ARTS COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
July 18, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
734 Third Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order
by Chairperson Chris Robinson at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present were: Chairperson Chris Robinson, Vice Chairperson
Joe Trebino, Commissioners Jan Melloni, Barbara Guise, Helen Myers,
and William Weber. Excused absences were Ron Beatty and Mary Hannigan.
Don Meagher and Alice Kamers were also absent. Others present included
Craig Bronzan, Director of Parks and Recreation, Sue Barry, Recreation
Services Supervisor, and Lt. Mike Davies of the Brentwood Police Department.
AGENDA REVIEW: No changes or additions.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Melloni requested pulling Item #2 for
comment. Commissioner Barbara Guise moved acceptance of Items 1,
3 and 4 of the Consent Calendar. Helen Myers seconded and motion carried
unanimously.
Item No. 2 Accept information from Turlock City Arts Commission. Commissioner
Melloni asked if it was correct that the City of Turlock Arts Commission
sells membership. She was favorably impressed with the information received
in her packet. Commissioner Guise said she would like to put this on
the agenda for next meetings for discussion. Director Bronzan then said
he had put this in their packets as he had worked with the Turlock Arts
Commission in same capacity as Ms. Barry does with Brentwood for 13
years. He explained that the Turlock Arts Commission was formed in 1978,
and currently celebrating their 10th year as a membership Commission.
He will be going to Turlock this coming Friday and will bring back further
information. He will also ask them send a representative to speak to
the Brentwood Art Commission at their next meeting. He explained that
the Turlock Arts Commission started very much like the Brentwood Commission,
with money from the City and the Chamber of Commerce. Since they started
soliciting memberships they have a much larger treasury and are also
now getting grants. He explained that when they hold an event now they
get up to 1,200 to 1,300 people and sell commemorative glasses for $10
for non-members, and members get in free. He further explained that
they now have an old Carnegie Library Building that they are going to
restore and recently received $150,000 from an estate, for renovation.
Vice Chairperson Trebino moved that they accept the information presented
by Director Bronzan. Commissioner Melloni seconded and motion carried
unanimously.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
Item No. 5 Presentation related to the need for a downtown art gallery
(C. Bronzan/Milton Bullard).
Director Bronzan reported that he had met with Mr. Bullard about three
weeks previously regarding the possibility of getting an art gallery
in the downtown area. Mr. Bullard had been referred to Director Bronzan
by Mayor McPoland. Mr. Bronzan felt this was an issue for the Arts Commission
and he had also discussed the matter with the City Manager. He suggested
that since the City of Brentwood now owns the Women’s Club building
and have the Community Center and also have parks available, he felt
that by utilizing these facilities, the Arts Commission could start
having some art shows and bring people in for these events. He then
introduced Mr. Bullard to the group. Commissioner Guise wondered if
this could be a fundraising arena, where they could not only show art
work, but sell it and a percentage to go to the gallery. Mr. Bronzan
referred them to Mr. Bullard for this, but felt that yes, local artists
should be promoted and respected for their profession and they and the
gallery should profit from a gallery in the downtown area.
Mr. Bullard of Brentwood’s Summerset Subdivision introduced himself.
He presented his idea to establish in downtown Brentwood a serious professional
art gallery, as opposed to a print shop or some place that sells a few
pieces of art. He feels a downtown location would benefit the community
as a whole. He sees this at this time as having a very regional area
of artists. He listed the four major beneficiaries from an art gallery
as follows:
1. The community as a whole in a growing and changing community.
2. Support for the Chamber of Commerce in their activities.
3. The schools that need assistance in art departments.
4. Would support and encourage local artists.
Mr. Bullard went on to state that such a gallery would need the support
of the community for planning and funding. He responded to Commissioner
Guise’s question regarding sales of art for the artist. He felt they
could have an arrangement with local artists for showing their works
and selling for a percentage of the sale price. Gallery’s job he felt
would be to help the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to
indulge and support these types of activities. Commissioners generally
felt this a great idea and would like to pursue the plan. Chairperson
Robinson thanked him for the time and presentation and would be willing
to help. They like the idea of the Women’s Club for a facility. Director
Bronzan suggested that they appoint 1 or 2 members of the Commission
to work with Mr. Bullard and staff to try and figure out different opportunities
and report back to the Commission. Chairperson Robinson suggested Mary
Hannigan. Commissioners Melloni and Trebino indicated a desire to work
on this subcommittee also. Commissioner Weber also volunteered. They
will set up an initial meeting through Director Bronzan. Chairperson
Robinson will inform Commissioner Hannigan of the subcommittee and give
her all the information when she returns home.
