Catherine Widgery’s rendering of her proposed public artwork for East Stadium bridges. (Image provided in the April 23, 2014 AAPAC meeting packet.)

In early August of 2013, Catherine Widgery of Cambridge, Mass. was recommended as the artist for this project. She was picked by a selection panel from four finalists who had submitted proposals for the project, which has a $400,000 total budget. [.pdf of Widgery's original proposal]

The selection panel provided feedback to Widgery and asked that she revise her proposal before it was presented to AAPAC and then later to the city council for approval. Members of the panel were Wiltrud Simbuerger, Bob Miller, Nancy Leff, David Huntoon and Joss Kiely. [.pdf of panel feedback]

Over the past few weeks, AAPAC chair Bob Miller and vice chair John Kotarski have been presenting her revised proposed to several local public entities, including the city’s park advisory commission, planning commission and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. A public forum to get additional feedback also was held on April 21 at the downtown library. [More details on the presentation by Kotarski and Miller are included in The Chronicle’s report of the Ann Arbor planning commission’s April 1, 2014 meeting.]

Widgery’s new design for the bridge features elevated, stand-alone louvered glass columns that are etched with images of trees. The same type of louvered glass panels are also used under the bridge along South State, affixed to the wall of the underpass. The panels will be lit from below, so that the etchings stand out at night. The glass is tempered and laminated for strength.

The artwork is meant to evoke the strength and fragility of this community. From the artist’s statement:

As one drives around Ann Arbor, the gracious stands of trees stand out as a clear expression of the town’s identity so trees have symbolized this arbor town from the beginning.

On a deeper level, the trees as portrayed in the artwork Arbor Winds are a metaphor for our own paradoxical fragility and strength in the context of our life cycles. We speak of having “deep roots” or of “branching out” or of how someone is “blooming”. After a long winter, the return to life of spring is expressed above all through the return of leaves to trees. We all feel the sense of being reborn in the spring with the blossoms and leaves and, in the autumn, the somewhat wistful sadness as the leaves reach their glory of color and then fall.

Arbor Winds evokes not just trees but wind and light as expressions of the energy that surrounds us. In each panel we see the ghostly afterimage as if the wind has blown the tree; we see both moments in time simultaneously. These images etched in glass are like those etched in our memories. We walk through a forest and it is our mental “snapshots” of the branches against the sky or the texture of the thick trunk, or the dense layers of the many trunks silhouetted against the forest underbrush that remain in our memories. Indeed each of these etched images is more the memory of moments rather than a physical reality: a subtle expression of our own ephemeral existence and the light traces we leave behind.

The recommendation will be placed on the council’s agenda for its first meeting in June. If approved, the art would likely be installed sometime in 2015.

An image by artist Catherine Widgery for artwork on the East Stadium bridge. This night view shows how the structures would be lit from below, illuminating the images of trees that are etched into louvered glass panels.

An image of proposed artwork by Catherine Widgery along East Stadium bridge.

An image of proposed artwork by Catherine Widgery along East Stadium bridge.

An image of proposed artwork by Catherine Widgery along East Stadium bridge.

An image of proposed artwork by Catherine Widgery below East Stadium bridge, along South State Street.

An image of proposed artwork by Catherine Widgery below East Stadium bridge, along South State Street.

A detail of the louvers designed by Catherine Widgery. The etched glass panels will be attached to a metal frame.

This brief was filed from the basement of city hall, 301 E. Huron, where AAPAC holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

From left: Dave Konkle and Tim Jones spoke to the Ann Arbor public art commission about their Whirlydoodle project. Jones invented the device, which is on the table between them and is designed to highlight wind energy. Many others are already installed on light poles and elsewhere throughout downtown Ann Arbor. (Photos by the writer.)

Commissioners approved a $150,000 budget for artwork at the new Huron River bypass near the Argo Pond canoe livery – called Argo Cascades. A task force recommended that the artwork have a “water” theme, and use the bulk of $155,561 that has accumulated from the city’s Percent for Art funds from water-related capital projects. The city will issue a request for artists to submit a statement of qualification (SOQ), and from those submittals a smaller number of artists will be paid $1,000 each to submit formal proposals.

In a separate vote, commissioners approved issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for artwork at the East Stadium bridges. They had previously set a budget of $400,000 for that project, which potentially will incorporate multiple locations on and near the reconstructed bridges.

Several other projects were discussed at the April 25 meeting, but no formal action was taken. During public commentary, commissioners heard from Dave Konkle and Tim Jones regarding a large Whirlydoodle installation they hope to build. The devices were invented by Jones as miniature wind generators, with LED lights that vary in color depending on wind speed – about two dozen are currently placed around the downtown area. A large-scale installation would help people to visualize wind currents and prompt a discussion about alternative energy, he said.

Konkle is the city’s former energy coordinator who now does consulting work for the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority as energy programs director. He told commissioners that a display of 1,000 Whirlydoodles – possible at the former landfill at Platt and Carpenter – would result in Ann Arbor having more wind generators than any other city in the world, and would bring the city national attention. The two men asked AAPAC to endorse the proposal, but commissioners did not act on it or discuss it in depth at the meeting.

They did discuss the status of a glass sculpture that AAPAC recommended for the lobby of the Justice Center, which awaits city council approval. At their April 2, 2012 meeting, councilmembers postponed a vote on the $150,000 project until their May 7 meeting, hoping to address concerns about access to the lobby. Visitors must pass through a security checkpoint to enter, and some councilmembers hope that the checkpoint can be relocated. AAPAC commissioners talked about the need to decouple the artwork approval from the broader concerns about access to the lobby, so that the art project can move forward.

During the meeting, two other potential projects were introduced: (1) an art loan program, to select work from individual artists or galleries that would be installed on city-owned property for a temporary period; and (2) a proposal to fund poles in the downtown area that would be used to hang banners over the street. Tony Derezinski, an AAPAC member who also serves on the city council, brought forward the idea for banner poles, to provide an alternative to the current anchors that are affixed to building facades. He described the poles as easels for the banners, which he characterized as artwork. The banners typically are purchased by organizations to promote upcoming events.

Commissioners also received updates on several ongoing projects at their April meeting: (1) the Golden Paintbrush awards, which will be presented in June; (2) a mural at Allmendinger Park; (3) artwork in the proposed city rain garden at Kingsley and First; and (4) signs for the city hall plaza and Herbert Dreiseitl water sculpture.

Commissioners also reached a consensus to hold another retreat in May, following up on a four-hour retreat on Feb. 26, 2012, to address the creation of a master plan for public art, among other issues.

Public Art at Argo Cascades

Commissioners were asked to approve a $150,000 budget for artwork at Argo Cascades. The budget includes an artist contract of up to $115,000, as well as $35,000 to cover the following: (1) a 10% contingency; (2) 10% for administration; and (3) honorariums for up to five artists at $1,000 each, to cover the cost of submitting proposals.

Argo Cascades is the new Huron River bypass near the Argo Pond canoe livery. A task force for the project recommended first issuing a statement of qualifications (SOQ), then narrowing down the candidates to a maximum of five artists who would submit more formal proposals. The task force identified four potential locations for art, including the bridges on either end of the Cascades. The artist who’s eventually selected would have discretion to choose one or more of the locations for the project.

Malverne Winborne, AAPAC member who's on a task force for public art at Argo Cascades.

The task force also recommended that the artwork have a “water” theme, and use the bulk of $155,561 that has accumulated from the city’s Percent for Art funds from water-related capital projects. The city’s public art ordinance requires that 1% of all capital project budgets (up to a limit of $250,000 per project) be set aside for public art.

Artwork funded through the Percent for Art program is supposed to serve the purpose of the fund providing the source of money. The two options for this project had been Percent for Art funds from water-related or parks-related capital projects. The available funds from the parks Percent for Art fund is significantly smaller – only $5,655.

A mission statement developed by the project’s task force states: ”The Argo Cascades public art project will be informed by the historical connection of the urban city and the natural river at this location. The public art here will be a marker of the community’s interest in ‘facing the river,’ as it celebrates the river’s water quality, environmental assets, and recreational uses.”

Task force members are as follows: AAPAC commissioners John Kotarski and Malverne Winborne; Cheryl Saam, the city’s recreation facilities supervisor for the Argo and Gallup liveries; artist and former AAPAC chair Margaret Parker; Cathy Fleisher, a local resident; Bonnie Greenspoon of the Ann Arbor Rowing Club; Julie Grand, chair of the city’s park advisory commission; and Colin Smith, parks and recreation manager.

The project had been on the agenda for the March 2012 AAPAC meeting, but was tabled because neither of the two commissioners who are on the project’s task force – Malverne Winborne and John Kotarski – attended that meeting. Other commissioners felt they needed more information before voting on a budget.

At the April 25 meeting, AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin said the next steps would include Seagraves working with the task force and the city attorney’s staff to develop the SOQ. When Theresa Reid asked whether the SOQ would be ready for review at AAPAC’s next meeting in late May, Chamberlin said that would be very optimistic, given the length of time it typically takes for legal staff to respond.

Outcome: The $150,000 budget for artwork at Argo Cascades was unanimously approved.

RFP for East Stadium Bridges Art

On the agenda was an item to approve issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for artwork at the East Stadium bridges. [.pdf of draft East Stadium bridges artwork RFP] AAPAC had set a $400,000 budget for the project at its March 2012 meeting.

Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, reported that the RFP was still being reviewed by the city attorney’s office, but that it wasn’t expected to change significantly. Bob Miller, one of the newer AAPAC members who also serves on the East Stadium bridges public art task force, asked how long the attorney’s office had been reviewing the document. Since February, Seagraves said. Miller asked that Seagraves try to firm up a date by which the legal staff would be finished.

Of the project’s $400,000 budget, a maximum of $360,000 will be available for the artist. The remainder is set aside for contingency costs, honorariums for finalists, and administrative expenses.

Bob Miller, an AAPAC member who serves on the task force for public art at the East Stadium bridges.

Goals for the artwork include: (1) unifying an area that has highly diverse uses, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, student housing, retail, and university sports facilities (such as Michigan Stadium and the Crisler Center); (2) creating awareness for art with multiple audiences – drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, neighbors, residents, out-of-town-visitors; and (3) creating multiple pieces that are tied together by a unifying theme.

Possible locations for the artwork include the fence along Rose White Park, which is adjacent to East Stadium; the end of White Street, which intersects with East Stadium; the north side of East Stadium Boulevard; the underpass and staircases at South State Street; and the East Stadium bridge abutments, sidewalk and railings.

Two AAPAC commissioners – Wiltrud Simbuerger  and Bob Miller – serve on a task force for the project. Other task force members are Nancy Leff of the Lower Burns Park Neighborhood Association; Jim Kosteva, University of Michigan director of community relations; David Huntoon, a principle of Intalytics; and Joss Kiely, a UM graduate student and community member.

The tentative timeline for the project includes a June deadline for responses to the RFP, with up to five finalists selected. Those finalists will be given $2,000 honorariums for a full proposal. A full proposal deadline is set for September, followed by a recommendation from AAPAC and a vote by the city council in November. The project would be implemented in 2013.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously approved the request for proposals (RFP) for the East Stadium bridges artwork.

Whirlydoodle Project

During time set aside for public commentary, Dave Konkle and Tim Jones spoke to commissioners about their Whirlydoodle project. Konkle, the city’s former energy coordinator who now works for the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority as energy programs director, began by noting that perhaps commissioners had seen the “strange things that have been showing up around town.”

Two Whirlydoodles mounted on a pole in a surface parking lot near the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor.

Jones described the Whirlydoodles as miniature wind generators, with LED lights that vary in color depending on wind speed. The project has a lot of scientific value not just for kids, but also for adults, he said. A large-scale installation would be a spectacular way to visualize wind currents and prompt a discussion about alternative energy.

Konkle said when Jones brought the project to him, he thought it was cool. They decided it would be fun if the Whirlydoodles just started to appear around town, he said. When they approached Susan Pollay, the DDA’s executive director, she was enthusiastic about putting them up in the DDA district, Konkle reported.

