City of Surrey Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes Executive Boardroom City Hall 14245-56 Avenue Surrey, B.C. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007 Time: 4:45 p.m. File: 0540-20 Present: Chairperson - A. Flather T. Boyenko J. Adams J. Phillips T. Willis Councillor Villeneuve Absent: M. Batut E. Bruce C. Shannon J. Singh Guests: Wally Sandvoss Gisela Sandvoss Doug Wiebe Staff Present: P. McKeown, Community Cultural Development Coordinator S. McKinnon, Arts Services Manager C. Powell, Legislative Services Division The Chair welcomed Mr. Jim Adams, the recently appointed member of the Public Art Advisory Committee. The Chair noted the recent resignation of E. Carefoot from the Public Art Advisory Committee, and suggested that the committee forward a thank-you note to E. Carefoot for her service to the committee. A. ADOPTION OF MINUTES It was Moved by Jim Adams Seconded by J. Phillips That the minutes of the Public Art Advisory Committee meeting held on March 8, 2007, be adopted. Carried B. DELEGATIONS 1. Mr. Wally Sandvoss Mr. Wally Sandvoss was in attendance to present his public art designs for the Port Kells Community Association project. Mr. Sandvoss introduced the other members of his delegation as Mrs. Gisela Sandvoss (his wife) and Mr. Doug Weibe (Vice President of the Port Kells Community Association). Mr. Sandvoss explained that Darlene Bowyer, President of the Port Kells Community Association, had suggested creating steel cut-outs depicting heritage sites in the Port Kells area after observing a similar project in the United States. The Association endorsed this idea and further discussed its implementation with City of Surrey staff. Mr. Sandvoss was eventually selected to create the designs for this project. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 1
The Association identified several heritage sites specific to the Port Kells area. Some of these sites had heritage status, such as St. Oswald s church. Most pieces have dimensions of three feet by five feet, and will be produced in coreten steel. The Port Kells Library piece will be 3D. Each design will be laser cut into the steel material. Public input was a part of the agreement between the Port Kells Community Association and the City of Surrey with regard to this project, and therefore the Association arranged an open house at the Association s community hall, circulated information about the project in the Assocation s newsletter and displayed the designs at the Port Kells Library. Mr. Sandvoss presented a hand-out to the members of the Public Art Advisory Committee which identified each proposed location for the pieces included in this project. Mr. Sandvoss then spoke about each piece as follows: Piece No. 1 Ferry: The ferry was Surrey s first system of transportation. The piece will be located adjacent to the original wharf site at 192 nd Street. Piece No. 2 St. Oswald s Church: This church was built in 1910 and consecrated in 1911. It was the second Anglican church built in the Port Kells area and has heritage status. Piece No. 3 New Westminster Southern Railway (NWSR) Station: The NWSR Station was built in 1891. The railway ran from the Blaine area in Washington State to Cloverdale. The design depicts a locomotive and a station. Piece No. 4 The Castle Baron von Mackensen House: Several paintings of this house from the 1940 s were used to create a cutout of the structure. The house is now mostly obscured by trees. It is on Surrey s heritage list, but does not have official heritage status. Piece No. 5 Port Kells Nature Park: A baseball field and swimming pool are located in the park, and Latimer Creek runs through the park. The cut-out depicts two Coho salmons in the creek, as Latimer Creek is one of the very few Coho bearing streams in the Lower Mainland. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 2
This design of this piece has changed somewhat from its original design, in order to reduce risk elements relating to sharp metal edges on the original proposed piece. Piece No. 6 Graham-Walker Sawmill: A number of sawmills existed in the Port Kells area throughout the last century. The S&R Sawmill is still in operation. This abstract design depicts a saw blade and cut lumber. Piece No. 7 Port Kells Library: The Port Kells Library dates back to the 1960s. The library building was initially constructed for use as a post office, and was eventually converted into a library. This piece is designed in 3D, and looks like open book. Piece No. 8 Port Kells Elementary School: This structure was built in 1911, and was originally named Springdale Elementary School. As the number of students in the area increased, the school was renamed Port Kells Elementary School. The cut-out depicts a design that is somewhat different from the modern day school. The building s stairs now descend along either side, whereas they were located directly out front in the original structure. Ventilation stacks and a large chimney have also been removed from the original structure, but are shown in the cut-out as they existed when the school was first built. Piece No. 9 Sugar Maples: A Mr. Erikson farmed along Erikson Road in the 1920s. He planted sugar maple trees between 84 th and 80 th Avenues, at 184 th Street. These trees have now been designated heritage trees and are identified with a stone plaque. The cut-out depicts maple leaves. Piece No. 10 Port Kells Fire Hall: A Fire Hall was constructed in the 1940s as the need for fire protection became necessary. This cut-out depicts a fire engine, and is located adjacent to the road leading to the Fire Hall. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 3
