CITY OF SUNNYVALE

ARTS COMMISSION

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Council Chambers, City Hall
 

MINUTES

 

The Arts commission adjourned from the 6:00 p.m. Study Session in the West Conference Room regarding Sunnyvale's Budget Process Review.

COMMISSION MEETING
 

The Arts Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on April 16, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., with Chair Beezley presiding.

 

FLAG SALUTE
 

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
 

Kryssie Mingst, Program Coordinator
 

Diane Moglen, Arts Supervisor
   

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 March 19, 2003.

Motion carried unanimously

 

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. Consideration of Requests for Co-Sponsorship Renewal as listed below.
  • BelleSwingers Square Dance Club
  • Nova Vista Symphony
  • Sunnyvale Singers
  • Sunnyvale Single Squares
  • Sunnyvale Art Club
  • Sunnyvale Photo Club

Ms. Merrill announced there were six clubs seeking Co-Sponsorship for FY2003-2004. The Arts Commission is responsible for reviewing the applicant's criteria and according a Co-Sponsorship status as defined in the Council Co-Sponsorship Policy:

According to the policy, a City Co-Sponsored group is an organization officially recognized by the City of Sunnyvale, which:

"Is independent in its organizational structure, accepts the terms of this policy and provides a community service, or promotes an informed interest in the City's objectives, services, facilities and programs for the benefit of its residents, and/or has as its purpose the raising of funds and provision of financial support for the City's programs. When evaluating new applications, the appropriate Board or Commission will assess whether there is a need for the activities of the applicant organization an/or whether a similar co-sponsored organization is already providing that service to an acceptable level."

 

Ms. Merrill explained the duty of the Arts Commission is to evaluate the application which are all from groups desiring to renew their Co-Sponsorship Status. She described two ways the Commission could consider this agenda item.  One is to vote individually on each of the six renewal applicant organizations, or the Commission could vote to approve all six in one motion with exceptions, and then address any exceptions individually.

Ms. Merrill stated that Co-Sponsored Group representatives were invited to the Commission meeting to answer the Commission's questions. Ms. Merrill concluded her report by introducing staff members -- Ms. Diane Moglen, Arts Supervisor and Ms. Kryssie Mingst, Program Coordinator -- to provide additional information and answer the Commission's questions.

Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Hearing.

 

Mr. Marvin Wahl, Belleswingers president, thanked the Commission for the City's past support and stated they are happy to provide dance recreation to many of Silicon Valley's engineers.

Ms. Barbara Hurd, Sunnyvale Singles Squares member, reported their group is very much looking forward to the upcoming "Barn Dance" and that they actively participate in the annual Sunnyvale Community Center Holiday Event, and often donate both time and money to City-Wide events.

Ms. Patricia Blum, Sunnyvale Art Club member, stated their group has had a booth at the International Street Faire and provides a gallery showing as well. The Art Club offered to teach children's summer art classes in exchange for a waiver of liability insurance. To further ease the City's budget crisis, they indicated the funds saved for their insurance could help subsidize the cost of using of arboretum.

Chair Beezley responded that the Commission is responsible for recommending Co-Sponsorship status and that the benefits are determined by staff. Ms. Merrill also responded that staff was still looking into the club's request to waive the requirement for liability insurance.

Mr. David Richards, Nova Vista Symphony Music Director, thanked the Commission for the City's efforts in providing rehearsal space at Lakewood School in preparation for their annual concerts. Additionally, their group introduces music to school children, pays for busing the children to concerts and is now looking into ways to reach a broader range of school aged children.

No more appearances were made and the Public Hearing was closed.

 

Moved by Chair Beezley, seconded by Commissioner Draganowski Davis, to recommend the six groups for Co-Sponsorship status in a single motion.

Motion carried unanimously

 

Moved by Commissioner Buchs, seconded by Commissioner Carney, to recommend the following groups for FY03-04 Co-Sponsorship status as recommended by staff:

 

ORGANIZATION

PERCENTAGE OF SUNNYVALE RESIDENTS

STAFF RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF CO-SPONSORSHIP

COMMISSION RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF CO-SPONSORSHIP

BelleSwingers Square Dance Club

80%

Full

Full

Nova Vista Symphony

24%

Associated

Associated

Sunnyvale Singers

42%

Associated

Associated

Sunnyvale Single Squares

24%

Associated

Associated

Sunnyvale Art Club

82%

Full

Full

Sunnyvale Photo Club

79%

Full

Full


Motion carried unanimously


Chair Beezley thanked the Co-Sponsored group representatives for their contributions.