Now, they’d like to do a large-scale installation of 1,000 or more Whirlydoodles on a hillside, Konkle said, where you could literally see the wind currents as they activate the devices. He noted that they had submitted an application to AAPAC for a project on the city’s closed landfill at Platt and Carpenter roads, on the south side of Ann Arbor facing the Swift Run dog park. [.pdf of Whirlydoodle project application]

They estimate the project will cost about $100,000. Konkle said that Big George’s, a local appliance store, has committed to contributing $10,000 and now they’re looking for additional funding. He said he realized there were obstacles. They’ve tried to understand the city’s Percent for Art funding rules, he said, and it’s hard to see how the project would be eligible, given the constraints on the types of projects that can be funded.

So instead of funding, Konkle said it would make their job easier if AAPAC would endorse the project, even without funding. That endorsement would help them raise money from other sources. He concluded by saying that the project would result in Ann Arbor having more wind generators than any other city in the world, and it would bring the city national attention. It’s “whimsical, serious and fun,” he said.

Whirlydoodle Project: Commission Discussion

There was no action taken regarding the request, and minimal discussion among commissioners. AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin observed that the commission had never been asked to endorse a project in this way.

Justice Center Artwork

Commissioners discussed recent city council action on a recommended art installation at the city’s new Justice Center. At their April 2, 2011 meeting, councilmembers postponed a vote on the use of $150,000 for a public art project in the lobby of the new building at the northeast corner of Huron Street and Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor. The Justice Center, next to city hall, houses the 15th District Court and the Ann Arbor police department. The postponement was for one month, until the council’s May 7 meeting.

A rendering of Ed Carpenter's proposed "Radius" sculpture in the southwest corner of Ann Arbor's Justice Center lobby. This image was revised from earlier drawings by the artist to include more glass, at the request of a selection task force. (Links to larger image)

Because it houses the district court, the Justice Center features airport-style security measures at the entrance, and visitors must surrender electronic devices like cameras and cellphones to be locked in cubicles during their visit to the building. Councilmembers cited concerns about accessibility by the public to the artwork, and some expressed interest in using the delay to explore the possibility of moving the security screening to a point well past the entrance in the building’s lobby. The visibility of the proposed sculpture from outside the building was also a point of discussion among councilmembers.

AAPAC, at its Jan. 25, 2012 meeting, had unanimously recommended selecting Ed Carpenter of Portland, Oregon for the $150,000 project. A task force had recommended the selection of Carpenter’s proposal – a sculpture called “Radius” – from three finalists.

Carpenter plans to create a hanging sculpture of dichroic glass, aluminum, stainless steel and lighting, including LED spot and flood lighting. Among the reasons for recommending Radius, the task force cited the sculpture’s metaphor: That the activities in the Justice Center have a “rippling” effect throughout the community, which echoes the water sculpture by Herbert Dreiseitl that’s located in the plaza outside the building.

At AAPAC’s April 25 meeting, Marsha Chamberlin said she’s talked with several people and her understanding is that the security checkpoint is the main concern – councilmembers still support the art installation, she said. Tony Derezinski, a Ward 2 city councilmember who also serves on AAPAC, reported that almost everyone on council said they weren’t against the project, but wanted the area to be more accessible to the public. He noted that he has an artificial hip, and it’s not wonderful going through security.

Derezinski also observed that the council is deliberating on the fiscal year 2013 budget now. “That’s always a tender time, when the city is making decisions,” he said.

Connie Brown expressed concern that the rug is being pulled out from under the project for a reason that wasn’t previously voiced by councilmembers. She said she’d like to figure out a way for those kinds of issues to be raised earlier in the process, so that the project isn’t delayed at this point.

AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin.

Derezinski replied that there should be some deference shown to the judgments of “sub-entities” to the council, including AAPAC. But it takes a while to build confidence that things are working well, he noted, and for a long time the criteria for art selection wasn’t known or understood well by the council. He also said that for artwork, there would likely always be some second-guessing of decisions.

There was some uncertainty among commissioners about how much information council had received prior to April 2 about the Carpenter piece or the selection process. Theresa Reid observed that there needs to be a specific process that each project follows, and documentation for when the steps – such as informing city council – have been completed.

Cathy Gendron said her understanding is that the council is reconsidering the artwork, not just postponing it because of the security issue. She wondered if there was a way that AAPAC could ensure that the selection moved forward. Derezinski offered to talk with mayor John Hieftje. He said there’s no doubt that councilmembers like the project.

Chamberlin felt like there were two separate issues: (1) the selection of the artwork itself, and (2) access and security in the Justice Center lobby. The second issue is not one that AAPAC can influence, she said, adding that the lobby isn’t the most hospitable environment.

Reid advocated to decouple those two issues, and wondered whether commissioners should contact councilmembers directly to express that view. Derezinski suggested that Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, raise that point through staff channels, but he also indicated that t it might be good for commissioners to speak during public commentary at the May 7 meeting. He said his main concern is the timeline for the contract with the artist.

Bob Miller expressed similar concerns, and asked Seagraves whether there are any financial obligations with the artist at this point. Seagraves replied that there’s not yet a contract with the artist, because the council hasn’t approved the project. The original plan was for the work to be installed in December of 2012.

Chamberlin asked Seagraves to update her on his discussions with city staff. She said that if the item is on the May 7 council agenda, it’s important for AAPAC to have a written statement prepared in support of it.

Art Loan Program

As an item of new business, AAPAC commissioner Bob Miller proposed starting an art loan program, selecting work from individual artists or galleries to be installed on city-owned property for a period of 2-5 years. He suggested that the artists or galleries would pay for installation, insurance, maintenance and other costs, while the city would provide the location and possibly build a base for sculptures, for example. [.pdf of art loan proposal]

Miller said he modeled his proposal on a similar program that’s been successful in Sante Fe, New Mexico. It would be a great opportunity to bring more art to the public at little or no cost to the city, he said, adding that he didn’t see a downside but welcomed feedback.

Theresa Reid expressed support for the concept, and suggested forming a task force to develop a full proposal. Marsha Chamberlin agreed that a task force could address issues related to such a program. For example, the city has in the past been reluctant to accept donated art because of liability concerns, she said. Chamberlin noted that both Canton and Brighton run art loan programs.

Cathy Gendron also supported the idea, but observed that it appeared to conflict with a different program the commission has previously discussed – buying art outright, directly from artists or galleries. But perhaps a loan program is a better alternative to the city buying art, she said.

Miller didn’t think the two approaches were conflicting. Artwork that the city borrowed would likely be from artists who aren’t at the same level as artists that the city would buy from, he said.

Outcome: Commissioners voted unanimously to form a task force, chaired by Bob Miller, to develop a more detailed proposal for an art loan program.

Tony Derezinski, an Ann Arbor city councilmember who also serves on the Ann Arbor public art commission.

Poles for Street Banners

Tony Derezinski, an AAPAC member who also serves on city council, brought forward a proposal to fund poles in the downtown area that would be used to hang banners over the street. He introduced the item by noting that banners hang across downtown streets about 40 weeks out of the year, primarily on Main Street, East Liberty and South University. The banners have been hung on anchors affixed to buildings, but with strong winds, those anchors are pulled and can damage the building’s facade.

Groups like the Main Street Area Association and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority are working on this issue, he said. One idea is for the Percent for Art program to fund poles from which banners can be hung. The poles could be considered as permanent easels for the banners, which he characterized as art.

The proposal submitted by Derezinski states that the city estimates a cost of $12,000 per pole. [.pdf of pole proposal]

Connie Brown pointed out that most banners promote upcoming events. Derezinski again stated that the banners are artwork.

AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin suggested that they table the discussion until a more specific proposal is presented.

Communications

Several opportunities arose during the meeting for commissioners and the public art administrator to give updates and raise topics for discussion. There was also opportunity for public commentary. The only public commentary at the April 25 meeting regarded the Whirlydoodle project, reported above.

Communications: Golden Paintbrush Awards

During his administrator’s report, Aaron Seagraves told commissioners that five nominations had been received for the annual Golden Paintbrush awards, which recognize local contributions to public art. He said he would set up an online poll for commissioners to vote, with the awards to be presented at a June meeting of the Ann Arbor city council.

Later in the meeting, Cathy Gendron of the commission’s PR committee reported that the committee is going to rethink the awards in terms of staging them in a different way to better highlight the artists.

Communications: Kingsley Rain Garden

A task force has been formed for public art in a proposed rain garden at the corner of Kingsley and First. Members include: AAPAC commissioner Connie Rizzolo-Brown; Claudette Stern and John Walters of METAL, a design and fabrication studio on Felch Street; Patrick Judd of Conservation Design Forum, which is under contract with the city to build the rain garden; Jerry Hancock, Ann Arbor’s stormwater and floodplain programs coordinator; and David Murabito of Beal Properties, also located on Felch.

During his administrator’s report, Aaron Seagraves noted that the group has met once and brainstormed about project criteria. They plan to meet again in the first half of May.

By way of background, the city recently bought 215 and 219 W. Kingsley – land that’s located in a floodplain. A boarded-up house is located on the corner lot; the adjacent lot is vacant. The city received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to demolish the house and stabilize the site, in part by building a rain garden there.

The overall project cost is about $280,000 – the city will pay for 25% of that, or about $70,000. Because the city’s portion will come from the city’s stormwater fund, the public art component can use pooled Percent for Art funds captured from stormwater projects. A balance of about $27,000 is available in stormwater Percent for Art funds. [.pdf of rain garden project form] AAPAC approved the art portion of the project at its November 2011 meeting.

Communications: Dreiseitl Signs

At their March 28, 2012 meeting, commissioners had discussed the need for descriptive signs for the Herbert Dreiseitl water sculpture in front of city hall. On April 25, Aaron Seagraves reported that Quinn Evans Architects – the Ann Arbor firm that designed the new municipal center, which includes a renovated city hall, the adjacent new Justice Center building, and the front plaza area – is being asked by the city to design a railing for the north side of the pedestrian bridge over the rain garden in front of city hall. Quinn Evans has offered to include a sign platform as well, and to design the signs, he said.

Commissioners had several questions about the effort, including whether the Percent for Art program would be covering the cost of the signs. Several commissioners stressed the need to coordinate the information on the signs for the Dreiseitl sculpture with the signs for the overall project, which would include information about the stormwater management aspects of the building and rain garden.

When Seagraves reported that a sign committee exists, consisting of city staff members, commissioners proposed that Cathy Gendron attend those meetings as a representative of AAPAC. An update will be included as an agenda item on AAPAC’s May 23 meeting.

Communications: Allmendinger Park Mural

Aaron Seagraves, during his administrator’s report, told commissioners that the Ann Arbor city council hasn’t yet formally accepted a $7,000 contribution from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to help pay for a mural at Allmendinger Park. That will likely be an agenda item for the council at one of its May meetings, he said. After the contribution is accepted, the city can move ahead on a contract with the artist who’s been selected for the project – Mary Thiefels of Treetown Murals.

The total budget for the project is $12,000, with $5,000 coming from the Percent for Art program. AAPAC had approved the selection of Thiefels for this project at their January 2012 meeting. It will be the first mural in a program that’s intended to eventually add multiple murals throughout the city each year.

Communications: Master Plan, Retreat

At several points throughout the April 25 meeting, commissioners raised issues that they felt needed further discussion – including work to develop a master plan for public art, adjustments to the way that minutes are kept, how projects are developed and tracked, and what items to include in monthly meeting agendas.

They reached a consensus to hold another retreat in May, with a date to be determined. They most recently held a four-hour retreat on Feb. 26, 2012. In a follow-up email to The Chronicle, Aaron Seagraves reported that a tentative date for the retreat is Saturday, May 19.

Commissioners present: Connie Rizzolo-Brown, Marsha Chamberlin, Tony Derezinski, Cathy Gendron, Bob Miller, Theresa Reid, Malverne Winborne. Also Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator.

Absent: John Kotarski, Wiltrud Simbuerger.

Next regular meeting: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. at city hall, 301 E. Huron St. [confirm date]

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Of that $400,000, a maximum of $360,000 will be available for the artist. The remainder is set aside for contingency costs, honorariums for finalists, and administrative expenses. Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, noted that the draft RFP is still being reviewed by the city attorney’s office, but he hoped that they would make minimal changes and that the RFP could be issued soon.

