DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
	PREPARED BY:	Linda A. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	2003-Apr-22
	SUBJECT:	Proposed Public Art Policy Framework

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Proposed Public Art Policy Framework” to Development Services Committee, dated April 22, 2003, be received for information purposes;

AND THAT authorization be given to hold a final public information meeting in order to receive resident and community input on the proposed “Public Art Policy Framework”;

AND FURTHER THAT, following the public meeting, staff report back with the final draft of the “Public Art Policy Framework” for approval by Council.

PURPOSE:The purpose of this report is to provide a draft of the Public Art Policy Framework for Committee to review and comment upon, as well as to seek authorization to proceed with a final public information meeting in order to receive resident and community input on the proposed public art policy.

BACKGROUND:

Jane Perdue, who holds the position of Public Art Coordinator for the City of Toronto, has been hired as a consultant by the Town of Markham to prepare a public art policy to provide policy direction for public art initiatives on public and private lands. The policy study is also to recommend a specific process for review of proposals to place monuments, art works or other display objects on Town-owned lands. A Public Art Policy Steering Committee comprised of members of Council and Town staff have been overseeing the development of the public art policy. Until Council approves this policy, all currently pending, as well as future requests by individuals, groups or organizations, for permission to place works of art on publicly owned lands, have been deferred.

On March 27, 2002, the first public information meeting on Markham’s proposed public art policy, was held at the Civic Centre. Those attending spoke passionately on the subject of public art and provided excellent input into the proposed framework, which was presented.

At the sixth meeting of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee on November 18, 2002, the Steering Committee agreed that a second public information meeting should be held with interested individuals and groups prior to finalization of the policy. They requested that an announcement be placed on the Markham Page to advertise the meeting and that a synopsis of the document be made available in advance of the meeting on the Town’s Website. It was also recommended that copies of the document be forwarded to interested stakeholders, in advance of the meeting.

The Public Art Policy Steering Committee on January 8, 2003 agreed that staff should present the Public Art Policy Framework to Development Services Committee and obtain approval for a second public information meeting. The Committee also agreed that the final draft of the Public Art Policy Framework should be brought forward for Council’s approval, as soon after the second public information meeting as possible.

On January 8, 2003, a preliminary draft of the Public Art Policy Framework, dated November 2002, incorporating comments from the public information meeting and from members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee, was circulated to the Mayor, Members of Council, members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee for review and comment. Comments were received, reviewed by the consultant, and incorporated, as appropriate, into the attached document. In addition, graphic images and photographs have been incorporated into this document.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

The attached document is the latest version of Markham’s proposed Public Art Policy Framework, which will be presented at the final Public Information Meeting in order to receive community input.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None at this time. Council in the 2003 Budget process did allocate $100,000.00 towards the provision of public art. Use of these funds should be determined in the context of the public art policy.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Staff from Planning and Urban Design and Parks Maintenance departments, and the Varley Art Gallery, who are members of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee have provided their comments, which reflect the concerns of their respective departments. Comments were received, reviewed by the consultant, and incorporated, as appropriate, into the attached document.

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1: Public Art Policy Framework, by Jane Perdue, Public Art Consultant

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director, Planning and Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

Q:\Development\Design\linda\Parks\DSC Public Art Policy.doc