October 05, 2015 MinutesCITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 5, 2015
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Session on
Monday, October 5, 2015 at 11:37 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Council Member Briggs, Mayor Pro Tern Gregory, Council Member Hawkins,
Council Member Roden, Mayor Watts, and Council Member Wazny.
ABSENT: Council Member Johnson.
1. Work Session Reports
A.ID 15 -933 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the
community assessment study for the Public Art Master Plan.
Assistant City Manager, Howard Martin, introduced Emerson Vorel, Director of Parks and
Recreation.
Vorel introduced Margaret Chalfant of Chalfant Consulting, who had been hired by the City to
develop a Public Art Master Plan.
Margaret Chalfant stated that funds were approved by Council a couple of years ago to
commission the creation of a Public Art Master Plan. She reviewed the Public Art Policy. She
stated that public art governed by the policy should be art that was visually or physically
accessible to the public and that was acquired by, donated to, and approved by the City of
Denton. Public art that was neither paid for with public funds, nor created through special
conditions by approval of the City of Denton, was not governed by the policy.
Chalfant reviewed the importance of public art and the history or the Public Art Committee.
Chalfant stated that annually at least 2.4 % of the total Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues
would be allocated for public art projects. Capital Improvement Project funds could not be used
from the Streets and Drainage bond sales for public art. Other funding options included tax
abatements to developers that included publicly accessible art as a significant component of the
development. Public and private funding sources could be pursued. Individuals, businesses and
organizations could also be encouraged to make contributions.
Current funds available included Public Art for Street Improvements — $30,000; Public Art for
Public Safety — $325,000; Public Art for Parks — $180,000; and 2015 -2016 HOT Funds of
$51,482.
Chalfant stated that in March 2007, the first piece of public art was purchased. Currently the
City of Denton had purchased 68 pieces of art. The City of Denton has accepted the donation of
11 pieces of art. The City's current collection was comprised of 82 new pieces located
throughout the City. She reviewed some of the pieces and the location and price. Harmony was
in South Lakes Park and valued at $27,900. The Legacy was at Denton Enterprise Airport and
valued at $34,850. Historic Quakertown was at the Civic Center and valued at $13,600. Denton
Depot was at Patterson - Appleton CVA and was valued at $19,500. Pops Carter was in
Quakertown Park and valued at $30,000. Leap Frogs was in North Lakes Park.
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October 5, 2015
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Chalfant stated that the master plan for public art would be data driven. Meetings had been held
with focus groups, stakeholders, civic organizations, Parks Foundation, Parks Board, CVB
quarterly meetings and Public Art Committee meetings. A survey went online on September 1,
2015. As of today 1,000 people had taken the survey. It would run through November 30, 2015.
These organizations had allowed use of their social media platforms: Keep Denton Beautiful,
Downtown Denton, Greater Denton Arts Council, and Main Street.
She stated that pieces under consideration were — Jesus Moroles, a privately owned fountain.
Jesus Moroles studied at UNT met an untimely death in 2015. It was being considered for
placement in Quakertown Park. The 9 -11 Firemen's Memorial was being considered for
placement in front of Central Fire Station. This was made of beams from the World Trade
Center and the Denton fireman's bell that was located at City Hall West. Also being considered
was Solar Disc by Charles Williams in 1964.
Chalfant stated that the following were some options for Council consideration. A full time
cultural arts employee to manage the City's collection and future projects. A more user friendly
website for the viewing of the public art collection, perhaps its own website that was connected
to the City website. The URL could be on the City's Public Art page. A line item in the City
budget for Public Art. An exemption for Public Art in the HOT Funds allocation to allow for
encumbering funds.
Council Member Wazny asked that staff take public art tour information into consideration when
redesigning the website.
Council Member Roden asked what type of information from the survey was going to be
recommended to Council.
Chalfant stated that based on responses to the survey there might be some policy
recommendations presented to the Council.
Chalfant stated that another consideration for Council would be to have some high schools paint
murals on the overpasses. Another project was the benches by the bus stops and maybe having a
group paint them.
Roden asked if there could be a section in the master plan that defined the places within the city
that could be a canvas for artwork, but that would not require City funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Gregory suggested pushing for public art place making in neighborhoods.
Council Member Briggs suggested having an interactive map on the website that would show the
public art pieces and where they were located on the map.
Gregory stated that Darien Orr had done a comic book of Denton stuff — wouldn't it be fun to do
a City Council coloring book of public art?
Council Member Roden asked if public music had ever been discussed as public art.
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October 5, 2015
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Chalfant stated that public art was visual art.
Watts asked when the final master plan would be available.
Chalfant stated that it would be later in the fall.
2. Concluding Items
A. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the City
Council or the public with specific factual information or recitation of policy, or accept a
proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND Under Section
551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of community
interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of thanks,
congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary or
salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about
an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a
social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the
governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the
governing body or an official or employee of the municipality; or an announcement
involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the municipality
that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
Council Member Wazny requested that the Planning Department have a community meeting
with citizens so they understand the changes to the gas well fees prior to having the item on the
November 17 Council agenda.
Council Member Wazny stated that she understood the Council would be briefed in Closed
Meeting regarding the Larsen letter at the October 20 meeting and requested that if part of the
discussion was not considered legal advice then that discussion be held during the open meeting.
Mayor Watts requested a work session on a different process for the budget process.
Council Member Hawkins felt that one more week could be given to the process.
Council Member Wazny felt one extra week was not enough and stated that she would like to
start the process in February.
Council Member Briggs stated that tomorrow was National Night Out.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m.
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CHRIS WA "I S
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
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JANE RICHARDSON
ASSISTANT CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS