TOW Art Committee

TOW Art Committee

Meeting: March 21, 2007

Present: John Hjelle, Yvonne Kulman, David Bakken, Kathy Bakken, Doug Eckheart, Kent Kleckner.

Reviewed minutes

Signed thank you note to Bruce Williams (Thank you to John for doing that)

Reviewed TOW mission statement

We, the members of Trails of Winneshiek, intend to create a recreational trail system throughout the Winneshiek County area. We will strive to develop public trails that connect destinations while promoting existing facilities, to improve the quality of life, economic vitality, and social welfare of the County.

We are dedicated to being advocates for the alternative non-motorized transportation for the facilities and routes adopted by the group. We place an importance on scenery, cost effectiveness, and safety for a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities.

Began to discuss our mission statement. Ideas expressed as to themes (Norwegian, trout, water, Native American)

Yvonne provided us with a starting point: The mission of the TOW art committee is to provide leadership for identifying the best possible public art for the TOW in which art provides aesthetic enhancement through functional or non-functional works.

We spent the next hour working on the background / philosophy / mission statement. Here is what we have to this point:

Trout Run Trail (TRT) is a loop trail, conceived by Trails of Winneshiek (TOW), built and sponsored by the City of Decorah and Winneshiek County with generous cooperation from the DNR, landowners, contributors and Vision Iowa.

Vision Iowa granted $100,000 for the acquisition of durable public art. These enhancements are to be used for additional fundraising.

Winneshiek County and the City of Decorah (28E) created the Trails of Winneshiek Public Art Committee (TOWPAC).

The mission of TOWPAC is to lead an open, public process to identify, acquire and place public enhancements.

Other key terms discussed for potential inclusion or consideration:

·  Match art with donors

·  Local

·  Diversity

·  Within grant guidelines

We discussed the process and the time-line to be used. Highly consider the process of RFQ and then RFP with a stipend.

Here is the initial time-line discussed:

·  May 1, 2007 - Post information on website and distribute requests for

qualifications (RFQ's) via mail.

·  April / May, 2007 – Public discussion sessions with Service Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Open (Library / City Hall) concerning the variety of public art created in other communities.

·  July 1, 2007 – Artist Deadline for submitting RFQ’s.

·  July 15, 2007 - Identify possible locations for Public Art installations (12+/-);

Confirm with 28E committee. Work with engineer on site preparation and ROW (right-of-way) on acquisition if necessary.

·  July / August – TOW-PAC rates RFQ’s and confirms with 28E

·  September 1, 2007 – Contact best-qualified artists and request proposals (RFP’s) specific to the Trout Run Trail Project using a $1,000 stipend. Budget for RFP’s must include cost for the public art feature as well as costs for site development (low-maintenance landscaping).

·  December 1, 2007 – Artist deadline for RFP’s.

·  December 2007 – Confirm proposals with 28E. Negotiate with artists for possible modification (if necessary).

·  January / February 2008 – Match donors to the pool of public art proposals. Respective artists will be contacted as soon as matches are made between donors and specific work(s).

·  November 1, 2008 – Artist / 28E site development construction complete.

·  April 1, 2009 - All Public Art installations complete.

·  May 1, 2009 - All final bills must be submitted by the Artists to the City of

Decorah.

·  June 30, 2009 - All funds expended.

Keep Vision Iowa in the loop as far as our progress and timeline.

Doug / Yvonne (Yvonne, I sure Doug will bring you up to speed) to inquire about getting something (power point) from Bruce Williams for our “Public Tour.”

Kent to visit with Chamber, Rotary, Lions, Library about our potential upcoming “Public Tour.”

Doug to inquire at Luther about same.

Next Meeting Potential Agenda Items

·  Continue progress on our Project Philosophy / Mission Statement

·  Continue progress on timeline (include 28E group meetings and what we will get approved)

·  28E Group Meeting Wednesday, April 4th at 7am (city hall?)

·  Who needs to approve what?

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 – 4pm – 2nd floor Bank of the West