CITY OF SUNNYVALE

ARTS COMMISSION

Wednesday, March 19, 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 March 19, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., with Chair Beezley presiding.

 

ROLL CALL
 

Commissioners:

Dane Andrew Beezley

Present:

Susan Buchs
 

Dixie Carney
 

Jeanne DiLeo
 

Monica Draganowski Davis
   

Staff Present:

Ilona Bell, Administrative Aide/Recording Secretary

Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
 

Nancy B. Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services

 

CALL TO ORDER
 

Chair Beezley called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Moved by Commissioner Buchs seconded by Commissioner DiLeo, to approve the minutes of the Arts Commission meeting of February 19, 2003.

Motion carried unanimously

Commissioner DiLeo requested that the Commission consider her absence from the January meeting as an excused absence.

Moved by Commissioner Buchs, seconded by Commissioner Draganowski Davis, to approve Commissioner DiLeo’s January 15, 2003, absence as excused.

Motion carried unanimously

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
 

Chair Beezley requested the special presentation of a proclamation to volunteers Marian and Ned Gault recognizing cultural diversity enrichment from international folkdance performances by "Ensemble International" be moved to follow at the end of the 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. Capital Projects Review of the Proposed FY 2003-04 Ten Year Resource Allocation Plan

Ms. Merrill announced a Special Meeting in Council Chambers on Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 8:30 p.m. was called by Council to review the City’s capital projects. Council will be providing preliminary guidance to the City Manager on the status of all of the city's Capital Projects as part of the FY03-04 Budget. The Capital projects were divided into five categories of which the first three are related to the Arts Commission purview:

  1. Health and Safety
  2. Infrastructure
  3. Work in progress (intended to be completed this year)

Three new capital projects pertain to Health and Safety and are being recommended to Council by the City Manager:

  1. Gas Line Replacement at the Community Center.

    2. This would correct a hazardous condition impacting the various facilities during replacement -- especially the gas kilns operation

  2. Creative Arts Building Lighting Upgrade.

    3. This would correct unsafe conditions due to the age of the originally installed lighting fixtures. Additionally, new fixtures would be more energy efficient and cost effective over operation.

  3. Theatre Rigging Replacement

Replacing the rigging would ensure safety while using theater equipment.

Ms. Merrill stated that all of the Works in Progress grouped Capital Projects are being recommended to Council by the City Manager.

Ms. Merrill stated that the Downtown Plaza Park Capital Project was included as an information-only item. The City Manager is recommending to Council Option B -- an attractive design alternative that enables the project to go forward within budget constraints.

Ms. Merrill concluded her report stating the Capital Projects the Arts Commission is reviewing are those the City Manager is recommending to Council. When Council Acts upon the Recommended budget, it becomes the Council budget; and when that version is adopted in June, it becomes the FY03-04 Ten Year Resource Allocation Budget. However, the Arts Commission can recommend something different from these items for Council to consider.

Discussion followed and staff answered the Commissioners' questions to their satisfaction.

In response to Commissioner DiLeo, Ms. Steward clarified the Euphrat Program is contracted for two years and they would need to reapply to continue for 2 more years.

Ms. Merrill confirmed the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the Downtown Plaza Option B to Council rather than postponing the project indefinitely. In response to Commissioner Draganowski Davis, Ms. Merrill will verify if public artwork will be included in Option B.

In response to Chair Beezley, Ms. Steward stated monies in the Public Arts Fund are specifically for the acquisition or maintenance of public art and cannot be used elsewhere.

In response to Commissioner Buchs, Ms. Steward stated replacing the gas line would occur in stages and result in a temporary minor impact rather than a total shut down of the facility for any period of time.

Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Hearing.

No appearances were made and the Public Hearing was closed.

 

Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Carney, to recommend the Parks and Recreation 10 year Capital plan as submitted.

Motion carried unanimously

 

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
 
  1. Completion letter for 1350 Mathilda Avenue -- Java/Mathilda Project.

The completion letter with color photos of the public art was distributed to the Arts Commissioners.
 

Staff Liaison Report
 

Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted and made the following comments:
  •  

A typographical error was corrected on the first page of the January 15 minutes distributed to the Commission.

  •  

The Sunnyvale Budget Fact Sheet #2 contains public input meeting dates.

