MINUTES
| BEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC ART COMMISSION MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2026 |
STAFF CONFERENCE ROOM 2ND FLOOR - CITY HALL 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 4:00 P.M. HYBRID: TEAMS LINK |
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1.
Call to Order
2.
Roll Call
City Staff: Staff Liaison Jana Weldon
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| MICHAEL RULON, CHAIR - Excused AUDRA TRAVELBEE, VICE-CHAIR - Present AVIGAIL CALLAN - Present MEREDITH CURLEY - Present |
CLAIRE EDDLEMAN-HEATH - Present CARLA MCCORD - Present MATT MCGRATH - Present |
City Staff: Staff Liaison Jana Weldon
3.
OPEN CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Public comment can be sent to jana.weldon@flagstaffaz.gov, prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of this meeting with Public Comment in the email subject and it will be read: Or by indicating with a response during this designated public participation section. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes in length. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or acting on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commissioners may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda.
Public comment can be sent to jana.weldon@flagstaffaz.gov, prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of this meeting with Public Comment in the email subject and it will be read: Or by indicating with a response during this designated public participation section. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes in length. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or acting on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commissioners may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda.
None.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
July Minutes
Moved by Carla McCord, seconded by Avigail Callan to approve the minutes of the July meeting.
Vote: 6 - 0
5.
UPCOMING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
A.
Please look at flagstaff365.com for upcoming events in music, culture, art, and sciences.
B.
Recruitment update.
New hire, Jennifer Harris, will be starting August 31, 2027. Interviews for the new position have begun.
C.
KNAU underwriting spots have begun for the program.
KNAU underwriting ads will be running for the next year highlighting opportunities and specific projects.
D.
BIA grant upcoming deadline is September 15, 2026.
Staff gave a reminder of the grant deadline, and announced an information session on August 20, 2026, at the Downtown Library from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
E.
New mugs for commissioners.
Commissioners each chose a mug from the new designs.
6.
ACTION ITEMS
A.
Sculpture Donation: Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Program Manager; T. Paul Thomas, CEO, Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance; Ed Reilly, Sculptor.
Ms. Weldon will present the background of a proposal for a bronze sculpture donation, which was approved as a work of public art acceptable for donation to the City by BPAC on March 11, 2024, and the revised proposal. The updated proposed sculpture subject matter is a bronze elk and flagpole with an educational text. The addition of the flagpole and educational text is new. A location at the Visitor Center is viable. The artist will be available for questions. The donation is now being made by the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance rather than the artist. (Presentation 5-10 minutes)
Suggested Action: Listen to presentation, ask questions, give comments. Consider motion to approve the revised concept.
Staff provided background context of previous BPAC presentations and actions and the feasibility of a location at the Visitor Center. The artist shared details about the meaning of the flagpole and inscription, experience of creating namesake sculptures elsewhere, and explained the funding coming from Northern Arizona Leadership Association (NALA) to cover the cost of the bronze. Discussion included the cost to the program and the program's role in taking on the donation, the need for the inscription to ensure “namesake” is correct, and the high-traffic nature of the location.
Moved by Meredith Curley, seconded by Claire Eddleman-Heath to approve the revised concept, with editing to correct, “namesake” in the language.
Vote: 6 - 0
B.
Chair and Vice Chair Nominations: Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program Manager
Approval of a Chair and Vice Chair occurs at the August meeting. All current members of the Beautification and Public Art Commission are eligible to serve. Nominations received: Michael Rulon for Chair; Audra Travelbee for Vice-Chair.
Ms. Weldon will invite the nominees to relay their interest in serving.
Suggested Action: Listen to comments, ask questions, and discuss. Consider a a motion to elect Michael Rulon as Chair for August 2026 to July 2026. Consider a second motion to elect Audra Travelbee as Vice Chair for August 2026 to July 2027.
Moved by Carla McCord, seconded by Meredith Curley to nominate Michael Rulon as Chair.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
Moved by Carla McCord, seconded by Avigail Callan to nominate Audra Travelbee as Vice Chair.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
7.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Vice-Mayor Sweet’s Monthly Report: Miranda Sweet
Vice-Mayor Sweet will review notable updates from City Council.
Suggested Action: Listen to presentation. Ask questions, give comments and suggestions. Discussion only.
Vice-Mayor Sweet will review notable updates from City Council.
Suggested Action: Listen to presentation. Ask questions, give comments and suggestions. Discussion only.
Vice Mayor shared the progress with the Sunnyside Neighborhood Plan, her attendance at the Indigenous Code Talkers event, and the Arizona Governors Conference on Tourism.
B.