Piece No. 11 Port Kells Community Hall: This piece is made up of two large panels to be located along the east side of the community hall building. Raised cut-out plaques will identify various historical sites in the Port Kells area. The first plaque depicts images which symbolize the church, sawmill, fire hall, agricultural areas, a school, and logging. The second plaque depicts images which symbolize the railway, salmon, the Baron von Mackensen House, ferries, sugar maple trees, and a cenotaph. Following his presentation regarding each cut-out, Mr. Sandvoss added: A time line for completion of the project has not yet been confirmed. $30,000 to $40,000 are required to complete the project. The Port Kells Community Association is investigating funding, and have allotted $5,000 in 2007 in order to purchase materials and begin the project. Anchoring the cut-outs in a concrete base or welding/bolting the cut-outs onto metal strips will address any theft concerns. Members of the Committee added: This project may appeal to Heritage Canada. Perhaps the Community Association should contact Heritage Canada to pursue further funds. It was suggested that local businesses in the Port Kells area be approached regarding funding. It was suggested that the Vancouver Foundation may be willing to partner with the Community Association in regard to this project. Perhaps Surrey s Heritage Advisory Commission could become involved in the project in some way. There was some discussion about rusting and erosion of the metal cutouts. The decision to use coreten steel to create these pieces will address this problem, as coreten steel will withstand the elements, is easy to clean and will take on a rust-like patina. The Arts Services Manager commented: Mr. Sandvoss is presenting to the members of the Public Art Advisory Committee for information purposes only at this point. The Port Kells Community Association will eventually complete an application form with respect to donating this art work to the City of Surrey, and will ensure that all requirements relating to a donation are satisfied. PAAC will review this application form and make their recommendations to Council at the appropriate time. The Chair thanked the delegation for presenting to the members of the Public Art Advisory Committee. Mr. Sandvoss and members of his delegation left the meeting. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 4
The meeting recessed at 5:38 p.m. and reconvened at 5:46 p.m. C. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There were no items discussed. D. ITEMS FOR DISUSSION 1. Port Kells Community Association Art Project Councillor Villeneuve suggested that the Public Art Advisory Committee send a letter to Mr. Sandvoss and his delegation thanking them for this presentation and encouraging the Port Kells Community Association to pursue further funding. The Secretary to the Committee will draft this letter. 2. Route + Canal Quibble Creek Pump Station The Arts Services Manager provided the following information: Upon driving by the site on March 27, 2007, she noticed pieces of the art work were missing. This was reported to the RCMP, City staff and the City s Risk Management Section. This particular piece had been stolen before. It was completely dismantled about six months after it was first installed. Following the first theft, further efforts were make to protect the piece. Motion detectors were installed and the piece was bolted to its base. Unfortunately these measures did not deter the thieves. After this recent theft, Risk Management staff recommended removing the remainder of the piece as some jagged edges were left behind. The remaining art work has been placed in storage for the time being. Staff proposed three options with respect to replacing the piece. The first option is to recover funds through insurance and contact the original artists regarding a new design. This may be challenging as the original artists are no longer working as a team. The second option is to recover required funds from insurance and initiate a new call to artists for a redesigned work for this same site. The third option is to pool insurance funds with new additional funding to complete an Engineering infrastructure project at another site. Members of the Committee added: The Quibble Creek Pump Station art work is the only public art readily visible to people traveling along Hwy. 99 to Vancouver through Surrey. It is a highly visible site, well traveled, and an ideal place for public art. The City s reluctance to reinstall the same public art in this location is understandable. Perhaps using a less attractive material would have its benefits. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 5
The Chair recommended that the members of the Committee consider the staff report and bring forth ideas with respect to this piece to the next Public Art Advisory Committee meeting. E. PROJECT UPDATES (Ongoing) 1. Holland Park Public Art Project The Art Coordinator reported that all is well with respect to this project. Staff will meet with the contractors in early May to discuss the project s final integration into the park. A date for an official unveiling has not yet been determined. 2. Bear Creek Park Playground Community Art Project The Arts Services Manager reported that the artist will conduct the last public workshop on April 22, 2007. Previous workshops have been well attended and all participants are excited about the project. The installation process will begin soon, and the official unveiling will likely take place in late June. 3. Fire Hall #10 Public Art Project Luke Blackstone The Arts Services Manager reported that this project will likely be complete in late May. The artist has completed fabrication of the project and will begin installation shortly after City contractors have completed construction of the sidewalks and walkways around the Fire Hall. F. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS The Chair recommended that all members of the Public Art Advisory Committee review the Committee s Terms of Reference and the Public Art Policy prior to the next meeting. She also expressed concerns about member absenteeism. Councillor Villeneuve suggested forwarding correspondence to J. Singh regarding his absences from recent meetings. The Secretary to the Committee will draft a letter on behalf of the members of the Committee. 1. Parks, Recreation and Culture Strategic Plan 2007-2016 Workshop By way of a memorandum to the Public Art Advisory Committee, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department representatives requested a one hour working session in May 2007 with the members of the Committee in relation to the strategic plan. h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 6
It was Moved by J. Phillips Seconded by T. Willis That the working session be scheduled for the first hour of the May 10 th, 2007 Public Art Advisory Committee meeting. The agenda for the next meeting will note the addition of the working session. Carried G. NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting of the Public Art Advisory Committee will be held Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Executive Boardroom at Surrey City Hall. H. ADJOURNMENT It was meeting do now adjourn. Moved by T. Boyenko Seconded by J.Adams That the Public Art Advisory Committee Carried The Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 6:19 p.m. Margaret Jones, City Clerk Avril Flather, Chair Public Art Advisory Committee h:\papdc\minutes\archived\2007 minutes\min paac 2007 04 19.doc Page 7