February Minutes

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2026-03-17)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 5217 characters
MINUTES OF THE
CHANDLER ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, February 17, 2026
5:00 PM
Commissioners Present: Rosanna Lantigua, Darrell Dick, Shachi Kale, David
Wilkinson, Liz Taylor, Julie Ray, Mahfam Moeeni-Alarcon
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Peter Bugg, Hanley Ange
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 PM by Julie Ray
UNSCHEDULED /SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES / CALL TO PUBLIC
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a) Rosanna made the motion to approve the minutes from January 20, 2026.
Darrell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ACTION AGENDA
a. Approve representatives for Forensic Services project review panel
I.
Peter reviewed with commissioners that 5 artists will be submitting
designs and explained the general structure of the review panel
meeting. This meeting will be March 9 at 9am at Vision Gallery. After
some discussion, Julie and David were selected with Liz as a backup.
Darrell motioned to approve Julie and David as representatives. Shachi
seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Discuss funding for AJ Chandler Park sculpture relocation
a. Peter provided background information on the sculpture that is
currently in AJ Chandler Park and is proposed to be moved to the

Chandler Museum. The sculpture requires a pad to be relocated
onto, so Peter is getting quotes on how much this will cost. In the
future, funding will ideally be pulled from multiple sources to fund
this pad and enable the relocation.  Darrell asked if a new sculpture
will be replacing this one. Peter answered yes.
b. Discuss funding for ostrich sculpture in AJ Chandler Park
a. Peter explained that the other sculptures in the park will be
relocated within the park, creating space for a new sculpture. The
city requested a new sculpture of an ostrich to honor Chandler’s
history and the Ostrich festival. Peter reached out to sculptor Matt
Babcock to create this ostrich sculpture. Matt is interested, but
needs more information before proceeding, primarily what the
budget is. The budget is projected to be $30,000-$60,000. Peter
will provide the commission with a complete budget to review for
the next year at the next meeting to determine what the
commission can contribute. Shachi asked why Matt was selected for
this project instead of a call for art. Peter responded that ideally a
call for art would be conducted, but due to the tight timeline and a
previously established relationship with Matt, this is the ideal
process for city leadership. David asked if this is the norm for the
commission. Peter answered that have done this in the past, but
usually for smaller projects. Darrell expressed concern that a
situation similar to the Goodyear Canal project could happen again.
Peter will talk with leadership to prevent this. Shachi suggested
Chandler have a pre-qualified artist list. Peter agreed and
suggested that this could happen when staff has the capacity.
BRIEFING ITEMS
a. Ongoing public art projects
I.
Contigo Artwork
i. Hanley shared that the artwork created with Karen Nazario during
Contigo was installed at the Downtown Chandler library.
II.
Housing Murals
i. Peter shared that these murals are in progress and will likely be
finished by the next arts commission meeting.
III.
Traffic Boxes
i. Hanley shared that the designs for the traffic control boxes were
shared with the ASU fellows this past week and the meeting went
very well. All the designs are almost complete and very unique
compared to other boxes in our collection.
IV.
Traffic Management Center
i. Peter shared that lights will be added to this installation, making
it a landmark artwork for the building.
V.
Arizona Forward Environmental Excellent Awards

i. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center shade structure public
artwork is a finalist for the Arizona Forward Environmental
Excellence Award.
VI.
Ostriches
i. Ostriches are still looking for new homes.
b. Maintenance Projects
I.
Public artwork that is being relocated from AJ Chandler park to the
Museum is also being refurbished during that time. The traffic box
located at Arizona Ave. and Frye Road was replaced so it has artwork on
it again.
 
MEMBERS COMMENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shachi has no shows, but is painting a mural in her backyard. Darrell wanted to
know when the AJ Chandler park renovation will be completed and Peter answered
December 2026. Julie Ray went to the Chandler State of the City event and said it
was a great event, all very positive, and recommends going next year.
CALENDAR
a. Next regular meeting will be March 17 in-person
INFORMATION ITEMS
Current Exhibitions
a) Land Valuation: Luke Watson – January 24 – March 21, 2025 – Vision
Gallery.
b) (Be)Longing – February 14 – April 18, 2026 – CCA Gallery. Reception:
Saturday, February 21, 5-7p
Upcoming Exhibitions and Events
a. Make and Take: St. Patrick’s Day Pin – Saturday, March 14, 11a – 1p –
Vision Gallery
b. Is there Wi-Fi in Heavy? Grieving in the Digital Age – March 28 – June 6,
2026 – Vision Gallery. Reception: Friday, March 27, 6-8p
c. CUSD Annual Showcase – April 22 – May 12, 2026 – CCA Gallery
ADJOURNMENT
a) AT 5:37 PM Peter Bugg adjourned the meeting.
________________________________ ____________________
Julie Ray, Chair
Date