Chapter 4.16
ARTS COMMISSION
Sections:
4.16.020 Commission established – Membership.
4.16.040 Authority and responsibilities.
4.16.050 Meetings and staff services.
4.16.060 Budget and compensation.
4.16.010 Purpose.
As a matter of public policy, the city recognizes that support for artists and arts organizations, development and stewardship of public art, arts education, and cultural development are public necessities and essential for the continuing growth and development of Fife’s citizens, economy, and quality of life. The mission of the Fife arts commission is to identify and actively encourage the development and sustainability of the arts in the city by serving as the city’s primary resource in matters of public art and culture, as provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 2128 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1938 § 22, 2016; Ord. 1741 § 2, 2011. Formerly 2.77.010).
4.16.020 Commission established – Membership.
A. The arts commission (hereafter “commission”) shall be composed of seven members, appointed by the city council. All appointments shall be for a term of three years. A commission member may be removed prior to the expiration of their term for failing to attend two consecutive meetings without being excused by the commission. If a vacancy occurs, the council may fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
B. To the extent reasonably possible, the city shall seek representation on the commission from as many as possible of the following arts and professions: painting, sculpture, music, literature, architecture and landscape architecture, performing arts, tribal or city historian, and education, as well as lay members who have an interest in the artistic, tribal, and cultural development of the city. The city shall attempt to have one member from a recommendation from the chamber of commerce, one member from a recommendation from the Puyallup Tribe, one member to be a local school student interested in the arts, and one member to be an arts educator. However, any person, whether or not a Fife resident, may apply and be considered for membership on the commission. Members shall be selected without respect to political affiliations; however, a majority of the members shall at all times be either (1) Fife residents, (2) work in Fife, or (3) own a business in Fife. Two of the positions on the commission shall be filled only by Fife residents; however, a vacancy in either of those two positions shall not affect whether or not the commission can have a quorum for purposes of transacting business. (Ord. 2128 § 2, 2024; Ord. 2106 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1938 §§ 22, 23, 2016; Ord. 1902 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1745 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1741 § 3, 2011. Formerly 2.77.020).
4.16.030 Rules of procedure.
A. The commission shall adopt procedural rules governing the transaction of its business. The rules shall include provisions for the date, time and place of regular meetings of the commission. Provisions shall be made for maintaining minutes of commission meetings and records of all commission board reports, conclusions and recommendations. The rules of procedure shall provide for the election of commission officers, which shall include a chairperson and vice chairperson, and any other such office as it may determine it requires. The term of these offices shall be for one year.
B. The rules of the commission shall provide that all commission meetings shall be open to the public and that notice of meetings shall comply with the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, to the extent proceedings of the commission are governed by such Act. The procedures shall address receipt and processing of citizen proposals and requests. (Ord. 1938 §§ 22, 24, 2016; Ord. 1741 § 4, 2011. Formerly 2.77.030).
4.16.040 Authority and responsibilities.
A. The commission is an advisory body to the city manager and city council on issues relating to artwork and art endeavors in the city of Fife.
B. The term “artwork” as used in this chapter shall include paintings, murals, stained glass, sculptures, bas-reliefs, monuments, fountains, arches or other structures of a permanent or temporary character intended for ornament or commemoration or any such graphic display as may be incorporated into the design and construction of public improvements deemed to illustrate historical, tribal, cultural or artistic impression.
C. The commission, in carrying out its designated purpose, shall have the following duties:
1. Provide general advice to the city manager or designee regarding artwork;
2. Identify unmet needs and offer recommendations for meeting needs or improving artwork or artistic programming within the city;
3. Assist the city manager or designee in selecting artists to be commissioned, provided they are consistent with the venue, community standards, plans of the city and within the commission’s current budget;
4. Provide advice to the city manager or designee regarding appropriate maintenance of public artwork after the artwork is in place;
5. Assist the city manager or designee in identifying funding sources and securing funding for the city’s artwork and artistic programs; and
6. Assist the city manager or designee in communicating art services and programs to the public, governmental agencies, and the city council.