Goals for the artwork include: (1) unifying an area that has highly diverse uses, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, student housing, retail, and university sports facilities (such as Michigan Stadium and the Crisler Center); (2) creating awareness for art with multiple audiences – drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, neighbors, residents, out-of-town-visitors; and (3) creating multiple pieces that are tied together by a unifying theme.

Possible locations for the artwork include the fence along Rose White Park, which is adjacent to East Stadium; the end of White Street, which intersects with East Stadium; the north side of East Stadium Boulevard; the underpass and staircases at South State Street; and the East Stadium bridge abutments, sidewalk and railings.

Two AAPAC commissioners – Wiltrud Simbuerger  and Bob Miller – serve on a task force for the project. Other task force members are Nancy Leff of the Lower Burns Park Neighborhood Association; Jim Kosteva, University of Michigan director of community relations; David Huntoon, a principle of Intalytics; and Joss Kiely, a UM graduate student and community member.

The tentative timeline for the project includes a June deadline for responses to the RFP, with up to five finalists selected. Those five finalists will be given $2,000 honorariums for a full proposal. A full proposal deadline is set for September, followed by a recommendation from AAPAC and a vote by the city council in November. The project would be implemented in 2013.

This brief was filed from the basement conference room at city hall, 301 E. Huron St., where AAPAC held its meeting. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Rose White Park, adjacent to East Stadium Boulevard, is one location being considered for public art in a $400,000 budget approved by public art commissioners for the East Stadium bridges project. The blue tarp on the fence in the background serves to separate the park from the bridge construction. (Photos by the writer.)

A task force had recommended that the project be well-funded, because the location would be a highly visible landmark marking an entrance into the city – it’s near Michigan Stadium and the Crisler Center, for example. No artist has been selected yet, nor has a request for proposals been issued – that’s under review by the city attorney’s staff.

The artist would have a large role in selecting locations for the artwork. Places for art might include the underpass and staircases at South State Street; the fence along Rose White Park, which is adjacent to East Stadium Boulevard; or the bridges themselves, spanning over railroad tracks and South State Street. Any final project and budget would require the city council’s approval.

The commission postponed action on a proposal related to artwork at Argo Cascades, the new Huron River bypass near Argo Pond. Neither of the two commissioners who serve on a task force for the project – Malverne Winborne and John Kotarski – attended the AAPAC meeting, and other commissioners felt more information was needed before moving forward.

Final touches were put on an annual public art plan for FY 2013, describing projects that AAPAC intends to work on between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. [.pdf of FY 2013 annual public art plan] In addition to specific art projects like those for the East Stadium bridges and a mural at Allmendinger Park, the two-page document calls for developing a master plan for public art to guide future decision-making through 2016.

During the meeting, Aaron Seagraves – the city’s public art administrator – noted that nominations are being accepted through April 13 for the Golden Paintbrush awards, which recognize local contributions to public art. A nomination form can be downloaded from the commission’s website.

The March 28 meeting was attended by three people who were not affiliated with the commission, including Jack Urban, a Kalamazoo County commissioner and chair of the Kalamazoo public arts commission. He noted that unlike Ann Arbor, the Kalamazoo public art commission does not have a funding source. So the group is looking to establish itself and seek financial support, he said.

Art Budget for East Stadium Bridges

On the agenda was an item to set the budget for artwork at the East Stadium bridges – currently being rebuilt by the city of Ann Arbor. AAPAC had voted to form a task force for the project at its September 2011 meeting, citing its importance as a gateway to the city. The bridges are located near Michigan Stadium on a major east-west artery.

A request for proposals (RFP) from artists is under review by the city’s legal staff and is expected to be issued in the coming weeks. Goals for the artwork include: (1) unifying an area that has highly diverse uses, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, student housing, retail, and university sports facilities (such as Michigan Stadium and the Crisler Center); (2) creating awareness for art with multiple audiences – drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, neighbors, residents, out-of-town-visitors; and (3) creating multiple pieces that are tied together by a unifying theme.

Possible locations for the artwork include the fence along Rose White Park, which is adjacent to East Stadium; the end of White Street, which intersects with East Stadium; the north side of East Stadium Boulevard; the underpass and staircases at South State Street; and the East Stadium bridge abutments, sidewalk and railings.

Two AAPAC commissioners – Wiltrud Simbuerger  and Bob Miller – serve on a task force for the project. Other task force members are Nancy Leff of the Lower Burns Park Neighborhood Association; Jim Kosteva, University of Michigan director of community relations; David Huntoon, a principle of Intalytics; and Joss Kiely, a UM graduate student and community member.

Wiltrud Simbuerger is an AAPAC commissioner who also serves on the task force for art at the East Stadium bridges.

Simbuerger and Miller said the task force felt strongly that because the location would be a highly visible landmark marking an entrance into the city, the project should be well-funded. About $100,000 is available from the Percent for Art money directly taken from the bridges project. That’s included in a balance of $529,251 that has accumulated for public art from streets-related capital projects. The city’s public art ordinance requires that 1% of all capital project budgets (up to a limit of $250,000 per project) be set aside for public art.

Simbuerger originally proposed $350,000, but Miller suggested that even more should be allocated. He made a formal motion for a $400,000 budget.

Commissioners discussed other possible projects that might be coming in the near future, including artwork for the North Main corridor and downtown Main Street. About $1.13 million of Percent for Art funds are currently unencumbered, and more funding will be added to that from upcoming capital projects. For example, Seagraves said that another $109,000 in Percent for Art funding is estimated to come from street projects alone in the next fiscal year.

Theresa Reid calculated that if $400,000 was allocated for the bridges artwork, plus estimated funding for other projects that are already in the works – including the mural program, and art for the Kingsley rain garden and Argo Cascades – that still leaves about $600,000 of the $1.13 million for other as-yet-unidentified projects. “I think that’s healthy,” she said. “We could do a lot with that.”

Outcome: The five commissioners present at the March 28 meeting unanimously voted to set a $400,000 budget for artwork at East Stadium bridges. The final budget and artist contract require approval by the city council.

Argo Cascades Art Proposal

Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, introduced the agenda item regarding art at Argo Cascades, the new Huron River bypass near the Argo Pond canoe livery. Commissioners were asked to recommend approval of developing an art project for the Cascades, as well as a budget.

No specific location has been identified for the work. A task force recommended instead to issue a request for proposals (RFP) and get input on the location from the artist who’s eventually selected for this project. About $175,000 is available for the project from money that has accumulated in the city’s Percent for Art fund. That money includes $155,561 from water-related capital projects and $19,655 from capital projects in the parks system. The city’s public art ordinance requires that 1% of all capital project budgets (up to a limit of $250,000 per project) be set aside for public art.

A mission statement developed by the project’s task force states: ”The Argo Cascades public art project will be informed by the historical connection of the urban city and the natural river at this location. The public art here will be a marker of the community’s interest in ‘facing the river,’ as it celebrates the river’s water quality, environmental assets, and recreational uses.”

Aaron Seagraves, Ann Arbor's public art administrator.

Neither of the two commissioners who are on a task force for the project – Malverne Winborne and John Kotarski – attended the AAPAC meeting. Other task force members are: Cheryl Saam, the city’s recreation facilities supervisor for the Argo and Gallup liveries; artist and former AAPAC chair  Margaret Parker; Cathy Fleisher, a local resident; Bonnie Greenspoon of the Ann Arbor Rowing Club; Julie Grand, chair of the city’s park advisory commission; and Colin Smith, parks and recreation manager.

Seagraves told commissioners that originally two parks – Argo and Gallup – were considered for a river art project. But a renovation of the Gallup livery has been pushed back, he said, so the focus is now on Argo.

Wiltrud Simbuerger said she found it hard to vote without a better understanding of the vision for the project. Connie Brown agreed, saying that in contrast, it had been clear what the task force for the East Stadium bridges project had envisioned.

Seagraves brought up another issue. If funds from the water-related capital projects are used, then the artwork’s theme must also be water-related. Parks funding doesn’t come with a thematic constraint, as long as it’s used in the parks. The task force needs to give direction on that, he said.

Other commissioners also felt they needed more information before voting on a budget. Marsha Chamberlin suggested tabling the item.

Outcome: The five commissioners at the March 28 meeting voted unanimously to table action on the Argo Cascades project.

Annual Public Art Plan

The city’s public art ordinance requires that AAPAC submit an annual plan to the city council by April 1, outlining public art projects anticipated for the coming fiscal year. The commission has been working on a public art plan for the city’s fiscal year 2013 – from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. The plan had been the topic of a four-hour retreat in late February.

About an hour was spent at the March 28 meeting thrashing through a draft of the plan, which had been proposed by AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin based on previous discussions. Much of the conversation involved word-smithing of the various objectives.

The final plan includes a list of five objectives for the next fiscal year:

1. Develop a master plan for 2013-2016 that will create community engagement and expedite work of the commission.
2. Advance the following projects that are underway, meeting all deadlines. All the projects have task force oversight, approved budgets, and are in various stages of completion. The projects are: (1) installation of Ed Carpenter’s “Radius” sculpture in the lobby of the Justice Center by November 2012 ($150,000); (2) a mural in Allmendinger Park by Mary Thiefels, to be completed by September 2012 ($12,000); (3) two additional murals by August 2013 ($40,000); (4) artwork for a rain garden at Kingsley and First by August 2013 ($27,000); (5) artwork for the East Stadium bridges by the fall of 2014 ($400,000); and (6) installation of artwork in the Detroit Institute of Art’s Inside|Out project by the spring of 2013 (budget TBD). That project involves installing framed reproductions from the DIA’s collection at outdoor locations on building facades or in parks.
3. By June 2012, identify and prioritize new projects for FY 2013, allocating existing funds using agreed-upon criteria of type, location, and community involvement. The criteria will be defined during the master planning process.
4. By Aug. 1, develop and begin to implement an effective communications plan about the uses and value of public art and the operation of the commission.
5. Collaborate with commissions, organizations, and agencies to accomplish public art projects.

The first objective – developing a master plan – included details on its purpose. The intent of the master plan is to: (1) guide AAPAC’s efforts to include public art throughout the city, involve community groups and create substantial visibility for public art as an integral part of community life and a city asset; (2) train commissioners and task force members with the goal of increased community knowledge, engagement and advocacy for public art; and (3) better integrate the public art administrator with every city department with the goal of increasing public art in the city.

By way of background, there has been some confusion in past years regarding AAPAC’s annual plan. In 2010, the plan wasn’t approved by AAPAC until its June meeting. Last year, the plan was approved in late April. However, neither of those plans were forwarded to the city council until June of 2011 – an oversight attributed to the transition following the departure of the previous public art administrator, before Seagraves was hired. [.pdf of FY2012 public art plan][.pdf of FY2011 public art plan]

Previous public art plans have also differed in format. The plans previously have been lists of projects that AAPAC intends to work on, with the name of the commissioner who’s leading each project, but no budget amount indicated.

Some specific projects that were included in the past two plans but have not been completed have dropped off the current plan, and there has been no discussion about them at recent AAPAC meetings. Those past projects include: (1) a possible pilot public art program at bus stops in collaboration with the AATA; (2) possible public art associated with the Manchester elevated water tank painting project scheduled to occur in FY 2013; (3) continued exploration of repairs/replacement of the Sun Dragon sculpture at Fuller Pool; and (4) assisting the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority in developing a Hanover Park public art project.

Outcome: The five commissioners at the March 28 meeting reached consensus on the draft, with the understanding that some additional revisions would be made by AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin and distributed via email. [.pdf of final FY2013 annual public art plan]

Plaque, Name for Dreiseitl Sculpture

Wiltrud Simbuerger introduced the topic of a plaque for the Herbert Dreiseitl water sculpture in front of city hall. She wanted the commission to start thinking about what kind of sign to put there – something is needed to indicate what it is, who made it, and how it works, she said.

Ann Arbor public art commissioners Bob Miller and Connie Rizzolo Brown at AAPAC's March 28, 2012 meeting.

Bob Miller asked for an update on the sculpture – had all the work been finished? Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, reported that there was still some fine-tuning that needed to be done in the spring. At that point, the water for the sculpture will be turned on.

