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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-20-20 MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Thursday, August 20, 2020 Teleconference Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Boldenweck, Bowen, Campagna, Hobson-Coard, Foley, Fornaciari, DeNatale, Looper Absent: Commissioner: Madrid-Nickle Staff Present: Sharon Ranals, ACM/Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Ercie Santos, Cultural Arts Specialist Susan Filereto, Administrative Assistant III. AGENDA REVIEW: N/A IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of July 16, 2020: Minutes for July 16, 2020 stand as sent. V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto Councilmember Matsumoto updated the Commission on the status of the Board and Commission interviews. The Mayor determines the timeline. Mayor Garbarino prefers in- person interviews and is considering a plan to observe COVID-19 safety guidelines. Virtual interviews would serve as an alternative for parties uncomfortable with the in-person interview option. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 2 VI. PRESENTATION: Recognition of Jim Fitzpatrick, ARTtour International Artist of the Decade Manager Duldulao introduced Jim Fitzpatrick and thanked Councilmember Matsumoto for bringing him to the attention of the Commission. Jim offered a brief description of the five art pieces on the PowerPoint presentation, which was also included in the Commission packet. He also spoke briefly on his background and career, ranging from drawing athletes to actually becoming a professional roller derby skater and subsequently a South San Francisco firefighter. When injuries prohibited him from continuing his firefighting career, he pursued his life-long passion of artistic photography and drawing. This allowed him to cope with the chronic pain and treatments. He hopes his work inspires people experiencing chronic pain to fight and move on. Chair Looper thanked him for coming to the Commission meeting and sharing his art work, and invited to participate in future art shows. Jim Fitzpatrick thanked Councilmember Matsumoto and the Commission for the honor. Councilmember Matsumoto invited him to apply to be a member of the Cultural Arts Commission. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Vice Chair DeNatale inquired on the option to allow Cultural Arts donations through the website, commenting that he could not find this information. Manager Duldulao responded that staff is working on creating an online process for the public to make donations to all Parks and Recreation programs website. Vice Chair De Natale requested that donation information also be included on the cultural arts webpage, and it would be beneficial to include an email address that the public could contact to donate to Cultural Arts. VIII. NEW BUSINESS: Vice Chair DeNatale inquired about the possibility of utilizing as art a birdcage that he believes was donated. ACM/Director Ranals responded that the birdcage is currently housed at the old Corp Yard and was donated to the City by Prem, who is a member of the Improving Public Places group (IPP). She added that it can be made available if the Commission had a creative use for it. Vice Chair DeNatale suggested placing it on or near the San Francisco Bird Hotel property located east of 101, or create a call for entries to use it as a sculpture piece. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 3 Commissioner Boldenweck stated she would include this item for the Sculpture subcommittee to consider. IX. SUBCOMMITTEES: 1. Sculpture a. Giraffe Sculpture Donation Commissioner Boldenweck reported that it is the recommendation that the Giraffe Sculpture be placed in the Sculpture Garden. The reasons were that there was protective fencing, and it replaces the mobile art piece that was lost. Vice Chair DeNatale added that it would highlight Councilmember Matsumoto donation to the City through the audio tour. Chair Looper stated it would also be more accessible since the location is closer to the viewer. ACM/Director Ranals noted that, since this was not the original location requested by the donor and before any recommendation is made, the Commission has to inform and obtain approval from the donor of the proposed location. She added that if Councilmember Matsumoto did not approve of this location, other locations could be considered. Councilmember Matsumoto stated her reason for requesting the Westborough location was for better visibility. She added that Deputy Director Mediati had also suggested a site near palm trees and opposite the location of the Dragon sculpture. Councilmember Matsumoto stated that she would leave the decision on the location up . Chair Looper noted that this was very gracious of the Councilmember. ACM/Director Ranals stated that staff has not yet purchased the Giraffe, as she was waiting for the ensus to accept the sculpture. She stated Parks Manager Joshua Richardson was going to Half Moon Bay to assess the stability of the sculpture. Councilmember Matsumoto stated she could simply donate the funds, and that the Commission could opt to purchase a different animal. Her proviso was that the purchase be finalized quickly and that the sculpture be installed no later than year-end. Commissioner Boldenweck moved that the Commission accept the donated Giraffe sculpture by Karyl Matsumoto and to install it in the Sculpture Garden. Commissioner DeNatale seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. b. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 4 Vice Chair DeNatale stated the three locations the subcommittee recommends are as follows: 1. Lux and Maple median 2. Maple Avenue between Aspen and Pine median 3. Maple at The Building Annex Commissioner Fornaciari preferred the median. ACM/Director Ranals advised that the Commission perform outreach to the neighborhood in both recommended locations #1 and #2. She reminded the Commission of the utility box issue with the Paradise Valley residents. She noted that residents have expressed concerns about notification on actions in their neighborhood. ACM/Director Ranals stated staff would send out a mailer to notify residents. She added that location #3, Maple at the Building Annex, is a City property not requiring similar outreach. Manager Duldulao commented that another consideration is that the installation at some of the locations may be more challenging. Vice Chair DeNatale pointed out that it should be communicated that is an existing piece of donated art. Commissioner Hobson-Coard agreed that Lux and Maple was a good location. Commissioner Foley also liked that location because he stated it is a gateway linking three different areas. Vice Chair Maple. Commissioner Boldenweck seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. Chair Looper added a stipulation if this location is not approved by Council, that staff can submit the other two options for consideration. Councilmember Matsumoto agreed and suggested recommending one location at a time to the Council. 