HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-19 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Council chamber & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Nia Taylor, Loren Gordon, Lisa Waltuch, Ben Miyaji
Commissioners Absent: Hsinya Shen
City Council Participating: Lydia Kou, Vice Mayor
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Kristen O’Kane, Community Services 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 Regular Meeting April 21, 2022 Moved: Commissioner Miyaji,
Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS – Staff announced the upcoming CASP Open Studios event on June 4, and the
ongoing call for artists for subsidized by the City artist studios with CASP for the 2023-26 term. Staff
also provided dates for upcoming community engagement workshops by Rayos Magos as part of his King
Artist Residency.
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:
Commissioner Miyaji moved to approve the resolution authorizing the use of teleconferencing for
the Public Art Commission meetings. Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
2. Election of Officers – Chair Taylor described the general duties and responsibilities of the Chair
to the Commissioners. Chair Taylor opened the floor to nominations for the position of the PAC
Chair. Vice Chair Gordon nominated Nia Taylor. Chair Taylor accepted the nomination. No other
nominations followed. Moved: Vice Chair Gordon moved to close nominations. Second:
Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor. Commissioners submitted their votes to staff. Staff
announced Chair Taylor as the new PAC Chair with 4-0 votes. Chair Taylor opened the floor
to nominations of Vice Chair. Commissioner Miyaji nominated current Vice Chair Loren Gordon
for the position of Vice Chair. Loren Gordon accepted the nomination. Vice Chair Gordon
nominated Commissioner Waltuch for the position of Vice Chair. Commissioner Waltuch
accepted. No other nominations followed. Moved: Commissioner Miyaji moved to close
nominations. Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor. Commissioners submitted their votes to
staff. Staff announced a tie in votes for the two nominees. Director O’Kane advised the
Commission that the PAC members may vote again until the tie is broken. Vice Chair Gordon
then withdrew from the running for Vice Chair. Commissioners submitted their ballots staff. Staff
announced Commissioner Waltuch as the new Vice Chair with 4-0 votes.
3. California Avenue Improvements – Staff provided an overview of the California Ave continued
closure to vehicular traffic in order to support local businesses and encourage pedestrian
experience along the commercial corridor. Staff shared images of portable street barricades and
explained a desire expressed by city staff and community for coherent artist designed treatments
for the street barriers along California Ave. Staff requested that PAC approve an allocation of
funds in the amount of up to $4,000 to commission an artist to create original digital artwork for
the series of street barriers. Moved: Commissioner Gordon moved to approve funding for the
project. Second: Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
4. New Acquisition of Artwork – - Staff provided an overview of Cubberley Artist Studio Program
artist Elizabeth Bennett’s statement and three artworks from the series titled Picking Up the
Pieces, offered for donation to the City’s public art collection. Staff made a recommendation to
accept the artwork donation. Moved: Commissioner Miyaji moved to approve the gift of the
three artworks to the City’s collection. Second: Vice Chair Waltuch. All in Favor.
NON-ACTION ITEM:
5. ArtLift Microgrants – Staff updated the Commissioners on the goals and vision of the ArtLift
Micorgrants program and provided an overview of the artist selection process. Staff announced
10 finalist projects and artists recommended by the selection panel for funding. Staff provided a
timeline for the realization of the projects in late summer – fall 2022. Vice Chair Waltuch, who
served on the selection panel, shared about her first panel experience with the Commissioners.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None.
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – June 16 at 7 pm (hybrid) at City Hall Council Chambers.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:52 pm by Chair Taylor.