D. The commission is authorized to take the following actions:
1. Advise the city manager or designee on the receipt of and/or purchase of artwork to be placed on municipal property;
2. Make recommendations to the city manager or designee on all artwork acquired by the city;
3. Advise the city manager or designee as to the appropriate cultural and artistic development for the city, including, but not limited to, the acquisition and construction of cultural facilities and/or projects such as museums, performing art centers and convention facilities;
4. Provide recommendations to the city manager or designee in connection with cultural and artistic endeavors, projects, acquisition of funds and expenditures in which the city becomes involved and will act as representative of the community in such matters;
5. Advise the city manager or designee regarding sponsoring or cosponsoring public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the arts and Fife’s cultural and tribal heritage;
6. Advise the city manager or designee regarding donations, grants and other support to further expand the arts and cultural services and programs available to the citizens of Fife, including obtaining private, local, state and federal funds;
7. Advise the city manager or designee regarding cooperation and coordination with Fife and Puyallup tribal schools and local, regional and national arts organizations;
8. Assist in providing public information about art, cultural and tribal activities in the city or affecting the city;
9. Serve as the “point of contact” for all individuals and groups in the Fife community to bring their concerns and ideas in regard to the arts;
10. Advise and provide encouragement and aid to arts-related projects and events that provide an economic benefit and/or beautify and enhance the image of the city;
11. To take such other actions as the city manager or designee may direct from time to time.
E. The commission shall not incur any indebtedness on behalf of the city without express approval of the city manager. (Ord. 2128 § 3, 2024; Ord. 1938 § 22, 2016; Ord. 1741 § 5, 2011. Formerly 2.77.040).
4.16.050 Meetings and staff services.
A. The commission shall meet regularly, at least once per quarter, at a date, time and place to be established by the commission. Commission meetings shall be open to the public and written meeting minutes shall be maintained and made available to the public upon approval of the minutes by the commission. Special meetings of the commission may be called at any time by the chair or by a majority of the members of the commission upon written notice being given to all members of the commission. All meetings must be properly noticed in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
B. The city manager or designee shall be responsible for:
1. Providing staff services for the commission. Staff assistance shall include such tasks as preparation of meeting agendas in coordination with the commission chair, preparation of draft meeting minutes for review and approval, preparation of any bid documentation, maintenance records, responses to public records requests, and such other matters as are similarly necessary for the support of commission business.
2. Maintaining art pieces provided through the arts commission in a manner appropriate to the piece and the installation. Temporary pieces may be removed and disposed of, and permanent pieces may be allowed to weather and acquire a patina, but all art installations shall be maintained respectfully and on public display for the time period intended by the arts commission at the time of initial installation, unless the arts commission has been specifically consulted regarding the removal or relocation of such art installation. Final decision regarding any early removal or relocation of an art installation shall be made by the city manager. (Ord. 2128 § 4, 2024; Ord. 2051 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1938 § 22, 2016; Ord. 1741 § 6, 2011. Formerly 2.77.050).
4.16.060 Budget and compensation.
A. Arts commission programs and expenses shall be funded from grants, donations, admission charges and/or from monies appropriated by the city council.
B. The city council hereby states a goal to provide annual funding equal to $1.00 per capita for the city’s population in 2022. Population for the 2022 per capita funding shall be based on the 2020 U.S. Census. Population for subsequent years shall be the Washington State Office of Financial Management estimate for two years before the budget year. The city may apply for grants, use special funds, or budget from the general fund. This commitment is to encourage the arts commission membership to focus on the selection and installation of art. For clarity, it is noted here that any future city council may change this provision by the passage of an appropriate ordinance.
C. Budget Allocation. Funds allocated to the arts commission may be utilized in the following ways:
1. Commissioning art: directly commissioning the creation of artwork to be displayed within the city.
2. Support of art and artisans: organizing and funding art shows, displays, and awards that showcase local artists and their work.
3. Community involvement: facilitating community engagement through participation in events, including hosting booths, activities, or entertainment that promote the arts.
D. As provided in FMC 4.02.050, arts commission members shall serve without compensation. However, direct expenses associated with the conduct of arts commission business may be reimbursed by the city in accordance with city policies and procedures, with such expense reimbursement coming from the arts commission’s annual budget. (Ord. 2128 § 5, 2024; Ord. 2051 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1938 §§ 22, 25, 2016; Ord. 1741 § 7, 2011. Formerly 2.77.060).