CITY OF SUNNYVALE
ARTS COMMISSION
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Council Chambers, City Hall
MINUTES
COMMISSION MEETING
The Arts Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on August 20, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., with Chair Beezley presiding.
FLAG SALUTE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Dane Andrew Beezley
Dixie Carney
Monica Draganowski Davis
Susan Buchs
Absent:
Wallace Harper
Staff Present:
Ilona Bell, Administrative Aide/ Recording Secretary
Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
Nancy Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Beezley called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Excused Personal Absence: Commissioner Draganowski Davis (June 18, 2003 meeting)
Unexcused Absence: Commissioner Buchs (July 16, 2003 meeting)
Approval of Minutes
Due to a collation error, the Commission chose to defer approval of the June 18, 2003 and July 16, 2003 minutes until the September 17th meeting.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.
GENERAL BUSINESS (PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS)
1. Euphrat Museum of Art Application for Outside Group Funding (Recommendation to Housing and Human Services Commission for their August 27, 2003 meeting.)
Ms. Steward introduced Ms. Diana Argabrite from the Euphrat Museum of Art.
Ms. Argabrite described their program stating it has been funded by the City of Sunnyvale for over 11 years and serves five schools with the highest levels of at risk students in Sunnyvale. Ms. Argabrite shared several comments from participants that reflected the positive impact of the program.
Ms. Steward clarified that since the Euphrat Museum of Art did not meet the strict criteria for Community Development Block Grant Funds, funding would be allocated from the Sunnyvale General Fund as it has been over the past eleven years. She also noted that the Housing and Human Services Commission would be making the formal recommendation to Council regarding the distribution of funding.
Chair Beezley opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Moved by Commissioner Carney, seconded by Commissioner Buchs to recommend the Euphrat Museum of Art Application for Funding in the full amount of their application, $12,298 per year for two years.
Motion carried unanimously
Chair Beezley thanked Ms. Argabrite for her presentation and for the wonderful introduction to the arts they provide to Sunnyvale students.
2. Outreach Task Force Recommendations in Response to RTC #02-455, Explore Options to Improve Community Outreach
Ms. Merrill introduced Ms. Coryn Cambpbell, from the Neighborhood and Community Services Division of the Office of the City Manager.
Ms. Campbell reviewed the final summary page from the Report to Council outlining the Task Force's recommendations to improve community outreach.
Chair Beezley opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Ms. Merrill clarified that staff is recommending the second alternative in the Draft Report to Council.
Moved by Commissioner Buchs, seconded by Commissioner Carney to recommend Alternative 2 of the Outreach Task Force Recommendations in Response to RTC #02-455, Explore Options to Improve Community Outreach as presented in the Draft Report to Council.
Motion carried unanimously
Commissioner Beezley thanked Ms. Campbell for her presentation.
3. Commissioner Suggestions for Training/Orientation Topics regarding Arts related Services and Programs.
Ms. Merrill stated this is an excellent opportunity to brainstorm and suggest topics of interest to the Commission that staff could present over the next several meetings to enhance the Commission's knowledge of Department activities and help the Commissioners feel more connected to the Department.
Chair Beezley opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner Carney stated she would be interested in touring public art projects in the City. The Commissioners decided to contact Ms. Merrill with their ideas and suggestions before the next meeting.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
Staff Liaison Report
Ms. Merrill said the staff report would stand as submitted and made the following comments:
Ms. Merrill stated study issues can be developed anytime during the year but are ranked only once a year—in October. She encouraged the Commission, again, to contact her before the next meeting to suggest items they might propose to study.
Other Reports
Letter: " Toyama Missing Public Artwork (follow-up)," August 6, 2003, Dane Andrew Beezley, Arts Commission Chair
Calendar: Revised Arts Commission Calendar/Work Plan
In response to Commissioner Buchs question to staff, Ms. Steward replied the etched glass for the Senior Center was still being fabricated. Ms. Steward will advise the Commission of the installation date when it becomes available.
Commissioner Carney inquired on the status of the textile project in the Senior Center. Ms. Steward replied the Commission approved the concept of that project; however, the finalized version will be coming before the Arts Commission in the near future for a recommendation to Council.
Vice Chair Draganowski Davis stated she attended a Community Outreach meeting regarding the Plaza Park artwork and that the location of the pedestals with fruit was not clearly indicated on the plan they presented. Staff agreed that the revised plan distributed to the Commission in RTC #03-290 Downtown Plaza Public Art--Modified Art Proposal for Phase I did not clearly indicate the pedestals and fruit. Ms. Steward stated she would research this matter and would forward the Commission a plan with this specific information as soon as it becomes available.
Communications
Communications distributed at the meeting:
RTC #03-290: "Downtown Plaza Public Art -- Modified Art Proposal for Phase I," Department of Parks and Recreation, August 26, 2003
Activity Guide: "Sunnyvale Youth & Adult Classes & Activities," September-October 2003
Flyer: "Marc D'Estout Domestic Objects," School of Art Design, San Jose State University, September 2-26, 2003
Commission Post-packet Mailing Communications Listing
Revised Agenda: "August 20, 2003 Arts Commission Meeting"
Revised Staff Report: "August 20, 2003 Arts Commission Meeting"
Revised Work Plan/Calendar: "Proposed Revision to Council Co-Sponsorship Policy," Joint Study Session with Parks and Recreation Commission, Wednesday, September 10, 2003, 6 p.m. West Conference Room.
Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:
Newsletter: "Between The Lines," Sunnyvale Department of Libraries Newsletter, July/August 2003 Issue (Attachment G) [Commissioners only]
Article: "Bay Area's Best Buildings," San Francisco Chronicle, Real Estate Section, July 13, 2003 (Attachment H)
Newsletter: "The Partner," Arts Council of Silicon Valley, July 2, 2003 (Attachment I)
OTHER ITEMS (INFORMATION ONLY)
Commissioners’ Comments: None
Staff Comments: None
Moved by Commissioner Buchs, seconded by Vice Chair Draganowski Davis, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously
ADJOURNMENT – 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ilona Bell, Recording Secretary
Reviewed by:
Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director