 

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
 

Staff Liaison Report
 

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

Ms. Merrill announced a special Arts Commission Meeting on the evening of Wednesday, April 30th, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers to review Parks and Recreation Department Proposed Budget Reductions for arts related services. Although the Commission is not chartered and a recommendation to Council is not required, the Commission may choose to make a recommendation to Council. A member of the Commission would then deliver/present the Commission's recommendation to Council and at a Special Council Meeting on Budget Issues, Tuesday, May 2, at 8:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.

  •  

Ms. Merrill announced the Skate Park grand opening on Saturday, May 3 at Fair Oaks Park in combination with the Phatty Patty Teen Concert. Ms. Merrill noted the skate park benches might be of particular interest to the Arts Commission. Ms. Moglen added that the youth and teens will work with an artist to design and paint the skate park's four benches most likely within the next 30 days.

Commissioner DiLeo asked if this public project artwork would be coming before the Arts Commission. Ms. Moglen stated she would look into the matter and respond to the Commissioner's question.

Commissioner Draganowski Davis stated she would like to attend and asked staff to notify her of the date and time of the painting session
  •  

Ms. Merrill announced the Hands on the Arts event on Saturday, May 17th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Center would be followed by the dedication / celebration of the Bianchi Barn beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Other Reports
 
  •  

Chair Beezley requested a membership roster be included in the Co-Sponsorship renewal packet each year. Ms. Merrill responded that in an effort to streamline the Co-Sponsorship process, it was to be requested every three years. However, she concurred with Chair Beezley that all Co-Sponsorship groups needed to provide their membership roster with every renewal application.

  •  

Chair Beezley announced Council was going ahead with the Downtown Plan Option B. Ms. Merrill commented that an update on the proposed artwork will be coming before the Arts Commission at the May meeting

  •  

Ms. Merrill conducted a brief survey of the Commissioners on behalf of the Office of the City Manager as to the preferred method of receiving information regarding Council meetings, special meetings, public meetings, and so forth.   The options are that either all e-mail/mail contact through the Commission liaison or directly from other City staff.

Discussion followed and Commissioners agreed unanimously that direct e-mail/mail was acceptable from any City staff, as long as the item was clearly identified as being from the City of Sunnyvale. Ms. Merrill thanked them for their input.


Communications

Communications distributed at the meeting:
  •  

Flyer: "Sunnyvale Skate Park Grand Opening & Phatty Patty Music Festival, Saturday, May 3, 2003, 11 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
  •  

Newsletter: Parks and Recreation Department Newsletter, April Issue
  •  

Article: "Every Indian Dance Tells a Story," The Sun, April 16, 2003 Issue


Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:
  •  

Memo: "Participation by Council and Advisory Board and Commission Members at Citywide Events," Susan Kitchens, City Clerk, March 13, 2003 (Attachment D)
  •  

Agenda: Valley Transportation Authority Community Oriented Design Enhancements (CODE) Committee Meeting, April 11, 2003 (Attachment E)
  •  

Flyer: High School Teens Needed -- to design and paint artwork for skateboard park benches (Attachment F)
 

Flyer: "Spring Camp (6-12 yrs), April 21-25, 2003 (Attachment G)
  •  

"Sunnyvale Activity Guide," May - August 2003 (Attachment H) --Commissioners Only
  •  

"Sunnyvale Senior Guide," Spring 2003 (Attachment I) -- Commissioners Only
  •  

Flyer: "Spring Art Exhibition," Sunnyvale Art Club, April 24-27, 2003, Program Room, Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W. Olive Ave. (Attachment J)
  •  

Article: "Council Gives a Go-Ahead to Finish Downtown Plaza," The Sun, March 26, 2003 (Attachment K)
  •  

Flyer: "Bianchi Barn Dedication & Barn Dance," Saturday, May 17, 2003, 5:30 p.m., Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive (Attachment L)


Commission Pre-packet Mailing Communications Listing
 

None


OTHER ITEMS (INFORMATION ONLY)
 

None


Commissioners’ Comments
 

Commissioner DiLeo passed
 

Commissioner Draganowski Davis passed
 

Commissioner Carney passed


Commissioner Buchs passed


Chair Beezley asked those interested to contact him regarding an upcoming art show by local artist Peter Max. He also stated California's First Lady is producing children's books to introduce city government.

 

Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Draganowski Davis, to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried unanimously

 

ADJOURNMENT – 7: 40 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ilona Bell, Recording Secretary
 

Reviewed by:

Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director

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