Item No. 6 Update of B.A.N.C. bus tour (Sue Barry).
Ms. Barry reported that the bus will pick everyone up at the Bart Park
at Walnut Boulevard at 6:00 p.m. Others not sure as to their plans and
will call Tammy.
Item No. 7 Update on Barbecue (Chris Robinson).
She asked Vice Chairperson Trebino if he had called Delta Fencing, he
replied that he has and the Boys Club are also all arranged. Tickets
were printed on the back and discussion of how many to be printed. At
this point Commissioner Melloni noted an error in the minutes, she does
not have the responsibility for the cash box, that is Vice Chairperson
Trebino. She does set up and take down and has responsibility for paper
goods. Commissioner Trebino was concerned there were not enough
tables and chairs. Ms. Barry will check to see if Community Service
Building will need chairs on September 22, if not she will reserve them
for barbecue. Also Rotary Club has chairs and tables used for Trade
Club in October, may be able to use them if necessary. Vice Chairperson
Trebino moved to accept the flyer with the changes discussed. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Weber and motion carried unanimously.
Tickets discussed and fact that each ticket will have different color.
Commissioner Melloni requested that they keep the tickets so that they
will know how many attend the event. Commissioner Guise moved to
accept the tickets, Commissioner Myers seconded, after a brief discussion
motion carried.
Chairperson Robinson reported that she has turned over the signed contract
for Johnny-T-Time Machine to Ms. Barry, so that is completed.
Discussion of how many flyers need to be printed. Ms. Barry also reported
that there will be a half page advertisement in the brochure that goes
to almost 28,000 households. Tickets then discussed and it was decided
to print 800, 300 single, 300 children/senior and 200 family tickets.
Commissioner Melloni asked about signs for the barbecue. After some
discussion as to costs for a banner with removable letters, Commissioner
Melloni moved that the Commission buy a barbecue banner from the funds
from past barbecues. Commissioner Guise seconded and motion carried
unanimously.
Ms. Barry reported that Pete Petrovich will supply the beans. They need
to contact John at PeeWees when close to time to place the order. Vice
Chairperson Trebino will call them when the time comes. Chairperson
Robinson reported that Fred Valberti of Prudential Real Estate would
be willing to donate $150 to $200 for the barbecue if they need extra
money for deserts or anything else.
Item No. 8 Update on “Art in Public Places” Ordinances (Sue Barry)
Sue reported that she has called the source in Antioch four times and
still has not gotten an answer. She offered to give the name to one
of the Commissioners to place a call and see if they could get a response.
Commissioner Guise said she will call. Commissioner Guise suggested
also that they have Director Bronzan check with the City of Turlock
for their ordinances when he visits them on Friday.
Item No. 9 Discussion of short and long-term goals of the Arts Commission
(Sue Barry)
Commissioner Guise said she had a suggestion regarding a way to keep
from losing money on concerts and other events where a grandstand is
required. She said the biggest expense is renting of a grandstand stage
at $2750. She had a design of a stage 20 x 32 x 44 that could be raised
higher and is portable and could be purchased for $39,000. It has wings,
stairway, backdrop, etc. that would be totally adequate for their needs.
She suggested talking to all of the local fraternal groups and the Chamber
of Commerce to see about financial support in purchasing a stage. She
suggested going to the City Council also and requesting matching funds
for those raised by the Arts Commission. Only items that would have
to be paid for then would be sound and light, and currently cost of
rental of stage for four concerts is $11,000. Discussion of raising
the funds for a stage and how to go about presenting it to other groups
and the City Council. Lt. Davies suggested asking developers to donate
funds for this stage and receive advertising. Commissioners said they
are already donating much for the concerts and feel that developers
may be tapped out at this time. He also suggested looking at grants
for something like this. Question of who will set up and take down.
It was felt that City maintenance people could be taught to do this
and be responsible for set up and storage.
Vice Chairperson Trebino suggested that he will take the plans and discuss
with others for opinion on size, etc. He will check it out with Cornfest
committee and it was reported by Poldina Scherff that it would be equal
to what they have been renting for concerts. This will be put on the
agenda for update at the next meeting. Discussion of insurance and possibility
of renting also further discussed.
