HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-20 Public Art Commission Action Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Virtual teleconference via Zoom
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Nia Taylor, Loren Gordon, Lisa Waltuch, Ben Miyaji
Commissioners Absent: Hsinya Shen
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER - Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Special Meeting November 4, 2021 Moved: Commissioner Miyaji,
Second: Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS - Staff updated the Commissioners on the development status of the professional
services agreement for the King Residency artist Rayos Magos.
ACTION:
1. Adoption of Resolution – Commissioners reviewed the resolution authorizing the use of
teleconferencing for the Public Art Commission meetings during Covid-19 state of emergency.
On September 16, 2021, the Governor signed AB 361, a bill that amends the Brown Act, effective
October 1, 2021, to allow local policy bodies to continue to meet by teleconferencing during a
state of emergency without complying with restrictions in State law that would otherwise apply,
provided that the policy bodies make certain findings at least once every 30 days. Moved: Vice
Chair Gordon moved to approve the resolution authorizing the use of teleconferencing for the
Public Art Commission meetings. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
2. Public Art Microgrants – Staff provided a summary of the first round of ArtLift Microgrant
projects realized in 2020-21 and recommended allocation of funding in the amount of $40,000 to
fund another series of Microgrants from the CIP Art in Public Places budget. Staff will release a
call for artists and creatives to fund up to ten selected proposals with a $4,000 budget each.
ArtLift Microgrant projects will focus on playing, belonging, community participation and
promoting shared experiences in and around Palo Alto. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to
allocate funding in the amount of $40,000 for a series of 10 ArtLift Microgrants. Second: Chair
Taylor. All in Favor.
3. Collection Care – Staff provided an update on the condition of Confluence by artist Mike Szabo
and provided a rational the needed routine maintenance treatment for the water sculpture. Staff
requested that the Commission approve funding in the amount of up to $4,000 for the
maintenance treatment. Moved: Commissioner Miyaji moved to approve funding for the
maintenance of Confluence. Second: Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
4. Collection Care – Staff provided an overview and shared images of the current condition of
concrete pads for Movement IV by Steven Jay Rand and Albuquerque by Gale Wagner and
requested that the Commission allocate funding for the repair and expansion of the concrete pads
for the artworks. Staff will contact artist Gale Wagner to notify him about the upcoming works to
expend the pad for his sculpture. Moved: Chair Taylor moved to approved funds in the amount of
$3,300 for the repair work. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
5. Collection Care – Staff provided an overview of the site-specific media artwork Conversation by
Susan Narduli located at the City Hall lobby and updated the Commission on its current
operational status. Due to some outdated software features, the artwork’s interactive kiosk does
not allow viewers to interact with the artwork and submit their comments and photos. Staff
reached out to Susan Narduli for a proposal to upgrade the hardware and software support as well
as redesign the interactive kiosk user experience. Staff requested that the Commission approve
funding in the amount of up to $8,000 for the necessary maintenance updates and redevelopment
of the touchscreen kiosk. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to approve funding for the
maintenance of Conversation. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
6. New Acquisition of Artwork – Staff provided an overview of CASP artist Chandrika Marla’s
statement and about the artwork titled Meet Me Halfway offered for donation to the City’s public
art collection. Staff made a recommendation to accept the artwork donation. Moved: Vice Chair
Gordon moved to approve the gift of the artwork to the City’s collection. Second: Commissioner
Miyaji. All in Favor.
NON-ACTION:
7. PAC Workplan 2022 – Commissioners led an initial discussion regarding the next steps
and planning efforts for the PAC 2022 Annual Workplan and Performing Measures for
the City Council review and approval. Commissioners discussed using the PAC September
2021 approved priorities in new workplan. Commissioners agreed to add a discussion item in the
upcoming PAC regular meeting in February to finalize the list of initiatives and projects under the
working priorities for 2022. Staff will provide supporting documents to allow Commissioners
prepare for the discussion.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – FOG Design+Art January 20-23.
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – February 17 at 7 pm (virtual).
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:36 pm by Chair Taylor.