Town Council Tuesday, November 12, 2013 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, Town Hall 359 Main Street Agenda 1. Approval of the Agenda 2. Approval of the Minutes of October 29, 2013 (attached) 3. Presentation a. Robert Stead – Public Art 4. Reports a. Mayor b. Chief Administrative Officer 5. Information a. Design Review Committee – RFD #060-2013 (attached) 6. Decisions a. Unsightly Premises at 23 Highland Ave. – RFD #59-2013 (attached) b. Municipal Climate Change Action Plan – RFD #057-2013 (attached) c. Appointment of Auditor – RFD #058-2013 (attached) 359 Main Street | Wolfville | NS | B4P 1A1 | t 902-542-5767 | f 902-542-4789 Wolfville.ca 7. Question Period Procedure: A thirty minute time period will be provided for members of the public to address Council regarding questions, concerns and/or ideas. Each person will have a maximum of two minutes to address Council with a second two minute time period provided if there is time remaining within the thirty minute Public Input/Question Period timeframe. 8. Adjourned to In Camera Session 9. In Camera Session: Personnel 10. In Camera Session Adjourned 11. Regular Session Reconvened 12. Reports from In Camera Session 13. Adjournment of Regular Session 359 Main Street | Wolfville | NS | B4P 1A1 | t 902-542-5767 | f 902-542-4789 Wolfville.ca Art in Public Spaces for Wolfville. A proposal to Council by Robert Stead; immediate past mayor Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to: 1. Convince Council of the benefits of a regular program of installing juried art in public places in Wolfville, 2. Urge Council to develop a policy to govern a program of art in public places with a view of placing a first installation in 2016. Background Wolfville identifies itself as an arts, culture and culinary centre for the Annapolis Valley Region, an area with about 80,000 inhabitants. This is reflected in the host of artistic and cultural activities that take place weekly all year in the town as well as the presence of some excellent restaurants. Some of these activities are of national scope and interest such as the “Deep Roots Festival”, some attract international participation such as the weeklong modern music festival “Shattering the Silence”, and some are more regionally focused such as the “Performing Art Series” of concerts. The town has encouraged and financially contributed to many of these activities as well as the after school and vacation professionally led art workshops for children. In large part because of this character Wolfville has become a magnet for people who have the freedom to practice their professions independently of geography in the internet environment. They seek out Wolfville for its quality of life and to raise their families here. Thus aside from the obvious enjoyment of the art and culture the Town has to offer the present members of the community, there is a compelling economic development reason to continue to enhance the arts and culture character of the town to continue to attract new young families as well as retired people to the community. The origin of the proposal The idea for this proposal arose from the recent unveiling of the “work at the threstle” sculpture by Ruth Abernethy, a perfect example of art in a public place. A few years ago three local artists created under the cover of night a series of sculptures called the “stick people” that appeared mysteriously on our streets at irregular intervals. This expression of art in public places attracted Canada wide attention in the newspapers and the CBC, and people from Halifax for example came to visit the town to see these creatures. We also have the annual “uncommon common art” project throughout the region. Following a number of years of successful development local artist Terry Drahos has created a “not-for-profit” corporation to ensure the focused continuation of the project. We now have a stellar addition to our already existing art in public places projects. I am convinced that the time is right to formalize these activities with a view of securing their future and the ongoing beautification and attraction of the town. This formalization should in no way become an obstacle to the spontaneity and creativity of the activity. The proposal I propose that the Town develop a policy governing art in public places of Wolfville with a view of unveiling every 4 years a piece of public art by means of a juried process starting in 2016. Why we need this? 1. To continue the beautification of Wolfville and enhance/confirm its reputation as a cultural hub for the Annapolis Valley 2. To contribute to Wolfville’s future as a viable rural town by attracting new residents whose income is independent of the location where they live. How - $5000 each year from the town into a trust fund matched with funds from (a) private donor(s) to a minimum of $ 40,000. The fund is to be managed independently by a board of directors. This Board will set