Theresa Reid said that Dreiseitl should be asked to provide a name for his sculpture.

Commissioners then discussed the need for a larger sign that explains how the design of the entire plaza area and building helps manage the flow of rainwater. There was also some discussion about the need to develop a broader communications strategy, with a consistent design across all projects. Marsha Chamberlin suggested that the work be done by Quinn Evans Architects, which designed the new municipal center – including a renovated city hall, the adjacent new Justice Center building, and the front plaza area.

Commissioners eventually reached a consensus, directing Seagraves to initiate the effort and report back to AAPAC at their April 25 meeting.

Communications & Commentary

Several opportunities arose during the meeting for commissioners and the public art administrator to give updates and raise topics for discussion. There was also an opportunity for public commentary.

Comm/Comm: Public Commentary

Three members of the public attended AAPAC’s March meeting. It was a notable departure from the typical pattern, which is that attendees tend to be high school students fulfilling a class assignment, or people who end up serving as commissioners. (Two new commissioners, Bob Miller and John Kotarski, both attended several AAPAC meetings before being appointed last year.)

Jack Urban, a Kalamazoo County commissioner and chair of the Kalamazoo public arts commission, attended AAPAC's March 28 meeting.

At the start of the meeting, AAPAC chair Marsha Chamberlin asked the visitors to introduce themselves, and commissioners did the same.

Ed Weiss said he was relatively new to town. He’d been reading online publications and had become incensed over some of the commentary he saw – for example, people calling the Herbert Dreiseitl water sculpture in front of city hall “The Hurinal” (it’s located on Huron Street) and people complaining about funding for public art. He came to the meeting because he was interested in the city’s public art program.

Jack Urban introduced himself as a Kalamazoo County commissioner and chair of the Kalamazoo public arts commission, which was formed in partnership with the county and the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage. The group is trying to get itself restarted, he said. Unlike Ann Arbor, however, the Kalamazoo public art commission does not have a funding source. So the group is looking to establish itself and seek financial support, he said.

Also attending the meeting was Thomas Partridge, who arrived after the time allotted for public commentary. At the end of the meeting, both he and Weiss expressed some frustration that the agenda did not provide for a second public commentary slot at the end of the meeting. Weiss said it would be good to have a chance to provide feedback on the discussions that had taken place during the meeting.

Several commissioners acknowledged the frustration, but contended that this is standard practice for the city’s public meetings. [But in fact, most public meetings for city entitites – including those for the city council, planning commission, park advisory commission, greenbelt advisory commission and others – include public commentary at the start and end of each meeting.]

Comm/Comm: Administrator’s Report

At the start of the March 28 meeting, Aaron Seagraves – the city’s public art administrator – updated commissioners on several projects.

Nominations are being accepted until April 13 for the annual Golden Paintbrush awards, which recognize local contributions to public art. [.pdf of nomination form, which can be completed and emailed directly to Seagraves at aseagraves@a2gov.org] Last year’s winners were: (1) Krazy Jim’s Blimpie Burger, for the Snow Bears sculptures they build each winter in front of their business at Packard and South Division; (2) Mary Thiefels and Treetown Murals for the mural outside the Alley Bar along West Liberty; and (3) Peter Allen & Associates, for rock sculptures on North Main Street.

Seagraves also noted that the city council would be voting on approval of Ed Carpenter’s “Radius” sculpture its their April 2 meeting. AAPAC had recommended approval of the $150,000 work, to be located in the lobby of the Justice Center at Fifth & Huron. [The council subsequently voted to postpone action on that item until its May 7 meeting, expressing an interest in using the delay to explore the possibility of moving the security screening to a point well past the entrance in the interior of the building. The visibility of the proposed sculpture from outside the building was also a point of discussion.]

Related to artwork for a rain garden at Kingsley and First, Seagraves said the city’s purchase of that corner property has been completed. Connie Brown added that a full task force hasn’t yet been selected for that project, but the rain garden probably won’t be installed until the spring of 2013.

Comm/Comm: Allmendinger Mural

The contract with artist Mary Thiefels for a mural in Allmendinger Park is still in review by the city attorney’s office, Seagraves reported. The mural task force has met to discuss soliciting statements of qualifications (SOQs) in order to develop a pool of potential artists for future murals, he said.

Wiltrud Simbuerger, who leads the mural task force, reported that Thiefels had responded to the group’s request to alter her proposal – she submitted a revised project scope and budget, Simbuerger said. [AAPAC had discussed this issue at their January 2012 meeting, when they approved the selection of Thiefels for the project.] Thiefels now plans to work with local schools and incorporate ideas from students into her design, Simbuerger said, adding that this will be a much more powerful community approach.

Comm/Comm: Art Loan Project

Bob Miller said he’s interested in possibly developing a art loan program, which would allow the city to borrow artwork from other municipalities or institutions. It might involve setting up a permanent location to have rotating exhibits, he said.

Marsha Chamberlin noted that cities like Brighton and Canton have similar programs. Aaron Seagraves cited the Midwest Sculpture Initiative as another example.

Commissioners present: Connie Rizzolo-Brown, Marsha Chamberlin, Bob Miller, Theresa Reid, Wiltrud Simbuerger. Also Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator.

Absent: Tony Derezinski, Cathy Gendron, John Kotarski, Malverne Winborne.

Next regular meeting: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. at city hall, 301 E. Huron St. [confirm date]

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Because the location could be a landmark marking an entrance into the city, the task force had advocated using a relatively large amount from the city’s Percent for Art funds, to be taken from the balance of $529,251 that’s accumulated for public art from streets-related capital projects. The city’s public art ordinance requires that 1% of all capital project budgets (up to a limit of $250,000 per project) be set aside for public art.

Task force members are: AAPAC commissioners Wiltrud Simbuerger and Bob Miller; Nancy Leff of the Lower Burns Park Neighborhood Association; Jim Kosteva, University of Michigan director of dommunity relations; David Huntoon, a principle of Intalytics; and Joss Kiely, a UM graduate student and community member.

A request for proposals (RFP) from artists is under review by the city’s legal staff and is expected to be issued in the coming weeks. Goals for the artwork include: (1) unifying an area that has highly diverse uses, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, student housing, university sports facilities (such as Michigan Stadium), and local retail; (2) creating awareness for art with multiple audiences – drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, neighbors, residents, out-of-town-visitors; and (3) possibly creating multiple pieces that are tied together by a unifying theme.

Possible locations for the artwork include the Rose White Park fence; the end of White Street; the north side of East Stadium Boulevard; the underpass and staircases at South State Street; and the East Stadium bridge abutments, sidewalk and railings.

This brief was filed from the basement conference room at city hall, 301 E. Huron St., where AAPAC held its meeting. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Ann Arbor public art commissioner Wiltrud Simbuerger, showing other commission members some proposals from artists for a mural at Allmendinger Park. A local artist, Mary Thiefels, has been selected for that project. (Photos by the writer.)

The group unanimously recommended selecting Ed Carpenter of Portland, Oregon for a $150,000 art project in the lobby of the city’s Justice Center, located at the corner of East Huron and Fifth Avenue. A task force had recommended the selection of Carpenter’s proposal from three finalists. It’s a sculpture called “Radius”.

Carpenter plans to create a hanging sculpture of dichroic glass, aluminum, stainless steel and lighting, including LED spot and flood lighting. Among the reasons for recommending Radius, the task force cited the sculpture’s metaphor: That the activities in the Justice Center have a “rippling” effect throughout the community, which echos the water sculpture by Herbert Dreiseitl that’s located in the plaza outside the building.

The Justice Center, a new building next to city hall, houses the 15th District Court and the Ann Arbor police department. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the city council for approval.

In other action, the art commission voted to select Ann Arbor muralist Mary Thiefels for a mural project to be located on pillars at a building in Allmendinger Park. A task force had recommended her selection from among four finalists. Her proposal entails asking neighborhood residents for artifacts to create mosaics at the top and bottom of the pillars. The task force recommended that they continue to work with Thiefels on designing the remainder of the mural in the middle sections of the pillars.

Commissioners liked the concept of “found object” mosaics, but questioned whether the $10,000 budget was sufficient. They ultimately voted to approve selecting Thiefels for the project, contingent on her submission of a revised proposal and budget, with additional input from the task force. This project is the first one in a pilot mural program started last year by former commissioner Jeff Meyers.

AAPAC also discussed possible artwork for four sites connected to the East Stadium bridges, which are being reconstructed. The two commissioners who serve on a task force for that project – Wiltrud Simbuerger and Bob Miller – indicated that the budget recommendation will likely be at least $250,000 for artwork there. The task force is currently developing a request for proposals to be issued in the coming weeks.

In the context of developing their annual art plan for fiscal 2013, which by ordinance must be delivered to the city council by April 1, commissioners decided to hold a retreat next month. In addition to shaping the annual plan, the aim of the retreat is to develop a master plan that would provide a broader conceptual framework to guide AAPAC’s decisions. Input from an online survey of the public will also be used – the survey remains open until Feb. 20, and has garnered more than 400 responses so far.

Commissioner Appointments

Marsha Chamberlin, the commission’s chair, began the Jan. 25 meeting by welcoming two new commissioners: Bob Miller and John Kotarski. Kotarski had been appointed by the city council at its Jan. 9, 2012 meeting to replace outgoing commissioner Margaret Parker. He has been a media consultant who previously worked for the Mount Clemens Schools. His three-year term expires Jan. 9, 2015.

At the city council’s Jan. 23, 2012 meeting, Bob Miller was appointed to replace Cheryl Zuellig, and Chamberlin was reappointed for a second term. The terms for Miller and Chamberlin run through December 2015. Chamberlin is president of the Ann Arbor Art Center. Miller has worked as a real estate agent and homebuilder, and has a fine arts degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Both Miller and Kotarski have attended AAPAC meetings over the past few months as observers.

Chamberlin reported that mayor John Hieftje has identified another candidate that he intends to nominate for approval by the city council, but she didn’t want to identify that person publicly until the nomination was made. The person would replace Elaine Sims, whose term expired at the end of 2011.

Justice Center Artwork

On the Jan. 25 agenda was an item to consider approval of artwork proposed for the lobby of the city’s Justice Center, located at the corner of East Huron and Fifth Avenue.

A rendering of Ed Carpenter’s proposed “Radius” sculpture in the southwest corner of Ann Arbor’s Justice Center lobby. This image was revised from earlier drawings by the artist to include more glass, at the request of a selection task force. (Links to larger image)

A task force had recommended the selection of Ed Carpenter’s proposal – a sculpture called “Radius” – from three finalists for the $150,000 project. Members of the task force who recommended Carpenter are Elaine Sims, Margaret Parker, Spring Tremaine, Karl Daubmann, Maureen Devine, Laura Rubin, Ray Detter, Margie Teal, Homayoon Pirooz, and Aaron Seagraves.

It will be the second major installation funded with money from Ann Arbor’s Percent for Art program, which captures 1% of each city capital project – capped at $250,000 per project – for public art. The first major installation is located in the plaza outside of the Justice Center and in front of city hall: A bronze water sculpture by the German artist Herbert Dreiseitl, that cost more than $750,000.

Carpenter’s proposal calls for creating a hanging sculpture of dichroic glass, aluminum, stainless steel and lighting, including LED spot and flood lighting. The intent of the artwork is to reflect how the work of the courts and police radiate out into the community. The Justice Center houses the 15th District Court and the Ann Arbor police department.

The task force cited several reasons for their choice. Among them:

• The artwork uses a great deal of the space in the lobby and makes the best use of the site.
• The reflective nature of the glass used in the design will incorporate direct lighting and reflective light, which will be visible from both indoors and outdoors, during the day and at night.
• The colored glass and moving reflections will add a mediating softness and color to the architecture of the lobby.
• The art’s metaphor that work within the Justice Center has a rippling effect throughout the community; the “ripple” metaphor is consistent with the Dreiseitl sculpture.

In his proposal, Carpenter wrote:

Like ripples from a stone tossed into a pond, “Radius” emanates outward through the Justice Center lobby, a reminder of the interconnectedness of the public with the agencies serving them, and suggesting a network of cause and effect in the public realm.

