ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 28, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
734 Third Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to
order by Chairperson Chris Robinson at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chairperson Chris Robinson, Vice Chairperson Joe Trebino,
Commissioners Ron Beatty, Mary Hannigan, Donald Meagher, Jan Melloni,
Helen Myers, and Alice Kamers. Absent and excused was Bill Weber. Barbara
Guise later arrived at 7:08 p.m. Others present were Sue Barry, Recreation
Services Supervisor and Lt. Mike Davies of the Police Department. Director
Craig Bronzan was on vacation.
PRESENTATION(S): None
AGENDA REVIEW:
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approval of minutes of regular meeting of February 28, 2001.
2. Accept Arts and Cultural Commission of Contra Costa County agenda/minutes.
3. Accept Las Positas College Flyer for Musical Production.
Mary Hannigan moved approval of the Consent Calendar, Jan Melloni
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
Item No. 4
Update on proposed concert series. Sue Barry, Recreation Services Supervisor
handed out letter from Poldina Scherff, Recreation Services Supervisor.
The letter explained that she did send out letters and also there was
a very nice article in the Brentwood Press. Responses from developers
include Centex Homes verbally agreeing to sponsor the Russ Morgan Orchestra;
however, we still do not have check from them. Signature Properties
has verbally agreed to sponsor the Sin Sity Suitz concert. Brookfield
Homes has donated $500 towards a concert (check in hand). The S. H.
Cowell Foundation has verbally agreed to donate $2,000 towards the concerts.
That is where it stands at present. Ms. Scherff asked if any of the
members would like to call or follow up with developers or other interested
parties. Chairperson Robinson has a connection through her daughter
who works for Richmond American Homes with John, and would be more than
happy to call him. Barbara Guise questioned the cost of the bands and
feels that the cost is too high. She wondered if the cost included more
than just bands (i.e., stage, etc.). Response was no, only for bands.
Chairperson Robinson responded most of the bands have CDs out and are
well-known. Commissioners Kamers and Myers have been on phones checking
on them. There was considerable discussion on various bands and current
fees being charged. Commissioner Guise referred to recent corned beef
and cabbage event bands. Ms. Barry responded these bands are well known
and have a following. Chairperson Robinson asked for volunteers from
the group to assist Ms. Scherff in making calls. Commissioners Kamers
and Hannigan and Chairperson Robinson volunteered. Commissioner Guise
noted that she thought that under the circumstances, she felt it was
very generous of the Cowell Foundation to donate $2,000 and wished the
minutes to reflect that comment.
Item No. 5
Update on annual barbecue. Chairperson Robinson said this was for discussion
as to whether or not they wanted to do the barbecue. She was very much
in favor of it and wants to see it continue. Commissioner Guise questioned
if Sweeneys had been contacted. Chairperson Robinson stated she felt
not appropriate until after decision was made as to whether the event
would be held. Ms. Barry reported that Tammy Homan had contacted the
City Attorney about insurance and it would be $175 for the liquor, $175
for the event and $30 for processing, so insurance would run $380 for
the event. Lt. Davies wondered about dovetailing it with another event,
making it a combination of events, possibly with one of the concerts.
Chairperson Robinson said that the concerts are held in the Summer and
barbecue is normally in the Fall. Normal time is from 5:00 p.m. to approximately
9:00 p.m. Barbecue is usually held in front of Sweeneys and Bank of
America and has entertainment, raffles, etc. Commissioner Myers usually
obtains prizes and it is generally a good time for all. It is preferred
to hold the barbecue in downtown Brentwood, rather than in the park.
It is a family event. Commissioner Guise further stated that it was
to assist “Old Downtown” and that is the reason for not having event
in park. Commissioner Melloni suggested it could be held downtown after
last concert in September. Commissioner Guise felt probably would not
work with concert. Further discussion of when to and if the event would
be held. Commissioner Beatty asked if the barbecue was to benefit the
Arts Commission. Answer was affirmative. Previous events led to the
fountain being built. Commissioner Melloni asked what “Plan B” would
be if Sweeneys were not available. She suggested that if this was the
case, possibly should check park dates and see if available and secure
date for “Plan B”. Discussion of who new owners of Sweeneys are. Commissioner
Kamers said it was Angelo and he had told her he would have the barbecue.
Also discussion of Veterans Hall, etc. Sweeneys had made electrical
hookups, bathrooms, etc. available in past. Discussion of license. Lt.
Davies said it takes a special license to sell outside and that would
have to be checked out to make sure Sweeneys’ license meets Commissions
needs. He clarified different types of licenses and what is needed to
enable people to buy liquor inside and take outside to fenced or enclosed
area. Discussion of non-profit versus profit. Arts Commission is no
longer a non-profit organization, so this would make a difference. Commissioner
Melloni suggested moving to the Veterans Hall. Ms. Barry is willing
to talk to Veterans Hall. Commissioner Guise responded that if they
want to close street, this is about the only place it can be done because
of fire station. Commissioner Melloni said it would behoove them to
make some money and should not be too ingrained in what has been done
in the past. It could be a wonderful place to have it, but we could
make a little more money, and possibly utilize the services of the Delta
Community Center, if the event is held in the park. There is more space
in park. The street gets very hot. There are many more options to explore.
