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CITY OF SUNNYVALE |
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ARTS COMMISSION |
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Wednesday, April 30, 2003 |
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Council Chambers, City Hall |
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MINUTES |
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COMMISSION MEETING |
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The Arts Commission met in a special session in the Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on April 30, 2003, at 6:30 p.m., with Chair Beezley presiding. |
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FLAG SALUTE |
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ROLL CALL |
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Commissioners: |
Dane Andrew Beezley |
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Present: |
Susan Buchs |
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Jeanne DiLeo |
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Monica Draganowski Davis |
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Absent: |
Dixie Carney |
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Staff Present: |
Ilona Bell, Administrative Aide/Recording Secretary |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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Nancy Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services |
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Robert Walker, Director |
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CALL TO ORDER |
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Chair Beezley called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. |
Approval of Minutes
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Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Buchs, to approve the minutes of the Arts Commission meeting of April 16, 2003. |
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Motion carried unanimously |
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Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed. |
GENERAL BUSINESS (PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS)
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Director Walker presented an overview of the City budget crisis and the impact on the Parks and Recreation Budget. Mr. Walker introduced Ms. Steward to provide further details regarding proposed budget reductions impacting arts related programs. Ms. Steward described service reductions affecting the Recreation Division:
Of all the proposed reductions, only two are directly related to Arts programs:
Ms. Steward reviewed the service level reduction to close the Art Gallery facility at the Community Center. The Art Gallery's 30 year old lighting system is nearly inoperative and a health and safety concern. Closing this facility will delay the expense of a projected $15,000 capital improvement project, with a net savings of $31,000--which also includes the staff time required to coordinate showings and supervise the docents manning the facility during operating hours. Ms. Steward also explained the proposed reduction from the three City-wide events the Department currently sponsors--4th of July Celebration, Hands on the Arts and the International Street Faire--would be reduced to one event. Staff is recommending to keep the Hands on the Arts event because it is well established and provides a niche no longer offered in public schools. Future plans for this event would incorporate art forms from a variety of cultures. Ms. Steward ended her staff report and answered the Commissioners' questions regarding the possibility of EUPHRAT running art exhibitions at the
gallery, alternative light sources, the electrical system, and the possibility of finding gallery/showcase space at the future Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association building. |
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Chair Beezley opened the meeting for Public Hearing. No appearances were made and the Public Hearing was closed. |
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Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Buchs, to recommend the proposed service level reductions to the Parks and Recreation Department Budget under the purview of the Arts Commission--as presented by staff to reduce the three City-wide special events to one event, keeping Hands on the Arts and closing the Art Gallery facility at the Community Center |
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Chair Beezley made a friendly amendment that the motion be split into two separate motions. Commissioner DiLeo accepted the friendly amendment and restated the motion. |
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Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Buchs, to recommend Recreation Concept #6--proposed service level reductions to the Parks and Recreation Department Budget under the purview of the Arts Commission--as presented by staff to reduce the three City-wide special events to one most popular event, Hands on the Arts. |
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Motion carried unanimously |
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Moved by Commissioner DiLeo, seconded by Commissioner Buchs, to recommend the service level reductions to the Parks and Recreation Department Budget under the purview of the Arts Commission as presented by staff to include closing the Art Gallery facility at the Community Center and to request that Council direct staff to:
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Discussion followed with staff clarifying that the new museum would be located on City property and that Council approved $500,000 in City funds to be allocated to its construction. With closure of the Art Gallery, the Commission suggested the City might use this leverage to recommend that staff work with the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association to consider showcasing current local artists' works as well as visual displays of past artworks as an alternative exhibit space.
Ms. Steward commented that the new Senior Center is designed with a long entry hallway that might be adapted for temporary artwork displays to feature local artwork. Commissioner DiLeo suggested the Senior Center might consider the possibility of showcasing two art shows per year.
Chair Beezley voiced concern that nothing is being 'guaranteed' as an alternative exhibit venue once the Art Gallery is closed and that closed venues are very difficult to re-open. Commissioner DiLeo responded that perhaps something could be specifically stipulated in agreements with both the Senior Center and the Historical Society.
