MINUTES
ARTS Commission
FEBRUARY 21, 2007

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

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.   Approval of Draft Minutes from Arts Commission Meeting of November 15, 2006

1.B.   Approval of Draft  Minutes from Arts Commission Meeting of January 17, 2007

MOTION: Vice Chairperson Obrey moved, Chairperson Harper seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar.

Commissioner Carney requested a change to the November 15, 2006, minutes to state that the motion to agendize the City’s Banner Policy was moved by Commissioner Fenton and seconded by Commissioner Carney.

Assistant to the Director Merrill suggested that Consent Calendar Items 1.A. and 1.B. be approved in two separate motions.

Vice Chairperson Obrey rescinded his motion.

MOTION: Chairperson Harper moved, Commissioner Carney seconded, to approve the minutes from the Arts Commission meeting of November 15, 2006, with the change as noted on page one.

VOTE: Passed 2-0. Vice Chairperson Obrey abstained since he was absent on November 15, 2006.

MOTION: Vice Chairperson Obrey moved, Commissioner Carney seconded, to approve the minutes from the Arts Commission meeting of January 17, 2007.

VOTE: Passed 3-0.

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2.  2007 Commission Work Plan Calendar Review and Adoption

Assistant to the Director Merrill called Commissioners’ attention to the revised 2007 work plan calendar which was left on the dais for their consideration. She reviewed the revised calendar and noted four dates which are currently without agenda items: June 20, September 19, November 21, and December 19. She said that there could be Art in Private Development (AIPD) projects which might be scheduled on those dates but if there are no agenda items requiring the Commission’s recommendation, she would contact the Chairperson and recommend canceling the meeting.

Chairperson Harper opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.

MOTION: Vice Chairperson Obrey moved, Chairperson Harper seconded, to approve the 2007 Commission Work Plan Calendar.

VOTE: Passed 3-0.

3.  Promotion of National Arts and Humanities Month (Oct. 2007)

Chairperson Harper requested that this item be placed on the January meeting agenda and it was carried over. Assistant to the Director Merrill explained there is no staff report, but staff would be available to respond to Commissioners’ questions. The Commissioners indicated most of their questions were addressed in the correspondence dated November 26, 2006, from Recreation Superintendent Steward, that was included in their January meeting packet.

Chairperson Harper opened the Public Hearing.

Ms. Diana Argabrite, Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College, addressed the Commissioners at the request of staff. Ms. Argabrite described the Euphrat Museum of Art’s Art in Schools Program that is funded through the City of Sunnyvale and provides after-school art classes for Sunnyvale children. She explained the different types of projects that the students are exploring and the manner in which they learn to connect various components of activities or events, such as moves used in soccer matches with art work related to dancing, sculpture, photography, etc. She described special posters that the students will be creating for the City to use to promote National Arts and Humanities Month (October) and Parks and Recreation Month (July). She concluded her comments and noted they hope to have funding in the future to complete a mural at Nimitz School similar to the project completed at Braly.

Vice Chairperson Obrey noted that state funding for art programs in schools had been reduced but now some funding is coming forward. Ms. Argabrite said the funding was just a drop in the bucket.

Vice Chairperson Obrey stated that he appreciates staff letting the Commission know when special art projects occur.

Commissioner Carney congratulated Ms. Argabrite for combining sports movements with the arts.

Chairperson Harper stated he is impressed with the array of art programs and likes the fusion with non-art topics.

Chairperson Harper asked which of the Euphrat Museum’s projects impacted Sunnyvale. Recreation Superintendent Steward responded that the program takes place in five schools in Sunnyvale where the need for after school art programs has the greatest demand.

In response to Vice Chairperson Obrey, Recreation Superintendent Steward said she would find out if it could be arranged for a Commissioner to observe one of these art classes.

Commissioners thanked Ms. Argabrite for her presentation. Chairperson Harper closed the Public Hearing.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

COMMISSION

Vice Chairperson Obrey noted the correspondence in their meeting packet from Recreation Superintendent Steward stating all the things that staff does to assist in marketing the Sunnyvale Community Players (SCP) and California Theatre Center (CTC). He complimented staff and the work they do. He asked if this topic has now been brought to closure. Recreation Superintendent Steward said there will always be people who want more from the City. Staff prepared the correspondence regarding marketing support for SCP and CTC to educate the Commissioners on what the City does provide.

Vice Chairperson Obrey was dismayed to hear of Charlie Fenton’ resignation and suggested that the Commission send him a thank you letter. Vice Chairperson Obrey will write a thank you letter and bring it to the next Commission meeting. Chairperson Harper offered to write a thank you letter to Roland Wanigatunga. Assistant to the Director Merrill answered questions regarding recruitments for new Commissioners.

Vice Chairperson Obrey inquired as to if the major development located on Wolfe Road (south of Arques) would require AIPD. Recreation Superintendent Steward responded that staff will follow up regarding the project and bring the information to the next Commission meeting.

At Vice Chairperson Obrey’s request, Recreation Superintendent Steward offered to email directions to Columbia Neighborhood Center so he can visit the “Pole People” artwork that the students collaborated on with City staff.

Vice Chairperson Obrey requested that staff arrange a guided tour of the City’s Art in Private Development (AIPD) artwork. Recreation Superintendent Steward and Assistant to the Director Merrill agreed to arrange a tour after the new Commissioners are appointed. Chairperson Harper noted that whenever there is staff and Commission interaction, it allows the Commissioners to be more aware of services, benefits, etc. In response to Commissioner Carney, Director Lewis said the tour should be geared toward the Commissioners but a notice that the tour is scheduled could be sent to Councilmembers who could attend if they so desired. Staff will schedule and inform Commissioners of tentative dates for the tour.

Chairperson Harper noted the Commissioners have very little interaction with Councilmembers. He asked how Councilmembers could be more aware of the desires of Commissioners, i.e. Study Issues ranking, etc. Recreation Superintendent Steward suggested that the Commissioners go before Council to speak on the arts in Sunnyvale, i.e. what shows are playing at the theatre, what AIPD projects are completed, etc. Vice Chairperson Obrey said that when there is a full Commission, the Commissioners should take turns going before Council and promoting art highlights. Staff will provide a list of suggested topics that the Commissioners may want to bring up at Council meetings; this item will be agendized for the next Commission meeting.

STAFF

Recreation Superintendent Steward followed up on a request from Commissioners regarding the actual cost of the artwork located at Cherry Glen Plaza. She said the total cost was $68,000 and the actual 1% requirement was $10,000.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

·         Staff Liaison Report

·         Memo to Arts Commissioners, from Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Recreation, dated January 24, 2007, regarding Marketing Support Provided by the City for the Sunnyvale Community Players and the California Theatre Center

·         Memo to Arts Commissioners, from Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director, dated February 6, 2007, regarding the Euphrat Poster Project

·         Memo to Arts Commissioners, from Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Recreation, dated February 9, 2007, regarding Award to After-School Art Apprenticeship Program

·         Miscellaneous Item of Interest

ADJOURNMENT 8:10 p.m

Chairperson Harper 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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