ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 23, 2001
Parks Administration Offices
740 Third Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order
by Chairperson Robinson at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present were Commissioners Jan Melloni, Ron Beatty, Helen
Myers, William Weber, Mary Hannigan, Alice Kamers, Don Meagher, Vice
Chairperson Joe Trebino, and Chairperson Chris Robinson. Barbara Guise
was an excused absence. Other staff members present were Sue Barry,
Recreation Services Supervisor and Craig Bronzan, Director of Parks
and Recreation.
PRESENTATIONS: Commissioner Meagher introduced Margo Cowan, Executive
Director of the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County.
Don is a member of the commission and felt the information she had would
be helpful to the Arts Commission. Ms. Cowan passed out copies of the
Contra Costa County Cultural Plan to each of the members of the Commission,
along with a copy of the March/April newsletter called “Artbeat”. She
also commented that since this group had hosted a planning meeting of
the Contra Cost County Cultural Plan last year as a part of the cultural
planning process, therefore, felt it was very appropriate that they
have an opportunity to see the plan. She reported that the Board of
Supervisors formally adopted the plan in January. She came to this meeting
to share the results of the very comprehensive planning process. She
further described all of the entities throughout the county that are
encompassed in the Cultural Plan and described some of the activities
and goals and recommendations of the plan. She described the funding
mechanisms in place and explained that they are now in their sixth year
of operations. They are currently in the process of presenting this
plan to each of the Arts Commissions throughout the County. Ms. Cowan’s
presentation, together with the printed copy of the Cultural Plan, expanded
on the scope of planning, research process, resources, needs assessments
and policy and priority recommendations.
In addition, the Cultural Plan covered a complete overview and had gleaned
information from over 53 different arts groups in the county. She stressed
that arts also creates a great economic impact in the community, and
the role of the arts in economic development of the community. A discussion
of the importance of getting arts education back into the school system
and how important that is to the growth and development of the community
with the Commissioners. Commissioner Mary Hannigan is especially involved
in teaching art in the schools.
Ms. Cowan reported that almost three million people in the county attend
arts events, and that arts are really flourishing in the county. She
further stated that the third priority of the task force was communication,
through the newsletter and Arts Commissions and other groups working
to publicize the various events. An overall master calendar of arts
events is something that is being planned also, so everyone will be
aware in advance when these events are planned. She answered any questions
from the group and thanked them for the opportunity to speak to them.
She commended Commissioner Meagher on his work with the Commission.
Jan Melloni asked what they could do to get arts back into the schools.
Ms. Cowan said best way is to go to the school boards and parents for
support. Commissioner Jan Melloni further commented that she has definitely
noticed a trend in the schools to drop all types of art, including shop
and woodworking, which she considers to be art forms. There was strong
agreement by the other commissioners. Some discussion also of scholarships
for students involved in arts related studies and how it benefits the
students in their overall growth. Sue Barry asked about an article in
the newsletter, and there was some further discussion of the “Year of
the Arts” and government funding. Ms. Barry also asked if the Commission
could be put on the mailing list of the “Artbeat” magazine, Ms. Cowan
said we would be included in the mailing list. Commissioner Meagher
commented that there will not be another newsletter until the fall;
however, Ms. Cowan will make sure the Commissioners are included in
the next issue. The Commissioners thanked her for the presentation.
AGENDA REVIEW: No changes or additions.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Melloni moved the acceptance of the Consent
Calendar. Commissioner Hannigan seconded and motion carried unanimously.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
Items 5 through 7 delayed until Director Bronzan was available
Item No. 8 Discussion of re-scheduling Art Commission regular meeting
to June 20 by Sue Barry
Vice Chairperson Trebino moved that the June meeting be moved from June
27 to June 20th. Commissioner Beatty seconded and motion carried unanimously.
Item No. 9 Update on concert series by Sue Barry
To date Poldina Scherff has received the following checks:
· Centex Homes - check for $6,000 for the Russ Morgan Orchestra.
· Signature Properties - check for $5,000 for Sin Sity Suitz.
· Richmond American Homes - check for $4,500 for Yesterday.
· S.H. Cowell Foundation - check for $2,000 towards Joni Morris.
· Brookfield Brentwood Lakes - check for $500 towards a concert.
· Grupe Communities, Inc., - check for $100 towards a concert.
Ms. Scherff is still making calls to all of the developers who have
not responded to the letter. Black Diamond Printer is giving half price
on the posters for the concerts.
Summerset has agreed to provide beer/wine at concert for 10% of the
net income and has also agreed to promote and sell tickets for the concerts.
