HomeMy WebLinkAboutArts & Culture - 2018-10-16 Minutes
OCTOBER 16, 2018CITY OF KITCHENER
PRESENT:Shirley Madill
Dave Schnider
Lydia Workman
Judy Allred
Linda Zensner
Sam Varteniuk
REGRETS:Julie Barker
Pam Patel
Aaron Francis
Lori Thompson
STAFF:Emily Robson, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
Karoline Varin, Programming Assistant,arts/creative industries
CALL TO ORDER:Sam Varteniuk
1.0Acceptance of agenda:agenda accepted
2.0Declaration of conflict of interest: none
DELEGATION
3.0Municipal Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Update:Janette MacDonald, Community
Engagement Consultant
The city has started the process to identify the approach to determine the response to
the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report:who should be involved,
who the point person should be, to identify procedures that ensureinclusivity, to identify
and recommend ways the Indigenous population can be served
Staff is particularlylooking atthe Callsfor Action in the federal report specific to
municipal government
Looking at opportunities to expand on the points outlined in that report to decolonize
spaces
Identifying howdoes culture and sense of belonging fit into the response
Working at identifyingpockets of knowledge within citythat could aid with the process
Aimisalsoto coordinate working regionally with organizationson the response, creating
aworking and support group from the cities and region
Considering regional training
Part of the process is also investigating composing a territorial acknowledgment
Need to establish trustand a relationship with Indigenous groupsin order to develop the
response
Member input:
o Recognizing that the processand response may necessitate extended deliberation
o Consider an advisory role of an elder
o Consider a workshop on decolonization for staff
o Include Indigenous leaders in the planning
o Explore a number of pathways, eliminating hierarchy; think not from a position of
power
o Attempt to alter thinking in a colonial manner: points of importance may be
different for Indigenous people
October2018-ACAC Minutes
OCTOBER 16, 2018CITY OF KITCHENER
o Attend Indigenous events; make contact, make connections, build knowledge
o Read the report and treaties
o University of BC has a no charge, online course, Shirley to send a link
o Create an efficient acknowledgment, sincere and with Indigenous input
4.0Queen Street Pavement Design and RedevelopmentUpdate:Hilary Abel,Manager Downtown
CommunityDevelopment
Redevelopment taking place in 2019: Queen Street between Charles and Duke streets,
and Goudie’s lane
Public consultation started in 2016, continued this year; concepts being developed now;
one more round of public consultations;tendering in January
Whereas King street houses the bigger festivals, Queen street has a more intimate feel
for smaller gatherings
Sidewalk paving will be replaced to include different finishes and accommodate easier
maintenance
VogelsangGreen:replanting; part of the design will feature built arches for visual cues
andfor hanging lights
Goudie’s lane: road surface improvement; lights and picnic tables; shared lunch counter;
informal crossing; entryway feature will be built later on
King & Queen intersection: road muralwill beinstalled
Queen and Charles intersection: transition space; smaller scale plants and seating area
planned
DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.0Public Art Maintenance for the Canoe
The Canoe is located in Victoria Park and was commissioned as a public art piece over 20
years ago
It is a life scale canoe made of aluminum, filled with concrete with bronze cast paddles
attached to steel brackets buried in the ground
Over the years the concrete has leached out in the hull creating damaging the outside
surface
Water keeps accumulating at the hull causing further damage
One of the paddles has had the handle cut off and stolen
An artconservator along withcity staff and artist examined the work onsite
Repairing only the hull would be difficult and would not eliminate future damage from
leaching concrete
It is proposed that the existing canoe be removed prior to winter to store at the city’s
storage facility while the artist fabricatesa new body for the canoe and recasts the
paddle that was broken
The goal is for the sculpture to bere-installedin springor summer of 2019
MOTION: ACAC supports the proposed restoration project of The Canoe by Brian Scott
6.0Urban Design Manual Update: Sam Varteniukon behalf of Aaron Francis
Recommend to strengthen the language to be more specificto arts and culture
Make sure the art and creative aesthetics are not simply an afterthought but have a
stronger presence
October2018-ACAC Minutes
OCTOBER 16, 2018CITY OF KITCHENER
INFORMATION ITEMS
7.0City Updates:Emily Robson
A visual presentation of the initial concept design for the main floor of 44 Gaukel was
shared with members
8.0Downtown Action and Advisory Committee:Sam Varteniuk on behalf of Aaron Francis
Discussed housing affordability following a presentation by Lauren Nelson, economic
development analyst at the City of Kitchener
Updatesgiven on the Queen Street place making project by the consultants GSP
architects
9.0Economic Development Advisory Committee:Shirley Madill
Josh Joseph gave a presentation on the Love MyHood placemaking strategy and funding
Business heritage awards took place
Rental housing affordabilitydiscussed and the formation ofa newmanufacturing cluster
10.0Public Art Working Group:Lydia Workman
Jurying for the 2019 Rotunda Gallery schedule took place
Ten artists were chosen: names will be released once all have accepted
11.0Council Report: Councilor Dave Schnider
Activity on hold due to elections
12.0Member’s updates:all
Linda:
Placemaking grants are under review through the LoveMyHood strategy
Sam:
Second night of auditions took place for Chelsea’s story
st
Dance series begins a the Registry on November 1
th
The play “Seasick” based on a book about the ocean starts on November 15
ADJOURNMENT: The chair adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 20, 4:00 p.m., Conestoga Room
October2018-ACAC Minutes