“Radius” is designed to involve as much of the lobby as possible, radiating from the southeast corner, visible from inside and outside, day and night. [Editor's note: The sculpture will be located in the lobby's southwest corner.] Lighting contained in its hollow center will illuminate gleaming glass and anodized aluminum details, creating elegant views of its expansive forms.

When sun strikes, dichroic glass elements will project and reflect colored light deep into the space in luminous compositions, slowly moving through the lobby in response to the arc of the sun and the passing of clouds.

Justice Center Artwork: Commission Discussion

John Kotarski noted that the task force had cited some issues they wanted the artist to address. Had the artist responded? Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, said Carpenter had submitted new renderings showing additional glass in the sculpture, which the task force had requested.

John Kotarski at his first meeting as a public art commissioner on Jan. 25.

Marsha Chamberlin asked whether the budget reflects those changes. [The budget of $150,000 includes a $9,000 line item for dichroic glass elements. Other major line items are for fabricated anodized aluminum elements ($35,000), installation ($20,000), lighting/electrical ($12,000), structural site work and ceiling refinishing ($12,000) and artist's wages/overhead ($25,700).] Seagraves said the artist had indicated that extra glass could be accommodated within the original budget.

Wiltrud Simbuerger wondered how quickly the work would be completed. There would be a six-month timeline, starting from the point of approval by the city council, Seagraves said.

Chamberlin noted that after the council approves the project, it typically takes an additional two months for the city attorney’s office to draw up a contract. She speculated that the six-month period would start sometime this summer, after a contract with the artist is signed. Kotarski asked whether it really takes two months for legal staff to prepare a contract. That’s been the commission’s experience, Chamberlin replied.

Chamberlin said she liked the project, and found it intriguing. Kotarski agreed, saying he especially liked the theme of the work. It puts the police and justice system at the center of the community, “as it should be,” he said. The ever-changing color and light reflects the community’s diversity, he added. It’s elegant, and light – it won’t disrupt the area at all. He also liked the fact that people can sit under it. Visitors are part of the center, and radiate out, he said – the artist ties this all together.

Connie Brown thanked the task force members for their work.

Outcome: Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of Carpenter’s Radius sculpture for the Justice Center lobby. The recommendation will be forwarded to city council for a vote.

Mural Project at Allmendinger Park

The art commission was asked to vote on selecting Ann Arbor muralist Mary Thiefels for a mural project to be located on pillars at a building in Allmendinger Park.

A task force had recommended her selection from among four finalists. Members of the task force include Wiltrud Simbuerger, Connie Pulcipher, Aaron Seagraves, Mariah Cherem and Hannah Smotrich.

This is the first project in a mural pilot program originally proposed by former AAPAC commissioner Jeff Meyers. Following Meyers’ resignation in mid-2011, Simbuerger has taken the lead on this project. At the Jan. 25 meeting, she briefly outlined the proposals for four finalists chosen by the task force. In addition to Thiefels, other finalists were (1) Robert Delgado of Los Angeles, Calif.; (2) Bethany Kalk of Moorehead, Kentucky; and (3) Jefferson Nelson of Liberty Center, Ohio.

The task force decided to recommend Thiefels not because hers was the best artistic treatment, but because of her proposal’s involvement of the community, Simbuerger said. Thiefels’ proposal entails asking neighborhood residents for artifacts to create mosaics at the top and bottom of the pillars. In a sense, it would create a “library” of the neighborhood, Simbuerger told commissioners, and the task force really liked this concept. They also liked the fact that Thiefels has a concrete plan for how to execute the community involvement aspect of her project. [.pdf of narrative portion from Thiefels' proposal]

However, task force members had some issues about the imagery that Thiefels proposed for the middle of the columns, Simbuerger said. In her proposal, Thiefels described it this way:

My timeless design for the Allmendinger park will inspire all who encounter it year round. Each of the 12 pillars represent a month of the year, 3 pillars to a season. Seasonal activities illustrate the diversity and popularity of the park.

In the spring, lilac bushes blossom, children come out of hibernation to play hide and go seek, birds nest again in the oak and hickory trees, the playground comes alive with activity and laughter. On the summer pillars kites fly and sports abound, like basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, and soccer. On the fall pillars you see, colors changing, tree climbing, dog walking and frisbee tossing, sunny day picnics, and morning martial arts. Winter offers cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow angels.

I will paint these illustrations onto a third of each pillar space. The remaining area will be made up of tile or glass mosaic and a section of collected and found materials.

I intend to use striking and strong imagery, illustrating the activities with visual confidence. The figures, birds, and trees, could be painted in Kara Walker style silhouettes (to see visuals of Kara Walker’s work, visit: http://learn.walkerart.org/karawalker). They can be heavily modeled and detailed or played down (painted more like a wood block, stencil or silhouette). Grays and earth tones can be used instead of blacks to better harmonize with the surroundings.

Right now, those images might work if you’re close to them, but not necessarily if you’re driving by or looking at them from a house across the street, Simbuerger said. So the task force recommended that they continue to work with Thiefels on designing the remainder of the mural on the middle sections of the pillars. Thiefels is willing to do that, but her new proposal isn’t yet completed, Simbuerger said.

Mural Project at Allmendinger Park: Commission Discussion

John Kotarski began by saying he really liked the proposal, especially because it involves the neighborhood and because Thiefels is a local artist. It’s important to build a sustainable community of local artists, he said. Kotarski agreed that the task force should continue to work with her on developing the project.

Image depicting Mary Thiefels’ mural proposal at Allmendinger Park.

Connie Brown liked the collaboration between the task force and Thiefels – that’s a good process, she said, and will result in a richer design.

Tony Derezinski also liked the concept, and noted that members of the Allmendinger family still live in this area. He reported that his wife used to work in the Allmendinger building at First and Washington. [The historic brick building contains offices now, but was originally the Allmendinger piano and organ factory.]

Commissioners discussed other projects that Thiefels had completed, including murals in Hillsdale, Dexter and downtown Ann Arbor – a mural depicting Michigan veterans, located in the alley on West Liberty between Ashley and Main. AAPAC had selected Thiefels for a 2011 Golden Paintbrush award from the city for that mural.

Marsha Chamberlin questioned whether the $10,000 budget was sufficient, considering the time and effort that would be required. Simbuerger agreed that it wasn’t much, but noted that it’s an amount low enough so that it doesn’t require the city council’s approval. Connie Brown clarified that the mural pilot program – approved by AAPAC in November 2010 – had designated a maximum $10,000 per project with the idea that multiple projects could be completed relatively quickly.

Simbuerger noted that the funding limit puts constraints on the types of materials that might be used, essentially limiting it to paint because of the cost. Bob Miller wondered whether there was any flexibility to add to the budget for materials.

Derezinski asked whether Thiefels is experienced at making bids on projects like this. Chamberlin reported that Thiefels has a company – TreeTown Murals – and has completed several projects. Chamberlin said she trusted that Thiefels could finish the project as proposed, within the amount budgeted. But it felt like AAPAC was setting up the program to encourage artists to cut corners, she added.

Chamberlin recalled that when Susan Skarsgard did the Imagine/Align project – a linear planting of daffodils at The Arb – it had been a major undertaking. Among other things, Thiefels’ project would entail cataloguing all of the contributed items to be used in the mosaic. It would be lovely to eventually have a story on the building’s wall to document the items, Chamberlin said.

Brown noted that this is a pilot program, so AAPAC could change it if they needed to.

Miller suggested that the commission ask Thiefels to submit a revised budget, one that would realistically reflect her work. At that point, the commission could discuss whether other funding might be available. After further discussion, Malverne Winborne made a friendly amendment to accept Thiefels as the artist for this project, contingent on her working with the task force to submit a revised proposal and budget.

Outcome: Commissioners voted to select Mary Thiefels for the Allmendinger mural project, contingent on asking her submission of a revised proposal and budget, with additional input from the task force. Work on the mural is expected to begin this summer.

Artwork for East Stadium Bridges

Wiltrud Simuerger gave an update on artwork for the East Stadium bridges project. The task force, which she leads, now includes Dave Huntoon, Joss Kiely, Nancy Leff, Jim Kosteva, Bob Miller and Aaron Seagraves.

The group met and talked about possible locations for artwork, Simbuerger said, within AAPAC’s framework of making it a high visibility project for a range of users – motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. They identified four locations: (1) on the East Stadium bridge itself; (2) on a fence in Rose White Park; (3) at the terminus of White Street, north of the bridge; and (4) on the stairs and underpass at South State Street. Artwork at any of these sites could be seen differently by various users, she said, depending on their velocity.

From left: Ann Arbor public art commissioners Bob Miller and Malverne Winborne.

The task force is developing a request for proposals (RFP) that will incorporate one or more of these locations. The proposal should also introduce an overarching theme, ensure the artwork’s high visibility, and address the diverse nature of the site, she said.

After the draft RFP is approved by the task force, it will be presented to AAPAC for consideration. Simbuerger said the task force is inclined to suggest a budget of $250,000 because it will be a high-visibility project: “That’s why we really recommend putting in some money.” Miller added that the amount suggested might be even higher.

Malverne Winborne clarified with Aaron Seagraves that $100,000 in funding was available directly from the bridge reconstruction budget, as the Percent for Art earmark. Other Percent for Art funds could be tapped, as long as the artwork relates directly to the original funding source. For example, artwork for the bridge could be funded with some of the $529,251 that’s available for public art from street millage projects.

Connie Brown said it’s difficult to allocate money for these kinds of public art projects without having a sense of how the projects fit into a broader plan. Marsha Chamberlin replied that the commission’s annual art plan is designed to provide that kind of guidance. [.pdf of current annual art plan, for fiscal year 2012]

The annual plan gives a list of projects and potential sites for public art, Brown said. It doesn’t provide an overall framework, one that answers the question of what the public art program hopes to accomplish more broadly for residents, she said.

John Kotarski agreed. Without a “conceptual narrative,” it’s hard to say whether a project is worth investing $100,000 or $400,000, he said. It’s challenging to evaluate sites by location, without a broader narrative or theme. Without that framework, he said, people might ask whether the Percent for Art program is just decorating the city.

Brown described it as the difference between being reactive or proactive. The commission needs an upper-level vision, she said.

Winborne noted that a budget for the East Stadium bridges artwork didn’t need to be set that night. Even after the task force makes a recommendation, a draft RFP would need to be reviewed by the city attorney’s office, he said. So the commission has time to discuss these issues further.

Strategic Planning

The discussion of the East Stadium bridges project – and the need for a broader conceptual framework to guide AAPAC’s decisions – led to talk of developing a master plan, in addition to the commission’s annual art plan.

Marsha Chamberlin pointed out that the commission’s approach has been from the bottom up, but they need to also look at it from the top down. They could look at what they’d generally like to achieve in the next three years, for example, then evaluate how specific projects would fit those goals.

Chamberlin initially suggested using part of AAPAC’s Feb. 22 meeting to talk about a master plan. But after further discussion, commissioners reached a consensus that a half-day retreat would be a better approach. Chamberlin proposed asking the mayor to expedite his nomination of the new commissioner, so that person could participate in the retreat. Connie Pulcipher of the city’s systems planning unit will be asked to facilitate. She has led AAPAC through similar exercises in the past, most recently in October 2011 to help commissioners prep for a Nov. 14 working session with city council.

No date has yet been announced for the upcoming retreat.

Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, informed commissioners that he’ll be making a presentation at a March 12 city council working session to give an update on the Percent for Art program. He noted that AAPAC needs to pass its next annual plan – for FY 2013 – in March, so that it can be presented to the city council by April 1, as required by the Percent for Art ordinance.

At AAPAC’s Dec. 13, 2011 meeting, Seagraves had led a discussion regarding the next annual plan. As a follow-up to that meeting, he’d subsequently surveyed commissioners via email about their priorities for the coming year. At the Jan. 25 meeting, he presented results of that survey, which five of the eight commissioners had completed.