Tri-Delta Bus Service has agreed to provide free bus shuttle to and
from the concerts. Soroptomists have offered to sell snacks and water/soft
drinks at the concerts for 10% of the net income.
Chairperson Robinson asked how many concerts planned and how much of
the money is now received. Other band not mentioned was Bobby Cocker
and the Rhythm Rockers. She also requested dates of the concerts. Tentative
dates are:
Friday, June 15 Sin Sity Suitz
Friday, June 29 Bobby Cocker and the Rhythm Rockers
Friday, July 20 Yesterday
Thursday, August 2 Russ Morgan
Friday, August 17 Joni Morris.
All concerts start at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Scherff is still trying to get a
Spanish or Mexican group. Commissioner Kamers asked about this and Ms.
Barry said still hoping to get someone for this type of music.
Item No. 5 Discussion of role of Sue Barry as liaison with the Arts
Commission by Craig Bronzan
Director Bronzan gave a short synopsis of how the Art Commission is
formed a little differently than the other Commissions. He gave a brief
outline of the different Commissions under the Parks and Recreation
Department and how they function. The Youth and Parks and Recreation
Commissions are the other two commissions under the Parks and Recreation
Department. The Arts Commission has an opportunity to operate on a different
level. The Arts Commission has the opportunity to obtain staff as needed,
with the approval of the City Council. The Art Commission can write
up the types of programs they wish to fund and plans, and with approval
of City Council, proceed with theses plans. Presently to define and
clarify Sue Barry’s role, she is currently running the biggest operation
in the City with the Family Aquatic Complex, so she has several other
duties in addition to working with the Art Commission. He says in fairness,
she can assist as much as possible, but down the road may need to look
to getting further staffing through getting seed money and writing grants,
etc. Ms. Barry can make calls during the day and do other things during
the day that sometimes the Commissioners are not able to do. Chairperson
Robinson said she appreciates Ms. Barry’s help and please let her and
other Commissioners know if they are not asking the right tasks of her
in her role as staff support.
Item No. 6 Update on probable joint commission bus tour of Brentwood
on June 27, 2001
Craig Bronzan reported that other Commissions are going on this tour
and it is about a 2 or 3 hour tour of the town. The Mayor, City Manager
and others go and talk about growth, parks and it is informative. Currently
lining up transportation with speaker systems and will confirm what
all is available in the next week. Needs names of those who are interested
in going on the tour. Sue Barry passed around sign up sheet and the
following signed up for the tour: Helen Myers, Bill Weber, Don Meagher,
Jan Melloni, Alice Kamers, Joe Trebino, Ron Beatty, and Mary Hannigan.
Item No. 7 Discussion of joint workshop for June 26, 2001 with City
Council regarding projects and programs
Discussion of joint workshop for June 12, date was changed at City Council
meeting the night before. This workshop to discuss projects and programs.
Mr. Bronzan recommended that they plan to meet with the City Council
at 6:00 p.m. No action is taken at a workshop, just projecting plans
and programs and discussing them with the City Council. He recommended
that they prepare items that they want to discuss, or put together a
subcommittee to identify items they want to put forth. Need to have
items readied for packets by June 5th for all to prepare. Tabled Item
No. 7 at this point to take up at the end of the meeting for discussion
at that time on motion of Joe Trebino. Motion seconded by Jan Melloni
and motion carried unanimously.
Item No.10 Discussion of Arts Commission role in summer concert series
Director Bronzan commented that Ms. Scherff is very proud of the concert
series and she is concerned that the series lost money last year and
that people may be finding her at fault for this. Commissioners all
said no, they would just like to be able to help her. Chairperson Robinson
said they would very much like to get involved by helping out with the
concerts in any way they can. Suggestion that it might be a good idea
to ask Poldina to come and meet with the Commissioners. They could offer
a valuation of the series and make any suggestions at that time. This
seemed to be agreeable to all the Commissioners.
Item No. 11 Update on Barbecue
Chairperson Robinson reported the Barbecue is well under way. The committee
has met and set September 22nd for the date. She has talked to the Police
Department. She has also spoken with Angelo, who will get the Special
Events License, and there should be no problems. She asked Joe Trebino
about his checking with the Boys Ranch and he has not done so yet, but
will have a report at the next meeting. Commissioner Guise will check
on obtaining the outhouses and Commissioner Myers will handle the prizes.
Chairperson Robinson said that the subcommittee has been meeting and
the same subcommittee has been moving ahead on the “Day in the Park”.
