Auburn Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee Meeting - October 28, 2022

This summary covers the Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee (SHAAC) regular meeting. Note on source discrepancy: The supplied agenda is dated May 22, 2025, and the supplied adopted minutes are dated June 18, 2025; this summary uses the specified meeting date of October 28, 2022, per instruction. The raw transcript was empty, so this summary is based on the agenda and minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of the April 22, 2025 regular meeting minutes (as listed on the agenda). The minutes state that the May 22, 2025 minutes were adopted by vote, creating a date discrepancy.
• Adoption of the Treasurer's Report. The agenda reported Fund 56 balance = $13,021 as of 5/16/25, FY 24-25 budget amount = $2,500, Ruhkala pending invoice = $5,572, unveiling ceremony expenses = $350, projected balance = $7,099, and FY 25-26 budget request = $2,500. The minutes reported a balance of $7,449.00, Ruhkala paid = $5,572.00, Cynthia needing reimbursement of $25.74 for a printed Zone Map, and a budget request of $5,000.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia has ideas about presentations the Committee might do.
• Bridget suggested moving City Manager items up in the agenda.

Discussion Items

• Treasurer's Report details: Discussion of tile costs, noting Ruhkala's pricing varies and no one else can do the work. Bridget explained the history of tile pricing and how the Committee spends its city budget request. Updating kiosks in Central Square would be funded from requested funds, as would another presentation when tiles are placed to promote SHAAC's efforts.
• Feasibility of Tile Placement in New Locations: Bridget gave the City Manager a history of the initial ten-phase streetscape plan. Since that funding dried up, tiles have been placed in the Central Square area and the Endurance section. The Committee wants to expand placement toward City Hall and beyond, ensuring granite slabs are placed during future sidewalk work. Only 45 tile spaces remain, which at the current rate gives about 4.5 years of placement capacity. It was generally agreed to expand around the Central Square area rather than scatter tiles, and to no longer categorize tiles. The City Manager was receptive and noted the changes would require a City Council resolution to amend the current resolution. Bridget volunteered to follow up on the resolution process; Randall will check on tiles in the Corporation yard.
• Damaged fish sculpture in Central Square: The Arts Commission notified the artist but received no response. The original agreement reportedly allowed only the artist to repair it, and his fees were recalled as high. SHAAC recommended removal of the whole structure. It was suggested to invite the head of the Arts Commission to the next meeting. Bridget will follow up.
• Kiosks: Discussion about updating kiosks in Central Square and potentially meeting at Central Square to inspect them. It was suggested to wait until September to look at the kiosks.
• Tile Review: No mock-up was available for review.
• New Tile Submissions: None.
• Tile Engraving: Tiles are to be engraved summer 2025, with completion by September. Dan Olmstead paid 3/25/25; Tom Johnson paid 4/1/25 (Hillmen Foundation via Randall); Samuel Wirt Holladay, Auburn Hook & Ladder Company, and Jacob Hart Neff are also listed. Lee Buckingham tile is approved but not paid (Auburn Arts Commission via Cynthia), and does not need to be paired with a historic tile.
• Future Agenda Item Ideas: Review streetscape zone realignment for future tile placement, kiosk signage and QR codes, tile inventory with bios and photos, SHAAC calendar and timeline review, and list cleanup.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes adopted by vote, with the date discrepancy noted above.
• Treasurer's report adopted, with conflicting financial figures noted above.
• Committee expressed support for expanding tile placement around Central Square; City Manager was receptive; a City Council resolution is required. Bridget and Randall will follow up on next steps.
• SHAAC recommended removal of the damaged fish sculpture; Arts Commission head to be invited to the next meeting.
• Special meeting scheduled for July 24th; kiosk inspection planned for September.
• No new tile submissions approved; tile review deferred due to no mock-up.
• Meeting adjourned at 5:01 according to the supplied minutes.