Based on the survey input, Seagraves identified priorities in several categories for the city’s 2013 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013:

• Streets: (1) the southeast corner of Main & William; (2) the intersection of Main & Huron; and (3) the median at Washtenaw & Stadium.
• Water & Sewer: (1) dams – Barton, Superior; (2) manhole covers; (3) interpretive signs regarding sewer “lead throughs” in parks.
• Programs: (1) crosswalk designs; (2) banners; (3) bus stops.
• Other: (1) roofs at the farmer’s market; (2) Douglas Park on Washtenaw Avenue; and (3) Miller’s Creek streambank.

Seagraves noted that in addition to priorities from commissioners, results from a public online survey could be used to guide the annual plan. The online survey, which launched earlier this month, will run through Feb. 20. So far, about 400 responses have been received, Seagraves said.

John Kotarski said he didn’t complete the survey because he’d had trouble figuring out what kind of responses were being sought. Connie Brown said she didn’t complete it either – she’d been frustrated that the questions didn’t fit into a broader framework.

Wiltrude Simbuerger suggested using this for the basis of discussion at the retreat, but not relying on the survey results exclusively to develop the annual art plan.

Commissioners present: Connie Rizzolo-Brown, Marsha Chamberlin, Tony Derezinski, John Kotarski, Bob Miller, Wiltrud Simbuerger, Malverne Winborne. Also Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator.

Absent: Cathy Gendron.

Next regular meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. at city hall, 301 E. Huron St. [confirm date]

The Chronicle relies in part on regular voluntary subscriptions to support our coverage of publicly-funded programs like the Percent for Art, which is overseen by the Ann Arbor public art commission. Click this link for details: Subscribe to The Chronicle.

The county water resources commissioner’s office was asked by the city of Ann Arbor to design and build stormwater control measures for the bridges along Stadium Boulevard between Kipke and South Industrial, according to a staff memo. The Allen Creek East Stadium bridges drain project and the Malletts Creek East Stadium bridges drain project will require in total no more than $415,000 for bonds issued with the county’s full faith and credit. The bonds will be repaid through special assessments on property in the drain district for this project.

Separately, county commissioners gave initial approval to an Allen Creek drain project in Ann Arbor. The project involves installing an underground infiltration system on the west side of the Veterans Park Ice Arena and putting in a rain garden near the entrance of the ice arena on the east side of the building. Rain gardens will also be installed next to Fire Station #3 at 2130 Jackson Ave., and trees will be planted in the city right-of-way throughout neighborhoods on the city’s west side.

The Allen Creek project had been previously approved by the board at its July 2011 meeting, as one of several drain projects authorized at that time. The overall cost of the projects approved then is now expected to be $1.45 million less than originally estimated. However, the $330,000 approved for the Allen Creek project turned out to be an underestimate – that project is now expected to cost up to an additional $65,000. That $65,000 – covered by bonds issued with the county’s full faith and credit – was the amount commissioners were asked to approve at Wednesday’s meeting.

This brief was filed from the boardroom at the county administration building, 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The county water resources commissioner’s office was asked by the city of Ann Arbor to design and build stormwater control measures for the bridges along Stadium Boulevard between Kipke and South Industrial, according to a staff memo. The Allen Creek East Stadium bridges drain project and the Malletts Creek East Stadium bridges drain project will require in total no more than $415,000 for bonds issued with the county’s full faith and credit. The bonds will be repaid through special assessments on property in the drain district for this project.

Separately, county commissioners gave initial approval to an Allen Creek drain project in Ann Arbor. The project involves installing an underground infiltration system on the west side of the Veterans Park Ice Arena and putting in a rain garden near the entrance of the ice arena on the east side of the building. Rain gardens will also be installed next to Fire Station #3 at 2130 Jackson Ave., and trees will be planted in the city right-of-way throughout neighborhoods on the city’s west side.

The Allen Creek project had been previously approved by the board at its July 2011 meeting, as one of several drain projects authorized at that time. The overall cost of the projects approved then is now expected to be $1.45 million less than originally estimated. However, the $330,000 approved for the Allen Creek project turned out to be an underestimate – that project is now expected to cost up to an additional $65,000. That $65,000 – covered by bonds issued with the county’s full faith and credit – was the amount commissioners were asked to approve at Wednesday’s meeting. A final vote is expected on Oct. 19.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building, 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

The speaker’s podium at Monday’s meeting was graced with a basket full of buttons stating: I WILL VOTE. The city’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 2. The buttons are part of a city clerk’s office effort to increase participation in the elections. (Photos by the writer.)

During the time reserved for council communications at the start of the meeting, councilmembers decided to reconsider a 5-4 vote they’d taken on July 5. That vote, which failed to achieve a six-vote majority, had the outcome of rejecting an increase to Recycle Ann Arbor‘s contract to provide curbside recycling service in the city. After agreeing to reconsider the vote, the issue was again fresh before the council.

Councilmembers then unanimously agreed to postpone action on the contract until the next meeting, which falls on Aug. 4 – after the Aug. 2 city council primary elections. Based on remarks from Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5), it appears likely that the council may discontinue a contract with RecycleBank (an incentive program provider) in order to free up funds to supplement Recycle Ann Arbor’s contract.

Next up was a resolution that had been moved forward on the council’s agenda to a spot before all the consent agenda items. After brief deliberations, the council agreed to offer its open city administrator position to Steve Powers. The decision for Powers over another finalist, Ellie Oppenheim, came after two rounds of interviews on July 12-13, including a televised session on the morning of July 13. [Previous Chronicle coverage: "Search Concluding for Ann Arbor City Admin"]

Although Monday’s meeting was brief, the council ticked through a raft of significant votes after those two main business items. The expected start of the East Stadium bridges reconstruction project was reflected in the approval of stormwater control projects near the construction site, and in the approval of a deal to use land as a construction staging area. For a property just down State Street from the bridge, but unrelated to the project, the council approved a sanitary sewer hookup at the location where Biercamp Artisan Sausage and Jerky has opened for business.

Related to the city’s emphasis on the natural environment, the council approved a contract that will allow the planting of 1,200 trees in city rights of way, and added 110 acres of land to the city’s greenbelt program.

The city renewed its membership in the Urban County, a consortium of local governmental entities that allows the city to receive federal funds through a variety of federal U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. The council also appointed Tony Derezinski (Ward 2) as a hearing officer for liquor license revocation recommendations. Initial approval was also given to two ordinance changes related to employee benefits – one of them for union employee retirement benefits, the other for non-union retiree health benefits.

Only three people addressed the council during public commentary at the start of the meeting. Two of them were the owners of businesses – Earthen Jar and Jerusalem Garden – adjacent to the construction site of the underground parking structure along Fifth Avenue. They reiterated the same theme they’d conveyed to the board of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) at that body’s July 6 meeting – their business is suffering due to the construction.

And related to the DDA, Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3) continued a pattern of using his council communications slot to update his colleagues on his campaign to press the DDA to provide more information about its budget. It’s a highlight of his re-election campaign in Ward 3, where he’s contesting a three-way primary on Aug. 2.

New City Administrator

In front of the council for its consideration was a resolution to offer the job of city administrator to an unnamed candidate. The council moved the item towards the start of its agenda on Monday evening and deliberated briefly on the choice. Consideration of the resolution came after two rounds of interviews on July 12-13, with the two finalists – Steve Powers and Ellie Oppenheim – including a televised session on the morning of Wednesday, July 13. During the July 13 discussion among councilmembers who attended those interviews, a preference had been indicated for Powers. [Previous Chronicle coverage: "Search Concluding for Ann Arbor City Admin"]

Powers currently serves as county administrator of Marquette County, Mich. – a position he’s held since 1996. Oppenheim most recently served as CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

The city’s chief financial officer, Tom Crawford, has been serving as interim city administrator since April 28 – he was appointed to that position at the city council’s April 19, 2011 meeting. Previous city administrator Roger Fraser announced his resignation at a Feb. 28 city council working session. Fraser took a job with the state of Michigan as a deputy treasurer.

New City Administrator: Council Deliberations

The first part of the council’s deliberations on Monday involved amending the resolution to add a candidate name.

Marcia Higgins (Ward 4), Stephen Rapundalo (Ward 2) and Sabra Briere (Ward 1) before the July 18 council meeting started. Higgins is acting alone – it does not take three councilmembers to plug in a computer.

Marcia Higgins (Ward 4), who chaired the search committee, said a lot of the council’s sentiments on the two candidates had been expressed during the work session held on Wednesday, July 13. She said she felt Powers was a stronger candidate for what the city needs. She cited as a strength the fact that Powers is already familiar with Michigan. She pointed to the very dynamic things he’d accomplished with Marquette County. Higgins described his approach as thoughtful, and reiterated that she felt he was a stronger candidate.

Tony Derezinski (Ward 2) echoed Higgins’ sentiments. He pointed out that the process had narrowed down 60 applicants to three. The council was very thorough, he said, and had a lot of information. Based on the discussion at the work session, one candidate was favored, he noted. Because Powers had headed a municipal entity for 15 years, he knew how you handle conflicting things, Derezinski said. Like Higgins, he pointed to Powers’ background in Michigan as important. He noted that Powers was trained as a city administrator, but had found his future with a county. Now Powers was coming back to what he studied to be. Either candidate could have done the job, said Derezinski, but Powers was the better of the two.

Sandi Smith before the July 18 council meeting started. The poster in the background exhorting citizens to participate in the Aug. 2 elections has also appeared in the windows of downtown businesses. It’s part of an effort by the city clerk’s office to increase turnout in the off-year election.

Mayor John Hieftje said he’d heard several residents who appreciated the discussion that the council had had. It was a very good discussion about the candidates, he continued. The council had spent a lot of time with the decision, but it was clear to all of the councilmembers that Powers was a better fit. Powers’ desirability was also confirmed by another government, said Hieftje, who noted that Ann Arbor’s hire was close to being on schedule.

[Powers made a list of four finalists for the open county administrator job in Polk County, Iowa, where the city of Des Moines is located. The day after the Ann Arbor city council made its offer to Powers, Polk County added another finalist to their list of interviewees.]

Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5) allowed that he didn’t attend the round robin interviews on July 12 or the presentation and question/answer session on July 13. But he said he’d had lengthy conversation with both candidates at the July 12 public reception. He was able to review the video of the July 13 session and review the material that the city’s HR department had provided.

Hohnke said the city has a great opportunity to bring someone like Powers into the community. Both candidates had the skills and knowledge to fill the position more than adequately, he said. But for Hohnke, it came down to which candidate that had strengths that matched up with needs of Ann Arbor at this time. Powers’ familiarity with Michigan was appealing to him, as well as his ability to drill down to specific answers to questions. What stood out for Hohnke was Powers’ success at collaboration with his peers, his ability to take input in a sincere way, his ability to be fair and consistent, and his interest in how the city will measure the success of the city administration. Powers was able to dive down and be specific about tracking performance, Hohnke said.

Hohnke continued his comments by saying it’s a great opportunity and he thanked both candidates – it’s a lot of work to apply for a job, he said. He also thanked Tom Crawford, the city’s chief financial officer who has served as interim city administrator, noting Crawford still has some work to do. Hohnke also extended his thanks to the city council search committee.

Outcome on adding Powers’ name to the resolution: The council voted unanimously to amend the resolution by filling in the blank with Steve Powers’ name.

The deliberations on the main motion were brief. Sabra Briere (Ward 1) noted that it was the most important decision the council would make – unlike councilmembers, who might only serve a two-year term, city administrators stick around for more than two years, she said.

Outcome on city administrator selection: The council voted unanimously to extend an offer of the city administrator position to Steve Powers.

The resolution approved by the city council on Monday specifies that the appointment of Powers is contingent on signing a contract. The council’s city administrator search committee had recommended targeting recruitment of a city administrator with a base salary in the $145,000-$150,000 range. Negotiations on the council’s side will be handled by members of the search committee: Marcia Higgins (Ward 4), Sabra Briere (Ward 1), and Christopher Taylor (Ward 3).

Recycle Ann Arbor Deal

At the council’s July 5 meeting, a vote to change the contract under which Recycle Ann Arbor provides curbside recycling service failed to pass. On July 18, the council reconsidered that vote.

Recycle Ann Arbor Deal: Background

The proposal first considered at the council’s July 5 meet was a change to the city’s contract with Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) for curbside collection of the city’s single-stream recycling carts – from $3.25 to $3.55 per month per cart, for a total of $107,042 annually. The vote was made without any deliberations and resulted in 5 votes for it and 4 against. Voting against it were Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3), Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5), Mike Anglin (Ward 5) and Sabra Briere (Ward 1). The 5-4 vote meant that the proposal did not achieve a required six-vote majority, and thus failed.

The city council had voted on March 15, 2010 to adopt the single-stream recycling program, which began exactly one year ago, on July 5, 2010.

At that time, the city approved a contract with RAA that called for a payment of $3.25 per month for each cart that is deployed in the the city (whether it is set out for collection or not), plus a per-ton payment of between $18.74 and $30.00. The amount of revenue RAA has received through these two kinds of payment was less than projected for the last fiscal year. Specifically, the tonnage payments received by RAA for fiscal year 2011 (which ended June 30) for recyclable material were projected to be $406,332 but in fact only generated $187,560 for RAA – only 46% of what was expected. The shortfall was $218,772.

Also, the city expected to distribute 32,779 carts, but it turned out that only 29,734 carts were deployed, or 9.3% fewer than planned. A staff memo accompanying the July 18 resolution explained the reduced number this way: “… many of the smaller multi-family residential units that were previously using the 11-gallon recycling ‘totes’ are able to share recycle carts, resulting in a smaller number of deployed carts.” In terms of revenue, the reduced number of carts meant that RAA received only $1,159,626 compared to the projected $1,278,381 – for a shortfall of $118,755.

Summing the shortfalls in the two kinds of revenue ($118,755 + $218,772), RAA received $337,527 less than it expected for FY 2011. The increase in the monthly per-cart service fee requested (but rejected by the council) – for all five years of the five-year contract – would have worked out to nearly cover the annual shortfall that was due only to the decreased number of carts: $107,042 versus $118,755.

The overly-optimistic projections were made by the city’s recycling consultant Resource Recycling Systems and RecycleBank, a company that administers a coupon-based incentive program to encourage residents to recycle. When the council approved the single-stream recycling contract with RAA last year, it also struck a 10-year deal with RecycleBank, at up to $200,000 per year, to administer a coupon-based incentive program to help boost recycling rates in conjunction with the single-stream rollout.

At the time, Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3) questioned the length of the RecycleBank contract, and established in the course of deliberations that the city’s opt-out clause would be less costly than the cost of the contract. He was concerned that the city had options in the event that RecycleBank’s incentives did not boost recycling tonnage to the levels that were forecast. [Chronicle coverage: "Council Banks on Single-Stream Recycling"]

Graph 1. Tons of curbside recycling collected by week, from July 2009 through April 2011. The first vertical bar is the first week of July 2010, when single-stream recycling was implemented. The second vertical bar marks the first week in September, when RecycleBank’s contract started. (Data from the city of Ann Arbor. Graphing and any errors in presentation are The Chronicle’s responsibility.) The dip in March 2011 is not yet accounted for. (Image links to higher resolution .pdf file)

According to city of Ann Arbor staff, participation in the RecycleBank program stands at 10,000 of 23,600 Ann Arbor households. In the first five months of 2011, Ann Arbor residents ordered 7,153 rewards. The rewards range in value, generally around $5-20.

Tom McMurtrie, solid waste coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor, provided to The Chronicle truck-level data at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for the period July 2009 to April 2011. Graph 1 is the result of filtering that data just for curbside recycling and grouping it by calendar week.

The plot suggests that the increase in curbside recycling tonnage collected – roughly 20% more – was realized with the rollout of the single-stream recycling program, and was not enhanced much by the RecycleBank coupon incentive program. That is counter to the expectation expressed at the council’s March 15, 2010 meeting, when the council approved the RecycleBank contract – at that time they were told that the RecycleBank program is what “gives it that shot in the arm.”

Recycle Ann Arbor Deal: Council Deliberations

Margie Teall (Ward 4) led off the first slot on the agenda for council communications by telling her council colleagues that she was sorry to have missed the last meeting, because there was an issue on solid waste that was voted on. As a member of the environmental commission involved in solid waste task forces over the last few years, she was disappointed not to be able to participate in that vote.

She said she would support bringing that vote back for reconsideration. [Because she did not attend the meeting, Teall could not make the motion for reconsideration herself. That motion must come from someone who voted, and specifically someone who voted with the prevailing side. In the case of that 5-4 vote, the four in the minority were actually the prevailing side, because the motion was defeated for lack of a six-vote majority. Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5) voted against the measure, so he was eligible to make the motion for reconsideration.]

Hohnke indicated he would be happy to move to reconsider that vote – it wouldn’t hurt to discuss the issue further. He said he was disappointed that the council didn’t have some of the data from the city staff he wanted to see, because it was not available. He suggested that the council could reconsider and postpone it. He said that if RecycleBank is not benefitting the city, then transferring the money from the RecycleBank contract to Recycle Ann Arbor might be a healthy solution.

Outcome: The motion to reconsider the Recycle Ann Arbor vote was unanimously approved.

With the resolution again before the council, Hohnke said he’d prefer to postpone action, given that there’s an analysis taking place that’s still not available. Tom McMurtrie, solid waste coordinator for the city, was not available at the meeting.

Mayor John Hieftje said he appreciated the reconsideration, because it would allow for some more investigation of the RecycleBank program. Hieftje said there may be some misperception that Recycle Ann Arbor had done something wrong – that was not the case, he said. Instead, Recycle Ann Arbor’s contract was based on incorrect estimates about the number of carts that would be deployed in the field.

Christopher Taylor (Ward 3) got clarification that the intended postponement was until the council’s next meeting on Aug. 4. Marcia Higgins (Ward 4) was interested in making sure that the council would see the requested data sooner than the council meeting.

Outcome: The council unanimously approved postponement of the Recycle Ann Arbor contract until Aug. 4.

Bridge Project Stormwater Controls

In front of the council for its consideration was authorization of petitions to the Washtenaw County water resources commissioner for the design and construction of stormwater controls as a part of the East Stadium bridges replacement project. The bridge project is expected to start construction in the fall of 2011.

The council authorized two petitions – one for the Allen Creek drainage district ($1,094,059 – with the city’s portion being $1,051,391) and the other for the Mallets Creek drainage district ($1,284,330 – with the city’s portion being $1,188,005).

The stormwater controls will provide for detention to slow the rate at which stormwater enters the two creeks. That will help reduce bank erosion and excessive runoff and washout. In addition, the stormwater controls will help remove E. coli, phosphorus, and other suspended solids that diminish the stream quality.

The city has been approved for a low-interest state revolving fund loan at an interest rate of 2.5%. The projects will be financed over the course of no more than 20 years. [Google Map showing watersheds and bridge construction location]

Outcome: The council voted unanimously, without discussion, to approve both stormwater controls projects.

Use of Parcel for Bridge Construction Staging

The council was asked to approve a $70,000 payment to the owner of the parcel at 1501 S. State St., for use as a construction staging area for the East Stadium bridges reconstruction project. The parcel is located immediately adjacent to the bridge over State Street, east of State Street and south of Stadium Boulevard. The money for the use agreement will come from the city’s street repair millage.

Construction on the bridge project is expected to start in the fall of 2011.

Outcome: The council unanimously approved the deal to use the parcel for a construction staging area – it was a part of the consent agenda.

Sanitary Sewer Connection

Councilmembers were asked to consider approval of a sanitary sewer connection to a property – at 1643 S. State St. – that lies in a township island (Ann Arbor Township) within the city. The property, which currently has a septic field, is the location of Biercamp Artisan Sausage and Jerky.

The property is already serviced by city water, which the city of Ann Arbor approved in 1937. The staff memo to the resolution, which appeared on the council’s consent agenda, indicates that all water improvement charges, sanitary sewer charges and sidewalk improvement charges have been paid in full. The owners of the property applied for annexation and rezoning of the property in May 2011.

In the brief deliberations, Sabra Briere (Ward 1) commended the staff for dealing with the parcel, which is currently a township island, in a creative way. Mayor John Hieftje said that the business couldn’t get county health department approval without a sanitary sewer connection.

Outcome: The council unanimously approved the sanitary sewer connection.

Tree Planting

In front of the council for its consideration was approval of a $301,475 contract with Marine City Nursery Co. to plant 1,200 trees in the right-of-ways of streets in the Malletts Creek, Allen Creek, Traver Creek and Swift Run drainage districts. [.pdf of map showing areas to be targeted for tree planting]

The money for the tree planting will come from the stormwater fund’s capital budget. The Washtenaw County water resources commissioner has obtained a low-interest loan on behalf of the city through the state’s revolving fund loan and will reimburse the stormwater fund for part of the project. The rationale for use of stormwater funds to plant trees is based on the idea that trees have a positive impact on the volume and quality of stormwater flow.

The city received only two bids for the tree-planting contract, and only the bid from Marine City Nursery Co. was determined to be a responsible bid.

Sabra Briere (Ward 1) prepares to take her seat at the council table. In the background is Sandi Smith (Ward 1).

During the brief deliberations, Sabra Briere (Ward 1) highlighted the fact that 1,200 trees would be planted in four different creeksheds. The effort would deal with the loss of many trees from the emerald ash borer. Mayor John Hieftje added that the city knew it was going to take a while to replace all those trees.

Mike Anglin (Ward 5) said he was happy the resolution is coming forward. He’s been hearing that sometimes when trees are planted in the right of way in front of someone’s property, people who live nearby don’t water them. He estimated it would cost only $300 for the water it would take to maintain a new tree. He asked that if residents are not planning to water the new trees, to let the city know.

Marcia Higgins (Ward 4) questioned whether the city asked residents to water trees planted in the right of ways. Hieftje indicated that he believed the city did ask residents to do that.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to approve the tree planting contract.

Greenbelt Addition

On the July 18 agenda was a resolution to authorize of the purchase of development rights for a 110-acre property along Pleasant Lake Road in Lodi Township – the Lindemann-Weidmayer property. The city’s cost for the PDR will be $387,372. The total budget for the project is $699,992, including contributions from other funding sources.

On Feb. 7, 2011 the council had approved a grant application to the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program for the purchase of development rights on the property. And on June 6, 2011 the council approved the acceptance of $312,620 from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for the purchase. The deal had been recommended by the city’s greenbelt advisory commission, after discussion in a closed session at its Feb. 9, 2011 meeting.

The brief council deliberations included a description by Carsten Hohnke (Ward 5) of the parcel’s location. Hohnke is the city council’s representative to the greenbelt advisory commission.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of development rights for the Lindemann-Weidmayer property.

Urban County Renewal

In front of the council for its consideration was a resolution to join the Washtenaw Urban County for a second three-year period, from July 2012 through June 2015.

“Urban County” is a designation of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), identifying a county with more than 200,000 people. With that designation, individual governments within the Urban County can become members, making them entitled to an allotment of funding through a variety of HUD programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships. Those two programs provide funding for projects to benefit low- and moderate-income residents, focused on housing, human services and other community development efforts.

Washtenaw County and the townships of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield, Superior, Northfield, Salem, and Bridgewater got the Urban County designation in 2002. Later, the city of Ypsilanti and Scio Township joined, and in 2009 the city of Ann Arbor – which previously received HUD funding directly – joined as well, roughly doubling the amount of money available in the Urban County’s funding pool. Earlier this summer, the Saline city council also voted to join the Urban County.

Renewal applications need to be submitted to the Detroit HUD Field Office by July 15, 2011 from all participating jurisdictions.

Margie Teall (Ward 4), who serves as the council’s representative to the Urban County, expressed her support for the city’s continued membership in that body. [The Urban County's executive committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. However, its July 26 meeting has been cancelled.]

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to approve renewal of its membership in the Urban County.

Corrections Grant Application

Councilmembers were asked to approve a $421,801 grant application to the Michigan Dept. of Corrections for the Ann Arbor/Washtenaw community corrections advisory board. The state grant will be supplemented by $295,890 in fees, and a $292,369 general fund match from Washtenaw County, bringing the total program budget to $1,010,060.

The advisory board was established in August 1989 through resolutions approved by the Washtenaw County board of commissioners and the Ann Arbor city council. The purpose of the advisory board is to formulate a comprehensive plan for the development, implementation, and operation of the community correctional services in Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor, and to develop a plan for the administration, monitoring, and control of the community correctional services under the comprehensive plan.