the parameters that will govern each request for proposals to the artistic community. For example location of the work etc. It will also manage the process of the competition including the nomination of the Jury. Consideration may be given to name the fund for a serious donor. The Board will report annually to the Town Council with results and a financial report as well as a review of the policy. When - We need to establish a simple yet clear public art policy for the Town of Wolfville by May 2014 at which time the Trust Fund can be established and its Board appointed. That will leave adequate time to unveil the first installation in the Fall of 2016.. Once established an installation will be purchased every 4 years beginning with the first installation to be unveiled fall 2016. REQUEST FOR DECISION # 060-2013 Date: November 12, 2013 Department: Planning 1) COMMENT / RECOMMENDATION – CAO The CAO having reviewed the policy believes that further discussion is needed before council adopts a policy that solidifies any new committee dealing with development in the town. It is the CAOs recommendation that this issue be deferred until 2014 subsequent to a comprehensive review of the town planning framework.sd 2) CDC RECOMMENDATION At its September 18th, 2013 meeting, CDC recommended that the attached policy be adopted by Council. 3) Draft Motion Whereas Council approved the establishment of a Design Review Committee at its meeting on October 29, 2013, be it resolved that Council approve the Design Review Committee Policy. 4) REFERENCES Staff report dated September 18. Draft policy attached to this RFD Municipal Government Act. Council minutes of October 29, 2013 5) PURPOSE OF REPORT To establish a design review committee, as per the direction of Council at its meeting Oct 29, 2013. At that time the Design Review Committee policy was referred to this meeting. 6) DISCUSSION As per staff report previously circulated. 7) POLICY CONSIDERATIONS As per staff report previously circulated. 8) BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS N/A Request for Decision, Page 1 of 2 REQUEST FOR DECISION # 060-2013 Date: November 12, 2013 Department: Planning 9) SUMMARY See “Discussion”. Request for Decision, Page 2 of 2 359 Main St. Wolfville, NS B4P 1A1 | Tel: (902) 542-5767 | Fax: (902) 542-4789 | www.wolfville.ca TOWN OF WOLFVILLE POLICY Title: Design Review Committee Policy No.: Supersedes: Effective Date: Approval By Council Resolution No.: Purpose: To establish the mandate, goals, objectives and operating procedures of a Design Advisory Committee. Composition The committee will be composed of a maximum of 5 people with the following qualifications: Architect Heritage expert Engineer Planner Urban Designer Landscape Architect Other qualified professional, as recommended by the Director of Planning Duties and Responsibilities: To provide professional advice to staff regarding compatibility of development proposals with the applicable Architectural Guidelines prescribed in the Municipal Planning Strategy If requested, to provide comment on potential changes to the Architectural Guidelines. Policy Page 1 of 3 Administration The Committee shall only meet when required to review a specific proposal or as requested by Council. Any committee member who has an existing client relationship with the developer submitting the proposal shall not participate in the review of the specific project. The role of chair will circulate among committee members. All Committee members shall be appointed by Council and meet the following criteria: Shall be a member of or retired from their respective professional associations, with the exception of the heritage expect. Shall abide by the code of conduct of their respective professional associations Live, own a business or work within the Town of Wolfville. If criteria can’t be met, Council may appoint appropriate professional representatives at its discretion. The heritage representative shall, in the opinion of Council, have significant knowledge and experience regarding the built heritage within the Town. All Committee meetings are open to the public. The committee shall not receive any presentations from the public. If a member of the public wishes to make a presentation, he/she may do so once the proposal reaches CDC or Council. The minutes of the Committee shall be forwarded as part of the staff report to the CDC for consideration. For each development proposal, the Committee shall: Receive a brief staff presentation on the proposal, drawings and a design brief prepared by the developer. Be permitted to ask questions of the applicant on issues relating to architecture and urban design. Make suggestions/recommendations to the developer for alternations to the development before it proceeds to CDC Make a recommendation to CDC regarding compatibility with the Architectural Guidelines The Committee shall convene at the request of the Director of Planning.