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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-16 Public Art Commission Action Minutes IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54954.2(a) OR SECTION 54956 PUBLIC ART COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 16, 2026 Community Meeting Room & Virtual 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Participating: Hsinya Shen, Robin Mullery, Simon Tran , Amber Smith, Anjana Joshi, Tara de la Garza (joined at 7:02 pm) Commissioners Absent: Harriet Stern City Council Participating: None Staff Present: Amanda Deml, Assistant Director, CSD Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator, CSD Joseph Saxe, Public Art Program Manager, CSD CALL TO ORDER –Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – Chair Shen moved the Public Comment section to the end of the meeting and limited all public comments to one minute. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 19, 2026 PAC Regular Meeting Minutes: Moved by Commissioner Mullery. Second by Commissioner Smith All in Favor. STAFF COMMENTS –Staff provided an update and shared images of the ongoing painting of a mural by artist Harumo Sato at the All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Palo Alto. ACTION: 1. Downtown Parking Garage- Staff provided a summary of the public art commission history for the Downtown Parking Garage project, including its initial timeline, artist selection process, and previously concluded community engagement and research by the artist, Amy Landesberg, to inform her conceptual design for public art. Initially launched in 2014, the development project was put on hold by City Council in 2018. At that time, artist Amy Landesberg’s initial conceptual design had already previously been approved by the PAC. In 2025, the Council directed staff to resume the Downtown Garage development project. The Public Art Program staff reached out to the artist to confirm her interest and availability in resuming the project. Landesberg confirmed her interest as the project artist to continue development of the artwork for the garage structure and met with the design team. In June 2025 PAC approved funding in the amount of $30,600 for conceptual design development of public art by artist Amy Landesberg to be funded through pooled Art in Public Spaces CIP funds. Artist worked in collaboration with the public art staff and project design to inform her new conceptual design. Artist Amy Landesberg joined the meeting remotely via zoom to present her concept to the PAC. Landesberg, informed by site research and prior stakeholder input, proposed The Climbing Biome, a large-scale, architecturally integrated artwork for the garage’s concrete shear wall (approx. 50' x 16'). The stainless steel design features an intricate vertical composition of endangered local flora, highlighting regional ecological diversity. Inspired by Moorish tessellation, Louis Sullivan, and William Morris, the work will face Hamilton Avenue and include interpretive signage. It is designed to have a distinct presence both day and night. Landesberg presented conceptual design images and emphasized they reflect an overall direction. If approved, she will further develop the design, including construction drawings, a detailed fabrication and installation budget, and material samples. Commissioners asked questions about the artwork’s integration with the building and landscape, funding source, and construction timeline. Staff clarified that funding comes from the City’s one percent for public art allocation and recommended approval of the concept and funding of up to $237,000 for fabrication and delivery. Motion: Commissioner Smith moved to approve the proposed conceptual design and approve funding in the amount of $237,000 for the fabrication and installation phase. Second: Commissioner de la Garza. All in Favor. 2. Sherman Ave Parking Garage Temporary Mural Project – Staff provided an overview of the project and recent artist selection process. The selection panel recommended Phillip Hua as the top-ranked artist based on the strength of his work samples. If approved, staff will contract Hua for design development to create a site-specific mural for the garage, to be printed on mesh banner material and installed in Summer 2026 for one year. Staff recommended approval of Phillip Hua as the project artist. Commissioner de la Garza announced that she had to leave the meeting and did not take part in the approval of the motion. Motion: Commissioner Mullery moved to approve artist Phillip Hua as the project artist to design an original design for the temporary mural. Second: Commissioner Joshi. All in Favor. NON-ACTION: 3. Public Art in Private Development – Staff introduced developer Melanie Griswold with Steel Bridge Homes who made a presentation for the initial review for public art in private development associated with the 4103 Old Trace Road project. The developer shared preliminary architectural drawings of the complex noting that the current design may evolve, and indicated two potential areas for integration of public art. Commissioners reviewed the plans and provided input on accessibility, public experience, and integration with the surrounding landscape. They advised against reflective or projection-based works and suggested considering mosaics or murals on public-facing fencing or building façades, as well as the in-lieu option if on-site placement proves challenging. COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, OR FUTURE ITEMS: Commissioner Mullery announced upcoming CASP open studios event scheduled for April 25, 1-5 pm at Cubberley Community Center. PUBLIC COMMENT – None CALENDAR: PAC Regular Meeting – May 21, 2026, at 7 pm. MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:57 pm by Chair Shen.