She requested that they add an item for the purpose of discussing the
“Day in the Park”. Ms. Barry said that could be added as #16. Motion
made by Commissioner Beatty that this item be added to the agenda as
Item #16, Commissioner Meagher seconded the motion and motion carried
unanimously.
Chairperson Robinson asked if the new members had any questions about
the Barbecue. All were all willing to assist. Commissioner Kamers will
do sundries as she has previously. Commissioners Melloni and Hannigan
will help her. Ms. Barry read letters from the Art Commission thanking
Brentwood Dodge and Joe Rogers and Kevin Kirkland for their help. The
letter stated that the Barbecue would be held September 22, and street
would be blocked off early in the day at about 2:00 p.m. near Sweeney’s.
Serving will start at 5:00 p.m. and they will be invited to a meeting
for further updates. She asked that the Commissioners plan to come early
and help to set up and get everything ready to go. Johnny’s Time Machine
will be the DJ. Commissioner Trebino will contact the Boys Ranch and
think that they will be able to help throughout the Barbecue. He reported
that they can stay and help clean up afterwards. Commissioner Melloni
said the boys do appreciate being asked and getting out in the community
and that they do have to earn the privilege. Commissioner Guise usually
does the tickets, so will need to be sure she can do this, also need
flyers. Jim the Printer usually does tickets, last time Tom Rogers handled
this and they will contact him again. They will need 500-1000 flyers.
Chairperson Robinson will email Tom Rogers regarding tickets. Ms. Barry
asked about flyers and Vice Chairperson Melloni will distribute flyers.
All will help out with this in their neighborhoods. Discussion of a
banner and what cost would be, especially if they could get one that
could be used every year. Ms. Barry will check on this. Commissioners
would like to have it displayed at Safeway prior to the event.
Item No. 12 Update on Commission shirts and business cards
Ms. Barry passed out samples of the business cards. Cost is approximately
$35.00 a box. They will have their name and title and can have address
and also email address. Commissioner Melloni said she will probably
not need them since she will have cards from Parks and Recreation Commission.
Ms. Barry also reported on shirts, she had catalogs showing variety
of types of materials and colors. There was a discussion of logo type
and colors. Cost of shirts is approximately $30.00 each. This shirt
would have some embroidery on it and name of Commission. Director Bronzan
commented that Arts Commission do traditionally develop logos. Ms. Barry
said she could give design of shirt with City of Brentwood and Arts
Commission on it and give to the company and they could have shirts
in 2-3 weeks. Commissioner Melloni moved that they have Royal Blue and
Commissioner Kamers seconded with a 4-2 vote. After further discussion
the Commission decided on Blue Granite. Commissioner Hannigan moved
to order the shirts in Blue Granite. Commissioner Melloni seconded and
motion carried unanimously.
Item No.13 Update on ability to utilize the City’s Grant Coordinator
for possible art grants
Karen Wahl is the City’s Grant Writer. Director Bronzan emailed John
Elam and he said that using Ms. Wahl would be fine. Commission does
have the ability to utilize her services, if you find grants that you
would like her to write, she can do that, but remember that she has
a lot of responsibilities and would need some time to work on them.
Item No. 14 Update on surveillance camera for the City fountain
Ms. Barry reported that she had spoken with Chief Shaw and he wasn’t
sure if the camera that had been put in was to monitor the fountain.
He did say many times a camera is a deterrent especially if it is known
to be there. Discussion of the value of a camera and the costs involved
among the Commissioners. Commissioner Melloni reported that she had
looked at the fountain and the tiles and that there is a lot of work
to be done. Tile will have to be completely pulled out and base replaced
and tile then replaced. She is willing to get bids and present them.
Ms. Barry said she had discussed the matter with Mr. DeSilva of the
Parks and Recreation Department and he says there is an agent that can
be put into the fountain that will not allow the liquid to bubble. He
had the same type of problems in another city and when they put this
agent in it was like a miracle, people soon learned that it would not
bubble and then they didn’t put things in there anymore. Commissioners
thought this might be a good idea and Ms. Barry will go back to him
and research this matter further with Mr. De Silva. They discussed the
article in the paper. First thing to get tile fixed, Ms. Melloni will
get bids to get tile fixed and report back at the next meeting.
Item No. 15 Update on “Art in public places” ordinances
Ms. Barry was not prepared for this so this will be put on next month’s
agenda.
