HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2004Auburn Arts Commission
Monday, Jan. 12, 2004
MINUTES
Commissioners present: Herman Ansingh, Chair Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock,
Paul Dodsworth, Don Gardner, Steve LePenske, Pam Smith and John Stanphill
Commissioners absent: Bonnie Egbert, Barbie Sharrard and Gertie Sprenger (all
excused)
Staff present: Susan Gochoel, Cultural Programs Manager, Loft Patrick, Cultural
Programs Coordinator
Visitors: Linda Cowan, Auburn School District Superintendent, Lynn Norman, Auburn
City Councilmember
Commission Chair Anne Baunach called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Former arts commissioner and newly elected city Councilmember Lynn Norman thanked
the commission for the privilege of serving with its members. Norman said times are
always challenging for the arts but the proposed streamline sales tax bill and property tax
initiative may threaten municipal funding. She advised the commission define its basic
mandate and identify priorities in the event it is faced with budget cuts in the future.
I. Introduction and approval of minutes
Chair Anne Baunach requested the commission postpone its vote to approve the
December meeting minutes until later in the meeting. Baunach introduced Linda Cowan,
Auburn School District Superintendent, who was in attendance to present information on
the two proposed school district levies on the ballot, Feb. 3.
II. Presentation of proposed Auburn School District levies
Cowan said Proposition No. 1, the district's educational program and operations levy,
funds portions of district programs not funded by the state, such as special education;
vocational instruction; and after-school activities, including jazz band and drama. The
levy goes before voters every two years and fimds 18 percent of the district's day-to-day
operations, Cowan said.
Proposition No. 2, the school bus levy, would purchase additional buses due to growth in
the number of students and aging buses in the district's fleet. A total of 24 buses are
needed. The last transportation levy was on the ballot in 1994. Since then, the district
has added 2,500 students, Cowan said.
The school board's goal is to keep taxes flat, Cowan said. The proposed transportation
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
Jan uary 2004 minutes, page 2
levy would increase the tax rate by one. cent per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Due to
bond retirement, projected rates for the operations levy are a few cents less per $1,000 of
assessed valuation.
Chair Baunach called for a vote to approve the December meeting minutes.
Commissioner Paul Dodsworth moved that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Commissioner Steve LePenske seconded the motion.
MOTION APPROVED
Cultural Programs Manager Susan Gochoel suggested the commission consider moving
its meetings to the recently completed Conference Room 1 at City Hall. The
commissioners agreed.
III. 2004 Arts Commission sub-committees
Gochoel asked the commissioner which sub-committees they would prefer to serve on in
2004. Commissioners volunteered for the following committees. Gochoel will follow-up
with commissioners who were not in attendance.
Public Art Committee - Herman Ansingh, Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Paul
Dodsworth, Don Gardner, Steve LePenske and Pam Smith
BRAVO! Committee - Herman Ansingh, Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Paul
Dodsworth and Pam Smith
Marketing and Community Development Commitee - All commissioners
Visual Arts Committee - Herman Ansingh, Anne Baunach, Kristen Brock, Don
Gardner, Steve LePenske and John Stanphill
Artisans in the Schools/Arts Education Committee - Anne Baunach, Don Gardner,
Pam Smith and John Stanphill
Community and Organizational SUpport (grant committee) - Anne Baunach, Kristen
Brock (alternate), Paul Dodsworth, Don Gardner (alternate), Steve LePenske and Pam
Smith
IV. Update on BRAVO! 03-04 performances and Artisans in the
Schools workshops
Gochoel reported Tim Noah's BRAVO! Kids performance, Dec. 13, sold out with a
house count of 401. The BRAVO! performance of"The Nutcracker" by Evergreen City
Ballet, Dec. 14, went well with about 600 in attendance at the matinee performance.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
January 2004 minutes, page 3
The arts commission's BRAVO! series accounted for 258 subscriber and single-ticket
ticket sales to the performance.
Gochoel reported 2003 fiscal year revenue was $68,820, including grants the figure
jumps to $83,520. Ticket revenue for the first half of the 03-04 BRAVO! season is
already at an impressive $50,000.
The Artisans in the Schools program will feature two workshops at Gildo Rey
Elementary in January. Carmona Flamenco will present an all-school performance and
three workshops, Jan. 16. One World Taiko will perform and offer a two-day residency,
Jan. 22 and 23.
V. Update on 2004 Shades of Summer concerts and discussion of
community concert band
Cultural Programs Coordinator Lori Patrick is reviewing and booking artists for the free
Shades of Summer concert series and Fourth of July Festival. To date Ivonne Hemandez,
North American Fiddle Champion, and Yesango, a 1 O-piece marimba ensemble, are
slated to perform at the evening concerts at Game Farm Park.
Commissioners discussed presenting a performance by an Auburn community concert
band on the summer concert series. Commissioner Don Gardner said the band would be
open to musicians of all ages, but would need a conductor, such as a high-school band
director, and a place to rehearse. Gardner, a musician, said he would perform in the band
and assist with recruitment efforts. Commissioners discussed the possibility of offering a
community concert band class through the parks and recreation department to get it off
the ground and provide a funding source for a conductor's stipend, which could be paid
for through registration fees. Commissioner Pam Smith offered to contact a school
district band director to gauge interest, and commissioner Anne Baunach will discuss the
concert-band concept with a co-worker who performs in a community band. Patrick
asked the commissioners to report back their findings by the end of next week. The
deadline to set the summer concert series is the middle of February.
VI. Other business
· The Cultural Development Authority of King County will give a presentation on
public art to the Auburn City Council's Public Works and Community
Development Committee (PCDC), 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23 in the Council
Chambers at City Hall.
· Patrick distributed the results of recent BRAVO! audience surveys.
Patrick distributed an updated list of Contact information for the Auburn City
Council.
(more)
Auburn Arts Commission
January 2004 minutes, page 4
Patrick solicited suggestions for the names of local people involved in the arts to
watch in 2004. The Auburn Reporter is working a feature titled, "The Top 10
People to Watch in 2004."
There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. The next regular
meeting is 4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9 in the City Council Conference Room at City
Hall, 25 West Main St.