Fife Public Arts Commission approves minutes, selects artist for Colburn splash pad and honors community artists

The Fife Public Arts Commission met Dec. 18, 2024, approved its November 2024 meeting minutes, confirmed an artist selection and budget estimates for the Colburn splash pad public art, reviewed maintenance priorities and materials for an upcoming January planning session, recapped the recent tree-lighting event, and presented community awards before adjourning when a commissioner had to log off.

Chair Mises Sekimura opened the meeting, read a land acknowledgment noting the Puyallup Tribe as the traditional stewards of the area and said the statement was “a small step toward true allyship.” After roll call and a quorum declaration, Commissioner Carolina moved to approve the November 2024 meeting minutes “as they are,” a motion that was seconded and accepted when members said “aye.”

Tim, who led staff presentations, said the commission recommended two finalist artists and selected a winner for the Colburn splash pad installation. He said the commissioned artwork is priced at $5,000 and the installation estimate is $47,000, which would be paid from park installation funds. Tim said the park’s opening is targeted for the end of June, with the goal that it be open around the July 4 weekend, and confirmed there will be a ribbon-cutting celebration.

Commissioners discussed the Colburn estimates and schedule as part of packet materials that staff circulated in advance. Tim said the packet includes expenditure history back to 2019, maintenance items that have not been addressed in the past three years, and noted a tower listed as a high-priority maintenance item. He asked commissioners to review the materials before a 90-minute meeting in January when the commission will set its work plan and budget for presentation to city council on Jan. 28.

The commission also reviewed a recap of the recent tree-lighting event. Tim said the event was well attended and that photos from a professional photographer were shared with the commission. Commissioner Bonnie Char estimated about 150 attendees, praised strong participation, and reported two logistical issues: moisture-condensation in some kazoos’ diaphragms caused malfunctions and a nonstandard wireless microphone did not fit the expected PA connector. Commissioner Carolina, who distributed instruments, said she “did not even have a perception the kazoos were failing” and praised the inclusion of music by the Memphis bells and a local musician.

Under new business the commission presented community awards. Staff introduced Kendra Danielson, who appears as the first award recipient in a recorded video. Danielson, identified in the video as the elementary art teacher at Fife Elementary School, said she was the district’s first elementary art teacher in 1998, has taught across the district’s elementary schools, and has produced more than 150 art-education videos for students and the community. The commission also honored the 5 Painters group for sustained community work; commissioners singled out Hap Newsom for leadership and Newsom accepted the recognition and thanked the Fife Community Center for space and support.

Shortly after commissioner comments a quorum issue arose: Commissioner Carolina said she needed to log off and would be unable to vote; the chair adjourned the Dec. 18 meeting when the commission could no longer maintain a voting quorum.

Action taken - The commission approved the Nov. 2024 regular meeting minutes (motion moved by Carolina; seconded; recorded aye and chair announced acceptance). - The chair adjourned the Dec. 18, 2024 meeting due to loss of quorum.

What’s next - Commissioners were asked to review the budget and maintenance packet ahead of a Jan. meeting (90 minutes) to finalize a work plan and present recommendations to the city council on Jan. 28, 2025.

Quotes - Chair Mises Sekimura on the land acknowledgment: “We gratefully honor the Puyallup tribe of Indians and acknowledge that we are on the tribe's traditional homeland.” - Tim on the project budget: “The commissioned art that we agreed was $5,000, and the installation is $47,000 to install this piece of art.” - Bonnie Char on the tree lighting: “We had a large group of participants … we had everybody there ready to go and they did … sing along.” - Kendra Danielson (video): “I am the elementary art teacher at Fife Elementary School … I’ve taught at all 4 of 5 public elementary schools, and I’ve had thousands of students.”

The commission adjourned the Dec. 18 meeting when a commissioner indicated she had to leave and the quorum could not be maintained.