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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... Red Cross seeks blood donors ... Backstage: It's OK to get lost listening to classical music ... Hosler Dam siren test due Monday ... Red Cross seeks blood donors ... Backstage: It's OK to get lost listening to classical music ... CITY OF ASHLAND Council mulls future of City Hall, public art process Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 8:31 PM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 8:31 PM » Social News When it comes to the city of Ashland, one thing becomes immediately clear: Decisions about its art and history are not made casually. The City Council spent two hours dealing with two issues at its study session Monday, one centered around the process of public art, the other with the future of the historic City Hall building. The city has a history of passionate discourse around public art such, as that expressed in a proposal for a large metal sculpture set for installation on Gateway Island between the fire station and library where East Main Street meets Siskiyou Boulevard. After a years-long process guided by city ordinance and an adopted public art policy, the sculpture "Gather" was selected by a special panel in September, which drew significant backlash. In January, the council asked artist Susan Zoccola to prepare a second proposal, which she calls "Threshold." The council was due to choose between the two on Tuesday. At Monday's study session, the council discussed making tweaks to the public art process to alleviate concerns raised by detractors of the Gateway Island decision. Bernie Biedak told councilors he did not approve of the “big slinky," as he termed "Threshold," and the process by which it was approved. “I do not want to give the Public Art Commission more power. They need to be replaced. They are not doing what we want.” Biedak is referring to a proposal to by-pass the current land use laws under which public art sometimes falls. He told councilors he supports a rigorous process. “I know it’s tedious for people trying to do things, but tedium isn’t all wrong, sometimes it prevents mistakes.” The idea is that art is not the same as building a public structure and should not be as “onerous” as Councilor Rich Rosenthal referred to it. It was brought forward by the Public Art Commission which argues the amount of rigor is discouraging art and punishing private citizens who want to contribute. In favor of streamlining the process is Barry Thalden, who volunteered his time and resources to have the mural of downtown Guanajuato painted on Sesame Kitchen on the Calle Guanajuato. “Right now the ordinances discourage public art,” said Thalden of his recent experience in getting approvals for the donated mural, describing the process he went through as “incredibly complex.” He said the land use process, which requires getting approvals from the Public Art Commission, the Historic Commission and City Council, as something “only the methodically insistent or medically insane would continue.” After more than an hour of testimony and questions, the council directed city staff to seek out possibilities surrounding a streamlined process which also keeps oversight in place, especially as it pertains to maintaining the historic character to certain buildings and areas. The process is expected to surface in council sessions in the near future. Next councilors took up the issue of considering what to do about the historic City Hall building on the Plaza. According to a 2015 seismic survey it would not survive an earthquake. Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture in Medford has been hired to draw up possibilities which have been proposed as three main options: fix the current building; move to the planning offices on Winburn Way and add another level to accommodate more staff; or build a totally new building on North Pioneer Street and Lithia Way where a parking lot currently sits. Earlier staff reports indicated fixing the current City Hall would be too expensive — in excess of $3.6 million dollars, according to staff reports — but councilors Rosenthal and Mike Morris asked if these were the only possible proposals. Councilor Greg Lemhouse suggested the cost of staying in the current City Hall might not be so high when compared to other options — including the city fixing the building prior to selling it. Councilor Morris asked about the costs of retrofitting that were currently in place and if that had been factored into plans. Among the questions asked of the architectural firm, which is now getting feedback, was regarding the public’s input. “The feedback has been very negative. How will you work on reaching out?” asked Councilor Rosenthal. Carol Voisin echoed his concern, asking if the firm considered ways for “public ownership” of the plan, which she suggested had to include zero energy standards. Councilor Pam Marsh warned that it's important the city not be involved in “selling any particular idea.” The concept of demolishing the old City Hall building which has been discussed in city staff documents has enough political heft that Mayor John Stromberg suggested perhaps the issue not be formally addressed until citizens have a chance to vote in the upcoming election where four council seats are up for election, including his own. Councilors were clear that the process is early on in the process of making any decisions. The mayor suggested city staff keep a watchful eye on input from the public and city employees and leaders regarding the old City Hall building. Meantime, the old City Hall remains open and poses no particular threat, according to staff — unless and until a major earthquake strikes, which geologists estimate could come within the next 30 years, according to the geologic record of the of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 8:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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