MINUTES
ARTS Commission
SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 29, 2005
The Sunnyvale Arts Commission met in regular session at a special meeting in the Senior Center Cypress Room, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA at 7:03 p.m. with Chair Draganowski Davis presiding.
ROLL CALL
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Commissioners Present: |
Chair Monica Draganowski Davis
Vice Chair Wallace Harper |
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Commissioner Robert Obrey |
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Staff Present: |
Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation |
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Nancy Bolgard Steward, Arts and Recreation Superintendent |
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Scott Morton, Parks Supervisor |
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Diane Moglen, Recreation Supervisor |
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Kristin Dance, Recreation Coordinator |
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of October 19, 2005
Commissioner Obrey moved, Commissioner Harper seconded, to approve the October 9, 2005, Arts Commission minutes. The motion passed unanimously 3-0.
STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Draft RTC – Explore the Feasibility of Installing a Memorial for Sunnyvale Citizens and Employees Who Have Given Their Lives on Behalf of the City or Their Country
Scott Morton, Parks Supervisor, presented the staff report and recommendation. Supervisor Morton noted there are three existing memorials in the City and the report presents six conceptual ideas and options being reviewed; materials and construction are to be determined in the future. Supervisor Morton said at the time the report was prepared, staff was not aware that members of the Department of Public Safety have been planning to add an outdoor memorial to honor the sacrifice of the five officers noted in the Public Safety building lobby memorial at no cost to the City.
Discussion followed and staff answered Commissioner’s questions regarding the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Also, in response to Commissioners’ questions, staff said restrooms nearby would be appreciated by civic groups wanting ceremonies; memorial could possibly be new public art work which is why this item came before the Arts Commission; unfunded projects approved by Council tend to be health and safety related; and there was very little public input on this matter.
Commissioner Obrey moved to accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 5, Direct staff to prepare Budget Issue forms to be considered along with all other projects and programs in the City Manager’s proposed budget for FY 2006/07 for the design and construction of a memorial as detailed in Option 5, Plaza del Sol “C.” The motion failed for lack of a second.
Chair Draganowski Davis moved to approve the new memorial in concept and to revisit when the City is more fiscally solvent.
Chair Draganowski Davis changed her motion to approve the new memorial in concept but to defer the funding in case civic groups are interested in memorial fundraising, especially during this time of fiscal constraint. Commissioner Obrey seconded the motion noting it is important to consider other financial options.
Discussion of the motion questioned whether the group who might fund the project would find the artist and develop the design.
Chair Draganowski Davis withdrew her motion.
Chair Draganowski Davis moved, Commissioner Obrey seconded, to make no recommendation at this time.
Commissioner Obrey said that since there are approximately $444 million of unfunded projects, he does not feel this item is a priority; the City needs to focus on the benefits of the projects to serve the living.
Commissioner Harper feels that having a memorial is a positive thing and is topical anytime; a memorial touches concepts regarding the community but he questions its urgency.
Chair Draganowski Davis withdrew her motion.
Chair Draganowski Davis moved, Commissioner Obrey seconded, to recommend that Council approve the concept of a memorial without endorsing any of the proposed designs and funding at this time. If Council chooses to go forward, the Arts Commission recommends the memorial include artistic elements in its design and that the final designs come before the Arts Commission for review and recommendation.
The Commission was unanimous in noting that the funding of this project should be prioritized along with the pending capital improvement projects currently on hold.
Chair Draganowski Davis noted the designs are not warm or appealing. She said the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. brings up emotion; these examples do not seem to engage emotion. Commissioners Harper and Obrey agree that the designs are not engaging.
The motion passed 3-0.
3. Discussion of Sand Hill Property sculptures located at 750 and 776 El Camino Real (requested by Commissioner Harper)
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of two of the sculptures that were approved for installation as part of the Best Buy and PetsMart development (750 and 776 El Camino Real). Commissioners and staff talked about what lessons could be learned and applied to future artwork proposals.
Assistant to the Director Merrill will provide a copy of the Art in Private Development (AIPD) ordinance in the next Arts Commission packet.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
COMMISSION
Commissioner Harper noted that October is arts and humanities month and proposed that next year the Arts Commission prepare an acknowledgment earlier.
STAFF
Assistant to the Director Merrill will prepare the Arts Commission recommendation regarding the memorial for Commissioner Harper to present to Council on December 13, 2005.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
· Staff Liaison Written Report
· Miscellaneous Items of Interest
ADJOURNMENT 8:50 p.m.