Mike Anglin (Ward 5) is the city council’s representative to that board, which includes the county sheriff, Ann Arbor chief of police, a circuit court judge, a probate court judge, a district court judge, a county commissioner, a councilmember, a prosecuting attorney, a criminal defense attorney, and a circuit court probation agent or district court probation officer. The board also includes representatives from the fields of mental health, public health, substance abuse, employment and training or community alternative programs, the business community, communications media, and the general public.

The brief council deliberations consisted of Anglin’s summary of the advisory board’s program. He described the program’s goal as trying to keep people out of prisons. That’s consistent with the ethic in the community that attempts to make people as productive as they can be, he said.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to approve the grant application.

Liquor License Hearing Officer

A resolution on the July 18 agenda called for the appointment of Tony Derezinski (Ward 2) as the hearing officer for all future liquor license revocation hearings – for any reason – conducted by the city on recommendation of the council’s liquor license review committee.

At the council’s March 7, 2011 meeting, councilmembers had already approved Derezinski’s appointment as hearing officer for all future appeals of non-renewal recommendations that arise from the liquor license review committee’s annual review.

The March appointment was somewhat controversial. The appointment of Derezinski as a single hearing officer, in place of the three-member liquor license review committee as a hearing board, came as a floor amendment (during the meeting) to the council’s resolution. Voting against the change to a single hearing officer that night were long-time chair of the liquor license control committee Stephen Rapundalo (Ward 2), as well as Sabra Briere (Ward 1), Marcia Higgins (Ward 4) and Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3).

Liquor License Hearing Officer: Council Deliberations

Rapundalo noted that this past year was the first year that the establishments holding liquor licenses went through an annual review. A few establishments had required a hearing, and those were disposed of appropriately, Rapundalo said. He continued by explaining that the committee had discovered it didn’t have a process for handling situations between the times of the annual review. The liquor license review committee has adopted some regulations and parameters on which hearings will be conducted for situations not associated with the annual review. Those hearings will be handled to coincide with the appointment of Derezinski as hearing officer.

Rapundalo continued by saying that in the annual review process, $42,000 to $43,000 of back taxes had been recovered that had been in arrears.

Higgins then raised a “housekeeping” question – should Derezinski’s appointment be through Dec. 5 and then added to the council’s committee list, so that the council is reminded each year that the appointment needs to be made? Derezinski responded by saying he’d defer to the city attorney. City attorney Stephen Postema indicated there was not a problem handling the hearing officer appointment that way. Rapundalo felt it was an excellent idea. The resolution was amended to reflect Higgins’ housekeeping suggestion.

Mike Anglin (Ward 5), who serves on the liquor license review committee along with Rapundalo and Derezinski, alerted the public that the committee meetings are public. During the time he’s been on the committee, Anglin said, Rapundalo has done a good job of guiding the committee’s work. Anglin thanked Derezinski for stepping forward to do the work of the hearing officer.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to appoint Tony Derezinski as the hearing officer for all appeals hearings on liquor license revocation.

Local Development Finance Authority

Added to the agenda the evening of the July 18 meeting was a resolution to reappoint Stephen Rapundalo (Ward 2) to a four-year term to represent the city council on the Local Development Finance Authority board.

The LDFA is funded through tax-increment financing (TIF) in a manner similar to the way the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is supported. A TIF district allows authorities like the LDFA and the DDA to “capture” some of the property taxes that are levied by other municipal entities in the district. The LDFA contracts with the economic development agency Ann Arbor SPARK for various business development services. [For more background on the LDFA, see Chronicle coverage: "Budget Round 5: Economic Development"]

The appointment to the LDFA board exceeds the length of a city council term, which is two years, because the terms for LDFA appointments are expressed in the LDFA bylaws as only for four years. Based on the brief council discussion between Rapundalo and Marcia Higgins (Ward 4), it appears that an LDFA board bylaws change to address that issue is on the horizon.

The council’s interest is in establishing the LDFA council appointment as a regular, routine part of the council’s committee appointment schedule, which it conducts with each new constitution of the council after November elections.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to appoint Stephen Rapundalo to the LDFA board.

Police Service Specialist Pension

The council was asked to give initial approval to a change in the pension system for members of its police service specialist union. The council had approved the collectively bargained changes at its June 20, 2011 meeting.

Currently union members make a 5% post-tax contribution to their pension. That will change to a 6% pre-tax contribution made by members of the police service specialist union. The change will be effective starting Aug. 14, 2011.

Because the change to the police service specialist retirement package requires altering a city ordinance, it will require a public hearing and a second, final approval by the council at a subsequent meeting.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously, without discussion, to give initial approval to a change in the police service specialist union pension system.

Retiree Health Change

Councilmembers considered initial approval of a revision to the city’s ordinance that covers how a city retiree’s health care is paid for. The revision to the ordinance distinguishes between “subsidized retirees” and “non-subsidized retirees.” A non-subsidized retiree is someone who is hired or re-employed into a non-union position with the city on or after July 1, 2011. In their retirement, non-subsidized retirees will have access to health care they can pay for themselves, but it will not be subsidized by the city.

At its June 6, 2011 meeting, the city council had directed the staff to prepare an ordinance change along these lines. Because it is a change to a city ordinance, the initial approval given to the change in the city’s retiree health system will require a public hearing and a second, final approval at another meeting.

During the brief deliberations on the ordinance, Marcia Higgins (Ward 4) said she appreciated the city staff moving the ordinance forward based on the council’s resolution on June 6.

Outcome: The council voted unanimously to give the retiree health care change its initial approval.

Picometrix Tax Abatement Public Hearing

On the council’s July 18 agenda was a public hearing on a tax abatement for Picometrix LLC, located at 2925 Boardwalk in Ann Arbor. Picometrix is a supplier of high-speed optical receivers.

The 5-year abatement would apply to $2,434,882 of personal property that Picometrix is acquiring. From the application for abatement: “Due to the projected increase in production volume, the company will need to purchase assets to maximize production and support added staffing.”

The list of personal property included in the application ranges from garden-variety desks and cubicles to digital oscilloscopes and laser beam profilers. If the abatement were approved, it would reduce the company’s annual tax bill for the new equipment by about $16,500 annually. The new personal property would generate approximately $20,700 in property taxes for each year during the abatement period, according to a city staff memo accompanying the resolution.

The industrial development district in which the Picometrix tax abatement is sought was established in 2006.

Thomas Partridge was the only person to speak during the public hearing. He stressed that tax certificates should be considered as IOUs, not unlimited grants.

No council action on the Picometrix tax abatement was scheduled for the July 18 meeting.

Communications and Comment

Every city council agenda contains multiple slots for city councilmembers and the city administrator to give updates or make announcements about issues that are coming before the city council. And every meeting typically includes public commentary on subjects not necessarily on the agenda.

Comm/Comm: Underground Parking Structure Impact

Owners of two local businesses addressed the council about their situation – being located next to the construction site of an underground parking structure on Fifth Avenue, between Liberty and William streets. The two had also addressed the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority board at its June 6, 2011 meeting.

[On the opposite side of the block, on Division Street, is another local business, the Mail Shoppe, which also has seen its business drop during the construction period. Mail Shoppe owner Carolyn Hough told The Chronicle her business has been down by 25%, and walk-in business specifically was down 50%.]

At the July 18 council meeting, Pushpinder Sethi introduced himself as the owner of Earthen Jar – he was there to ask for some kind of compensation due to the underground parking garage that’s being constructed next to his business. He described the turmoil surrounding the construction project and how business is going down. It was not expected that the construction project would last this long, he said. His sales are down 50% – he’s losing $6,000 every month. He said it’s hard to survive. He requested some compensation from the city in the form of a tax abatement.

Ali Ramlawi reminded the council that he had attended a city council meeting a couple of months ago, talking about the Downtown Development Authority. The Jerusalem Garden owner said he was not going to go out of business, but that’s because of the University of Michigan [which uses the restaurant's catering business] and the restaurant’s dedicated followers. He said he’d asked the DDA for help one year ago, but that request had been rejected by DDA executive director Susan Pollay, saying it was an ordinary civic construction project. But Ramlawi contended the project is not ordinary – Fifth Avenue has been closed for a year.

Ramlawi told the council he wanted to talk about the role of the DDA and the future of the city. Recently, the city council gave more power to the DDA with respect to parking fees and enforcement and more influence on future development of city-owned parking lots. He characterized it as a transfer of power to non-elected officials. That kind of power transfer needs to go before voters, he contended. There need to be some ballot initiatives to see if people are comfortable with that power transfer. People don’t know what the DDA is, he said. He called for more transparency. The general public doesn’t know how DDA board members are appointed or what they do.

Following their commentary, Mike Anglin (Ward 5) said it’s hard to find the businesses and wondered if some signage might be useful.

Comm/Comm: Kunselman and the DDA

During his communications slot at the end of the council meeting, Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3) noted that the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority has submitted its missing TIF status reports from prior years. He summarized the excess of expenditures over revenues for FY 2008 ($138,000), FY 2009 ($1.9 million) and FY 2010 (3.8 million). He said that FY 2011 had just closed out, but on DDA estimates, the excess expenditures over revenues is $3.9 million. [.pdf of report compilation]

Stephen Kunselman (Ward 3) settles in before the start of the July 18 council meeting.

Kunselman suggested that the only way to close that gap was to open up the spaces in the new parking garage and increase rates. He characterized the situation as “fiscally irresponsible.”

Kunselman has made the DDA’s financial accountability a campaign theme for his Ward 3 Democratic Party primary election race. He faces two challengers: Ingrid Ault and Marwan Issa.

In an uncharacteristic break from the form of the agenda’s communications slot, mayor John Hieftje responded to Kunselman’s remarks by telling Kunselman that if he felt that way, then he shouldn’t have voted to approve the DDA’s budget back in May. [Hieftje sits on the DDA board and appoints its members, with confirmation from the city council.]

Kunselman responded to Hieftje by noting that the budget books that are presented to the council do not include past years’ information, and it is not presented in a way that highlights excesses of expenses over revenues.

Comm/Comm: First and Washington, Village Green

Interim city administrator Tom Crawford gave the council an update on the Village Green City Apartments project located at the city-owned First and Washington lot. Village Green plans to build a 9-story, 99-foot-tall building on the lot, with 156 dwelling units.

He reminded the council that they’d last heard from him on the subject of a “bathtub” foundation design, which resulted in the council reducing the purchase price for the land by $100,000, from $3.3 to $3.2 million. Design work has been progressing, Crawford said, and a refinement of the interior is being undertaken to provide a best-as-possible parking experience for people. He said it would probably require another 60-day extension on the purchase option agreement. He wanted to give the council a heads up. Village Green is still hoping to start work on the project this construction season.

Comm/Comm: Progressive Agenda, Unity

Thomas Partridge addressed the council during public commentary at the beginning and the end of the meeting. He introduced himself as a Washtenaw County Democrat, a father and grandfather, and an advocate for all those who need government services – a majority of the residents of the state and city. He reminded everyone of the recall effort against Gov. Rick Snyder. The deadline is Aug. 5, he said.

Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and all local governments in the state are suffering from a reduction in state shared revenues, Partridge said. He called on the city council to act in a progressive, democratic manner with respect to all fees, including water and sewage fees. About all land use, planning, and zoning, and funds spent on capital improvements the council should think progressively, Partridge concluded.

Partridge also reminded the council of the recent death of President Gerald R. Ford’s wife, Betty Ford, of Grand Rapids, Mich. He called on all parties to come together with intelligent compromises and to be aware of the dire state that the residents of Michigan have been put in by the Michigan legislature and Gov. Snyder.

Present: Stephen Rapundalo, Mike Anglin, Margie Teall, Sabra Briere, Sandi Smith, Tony Derezinski, Stephen Kunselman, Marcia Higgins, John Hieftje, Christopher Taylor, Carsten Hohnke.

Next council meeting: Aug. 4, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the second floor council chambers of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. [confirm date]

In August the city council will be presented with a similar city-state agreement – for the construction phase of the project.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]