CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Jason Greenough Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wrigh
Council Member Raymond Altmar Council Member Beau Smitt Council Member Blake Inscore
MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CRESCENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OFFICE
255 WASHINGTON BLVD
CRESCENT CITY. CA 95531
THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2022 6:15 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Greenough called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Blake Inscore, Council Member Beau Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Isaiah Wright, and Mayor Jason Greenough
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Greenough
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no public comments.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Oath of Office for Police Officer Owen
Police Chief Griffin introduced Officer Owen to the Council and gave a detailed history of his military background which included being in the Special Forces; Officer Owen is also a member of the Tolowa Dee-Ni Nation. City Clerk Altman administered the Oath of Office to Officer Owen.
Chief Griffin pinned the badge to his uniform. Officer Own spoke of his appreciation of working for
CALENDAR
2. MOU with Family Resource Center of the Redwoods Regarding Edible Food Recovery Program (SB 1383)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Inderstanding Between the City of Crescent City and the Family Resource Center ol he Redwoods Regarding Implementation of SB 1383 Regulations Edible Food Recovery Program
There were no public comments.
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On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Wright, seconded by Council Member Inscore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and authorized the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Crescent City and the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods Regarding Implementation of SB 1383 Regulations Edible Food Recovery Program.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Val Polyanin Artwork Donation
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Direct staff to take one or more of the following actions:
• Accept the donated art
• House the artwork in the Bank of America building while staff seek out a permanent home(s)for the collection
Develop a short-term plan that addresses the budgetary considerations for housing and exhibiting the work of Val Polyanin, and a timeframe for finding a Develop a long-term plan that addresses the budgetary considerations and economic benefits of retaining a portion of the work to be displayed on a consistent basis, potential tourism opportunities and indirect benefits of having the art exhibited in the community and a permanent solution for preserving and housing the remaining pieces of work
Economic Development and Recreation Director Taylor explained that Hambro had contacted the City stating that the artist Val Polyanin wanted to donate his life's work to the City. The artwork has been on display across from South Beach for several years, and within the Conex boxes are over 5,000 pieces of art. She gave a detailed outline of his background and how he emigrated to America. Director Taylor explained that the art could be used as a tourism attraction. Options are to store the art at the Bank of America Building, exhibit a portion of the art, work with an organization to preserve and permanently house the collection, or to place the art with an art preservationist or a gallery that can properly care for it as a permanent steward. The Kohler Foundation, a team of preservationists, has shown interest in possible restoration, preservation, and placement in one or more museums or galleries. They typically look for non-profits or educational institutions that have sufficient ongoing funding to properly display and maintain the art. Kohler's process, however, is long and will likely take a year to fund due to the volume of their other ongoing art preservation work. Director Taylor said that some staff time would be used to move the art to the locations. Council Member Altman asked if the art would be wrapped so they won't be damaged which would require additional staff time; Director Taylor said yes. Council Member Smith supports receiving the donation; Council Member Altman supports having them on display. Mayor Pro Tem Wright does not want to use the new City Hall for a permanent housing of the art. Director Taylor said tonight's decision would be to either accept the art donation and then staff will bring plans back to the Council. City Manager Wier stated that the art needs to be removed from the current location by the end of August. Our Public Works Department will not be able to help as this is a busy time of the year for them and they are not art transporters and do not have experience. Council Member Altman stated that we need to accept the donation and have professional movers take care of transporting the art to where it needs to go; Council Member Inscore stated that broader direction also needs to be given and agrees with the professional movers and to find out how much it will cost. Have a budget of $5k to do the move.
Council Member Altman said our employees cannot be used as this is a very busy time of the year. Council Member Smith asked if $5k was enough; City Manager Wier stated it was a good place to start. Council Member Inscore said he could modify it to up to $10k. Council Member Altman said it's a good short-term idea to have a museum at the Bank of America, but it will need 2| Page
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to be staffed. Mayor Greenough agreed with Council Member Inscore to determine how much we need to budget and it was agreed that $10k was enough to start with. Council Member Inscore stated that this art will become a destination for tourists. The outdoor art in Wilson, North Carolina ended up being their downtown revitalization and could be the same for Crescent City should we accept this art. Council Member Inscore said that a good use of the Bank of America building as a museum could be good for economic development. Council Member Altman stated that he travels to see art and it's a very popular thing to do. Mayor Greenough said that by Mr. Polyanin chose Crescent City over anywhere else is very meaningful. Council Member Smith asked if the letter from Mr. Polyanin was sufficient for the City to accept the donation; City Attorney Rice stated that since Val Polyanin is no longer in the area, the only thing we have is his letter and the intent told by Hambro to the City. Council Member Inscore asked if a something to be notarized establishing his consent; Director Taylor explained that since he is no longer in the area, we do not have any contact information for him where he currently resides.
On a motion by Council Member Inscore, seconded by Council Member Smith, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City directed staff to accept the art, temporarily store it in the Bank of America building, provide an initial budget for transition of the art of $10,000 out of the Economic Development line item and to direct staff to come back for discussion and future options on what the City will do.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
• Legislative Matters - None
City Manager Report and City Council Directives - City Manager Wier reported the following:
• Congressman Huffman recommended the Front Street project in his appropriations recommendations; we requested $6 million, however it is moving forward for $750k We will be getting additional funding for a second K9 (total cost $15k) who is already in training. It is expected to receive the K9 in July and Officer Sanders will be the K9 Officer. This is through the AKC Reunite Grant and is not a one-time only grant.
The Johnson Controls contract for the pool project will be before the Council at the July 18th Council meeting
City staff have been working very hard to get ready for the 4 of July beautifying the City painting curbs and getting Beachfront Park ready for the festivities Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - None Mayor Greenough encouraged everyone to have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July celebration.
The Council was in consensus to cancel the July 5'h Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Greenough adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Monday, July 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Elman
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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