MINUTES

ARTS Commission

JANUARY 17, 2007

The Sunnyvale Arts Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA at 7:05 p.m. with Acting Chairperson Obrey presiding.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.    Approval of Draft Minutes from Arts Commission Meeting of November 14, 2006.

Commissioner Carney stated that she did not make a motion at the November 15, 2006, meeting to agendize the City’s Banner Policy. Commissioner Fenton said he does not recall who made the motion. Assistant to the Director Merrill explained a request to place an item on the agenda. She said it provides a way for the Commission to have information shared in a public forum for discussion; it does not mean that a Commissioner is an expert on the topic.

MOTION: Acting Chairperson Obrey moved, Commissioner Fenton seconded, to approve the minutes from the Arts Commission meeting of November 15, 2006.

VOTE: Motion failed 1-1-0. Commissioner Carney dissented. Acting Chairperson Obrey abstained because he was not present at the November 15, 2006, meeting. Chairperson Harper was absent.

Item 1.A. was continued to the next meeting.

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2.  Promotion of National Arts and Humanities Month (Oct. 2007

Item 2 was continued to the next meeting since Chairperson Harper was absent.

3.  Council Policy 2.5.2 Banners

Assistant to the Director Merrill noted that Council Policy 2.5.2 Banners was provided for the Commissioners and staff was available to answer questions.

Questions were answered regarding a resident theatre user group meeting the banner requirements.

Acting Chairperson Obrey opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. Ron Evans addressed the Commissioners concerning placement of banners for theatre groups. He asked for clarification of the policy regarding banners; if the City does not provide more than 50% of financial support to an organization, is the organization still eligible to hang banners? Mr. Evans stated he is a member of Sunnyvale Community Players (SCP), but he does not represent SCP; he is a citizen who supports the theatre’s community programs. He has been a Sunnyvale resident for several years but, for the most part, sees banner space as unused. He asked why the banner policy changed in 2001. At Commissioner Fenton’s request, Recreation Superintendent Steward replied that the main reason the policy changed was to add street banners. Mr. Evans noted California Theatre Center (CTC) does promotional marketing; he would not like the group to be penalized because their budget does not allow banners. He also feels banners should be allowed to be displayed longer than two weeks. Acting Chair Obrey requested a show of hands from the audience in support of Mr. Evan’s comments; six audience members supported Mr. Evan’s points.

Commissioner Fenton asked for clarification of the banner locations depicted in the photographs handed out by Mr. Evans.

Commissioner Carney asked Mr. Evans if he was seeking changes to the banner policy. Mr. Evans replied that he would like changes made to allow CTC to hang banners since, at this point, the policy does not seem to allow it.

Recreation Superintendent Steward said that staff is currently working to have resident theatre user groups work together, and discussions are in progress with the California Theater Center (CTC) director regarding banners and marketing of their programs. Tegan McLane, Recreation Coordinator/Theatre, will resume her pursuit of this collaboration upon her return to work from leave.

Chairperson Harper arrived at 7:30 p.m.

Ms. Jeanine Stanek has family involved with CTC, and she is a theatre audience member. She would like the theatre shows promoted and audience participation increased to support the theatre. She said the policy of signage and banners have always been a problem and more cooperative efforts could be made to promote these programs. She advocates that the Commission bring this item forward as a study issue.

Acting Chairperson Obrey closed the Public Hearing.

Commissioner Fenton thanked staff for clarifying the policy that SCP can hang banners if they choose to do so and that staff is working with the theatre groups. In response to Commissioner Carney as to what the Arts Commission can do now, Assistant to the Director Merrill responded that they can request a 2008 study issue anytime before August 2007.

Commissioner Harper commented he would like to see a win-win situation. Acting Chairperson Obrey agreed and said he would like to hear the results of staff’s efforts to promote theatre programs before he would consider this item as a potential study issue.

In response to Commissioner Harper, Director Lewis said that SCP can hang banners at their cost according to policy, but CTC charges for their programs and events and does not meet the policy criteria to use the banner sites. Director Lewis stated that if the Arts Commission wants to do something for theatre groups, they must work with the organization’s leadership.

Recreation Superintendent Steward stated an overview of staff’s efforts working with the theatre user groups to promote theatre programs would be agendized for the March Commission meeting.

Acting Chairperson Obrey thanked the audience members for their participation.

Commissioner Harper asked if there was a course of action the Commissioners would like to take in reference to this issue, such as invite the directors of the theatre groups to attend a Commission meeting. Staff clarified the role of directors of theatre groups versus general members of the community who do not represent the groups. Acting Chairperson Obrey said he would leave it up to staff’s discretion at this point.

4.     Determination of Commissioner Obrey’s Absence from the Commission Meeting of November 15, 2006

MOTION: Acting Chairperson Obrey moved, Commissioner Harper seconded, to recommend that his absence from the November 15, 2006, Commission meeting be counted as an unexcused absence since he simply forgot to attend the meeting.

VOTE: Motion passed 3-1 (Commissioner Carney dissented.)

Commissioner Carney noted Acting Chairperson Obrey can request an excused absence and voted against the motion because she feels he should take the excused absence.

5.     Recreation Division Report (9/24 – 11/18/06)

Recreation Superintendent said the Recreation Division Report is a snapshot of things being done in the Recreation Division; the report does not highlight everything they do. The report will be prepared on a quarterly basis and will cover a wide variety of programs and activities.

Acting Chairperson Obrey complimented Recreation Superintendent Steward on an excellent report.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

COMMISSION

Commissioner Fenton commented on the artwork at Cherry Glen Plaza.

Commissioner Carney asked if staff could find out the cost of the artwork at Cherry Glen Plaza. Acting Chairperson Obrey asked if it would be appropriate for the Commission to write a thank you letter to property owners who go above the requirement to provide AIPD. Assistant to the Director Merrill explained that the Commissioners, as a group, could write a thank you letter with a vote to do so or individual Commissioners could send a letter on their own. Recreation Superintendent Steward said the visual arts staff prepares a completion letter to the Commission so they could decide at that time to send the owner a thank you letter, if so desired.

Commissioner Fenton questioned a letter he received from the City Clerk regarding mandatory ethics training. Assistant to the Director Merrill explained the Council mandate for all Commissioners to receive ethics training.

STAFF

Assistant to the Director Merrill commented that the Council Study Issues have been ranked and due dates selected. The Commission Work Plan Calendar will be on the February meeting agenda.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

• Staff Liaison Report
• Roster of Elected & Appointed Officials, 12/06 (for general distribution)
• P&R PR Employee Newsletter, 12/06
• Miscellaneous Items of Interest

ADJOURNMENT 8:10 p.m.

Acting Chairperson Obrey declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department

Reviewed by,


David A. Lewis
Director
Parks and Recreation Department

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