DRAFT  MINUTES
SUNNYVALE ARTS COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 29, 2004

The Arts Commission met in regular session in Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue at 7:00 p.m. with Chair Draganowski Davis presiding.

ROLL CALL

Present: Chair Monica Draganowski Davis, Vice Chair Wallace Harper, Susan Buchs, Dixie Carney, Bob Obrey

Staff Present: Robert Walker, Director of Parks and Recreation, Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation, Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Recreation, Jenny Shain, Special Projects Casual Manager, Diane Moglen, Supervisor of Arts and Registration, Kristin Dance, Visual Arts Coordinator, Jack Witthaus, Transportation and Traffic Manager

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION - None 

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Staff provided the Arts Commission an Art in Private Development Tour of public artwork in the City on September 29, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.a. Approval of Draft Minutes, August 18, 2004 Meeting 

Commissioner Obrey moved, seconded by, Commissioner Buchs to approve the August 18, 2004, Arts Commission Minutes as submitted.

Motion carried unanimously 5-0

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD                  

Chair Draganowski Davis opened the meeting for Public Appearances.  There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 

1. Appointment to the Valley Transit Authority Design (DE) Committee

Ms. Merrill introduced Jack Witthaus, Traffic and Transportation Manager from the Department of Public Works, to present the staff report. 

The Valley Transit Authority Design (DE) Committee was created to obtain community input from local cities’ policy makers and Arts Commissions for a long-range transportation plan.  Similar to the Community Oriented Design Enhancement (CODE) Committee regarding public transportation station design input, Valley Transit Authority is requesting appointments to the DE Committee from the City—Jack Witthaus, the Arts Commission and Council to actively participate in the development process.

Mr. Witthaus responded to Commissioner Obrey that the meetings will be quarterly and encouraged agency participation for reviewing artists for potential projects of art concepts.  He clarified for Vice Chair Harper that there might be other responsibilities possibly related to policies regarding amounts of funds for public art. Members can serve continuously until resignation/replacement by the respective appointing authority. He clarified that the Commission may choose to not participate, after projects in Sunnyvale are completed. 

Chair Draganowski Davis opened the meeting for Public Hearing.  There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed. 

Commissioner Obrey moved, seconded by, Commissioner Buchs to recommend Vice Chair Wallace Harper to represent the Sunnyvale Arts Commission on the Valley Transit Authority Design (DE) Committee.

Motion carried unanimously 5-0

Chair Draganowski Davis thanked Mr. Witthaus for his presentation.

2. Draft RTC Adoption of Work Plan for Update of Recreation and Open Space Sub-Elements (STUDY ISSUE)

Ms. Merrill introduced Ms. Jenny Shain, Special Projects Manager from the Department of Parks and Recreation, to present the staff report.

Ms. Shain briefly spoke to the components of the proposed Work Plan:

1. Adoption of a work plan;
2. Identification of community conditions,
3. Identification of goals and policies;
4. Preparation of a draft Sub-Element;
5. Adoption of Sub-Element; and
6. Distribution of Sub-Element.

Ms. Shain responded to Commissioner Obrey that the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the adoption of this Work Plan.  She responded to questions regarding funds to support the Arts Commission and consultants used for visioning and developing maps related to facilities, existing or future park lands, etc.  There were no further questions from the Commission.

Chair Draganowski Davis opened the meeting for Public Hearing.  There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed. 

Commissioner Obrey moved, seconded by, Commissioner Buchs to recommend Alternative #1, Adopt the Work Plan as submitted.

Chair Draganowski Davis made a friendly amendment that if fees for outside professional services become more expensive than planned for, the matter should come back to the Commissions for consideration.  The friendly amendment was accepted and the motion was restated.

Commissioner Obrey moved, seconded by, Commissioner Buchs to recommend Alternative #1, Adopt the Work Plan as submitted with the additional recommendation that if fees for outside professional services become more expensive than planned for, the matter should come back to the Commissions for consideration.

Motion carried unanimously 5-0

Chair Draganowski Davis thanked Ms. Shain for her presentation.

3. Draft RTC Provide Greater Enforcement of Art in Private Development Requirements (Study Issue)

Ms. Merrill introduced Ms. Nancy Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Recreation to present the staff report.

Ms. Steward stated the Planning Commission supported staff recommendation Alternative #1 with an additional recommendation for a new Study Issue Paper to reconsider installation of indoor artwork for buildings that are open to the public. 

Ms. Steward responded to Commission concerns and pointed out that Page 15(b) addresses the visibility issues of public artwork.   In addition, their concerns regarding Art in Private Development projects, entering into the design phase early enough to determine the site of the artwork, is appropriate and Ms. Steward referred to the requirements to integrate artwork designs into the building site plans.  A future Study Session will further address such issues.  Additional questions regarding the quality of public artwork were raised by Vice Chair Harper.  There were no further questions from the Commissioners.

Chair Draganowski Davis opened the meeting for Public Hearing.  There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed. 

Commissioner Obrey moved, seconded by, Commissioner Buchs to recommend Alternatives #1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 as submitted and Alternative #3 with the last sentence to be eliminated. Additionally, the Commission recommended that art in-lieu donations under the amount of $35,000 be handled at the staff level with donations exceeding $35,000 to be presented to the Arts Commission for recommendation to Council and that Council adopt the revised policy as depicted in Attachment C of the report.

Motion carried unanimously 4-0 Commissioner Harper abstained

Chair Draganowski Davis thanked Ms. Steward for her presentation and Commissioner Obrey commented that staff’s report was very thorough.

4. Update of Potential Study Issues for 2005

Ms. Merrill reviewed the Study Issue Papers with the Commission and noted they will be ranking them for Council consideration at the October meeting.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

• BOARDMEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS ORAL COMMENTS  

Commissioner Harper stated he would be attending presentations by MicroSoft regarding various art styles and mediums.  Staff agreed to copy the promotional brochure and mail it to the Commissioners. The Commissioners were encouraged to bring similar items of interest to staff’s attention to distribute to the entire Commission or, preferably, to add their own address to the organization’s mailing list.

 

Commissioner Carney highly recommended Sunnyvale Community Players production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Sunnyvale Community Center.

 

Commissioner Obrey highly recommended the San Jose Opera Company.

 

STAFF ORAL COMMENTS   

 

Director Walker noted recent Council actions:

 

• RTC- Consideration of Memorial for Sunnyvale Residents and City Employees Killed in the Line of Duty – Staff will staff develop a Study Issue Paper for Council consideration and ranking at the December workshop with Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission input. 

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS 

• Staff Liaison Written Report

Ms. Merrill stated her staff report remains as submitted and brought up ways to reduce paper copies.  The Commission suggested and staff agreed to hold promotional flyers and similar materials until the event is over, or for a period of 30 days for the Commissioners access.

• Communications:
  • Art in Private Development Completion Letter:  Completion of Mathilda Place Art Component (Mozart Development)
  • Letter: Sunnyvale Creative Arts Gallery, August 26, 2004
  • Letter: Sunnyvale Creative Arts Gallery, September 9, 2004
  • Updated Arts Commission Partial Work Plan Calendar
  • P&R Department Newsletter
  • Miscellaneous Items of Interest 

Moved by Commissioner Buchs, seconded by Commissioner Carney to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried unanimously 5-0

Adjournment:  8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: