Ashland, OR Public Arts Commission Ordinance

Type: Ordinance

Status: Adopted on 11/19/02

Source File: http://www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1017

Text:

ORDINANCE NO. 2890
AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 2.17, PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION, TO THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL CODE

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 2.17 is added to the Ashland Municipal Code, as follows.

Chapter 2.17 PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION

2.17.005 Purpose. The mission of the Public Arts Commission is to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Ashland by actively pursuing the placement of public art in public spaces and serving to preserve and develop public access to the arts. The continued vitality of the arts in the City of Ashland is a vital part of the future of the city as well as of its citizens. The arts are an important part of the cultural and economic life of the entire community of Ashland and enrich the participants in the arts as well as those who observe them. Several organizations which exist in Ashland are active in the arts and provide leadership to the community on arts related matters. The creation of a Public Arts Commission for the City of Ashland will assist those organizations, and other organizations and individuals, to make arts a more important part of the city's life.

2.17.010 Created. The Public Arts Commission for Ashland is created and shall have the powers and duties provided in this chapter.

2.17.020 Members; Terms. The Public Arts Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. The commission shall contain five members from a broad spectrum of citizens including artists and those with a background in the arts, arts organizations, education, structural and landscape architecture, and two citizens at large. The mayor shall also designate a non-voting council member as liaison to the commission. At least five members of the commission shall reside inside the city limits. The appointees shall have three-year terms. The original appointees shall be appointed: two for one year, two for two years and three for three years, thereafter all terms will be for three years. All members may vote on any matter coming before the commission, except as the ethics laws of the State of Oregon may provide. Any commissioner who is absent from four or more meetings in a one-year period without being excused, shall be considered no longer active and the position vacant, and a new commissioner shall be appointed to fill the vacancy.

2.17.030 Officers. At its first meeting the Public Arts Commission shall elect a chair and a vice-chair who shall hold office for one year, except that the first chair and vice-chair shall serve until the end of the calendar year. At the first meeting of each calendar year, the chair or vice-chair from the previous year shall preside over elections for chair and vice-chair. Neither the chair nor vice-chair shall serve as an officer for more than two consecutive terms.

2.17.050 Meetings; Quorum; Voting. The Public Arts Commission shall hold an official meeting at least monthly and may hold special meetings as set by the commission. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for meetings. Provided a quorum is present, any item must be approved by a simple majority of the voting members present at a meeting to pass, unless otherwise provided.

2.17.060 Rules and Regulations. The Public Arts Commission shall establish such rules and regulations for its government and procedures consistent with the laws of the state and the ordinances of the city.

2.17.070 Powers and Duties. The Public Arts Commission shall be specifically responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

A. The commission shall ensure the arts continue to be of value as an integral part of Ashland.

B. The commission shall promote the arts in Ashland to enrich the lives of its citizens through education and demonstration.

C. The commission may assist the city council, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, historic commission and the planning commission in using public art to enhance existing development in public parks and other public lands and in public structures.

D. The commission shall advise the planning commission, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, other city commissions and committees and city departments regarding artistic components of all municipal government projects under consideration by the city. The commission may also serve as a resource for artistic components of land use developments.

E. The commission shall develop and recommend to the city council policies and programs that would enhance and encourage the planning, placement and maintenance of public displays of art in locations open to the public within the community.

F. The commission shall encourage connections with other local, regional and national organizations working for the benefit of art and preservation of artistic values, and other similar activities.

G. The commission shall recognize and encourage groups and organizations that enrich Ashland life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the city.

H. The commission shall pursue gifts and grants for support of arts programs and activities and the procurement of public art.

2.17.080 Compensation. Voting members of the commission shall receive no compensation for services rendered. The commission may receive gifts, bequests or devises of property on behalf of the city to carry out any of the purposes of this chapter. These shall be placed in a special account for use of the commission.

2.17.090 Policies.

A. The Public Arts Commission shall operate in the general public interest serving the community as a whole. It shall serve no special interests.

B. The Public Arts Commission shall not endorse any commercial product or enterprise.