New Project Potential, Fire Department Capital Projects: David Pedersen, Project Manager Senior Lead; Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program Manager; Mark Gaillard, Fire Chief.
After a brief introduction by Ms. Weldon, Mr. Pedersen will give a brief overview of upcoming capital projects for the Fire Department. As the projects are scoped, opportunities for collaboration between Beautification, Arts and Sciences and Fire Station aesthetic enhancements will be investigated. Fire Chief Mark Gaillard will be available for questions. (Presentation 5-10 minutes)
Suggested Action: Ask questions, give comments. Discussion only.
Presentation included examples of beautification in fire stations and two fire locations anticipated for development in Flagstaff, and about the opportunity to discuss integration of a beautification project with these designs. Discussion included interest in the future location at Picture Canyon to have a public restroom to service trail users and students on field trips and suggestion for restrooms to be an aesthetic enhancement; interest in possibility for beautification to existing fire stations; and appreciation for the opportunity for beautification on the east side of town.
C.
New Project Potential, Ponderosa Park: Rebecca Sayers, Parks, Recreation, Open Space, Events Director
Ms. Sayers will give a brief overview of the opportunities for collaboration between Beautification, Arts and Sciences and PROSE for enhancements to Ponderosa Park now that flood mitigation is completed. (Presentation 5-10 minutes)
Suggested Action: Ask questions, give comments. Discussion only.
Ms. Sayers presented the Ponderosa Park project and feedback from the community outreach of possible park amenities. Opportunities for Beautification partnership include a mural on the retention wall, an aesthetic enhancement to a water feature or shade structure. Discussion included the budget limitations, accessibility in play structures, questions about sustainability for any water feature, and future community input process.
D.
New Project Potential, Southside Triangle: Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Program Manager
Ms. Weldon will give an overview of project, the Southside Triangle, called for in the Southside Neighborhood Plan. (Presentation 5-10 minutes)
Suggested Action: Ask questions, give comments. Discussion only.
Staff presented the future pocket park concept between Mikes Pike and Benton that is in the Southside Neighborhood Plan. Constraints include use by the Army Corps of Engineers as a staging area for the Rio de Flag realignment. Given the age of the plan, outreach for what the community would like to see would need to be redone. Options include enhancing the park now, designing the park now and executing after Rio de Flag project is complete, or waiting to address the park until the Rio de Flag project is complete. Discussion included concerns regarding the unknown timeline due to the scale of the Rio de Flag project, and consideration of giving priority to projects that are ready now.
E.
New Project Potential, Bison Sculpture, Buffalo Park: Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Program Manager
Ms. Weldon will present the current state and options for the bison sculpture, affectionately called, Ralphie, at the entrance of Buffalo Park. (Presentation 5-10 minutes)
Suggested Action: Ask questions, give comments. Discussion only.
Staff presented the condition of the bison sculpture at Buffalo Park, and the continual physical degradation despite attempts to upkeep. Option to restore lacks feasibility given the age of the sculpture, the materials used, unavailability of the artist, and lack of design plans. Staff recommends a replacement in a durable material such as bronze, and to de-accession the current sculpture. Discussion included the potential public reaction if the current sculpture is de-accessioned, the need for an education campaign, the possibility that the current sculpture will not remain intact if it is moved or repeatedly climbed on, and safety concerns that someone could be hurt by the protruding mesh.
F.
Downtown Matters: Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Program Manager
Ms. Weldon will ask for experience and takeaways from attendees of the Downtown Matters Conference.
Suggested Action: Share experiences, give comments. Discussion only.
Attendees shared their experiences and takeaways from the conference. The presentations are available on Flagstaff’s Downtown Business Alliance’s YouTube channel.
G.
Farewell to Commissioner Eddleman-Heath: Jana Weldon, Beautification and Public Art Program Manager
Commissioner Eddleman-Heath is moving out of Flagstaff for an exciting opportunity. August is her last meeting as a commissioner. Ms. Weldon will invite Commissioners, Vice Mayor Sweet, and staff to share the contributions that our departing commissioner has made to BPAC.
Suggested Action: Share memories, thoughts, Discussion only.
Commissioner Eddleman-Heath was wished the best of luck in her future endeavors, and appreciation for her contributions were shared.
8.
REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
TO/FROM ITEMS: A vote from additional two commissioner required for any request by a commissioner to add an item to a future meeting, which will occur within the upcoming year.
TO/FROM ITEMS: A vote from additional two commissioner required for any request by a commissioner to add an item to a future meeting, which will occur within the upcoming year.
No requests were made.
9.
TIME AND DATE FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS
BPAC August meeting: Monday, September 14, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
BPAC August meeting: Monday, September 14, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
10.
ADJOURNMENT