ARTS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 28, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Brentwood Technology Center
101 Sand Creek Road
Brentwood, Ca. 94513

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:
Commissioners present: Chairperson Bryant, Commissioners Ron Beatty, Jim Bryant, Vivian Faye, Sandra Gill, Patricia Lacy-Rankin, Helen Myers, Chris Robinson, Greg Ruiz, Kermit Sveen & Joe Trebino.
Commissioners absent at roll call were: Patrick McCarran, Deena Foley, Doreen Forlow, Saunie Fridley & Barbara Guise.
Staff present: Rebekah Burr-Siegel, Arts Manager and Craig Bronzan, Parks and Rec. Director & William Weber, Curator.

PRESENTATIONS:
None

CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Chairperson welcomed back Commissioner Patricia Lacy-Rankin.

Commissioner Patrick McCarran arrived at 7:01 p.m.

AGENDA REVIEW:
There were no changes in the Agenda.

CITIZENS COMMENTS:
Commissioner Kermit Sveen introduced Dr. Thais K. Kishi, Dean of the Brentwood Los Medanos Junior College campus. She is looking forward to working with the City and plans to attend as Arts Commission meetings as possible.

Commissioner Barbara Guise arrived at 7:05 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of August 24, 2005
2. Accept monthly budget report and motions for purchases (R. Burr-Siegel)
3. Accept update on Patrons/Friends of the Arts (J. Bryant)
4. Accept monthly report from Visual Arts Committee (G. Ruiz)
5. Accept monthly report from PERFAC (K. Sveen)
6. Accept report on Volunteers (V. Faye)
7. Accept monthly report from A Day in the Park Committee (C. Robinson)
8. Accept monthly report from Arts Manager (R. Burr-Siegel)
Chairperson Bryant said that at least two items will have additional materials circulated. These items will need to be pulled from the agenda. At this time Chairperson Bryant passed around a narrative relating to the budget. Robinson/Beatty MSC to pull item number 4 from the Consent Calendar. Trebino/Guise MSC to pull Item # 6 from the Consent Calendar. Trebino/Sveen MSC to approve Item numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 on the Consent Calendar.

4. Accept monthly report from Visual Arts Committee (G. Ruiz)
Ms. Burr-Siegel and Mr. Weber gave a verbal report on the calendar. Sandra Hunt’s shell piece was discussed. Commissioner Ruiz said that this was made out of shells and its origins are unknown, more history was needed before the Visual Arts Committee can make a decision regarding it. Ms. Burr-Siegel was to follow up on this with Commissioner Guise since she had more information on the artist. This item was donated to the Delta Community Services and Sandra Hunt had won it at a fund-raising event. According to Commissioner Guise, Ms. Hunt is interested in donated it to the Arts Commission. She said it is a unique and beautiful piece of art. Commissioners would like to find out if the artist is a local person that they then would like to acknowledge that person. Commissioner Guise will check on this and report back to the Commission.

Commissioner Foley arrived at 7:16 p.m.

6. Accept report on Volunteers (V. Faye)
Commissioner Faye’s report was distributed. She gave a brief description of the origins of the volunteers; coming out of the “Sing-Along Messiah”. She has been working on this with Ms. Burr-Siegel to draft a volunteer survey. She suggested Commissioners solicit volunteers from other organizations. Commissioner Sveen added that they currently have 15 volunteers from the “Sing-Along Messiah” and five more have volunteered and they need to keep in touch with these people and make sure they are interested in volunteering for other events. Trebino/Robinson MSC the acceptance of both items 4 and 6.

OLD BUSINESS:
9. Approve public art design and concept for seasonal banners for Rose Garden (R. Burr -Siegel)
Ms. Burr-Siegel introduced Lisa Cooperman the artist for the Rose Garden project under consideration at this time. Ms. Burr-Siegel said that since this is a large development there will probably be at least three or four more projects coming before the Commission for this development. Ms. Cooperman displayed the four proposed designs and described the material and construction of the banners as well as the light standards and hardware that will be used in displaying them. She explained the significance of each banner design. The fabricator has submitted a bid of $1,856 to take down, clean, store and reinstall each new season. The plan is to install 16 banners for each season, for a total of 64 pairs. The hardware will be changed to prohibit banner flap and unnecessary noise, plus new hardware will be powder coated to match the pole standards and will have decorative finials. A sample of the materials and color palette was passed around. The Commissioners discussed the proposed design and questioned the cost of $1,856 to maintain. Commissioner Guise asked what funds would be used by the city to cover this expense. Craig Bronzan, Director of the Parks and Rec. said they are requesting that this cost should come out of the Homeowners Association for the development. MSC Guise/Ruiz to approve the project, however recommending that staff be instructed to negotiate with the developer to accept the maintenance cost of the project.