Item No. 16 Report on Day in the Park
Chairperson Robinson said the subcommittee has met and is very excited
about the idea. Want to have something not so much a carnival style,
but something such as strolling in the park, seeing the art there. It
could be someone blowing glass, painting, or other art works. The gentleman
they have talked to was very good and has done the Walnut Creek, Lafayette
and others. She commented on how impressed they were with the speaker
they had at the last meeting who gave the Commission considerable information
regarding the Arts & Wine Festivals in Lafayette and Walnut Creek.
She said the subcommittee is bringing this subject back to the full
Commission as they definitely want this man aboard to assist them in
planning a similar event. They are currently looking at a time frame
of October 2002. There will be another subcommittee meeting on May 30th
at her home. She is hoping to get as many people involved as possible.
She asked if anyone had any questions about the report and if they had
the Commission’s permission to move ahead with this project. She asked
for a vote on this issue. Commissioner Joe Trebino moved that the Commission
move ahead with this project. Commissioner Meagher seconded and motion
carried unanimously.
Chairperson Robinson then said the subcommittee and invited guests will
meet at her home on May 30th. Director Bronzan asked if it was the Commission’s
intention to hire the person they had been talking with regarding the
event. He explained that this would be perfectly okay to hire a consultant,
but that there were certain mechanics of how to do it. Chairperson Robinson
said before they move ahead with this they would clear all actions with
Ms. Barry as Director Bronzan suggested.
Item No.7 Compile a list of items they wish to take to City Council
Discussion of items they wished to bring to the City Council meeting.
Art awareness in the schools was one topic. Another topic was Art in
Public Places, and ordinances involved as it relates to developers.
Ms. Barry then commented that she had notes to the effect that question
the Commission wished to discuss with the City Council was “Will they
support an ordinance for public art and the parameters involved”. Chairperson
Robinson asked if this would include the developers, the suggestion
was to mandate the developers put public art in spaces reserved for
this in developments. The suggestion then was to present a calendar
of items they would like to present to the City Council such as A Day
in the Park, the Barbecue, the Statue, and the concert series.
Another suggestion was an annual art show with local and student’s art
displayed. The fountain was also mentioned so that they know what is
being done to repair it. Director Bronzan looked up the ordinance and
suggested that they use the 12 Powers and Duties as listed in 2.44.020,
and utilize these to incorporate the projects they have in mind as long
and short term goals. He mentioned encouraging talent could be art education,
and oversee the development of a City cultural plan, could be a long-term
goal. They agreed that this would be a good outline to go by in setting
forth their projects and set a calendar for presentation to the City
Council. They then decided that basic items they would work on in presenting
this calendar would be as follows; the Statue, Day in the Park, Barbecue,
Commission’s role in concert series, the fountain, art awareness in
conjunction with the schools, providing opportunities for artists to
show their art, community day - offering awards for art exhibiting,
and art at the skate park. Director Bronzan suggested that they might
start with asking if the have the permission of the City Council to
go forward and meet with the City Attorney and Planning Commission and
Planning Department to work on conditions with the developers. Chairperson
Robinson said this would really have to be number one item with her.
Their time will be limited so they do need to prioritize items so that
they get first or most important items at the head of the agenda. After
considerable debate, the Commissioners decided to agendize their items
to present to the City Council as follows:
· Item #1a What funds or money is coming in from Developers for park
sites?
· Item #1b Would City Council support an ordinance to mandate funds
from developers for art?
· Item #2 Promotion of public awareness of art education in school system.
· Item #3 Work plan for calendar year - art calendar
Under this would be included Barbecue, Statue, Day in the Park, Concert
Series,
Fountain Repair and surveillance/upkeep, Skateboard Art.
Commissioner Meagher then suggested asking the City Council if they
have anything they would like to add to the work plan.
CITIZENS COMMENTS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Meagher mentioned that October is National Arts and Humanities
Month. October 10 is Arts Day. There is a Recognition of Arts in October
and five people are nominated each year to be recognized for their outstanding
work in the field of arts. Have not had anybody nominated and now into
fifth year. These are people who have done something outstanding in
the field of arts, they could be directors, leaders in the arts and
they do have to be volunteers. Recognition is held in the middle of
October with the deadline of July 1 for submitting names. If you don’t
have anyone now, be thinking about it for next year. He then passed
out the material for the Commissioners to look over.
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Update on Barbecue
Day in the Park update
Signs for entrance to City (Joe Trebino)
Banner report (Sue Barry)
Follow up on shirt order
Progress report on Statue
Ordinances on Art in Public Places (Sue Barry)
ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Robinson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Jo Whincup
Minutes Recorder
