HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-19 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Palo Alto Civic Center
Council Chambers
250 Hamilton Avenue
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Jim Migdal. Ben Miyaji, Kathleen Kavanaugh, Amanda Ross, Dara
Silverstein
Commissioners Absent: Vikki Tobak, Nia Taylor
Staff present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Assistant II
CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM by Chair Migdal; commissioner
Silverstein joined the meeting at 7:05
ADDITIONS, CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Moved: Commissioner Kavanaugh moved to approve the February 19,
2014 Special Meeting and Study Session Minutes. Second: by Commissioner Ross. All in Favor.
FINANCIAL REPORT – DeMarzo provided a report on the CIP budget.
STAFF COMMENTS – DeMarzo updated the Commission on the open call to artists for existing
artworks that may be temporarily exhibited in various sites throughout the City of Palo Alto. Proposals
selected through this call will be considered for exhibition during the 2015 and 2016 calendar years.
ACTION
1. Allocation of funds – Staff provided background information of the funding discussion that took
place at the PAC Study Session on February 19, 2015 and recommended the approval of funding
allocations from the CIP and Municipal Budgets for the Municipal Golf Course, the University
Avenue Tunnels, Temporary public art, and artist led community engagement associated with the
master plan. Motion: Commissioner Silverstein moved to allocate $30,000 toward the University
Avenue tunnels artwork by Ala Ebtekar and Binta Ayofemi and $10,000 to support temporary
public art from the CIP budget; and up to $20,000 for artist led engagement associated with the
public art master plan, and $10,000 toward the artwork at the Municipal Golf Course by Joyce
Hsu from the Municipal Budget. Second: Vice Chair Miyaji. All in Favor.
2. New Media Art for the City Hall Lobby – Staff updated the Commission on the status
development of the new media public art project at the City Hall lobby and recommended the
approval of final concept and plans for Susan Narduli’s artwork. The Commission reviewed the
project plans and descriptions, and provided feedback regarding interactive functionality of the
artwork, such as ability to upload content remotely and arbitration of inappropriate content.
Motion: Vice Chair Miyaji moved to approve the final concept and plans for Susan Narduli’s
artwork. Second: Commissioner Kavanaugh. All in Favor.
Council Liaison Liz Kniss joined the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Staff requested a 5-minute break at 7:30p.m.
NON-ACTION
Chair Migdal announced a change in the agenda to swap non-action items 3 and 4.
3. 2515/2535 El Camino Real - Architect Ken Hayes of Hayes Group Architects presented an initial
review for public art in private development project at 2515/2535 El Camino Real. Hayes
provided a background of the development project and informed the Commission that that staff
was hired by the developer as Art Consultant. Commissioners reviewed the details of the
development project and provided feedback and examples for possible types, media and themes
of public art at the selected site. The Commissioners suggested that the developer considers
providing more visibility and appropriate scale when placing artwork(s). The Commissioners
suggested considering integration of functional public art to facilitate seating or protection from
the sunlight, and introducing natural forms and materials.
4. 180 El Camino Real - Chandra Cerrito of Chandra Cerrito Art Advisors and Ronald J Zeytoonian
of Simon Properties presented an informational report to update the Commission on the status of
the public art plan for Simon Property Group at the Stanford Shopping Center. The commission
had positive feedback for the team on the direction of the art process.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DeMarzo also announced the Artist Outreach meeting for the master plan to be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm
at Cubberley Community Center on March 30th. DeMarzo also announced the Master Planning Public
Art Boot Camp scheduled on Saturday, May 16th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Rinconada Library and
invited other City of Palo Alto’s boards and commissions. A tentative date for Public Art Commission
Joint meeting with City Council is May 11, 2015.
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
The next meeting: April 16, 2014, 7pm at Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM by Chair Migdal.