Item No. 10 Update on downtown fountain (Jan Melloni)
Commissioner Melloni received a call back from the tile person. She
reported that he looked at the fountain on two different occasions and
said to remove tile, it would cost from $600-$800 to remove everything
off down to the concrete. Then depending upon tile that is put back
in it would be between $1,200 to $1,800 to set (including tile). Sealing
the tile would be $250 for an approximate total of $2800 to $3000. After
some discussion by the Commissioners, it was decided that they would
like to go to the City Council and ask for matching funds for the repairs
to the fountain. Vice Chairperson Trebino would be willing to furnish
all information and possibly at no cost a filter system that could preclude
these problems in the future. Commissioner Guise moved that representatives
of the Arts Commission be agendized to appear before the City Council
at their next meeting, August 14, and request matching funds to repair
the fountain up to $4000. The Parks and Recreation Commission will furnish
up to $2,000 and request same from the City Council, if final bill is
less, each will pay less than the $2,000 amount. Commissioner Bill Weber
seconded and motion carried unanimously.
Volunteers were requested to attend the City Council Meeting and make
the request. Commissioner Melloni, Chairperson Robinson and Commissioner
Weber volunteered. Lt. Davies suggested that possibly some cost could
be cut by volunteers from the Commission doing the work of tearing out
the old tile. Vice Chairperson Trebino, Commissioner Melloni, Commissioner
Weber, and Lt. Davies volunteered to pull out the old tile. They will
meet at the fountain August 25, at 8:00 a.m. if City Council approves
their proposal. Chairperson Robinson named Commissioner Melloni in charge
of the volunteers to remove the tile. Commissioner Guise made a
motion that when the groups goes before the City Council they also make
a request for a dumpster at no charge to haul away the tile. Commissioner
Weber seconded. The motion was amended by Commissioner Trebino to read
a large garbage can, rather than a dumpster, but City to be responsible
for hauling it away. Commissioner Guise then revised her motion to read
that on August 14, they request the City Council to provide the fountain
sub-committee with their largest garbage container and be responsible
for hauling it away. Commissioner Myers seconded and motion carried.
Item No. 11 Action to cancel regular meeting scheduled for July 25,
2001 (Sue Barry)
Commissioner Guise moved that the regular meeting on July 25, 2001
be canceled. Vice Chairperson Trebino seconded and motion carried unanimously.
CITIZENS COMMENTS:
Lt. Davies reported that he and Commissioner Weber attended the Design
Review Committee earlier that day. Lt. Davies felt it was very good
to have the representation of Commissioner Weber on this committee and
felt that his comments were well received.
He then mentioned he had tickets for the upcoming Policeman’s Ball available.
The proceeds from the ball benefit D.A.R.E. and P.A.L. The ball will
be held August 4 at Bunkers. Ticket prices for a couple are $175. He
said they may contact him or email him for tickets.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Weber reported he had attended the Design Review meeting,
and that he had requested some art work at the new Home Depot. It may
not be the farmer statue, but some type of art work. He also reported
he will have a model of the farmer statue at the next Parks and Recreation
meeting. Chairperson Robinson thanked Mr. Weber for attending the meetings.
Vice Chairperson Trebino commented on the Turlock report and felt there
were some very good ideas in the report. He specifically mentioned the
rotating art exhibit, and felt a similar event with a country and western
theme throughout the businesses. He felt people would enjoy this type
of event. The Commissioners would like this included with the information
from the Turlock Art Commission report at the next meeting.
Commissioner Guise said that she is disturbed by the fact that the Commission
is not larger. She feels 10 is not representative enough and since she
has someone interested in belonging to the Commission, she had called
Ms. Barry. She was informed that it will probably not be expanded immediately
as they are waiting until the present Commission has functioned for
a time together since they are quite a new Commission. Later on will
look at the expansion up to the allowed number of 25. The Commission
asked if they could direct Ms. Barry to write an ordinance grandfathering
in the old “Fountain Committee” and adding new members in the “planning
area” of the City of Brentwood. The Commission then requested Ms. Barry
to go back to the Director and ask if they could do an update on the
ordinance for membership in the Arts Commission. Ms. Barry will take
this to Director Bronzan and he will probably take it to the City Attorney
for advisement.
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner Trebino reiterated his request for the Turlock Art Commission’s
Walking Tour, and high school art, and where they have a Yosemite Renaissance,
could have farming and country theme.
Also the “Day in the Park” will be updated at the next meeting.
Business cards update -- Ms. Barry said they have been ordered and may
be ready by next meeting.
Update on stage.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. by Chairperson Robinson.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Jo Whincup
Minutes Recorder