  •  

Ms. Merrill briefly discussed memo regarding participation of Council and Commissioners at special events. In follow up to the request by Council for better ways to interact with the public, a booth or table will be provided at City sponsored special events. Coordination will be handled through the City Clerk's office by Donna Biles, (408) 730-7595 or dbiles@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us. Booth decorations and a theme will be left to the discretion of Council and Commission members as well as materials for distribution. Staff will arrange for distribution of recreation materials through volunteers or other participating staff. The date of the City-Wide events are included on the Commission's Work Plan.

 

Other Reports
 
  1. Review Recommended Council Action Items from Boards and Commissions -- Council Action of November 26, 2002.

    2. Ms. Merrill reviewed with the Commission the specific actions resulting from the meetings Council held with Commission and Board members last fall.

  1. Valley Transportation Authority of Santa Clara County CODE Quarterly Meeting

The Arts Commission decided not to send a representative to the meeting on Friday, April 11, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., Mountain View City Hall, Plaza Conference Room, 500 Castro Street where state and county budgets will be the topic.

Communications

Communications distributed at the meeting:
  •  

Completion letter: 1350 Mathilda Avenue -- Java/Mathilda Project, March 13, 2003

  •  

First page of January 15, 2003 Arts Commission Minutes with typographical error corrected.
  •  

Fact Sheet - Sunnyvale Budget, March 17, 2003
  •  

Report: Recommended Council Action Items from Boards and Commissions (Council Action of November 26, 2002)
  •  

Revised Arts Commission Contact Sheet (Confidential)
  •  

Seminar Handout: "Mastering Meetings for Results," Trish Bergstrom, January 30, 2003
  •  

Newsletter: "Cultural Initiatives Update," Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley, Issue 007 / February 2003


Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:
  •  

Revised Arts Commission Master Work Plan

  •  

Letter: Nancy Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services, response to Toyama regarding missing art, February 27, 2003

  •  

Roster of Elected and Appointed Official--For City Staff Only

  •  

Bulletin: "Senior Center Construction Update," March 2003

  •  

Article: "Downtown Association Airs Frustrations to Council," The Sun, February 26, 2003

  •  

Article: "Town Gets a Little Plaza and Art," The Sun, March 12, 2003

  •  

Article: "Mayor Reports Sunnyvale is Ranked as U.S. Fifth Safest Town," The Sun, March 12, 2003

  •  

Article: "ICA Artists-In-Residence Demonstrate High-Tech Technique," The Sun, March 12, 2003

  •  

Article: "Alliance for California Traditional Arts Awards Grants to Support California's Living Cultural Heritage," Alliance for Traditional Arts, February 12, 2003

  •  

Article: "New Arts Program Premieres on AKED Public Television 9," KQED Member Guide, March 2003


Commission Pre-packet Mailing Communications Listing
  •  

Memo: "Senior Center Artwork," Nancy Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services, March 4, 2003
  •  

Letter: Toyama response to Commission letter regarding missing public artwork

  •  

Flyer: "Community Information and Input Meetings on City of Sunnyvale Budget Issues 10-Year Capital/Projects Plan," March 18 and 20, 2003

OTHER ITEMS (INFORMATION ONLY)
  •  

Upon receipt, staff will forward the response from Toyama regarding the letter sent by Ms. Steward regarding funds for missing art work. Ms. Merrill commented the Study Issue Paper on Public Art Enforcement will be ready for next Commission meeting.


Commissioners’ Comments
 


Commissioner DiLeo passed
 

Commissioner Draganowski Davis complimented the Arts Commission on the public art appearing throughout the City.
 

Commissioner Carney reported attendees at the recent Inter Governmental Relations Training commented they are looking forward to Sunnyvale's Hands on the Arts event on Saturday, May 17th.


Commissioner Buchs passed


Chair Beezley reported he was selected to participate on the Outreach Task Force to develop ways to encourage public involvement.

 

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

Motion carried unanimously

 

ADJOURNMENT – 7:50 p.m.

Recognition of Marian and Ned Gault, Directors of Ensemble International from 1966-2003, followed in the lobby. The Commission presented a framed proclamation to the Gaults who have volunteered for over 37 years to enhance and enrich the lives of the citizens of Sunnyvale, the nation and the world through their culturally diverse International Dance program, polished performances, beautiful costumes and professional standards. The Arts Commission honored Ned and Marian Gault for the cultural riches Ensemble International has brought to the Sunnyvale community through their inspired contributions to the City’s special events including performances at Hands On the Arts and The International Street Fair.

Respectfully submitted,

Ilona Bell, Recording Secretary
 

Reviewed by:

Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director

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