10. Approve public art design and concept for Garin Corners condition of approval (R. Burr-Siegel)
Ms. Burr-Siegel described the project, location and history. She introduced the artist, Roger Berry who described the art work and materials. He showed the computer model and how the piece will appear after installation when driving by. The larger one will be sited on the corner of Balfour and Highway 4, next to Garin Corners Shopping Center. The smaller one will be in the back of the residential development in the park. Commissioner Gill added that the Public Art Committee liked this design and the location very much. Mr. Berry said that the piece should be in place by next Spring. Robinson/Gill MSC to approve the design.

11. Presentation by Sabrina Klein on the Arts Marketing Institute Workshop (R. Burr-Siegel)
Ms. Klein was not able to attend. However, she requested that the Commission select two days, two weeks apart for the three-hour workshops. Guise/Beatty MSC that the dates of Monday, October 24th and Monday November 7th be set for the workshop and that the hours be from 6 pm to 9 pm. There was one opposing vote.

12. Approve donation from Discovery Builders for Brighton Station (R. Burr-Siegel)
Ms Burr-Siegel gave a brief history of this project and Commissioner McCarran gave additional information on the results of a meeting with the Public Art Committee and the developer. The donation amount proposed is $104,000. Commissioner Guise motioned that they accept the $104,000 and that it be used for the art work that was originally approved. Commissioner Beatty seconded the motion. After discussion many of the commissioners felt it should be two motions, one to accept the funds and one as to where the art is placed. Commissioner Guise withdrew her motion. Commissioner Beatty withdrew his second. Guise/Robinson MSC to accept the $104,000 donation. Commissioner Guise moved to use the $104,000 towards the purchase of the previously approved sculpture. Commissioner McCarran seconded this motion. There was discussion on this motion regarding whether this should go back to the Public Art Committee. Commissioner Gill said that the PAC has already had this discussion and that this was their recommendation. However, she said if the Commissioners want to refer it back again; it can be discussed again at their next meeting. Ms. Burr-Siegel said that locating the art in City Park would require the approval of the Park and Rec. Commission. Director Bronzan will research which fees could be utilized in the installation of this art. Commissioner Robinson suggested that the subject go back to the Public Art Committee and then bring it back to the Commission at their next meeting. Commissioner Gill suggested that the $104,000 be earmarked for the sculpture, so the sculpture is not lost. She did not think the funds and location should be tied together at this time. Commissioner McCarran withdrew his motion second and Commissioner Guise withdrew her motion.

13. Consider A Day in the Park Art & Wine Festival budget and program (C. Robinson)
Chairperson Bryant commented on the festival and Commissioner Robinson passed out flyers and posters for distribution around the city and their businesses. She commented on changes in the festival this year, including the addition of jazz which she feels is very positive and that the community will enjoy. She reported that the glasses are in and t-shirts are on the way. There will be three hour shifts for the volunteers and asked anyone who can work to please call her. Commissioner Robinson said there will be about 35 booths total including art and food vendors and artists demonstrating art. There will be a bounce house. Commissioner Guise said she has all of the volunteers for the beer booth. Commissioner Trebino said each glass of wine will be $4 or $6 with a tasting cost of $1.

NEW BUSINESS:
14. Discuss the development of a permanent art collection (G. Ruiz)
Commissioner Ruiz asked the Commissioners for feedback regarding starting a permanent collection. Chairperson Bryant said he felt some things should be decided in advance, what type of collection, how it will be secured and general policies. He said he is in favor of the idea, but feels some basic questions need to be answered first. Commissioner Beatty wanted to know who would be responsible for storage and maintenance. Commissioner Sveen felt student art should be considered as well. Commissioner Faye mentioned Paint Brush Diplomacy. Commissioner Guise said that two prints have been donated to the Commission. She will bring them and let the Visual Art Committee look at them and decide if they want to accept them or not. Commissioner Ruiz will work on this project.

CITY COUNCIL UPDATE:
Vice Mayor was not able to attend the meeting.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Ruiz commended Ms. Burr-Siegel on her monthly report. Commissioner Faye passed around a sample of exhibition announcements she received. Commissioner Guise asked if a card had been sent to the family of their first Poet Laureate, Mary Jane Barnes who recently passed away. Ms. Burr-Siegel said that the City had sent flowers. Commissioner Trebino suggested dedicating an art piece in her name. Commissioner Guise thought an annual scholarship fund should be set up in her name and that is being considered by the Soroptimist Club. Commissioner Sveen commented on the new Heritage High and their beautiful new theatre and passed around some photos of the facility.

STAFF REPORT AND COMMENTS:
Ms. Burr-Siegel commented on an art installation of Steve Siegel at the Saratoga Montalvo Art Center in Saratoga. She will get the information to all who are interested.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Brighton Station donation funds/statue
Commercial Percent for Art

ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Jo Whincup
Minutes Recorder