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02-21-2008 (Public Arts Advisory) Minutes Public Arts Advisory Board CITY OF WYLIE Minutes Regular Board Meeting February 21, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. Wylie Municipal Complex Council Conference Room 2000 Highway 78 North CALL TO ORDER Announce the presence of a Quorum. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Vice Chairman Polly Harrison noting the presence of a quorum. Those in attendance were: Patsy Robertson (arrived at 6:42 p.m.), Kathy Spillyards, Ashley Burt, Warner Washington, and Kathy Welp (arrived at 6:38 p.m.). Board member Stewart Matthews was absent. Staff present was Carole Ehrlich, Board Liaison/Secretary. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consider and act upon approval of the minutes from the January 17, 2008 Public Arts Advisory Board Meeting. Board Action A motion was made by board member Spillyards, seconded by board member Washington to approve the minutes for January 17, 2008 as presented. A vote was taken and passed 4-0 with board member Washington absent. WORK SESSION • Presentation and discussion related to public art within the design development and construction of the new Library, Recreation Center and City Hall. (Craig Melde, Principal for ARCHITEXAS) Craig Melde, Principal for Architexas presented the model for the New Municipal Complex. Mr. Melde commented that the Public Arts Advisory Board was a very exciting board in that art and architecture go together and he was very interested in seeing how the art can blend with the architecture. He reported .. . that the architectural project had been evolving over the past year and a half. He explained that the City was interested in building three landmark buildings and determine the site best suited for these buildings. He explained that the firm, Council, and staff decided on the Wells property, which the City already owned. This made a lot of sense economically and was a spectacular piece of land. This area is also becoming the geographic center of the City. The natural landscape was the theme behind the architecture which is grounded on the landscape. He showed the large prominent wall made of natural stone which connects the three buildings. He stated that this is the unifying element that links all three buildings together. He explained that the stone will come from West Texas. He explained that from the — stone wall come the three buildings with large overhangs on the south. He explained that the sides of the buildings and the back (south) side, with the "large porch" would be made from terra cotta brinks arranged in alternating patterns. He noted the large windows along the south side of the complex and on the sides of each building that allowed further light into the office spaces. He presented a large roof section that was also made of glass to allow additional light in the interior spaces.He explained that the interior would have large columns that would be made from a designed metal and the interior wall on the north would be stone as well. Mr. Melde explained that between the buildings there were breezeways (dogtrots) that would be focal points to denote entrances and gathering places. He showed the "special spaces" within each building. City Hall would be the City Council Chambers, the Recreation Center would have a walking path that would extend out of the stone wall, and the Library would have reading rooms (teen center and quiet room) that would extend out of the stone wall. He explained that these "special places" would be constructed of metal shingles that would set them apart and be artistic in design. It would incorporate the old (stone) and the new (metal). He explained that the buildings would be sustainable and energy efficient. Board member Washington asked if the buildings would run on solar energy. Mr. Melde replied that solar energy was quite costly and had not come down in price; due to the budget, this was not feasible at this time, however, every effort was being made to produce energy efficient buildings. Mr. Melde spoke about the landscape design for the buildings, noting that water conservation plantings, native to Texas, were being used in the design to cut down on water consumption. He reported that cisterns were being used to capture water from the roof and landscape areas to reuse in the building for irrigation and other conservation. Board member Welp asked if there would be any water detention features added to the design. Mr. Melde reported that there would be areas in the center median that would capture and take water to the cisterns but within the budget there were not plans for a detention pond or water fountain feature. He reported that this would be a wonderful thing to have if it could somehow be integrated into the art at some point. Board member Welp asked if there was art that included some water feature which could be incorporated. Mr. Melded stated that there was in sculptures and other art designs. He provided drawings of the exterior of the three buildings and the interior of each building. He reported that these drawings suggested placement of art from large public places to individual meeting rooms. He explained it could be a document the board could work from for many years to provide art. He also spoke of types of art both temporary and commissioned that would be appropriate for the space. He explained that the large walls in the recreation center around the jogging path and in the walking areas of the library would be great places for mural art and temporary art. He explained that there is a new approach to mural art which is to print an artist's conception onto these very large pieces of vinyl with adhesive backing, such as you see on buses. He reported that it is inexpensive and can be changed out periodically. He explained that the City of Dallas was doing the very same thing in their art plaza area by the pedestrian connector in the arts district. They change the art every year to another artist's conception. He suggested community art that could be brought in for display from local schools and groups. Board member Spillyards asked Mr. Melde to explain the landscape within the breezeways and beyond. Mr. Melde reported that soft trees would line the interior of the breezeways to give a soft welcoming feeling and the landscape would include areas that could be extended out from the south side of the building for walking trails and hike and bike trails. Liaison Ehrlich reported that the Parks and Recreation Board were in the process of revising the Parks Master Plan which would include some of those features. Mr. Melde explained that part of the drawings presented tonight included areas that in his opinion would need to be addressed first. Those, denoted in red, included several areas in the center parking medians directly in front of the complex and within the dogtrots between the three buildings. He suggested art as a signal to the entrances, such as sculptures. He explained that the drawings were for the board to use and work from in their long range planning. February 21,2008 Wylie Public Arts Advisory Board Minutes Page 2 of 3 The board thanked Mr. Melde for his presentation. ADJOURNMENT Board Action A motion was made by Board member Welp, seconded by Board member Washington to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. A vote was taken and passed 6-0 with board member Matthews absent. The next board meeting will be on March 20, 2008. ward'Matthews, Chair • i •• • P5 Car e Ehrlich, S cretary February 21,2008 Wylie Public Arts Advisory Board Minutes Page 3 of 3