2. Future Art Plan Vice Chair DeNatale reported that the subcommittee had updated the South San Francisco Cultural Arts Public Art Survey. Commissioner Campagna described each item on the survey and included additional revisions to a few selected items. Commissioner Campagna noted that the item regarding the resident/work neighborhood requires some clarification from staff. ACM/Director Ranals asked Councilmember Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 5 Matsumoto if it would be beneficial to Commissioner Campa of Council voting districts. Councilmember Matsumoto responded that voting districts may be confusing and that most people are familiar with their neighborhood. Vice Chair DeNatale commented that knowing the neighborhoods would be more Commissioner Campagna added that understanding which residents have participated in community art programs can inform future programs. Suggestions from Commissioners and ACM/Director Ranals included the following: Add the option to check more than one box. Include the option to rank the responses. Include demographic data, race, ethnicity. Commissioner Campagna responded positively to all the suggestions and requested information about how the requests demographic information. Councilmember Matsumoto stated a list is available. She added that ACM/Director Ranals can provide it. ACM/Director Ranals commented that the survey was fantastic. Vice Chair DeNatale moved to approve the Public Art Survey with adjustments for City distribution. Commissioner Campagna seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. 3. Art Shows 2020 a. Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos (October 9/10) Commissioner Boldenweck reported that the date is quickly approaching and although a virtual show is a great idea, a decision is required in order to have enough time to prepare for it. She noted it would be presented similar to past in-person art shows and include a call for entries. In addition, Commissioner Boldenweck proposed a couple of Day of the Dead online art projects which involved decorating a mask and a skeleton. Vice Chair DeNatale suggested having a neighborhood walking tour of decorated windows or front of homes with altar displays or the downloaded art project. He advised utilizing the technology used for the Citywide Garage Sale to register their homes for this residential tour. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 6 Vice Chair DeNatale stated the show would encompass a call for entries for a virtual art gallery exhibit using the online platform that was used for the Youth Art Scholarship and a neighborhood walking tour of decorated homes. Chair Looper mentioned that the show would be a one to two-week exhibit. She also suggested including a contest with award ribbons. Commissioner Campagna recommended using the Padlet platform. Specialist Santos responded that the basic complimentary version of Padlet.com is currently being used for the Jack Drago Youth Art Scholarship online art exhibit. ACM/Director Ranals offered that the Department could purchase a premium version of Padlet with more features. Vice Chair DeNatale stated it would be important for the platform to have social media capability in order to allow voting. Commissioner Fornaciari commented they could use the platform for fundraising. Vice Chair DeNatale moved to do a Virtual Day of the Dead Art Show. Commissioner Boldenweck seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. Manager Duldulao reviewed the elements of the show which would include: Virtual Art Gallery Show Neighborhood tour of decorated windows/front yards Downloadable craft project ACM/Director Ranals suggested the library could also participate, perhaps via a craft activity at the Grand Avenue Library. Vice Chair DeNatale suggested the library as a physical pick up location for the craft activity. ACM/Director Ranals stated the option of mailing out the craft activity can also be offered. 4. Fundraiser Manager Duldulao informed the Commission that Fundraising subcommittee Chair Ventura resigned due to conflicts with personal obligations. Chair Looper stated that the Fundraising subcommittee now has an opening for a Chair. The task is to lead the subcommittee in a discussion on fundraising options and decide on a recommendation to present to the entire Commission. ACM/Director Ranals reminded the members that Fundraiser proceeds serve as the sole funding source for the Youth Art Scholarship because city funds cannot be used for it. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 7 Councilmember Matsumoto mentioned, after receiving clarification on the scholarship funding goal of the subcommittee, that she is working with the City Manager to set up a mechanism to fund Public Art. Commissioner Bowen offered to volunteer as chair. She requested assistance since it was her first experience in chairing. Chair Looper, Commissioner Boldenweck, and Commissioner Hobson-Coard said they would be happy to help. Chair Looper asked that the subcommittee review the list of fundraising suggestions that was included in their packet in order to make a recommendation. 5. Other Subcommittee: N/A X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: N/A XI. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Specialist Santos stated the next sculpture video featured on social media is . Manager Duldulao reported on the following Parks and Recreation program updates: Marketing efforts are starting for the Fall Programs. Virtual and selected in-person classes are expected to launch on September 14. Orange Pool will be closed starting Sunday due to San Mateo County being added to the monitoring list. Next week, the Full Day Childcare Program will start in response to the school % distance learning model. The program will operate out of existing afterschool programs on a full day schedule. She added, though the program is very much reduced, they are able to serve the essential workers. Manager Duldulao expressed her appreciation of Commissioner Ventura for her service. Vice Chair DeNatale also offered his thanks to Commissioner Ventura. He asked about the timeline for filling Commission vacancies. Manager Duldulao responded, per that Council is trying to schedule in-person interviews that incorporate safe physical-distancing practices. They hope to schedule interviews soon. Councilmember Matsumoto emphasized that the interview process is at the . Vice Chair DeNatale asked if applications were still being accepted. ACM/Director Ranals will check on this question. She reminded the members that Commissioners whose term is up can still serve until their position is filled. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of August 20, 2020 Page 8 Chair Looper stated that she is considering forming Patrons of the Cultural Arts support group that will assist the Cultural Arts Commission with their events. XII. CORRESPONDENCE: Was included in packet XIII. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Looper adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Filereto Administrative Assistant Next Meeting: October 15, 2020