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Motion carried 3-1 |
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Chair Beezley dissented |
Chair Beezley thanked staff for their presentation.
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INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS |
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Staff Liaison Report |
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Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted and made the following comments: |
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Ms. Merrill noted the flyer on current budget hearings that was distributed this evening. This Friday, May 2, Council would be recommending to the City Manager the direction to take by identifying what proposed reductions would go forward. To ensure the Commission's recommendations for proposed budget reductions be voiced in a timely manner, Ms. Merrill suggested the Arts Commission might provide a letter to Council. |
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Ms. Merrill announced that staff is meeting with the Co-Sponsored groups to bring the benefits they would receive in line with those identified in the Co-Sponsorship policy. In response to Commissioner DiLeo's question about liability insurance coverage, Ms. Merrill was pleased to announce that the Risk and Insurance Division of the City has contracted with a group to provide the required liability insurance coverage at greatly reduced costs. |
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Ms. Merrill announced the Grand Opening of the Fair Oaks Skatepark at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday, May 3, 2003, followed by the Phatty Patty Teen Music Festival. |
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Ms. Merrill announced the Sunnyvale Health and Safety Fair the following Saturday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Columbia Neighborhood Center. |
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Ms. Merrill's final announcement was the Hands on the Arts event, Saturday, May 17th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Center that would be followed by the Bianchi Barn Dedication beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the Barn Dance where the Co-Sponsored Groups (Single Squares of Sunnyvale and Belleswingers) will square dance. |
Other Reports
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There were none. |
Communications
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Communications distributed at the meeting: |
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Flyer: "Schedule of Sunnyvale Budget Meetings," revised April 30, 2003 |
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Flyer/Application: "California Fine Art competition," for the August 15-September 1, 2003 Fine Arts Show, Entry Deadline: May 30, 2003 |
Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:
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Updated Work Calendar |
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Letter: To Co-Sponsored Club Presidents regarding changes in administrative practices |
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Flyer: "Hands on the Arts," Saturday, May 17, 2003, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive |
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Article: "Art Club Welcomes any Hands with Paintbrushes," Sunnyvale Sun, April 32, 2003 |
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Article: "Woodcarvers Willing to Help Beginners," Sunnyvale Sun, April 32, 2003 |
Commission Pre-packet Mailing Communications Listing
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Memo: E-mail Outreach City Council Meetings and Community Meetings Regarding Sunnyvale Budget Reduction Proposals |
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Memo: E-mail Community Meeting Regarding Sunnyvale Service Level Reduction Proposals |
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Memo: E-mail Volunteering at the May 10, 2003, Sunnyvale Health and Safety Fair |
OTHER ITEMS (INFORMATION ONLY)
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None |
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Commissioner DiLeo stated she referred a gentleman to City staff to obtain the sign of the liquor store that is being demolished within the shopping center on Mary. He is has a liquor store sign art collection and is anxious to add this piece to it. |
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Commissioner Draganowski Davis passed. |
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Commissioner Buchs passed. |
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Staff Comments:
Ms Merrill reminded the Commission that there will be a booth shared by Council other Commission members that wish to meet and greet the public at the Hands on the Arts event and there will not be a separate booth for the Arts Commission as provided in the past. She also encouraged Commissioners to consider volunteering to help out at the event.
Commissioner DiLeo asked staff if the artwork for the Fair Oaks Skatepark benches would be coming before the Arts Commission. Ms. Steward responded that the Skatepark project began before the Art In Public Projects program became effective. Similar to other park renovation projects, the Arts Commission will be made aware of any artistic treatments but those treatments will not require approval from the Arts Commission. Ms. Steward also noted that members of Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety Gang Unit will be on hand to determine that whatever is being painted on the benches is not offensive.
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Moved by Commissioner Buchs seconded by Commissioner Draganowski Davis, to adjourn the meeting. |
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Motion carried unanimously |
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ADJOURNMENT – 7:38 p.m. |
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Respectfully submitted, |
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Ilona Bell, Recording Secretary |
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Reviewed by: |
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Cathy E. Merrill, Assistant to the Director |