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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/12/2014 - City Arts Commission - Approved Minutes 1 Newport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 12, 2014 – 5:00pm City Council Chambers Convened at 5:00 pm I. Call Meeting to Order Chair Goldberg called the meeting to order. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Rita Goldberg, Chair Arlene Greer, Vice Chair Caroline Logan, Secretary Michael Magrutsche Robert Smith Judy Chang Commissioners Absent: Charles Ware Council Present: Council Member Nancy Gardner Staff Present: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director Dave Curtis, Library Services Manager Elaine McMillion, Administrative Support Specialist Leilani Brown, City Clerk Arts Orange County Present: Pat Wayne, Arts Orange County Deputy Director III. Public Comments – Jim Mosher asked if the City Arts Commission would be accepting comments on each agenda item as they come up. Chair Goldberg requested Mr. Mosher present his comments on all items at this time. Mr. Mosher requested that approved minutes be added to Laserfiche so the public can search through them. He commented on the Financial Report and requested an estimate of what is being done on the sculpture exhibit. He further commented on the art exhibit and asked if the artists were still on the list and waiting for their exhibits. Additionally, Mr. Mosher asked what became of Policies I-11 and I-9 relating to City-owned art. Finally, Mr. Mosher indicated the Cultural Arts website has not been updated in some time and some information was outdated. Chair Goldberg stated she would ask staff to make sure information on the website is current. Additionally, she indicated the sculptures are not in place so the budget has not yet been finalized. With regard to artists waiting to have their work exhibited, she indicated there would be a formal vote to accept or not accept the recommendations of the queue. 2 IV. Approval Of Minutes Vice Chair Greer requested the May 8, 2014, minutes be amended as follows: “Commissioner Greer stated the placement of the art will be an aesthetic decision and may or may not be based on the art’s value.” Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Chang and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve the minutes of May 8, 2014, as amended and noted. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Chang and Magrutsche NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware V. Current Business A. Consent Calendar 1. Correspondence and Press – None noted. 2. Financial Report – Included in meeting packet. 3. Cultural Arts Activities – Included in meeting packet. Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Logan and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Chang and Magrutsche NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware B. Items for Review and Possible Action - 1. Art Site Suitability - Discussion of the Art Site Suitability Ad Hoc Committee and its relation to the Arts Master Plan Steering Committee. Discussion and possible sunsetting of the Art Site Suitability Ad Hoc Committee Chair Goldberg stated at the last meeting the Commission had discussed either sunsetting or putting this item on hiatus. Library Services Director Hetherton indicated Commissioner Ware had revisions to the report. He noted that the Committee had met with Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff to determine the best way to work together and would be seeking interns with urban planning and public art backgrounds to assist with the inventory and creation of a database. He further indicated the Parks and Recreation database was targeted as a resource to identify art friendly sites. Additionally, it was suggested that the project should partner with a consultant to integrate the Committee’s work with the vision of the City’s Arts Master Plan. The Committee had developed a partial list of sites to be evaluated and concluded that City staff would be necessary to complete the project. Secretary Logan indicated she would like the language to cover the Committee when it comes to the Coastal Commission. She indicated in the past, residents had expressed concerns that their views 3 would be blocked by the placement of sculptures and the Committee should know in advance there may be a problem. Council Member Gardner stated the City does not protect private views but tries to be sensitive to public views. Chair Goldberg indicated when the time is right to accept this; Secretary Logan’s recommendation could be incorporated. Motion made by Commissioner Magrutsche and seconded by Vice Chair Greer and carried (6-0-0-1) to sunset the Art Site Suitability Ad Hoc Committee. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Chang and Magrutsche NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware 2. Exhibition of Art in the Central Library - The art exhibition schedule for the next twelve artist displays has been approved by the Fine Arts Committee. This Committee will ask the City Arts Commission to review and approve the selected artist exhibits for display from June 2014 through Spring 2016. Commissioner Greer gave an update on the scheduled art exhibits and artists at the Central Library and asked for approval by the Commission. Commissioner Magrutsche recused himself from the meeting as his art was being considered. Commissioner Smith asked if once the motion is made, the Commission needed to ask for any discussion someone might want to have on the motion. Council Member Gardner stated after the motion and second are made there can be discussion. Secretary Logan asked if it was acceptable for a Commissioner to have their work displayed. Library Services Director Hetherton indicated the matter had been approved by the City Attorney. Vice Chair Greer further indicated the decision was made prior to Commissioner Magrutsche becoming a Commissioner. Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Smith and carried (5-0-1-1) to approve selection of the art exhibits as presented by the Fine Arts Ad Hoc Committee. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith and Chang NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: Magrutsche ABSENT: Ware 3. Rex Brandt 100th Anniversary - Discussion and possible approval of hosting or co-hosting an event in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of local artist Rex Brandt. Vice Chair Greer gave an update on Rex Brandt and the potential for a birthday celebration. She stated it was suggested to add this to the sculpture garden exhibition. However it was decided that the two exhibits would not compliment each other and should be separate. Vice Chair Greer suggested the Fine Arts Committee continue to study it and bring a report back at the next meeting with a plan for the event after the sculpture garden exhibition. Commissioner Magrutsche stated it would be good to have a celebration in October and have something unique to Newport Beach. 4 Vice Chair Greer added that Rex Brandt’s wife was the chair of the Arts Commission in 1960 and it might be interesting to include some of her work in the exhibit also. Chair Goldberg suggested making a motion approving the concept so there is enough time to effectively organize the celebration and asked for an outline of the concept. Vice Chair Greer indicated that a donation of $1,000 has been offered for this event and they would like to use the Library Friend’s Meeting Room or the City’s Community Room for the event. She further stated there would be works exhibited as part of the event and that it would be open to the public for a period of time. Additionally, the Committee would like to bring back a proposal per the outline presented today. Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Magrutsche and carried (6-0-0-1) to to bring back in August a concrete plan of action for this event. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Magrutsche and Chang NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware 4. Plan for City-owned Art - Discussion and potential approval of a plan for City-owned art currently in storage. Vice Chair Greer gave an update on the subcommittee meeting and discussed revisions to the report. She recommended the City Arts Commission retain City-owned art of high value or local importance, de- access and surplus City-owned art of low appraised value and limited local importance, and offer retained art in storage to City staff for offices and public areas. Secretary Logan felt the recommendation was valuable and asked for clarification regarding quality pieces of local importance. She felt pieces of local scenes that are not quality should be distinguished so the City is not required to keep pieces of questionable quality even though they are of Newport Beach. Commissioner Magrutsche stated the quality is defined by the appraisal so this has already been taken care of. Secretary Logan stated her concern was “local importance” and could mean any piece of art that is representative of someplace in Newport Beach, even though it may be poor quality. She does not want the City to feel they have to keep pieces of low quality and would like to qualify that. Council Member Gardner suggested using the phrase “should consider retaining” to have flexibility to make decisions. The motion was revised to change “local importance” to “locally significant” and “should retain” to “should consider retaining”. Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Logan and carried (6-0-0-1) to approve the plan for City-owned Art as presented. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Magrutsche and Chang NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware 5 C. Monthly Reports - 1. Newport Beach Sculpture Garden Ad Hoc Committee – Commissioner Smith provided an update on the sculpture garden. He indicated contracts have been sent to the artists for signature and the unveiling will be September 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall Community Room. Further, the consultants are working on the schedule for installation and art will be professionally installed. Janis Dinwiddie has been retained to stage the event and she is working on a proposal and budget. Commissioner Smith indicated he is working with staff on materials to go along with the sculptures. He noted that the Speak-Up Newport meeting held the prior night was well attended and the audience was favorable toward the sculptures. Additionally, Commissioner Smith stated the City’s new budget includes funds for another round of sculptures. 