary arts assistant. Ms. White recently moved from New York, where she worked as a theater director. She has a bachelor's degree in theater arts and a master's degree on the works of William Shakespeare. E. Update on 1999 Shades of Summer concerts and Fourth of July Festival Ms. Corso said Old Navy has agreed to sponsor the Kids' Craft Corner with a $1,500 donation as well as provide prizes, including $500 worth of gift certificates. Old Navy will also participate in the Kids' Parade. To date, the Festival includes 17 craft vendors, 4 food booths and 10 non-profit booths. The Shades of Summer brochure and poster are at press. Sparkletts Water Company has agreed to donate water for the artists. In return, Sparkletts' logo will appear on the poster. F. Set date for Arts Commission fall retreat The Arts Commission fall retreat is set for Monday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. There was no further business. NEXT MEETING: Monday, July 12, 4:30 p.m., Conference Room 1.