TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

Members Present:
Dave Lasley, Chairman
Tam Zollinger, Co-Chairman
Merinda Brighton, Arts Councilmember
Jason Nessen, Arts Councilmember—excused
Leisl Sorensen, Arts Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, City Councilmember—excused
Bret Rohde, City Councilmember—excused
Zach LeFevre, Parks and Recreation Coordinator
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Cynthia Nelson, Deputy Recorder

Chairman Lasley called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 12:27 p.m. The meeting was held September 4, 2018 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Lasley, Co-Chairman Zollinger, Arts Councilmembers Brighton, and Sorensen, Coordinator LeFevre, Deputy Recorder Nelson, and City Manager Warnke (arrived at 12:50 p.m.).

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Sorensen to approve the September 4, 2018 agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brighton. Vote: Chairman Lasley – aye, Co-Chairman Zollinger – aye, Arts Councilmember Brighton – aye, Arts Councilmember Sorensen – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—June 12, 2018

Motion by Councilmember Brighton to approve the June 12, 2018 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Sorensen. Vote: Chairman Lasley – aye, Co-Chairman Zollinger – aye, Arts Councilmember Brighton – aye, Arts Councilmember Sorensen – aye. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Discussion of RFQ for mural artist

Chairman Lasley asked if they got any feedback on the Box Elder County Fair booth for the City. Coordinator LeFevre said not much, but they did have two people fill out the artist directory. Another year this committee will assign the Fair booth project out to a subcommittee.

Coordinator LeFevre said they sent out the RFQ (Request For Qualifications) and gave it to the Utah Division of Arts and Museums to give to their contacts. They got qualifications from two artists: Erik Burke and local artist Jason Nessen. They went over the packet discussing the background and scope of the project, which is the First Grand Entry. They went over the requirements in selecting an artist and talked about design requirements, which need to conform to the image provided. Coordinator LeFevre said the final artwork may evolve from the initial proposal with any substantial changes approved by Tremonton City. The Council also went over the professional resumes, references, and images of their completed murals. Coordinator LeFevre said City staff, the Arts Council, City Council, and the Box Elder County Commission shall review and participate in the selection of an artist. The Arts Council will make a recommendation to the City Council, who will then make a decision. Once they have someone selected, they will form a professional service agreement. The Council also discussed timeframes and cost of the services to complete the mural.

The Council then looked at the First Grand Entry photo and held a discussion. Chairman Lasley asked about a four-foot section of the wall. Coordinator LeFevre said this is a rough draft—it is up to the muralist to decide how to finish that off. The Council looked over both of the artists proposed drafts. Councilmember Brighton said Mr. Burke’s style is a little different, but his murals have merit. He does a good job on faces and his people and animals are proportionate. When asked about price, Coordinator LeFevre said he is actually cheaper than Nessen by about $1,000 ($9,000 compared to $10,000 total cost). Chairman Lasley said Mr. Burke is more of a photo realist. He may push himself harder for a crisper look—that shows in everything he has done. Councilmember Brighton said it might be nice to bring in fresh blood. Co-Chairman Zollinger said that for this particular mural my vote is Mr. Nessen. We could have Mr. Burke do a bigger mural to capitalize on what he does. I think we ought to keep him in mind for a different one. Mr. Nessen would be the right person for this one. We know what he can do and trust what he does. Coordinator LeFevre said Mr. Nessen is local, but he does have a full-time job and this mural does need to be completed fairly soon. Councilmember Brighton said I like how Mr. Burke said he could have it completed in six days. This is his full-time job and he could work on it all day and night to get it done. If we choose Mr. Burke maybe we could have locals, especially teenagers, watch and gain an interest in mural painting. Then we would have more entries of local artists in the future. Coordinator LeFevre said I am not sure if this is the time for that. He is a professional and would want to do his work. Mr. Nessen might be okay with that.

The Council then read over their resumes and costs. They liked how Mr. Nessen planned to include every person and animal in the photo. Coordinator LeFevre said he understands the history and importance of this photo. It is the timeframe that hurts with Mr. Nessen. He can only work on it over the weekends and late at night. He also has another mural to finish before he gets to this one. The City has received a grant that has to be used within a year so this mural has to be completed the first part of next year and the artist cannot paint in the cold months. We have extended the one he is working on now because of issues with the wall and having to replace the lead base paint. Mr. Nessen is excited and wants to do this mural too and could start as soon as he is done with the current one. Chairman Lasley said the issue is it is going to get too cold. Coordinator LeFevre said he has painted into December during the day when the weather is nice, but sometimes it is already freezing by November. Manager Warnke said Mr. Nessen is trying to wrap up the existing mural within the next couple of weeks. He is working diligently. An initial hang up was due to mandatory overtime at his full-time job. He has freed up since. Technically we have until April to get it done, but other projects have had those deadlines extended a bit. They are flexible in considering circumstances. Regardless of the artist, the City would need to do some prep work to the wall so they are a few weeks out from allowing an artist to start. Co-Chairman Zollinger said that would give him time to finish what he is doing. Mr. Burke is a great artist, but for this particular mural my opinion is that it needs to follow Mr. Nessen’s style. Manager Warnke said I agree, I think his skillset would translate well for this specific piece. Mr. Nessen’s proposal is also more specific. Councilmember Brighton said Mr. Nessen knows the community and the importance of the mural. Co-Chairman Zollinger suggested they put something in the newspaper to let residents know more about the mural and to help determine whom the people are in the photo.

The Council agreed to go with local artist Mr. Nessen as long as he can complete it within that deadline. Chairman Lasley said we need to ask if he needs help. If we wait until it gets too cold, the mural will not last. He can finish his current mural while the City preps the wall. Manager Warnke said City staff does not do a lot of prep work, but Mr. Nessen has checked their work in the past and given his insight. He is not always the fastest, but he is really conscientious and if I ever say something does not look right he will talk me through it or say I agree and fix it. Coordinator LeFevre said I think he can get to a point within the time frame that we can sell it as being complete with the funds they have allotted us. However, it will go over those funds if we go with Mr. Nessen. Coordinator LeFevre and Manager Warnke said they would pass this information onto the City Council, but the Arts Council members were all welcome to attend the meeting. Manager Warnke said they would also reach out to the County and let them know what direction they are heading since they are essentially paying for the mural.

Motion by Councilmember Zollinger to recommend Jason Nessen as the artist for this mural. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brighton. Vote: Chairman Lasley – aye, Co-Chairman Zollinger – aye, Arts Councilmember Brighton – aye, Arts Councilmember Sorensen – aye. Motion approved.

4. Reports & Comments—none at this time

5. Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Zollinger to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 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 28th day of May, 2019.

______________________________
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.