More Summerset people may come out if it’s not so hot. Further discussions
regarding options.
Commissioner Beatty made a motion that a committee be formed to look
at this and report back at the next meeting. Commissioner Melloni seconded
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Committee will consist of Commissioners Robinson, Beatty, Meagher and
Myers. Chairperson Robinson will call meeting soon to get together and
make decision for date.
Further suggestions for a Beer Garden by Commissioner Guise. Committees
will look into that and suggest date in October. Lt. Davies again suggested
double-checking with the City Attorney for whatever licensing and insurance
would be needed.
Item No. 6
Consideration of setting a date for tour of the City for possible art
locations by Sue Barry, Recreation Services Supervisor. She asked if
they had a date when they would be available for a tour of the City.
Group indicated in previous meeting that this would be something they
would like to do. Chairperson Robinson asked if most Commissioners are
available during the week. All said they were home and available for
weekdays. Commissioner Meagher suggested a Monday and after some discussion
it was decided to select the date of April 9 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner
Guise wanted tour to include new developments and request them to put
art in each new development. Discussion of type of art and enabling
legislation it might incur.
Motion by Commissioner Meagher to meet April 9 at 9:00 a.m., seconded
by Commissioner Beatty. Motion carried unanimously.
They agreed to meet at City Council Chambers.
Item No. 7
Discussion of meeting minutes. Sue Barry mentioned that Director Bronzan
was interested in the Commission’s comments regarding the format of
the Commission’s meeting minutes. He wondered if they are happy with
current format, want them more detailed, less detailed, or any other
suggestions. All felt they were good in present form.
Item No. 8
Review and complete the Arts and Culture Resource Survey and Draft Directory.
Sue Barry presented the directory as a handout to the Commission. The
Commissioners went through the directory verbally with Ms. Barry and
completed it at the meeting. Ms. Barry will finalize the directory in
final form and it will then become a part of these minutes. It was also
noted at this time that Director Bronzan was going to obtain copies
of the by-laws for all of the Commissioners for their binders. Chairperson
Robinson asked that a note be made of this so that they could get them
at the next meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Guise reported that starting April 2, at 5:20 a.m., the
trolley buses are starting their first routes. Chairperson Robinson
remembered that at the last meeting they had discussed getting a ride
on the trolley. It was Commissioner Melloni’s request that all get a
tour on the new trolley. Commissioner Meagher suggested using the trolley
for their proposed tour of the City. Barbara will check on this for
the Commissioners on the morning of the 9th. They requested the Barbara
Trolley.
Commissioner Hannigan reported she is an artist and is very focused
on bringing art to the children. She especially loves working with children
and since reading about the skate park, and need for some design for
the sign at the park, she was wondering if it was possible to get students
at the Junior and Senior High School who are artistically inclined to
have a contest which they would have to present to the Art Commission.
She would like this to be a competitive event. Commissioner Hannigan
will do the legwork contacting the schools, just need guidelines, framework
of when it would be completed, etc. Some discussion and then it was
decided to consider it an emergency measure with two thirds vote.
Commissioner Guise motioned to add to agenda as an emergency measure.
Commissioner Beatty seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion then as to who this should be addressed to, the City Council
or the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Guise then moved that the Commission direct the staff
to investigate the proper body that would give the Art Commission the
ability to immediately give the youth the project to design a proper
sign for the Skate Park. Seconded by Commissioner Myers. Motion carried
unanimously.
Ms. Barry will check with the Park and Recreation Commission at meeting
on Thursday night and get back to Commissioner Hannigan so that she
will know if she can proceed with plans with schools.
Commissioner Beatty reported on plastic sack used by Albertsons in the
produce department with picture of farmer sowing seed, very similar
to one Commissioner Weber has designed. Discussion and suggestion that
may need to check with City Attorney on this. Commission will keep bag
for reference. Sue Barry will keep bag.
Lt. Davies said he had recently had a discussion with a man who is involved
with the board that puts on the Art and Wine Festival in Orinda. He
asked him if he would be willing to come to our Commission meeting to
tell us about some of the aspects of putting on this type of event.
Answer some questions and relate his experiences, and he said he would
be willing to do this. Commissioners were very interested, wanted him
to come and also find out when the festival is scheduled. Also, mentioned
the festival in Montclair, said this was absolutely wonderful. The streets
are closed down and it really is a great event. Will look for more information.
Next meeting will be April 25.
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Meagher said the Contra Costa Cultural Plan would like
to come out and answer questions about it and tell you what is happening
with the plan right now. You’ve answered one of the surveys tonight
for them and that is going to go back and you might be interested in
how that is going to be handled. It is going to be put on the computer
and we hope have its own web page. But they would also put out a booklet
with this information in it. In any event, we would like the opportunity
to be on the agenda and make a presentation. It was decided that it
would be the May 23, 2001 meeting.
Commissioner Guise asked that for the next meeting for the concert series,
how they are going to handle the chairs, food and drinks. Also, Chairperson
Robinson mentioned need for a follow-up on the barbecue with a report
from the subcommittee.
Please call Sue Barry if can’t make any
meeting or scheduled events.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Jo Whincup
Minutes Recorder