2. Fine Arts Ad Hoc Committee – Vice Chair Greer reported on the Newport Beach Art Exhibition launching on the upcoming Saturday. She indicated 137 artists and 266 works of art will be exhibited and the program will include an event schedule, a list of participating artists and a thank you to participants and sponsors. Further, there will be a wine and cheese event and the Pacific Youth Symphony will provide entertainment. She indicated outreach has been extensive and thanked numerous supporters of the event. She discussed the role of the Commissioners in acting as liaisons at the event. 3. Arts Foundation Liaison Ad Hoc Committee – Commissioner Smith gave a brief report and stated they are continuing to make plans for the art sale in October, 2014. He indicated a ten- foot square area is provided to the artists, with the artists providing their own canopy and shelving. Cost is $100 for the rental and no commission is taken from the works that are sold. Vice Chair Greer stated the Committee is also working with Art in the Park to assist in facilitating the event. Commissioner Smith further indicated the Committee has $15,000 in their treasury and would like to purchase art to be installed permanently in the City, and is looking at donating a sculpture or contributing money to the September 13, 2014, event. 4. Art Site Suitability Ad Hoc Committee – Chair Goldberg noted that this agenda item will be removed from future agendas as it had been sunsetted earlier in the meeting. 5. Civic Center Art Placement Ad Hoc Committee – Chair Goldberg stated there was nothing to report on this item. 6. Art Owned by the City of Newport Beach Ad Hoc Committee – Vice Chair Greer indicated she had already given her report and recommendation earlier in the meeting. 7. Arts Master Plan Steering Committee – Chair Goldberg indicated the Committee had its first meeting and it went well. She noted that the plan will satisfy the present and future needs of the City. She introduced Pat Wayne, Arts Orange County Deputy Director, who provided a report on the subcommittee meeting on May 29, 2014. Ms. Wayne indicated the Committee had viewed the contract and expected scope of work, and discussed the calendar. She noted over the next 30 days Arts OC will conduct interviews with community leaders, there will be five focus groups, and in August there will be a public survey to allow the public to weigh in on their views. In September and October, a draft plan will be created to be brought to City Council in November. Ms. Wayne stated she had interviewed all of the Commissioners to discuss their goals, wishes, concerns and that the comments were brought to the Committee to act as a baseline. 6 VI. City Arts Commission Announcements or Matters Which Members Would Like Placed on a Future Agenda for Discussion, Action or Report (Non-Discussion Item) Chair Goldberg noted that Secretary Logan was not currently sitting on a committee and requested committee updates and appointments be placed on the next agenda. Motion made by Vice Chair Greer and seconded by Commissioner Logan and carried (6-0-0-1) to add Committee updates and appointments to the July 10, 2014, agenda. AYES: Goldberg, Greer, Logan, Smith, Ware and Magrutsche NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ware VII. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items – Lesley Miller, City Arts Commission applicant, expressed her interest in the Commission and stated she was unable to find the procedure on how to proceed. Chair Goldberg stated the Arts Commission does not have any role in the selection process and it is done by City Council when vacancies become available and wished her luck. Jim Mosher commented that art could be displayed on the walls in the City Council chambers. He also commented on the Balboa Village Advisory Committee meeting the prior night and stated someone suggested design changes should be run by the City Arts Commission and he thought it was a good idea. Further, Mr. Mosher indicated it would be nice to have searchable minutes as he attempted to find the minutes regarding the walk-over tree which was rejected because it was not ADA compliant. He noted he had some concerns on the Arts Master Plan Steering Committee. Additionally, Mr. Mosher expressed he did not think having public comment at the beginning of the meeting was a good idea as it was not interactive. Commissioner Chang commented on the Orange County Museum of Art’s Art of Dining Gala and stated it was a spectacular event. VIII. Adjournment – 5:53 p.m. Submitted by: Rita Goldberg