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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 15 2021 Cultural Arts Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Thursday April 15, 2021 Teleconference Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Bowen, Campagna, Hobson-Coard, Foley, DeNatale, Boldenweck, Bond, Ramos, Cansino, Maharaj Absent: N/A 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 Cristina Simmons, Administrative Assistant III. AGENDA REVIEW: N/A IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of March 18, 2021: Minutes for March 18, 2021 stand as sent. V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Millie Mardahay VI. PRESENTATION: RECONGNITION OF FORMER CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSIONER CHARLENE “SHANE” LOOPER: Cultural Arts Specialist Santos provided the Commission with a presentation of recognition for Charlene Looper in honor of her 13 years of service to the Cultural Arts Commission. The Commissioners thanked former Commissioner Looper for her dedication and service to the Cultural Arts Commission. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 2 VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Caltrain Public Art Selection Committee Update: Specialist Santos informed the Commission that the seven-member Caltrain Plaza Art Selection Committee (CPASC) met on April 5 and April 8, and conducted interviews of the five finalists. She stated that the meetings were open to the public and included participation from the Parks Division and Public Work Department. Specialist Santos reviewed the interview process with the Commissioners and informed them that the next meeting would take place on Saturday, May 8, 2021. She reviewed the components of the May 8 meeting, and stated that the two-hour meeting will take place in-person at the Grand Avenue Library Patio and would commence at 10 a.m. 2. Art Opportunities: a. “Prometheus Gives Fire to Man” Mural at SSF Caltrain Station Recreation Manager Duldulao updated the Commission that Specialist Santos contacted the original artist of the Prometheus mural, Nicolai Larson, to see if he could fix the graffiti repairs on his mural. Artist Larson informed Specialist Santos that he is retired and moved into more of a consulting role, but would help the City find a Bay Area artist to make those repairs. b. Dubuque/Hwy 101 Onramp Mural Opportunity: Manager Duldulao informed the Commission that there is an interest from City Council to provide a mural opportunity for the Dubuque/Hwy 101 onramp which is plagued by graffiti. She stated that staff will research an appropriate budget for the project. c. Library Art Panels on Centennial Way: Manager Duldulao updated the Commission that the Library Art Panels on Centennial Way do not need to be moved as reported in a prior meeting. The construction company will place fencing around them to keep them protected. Commissioner Bond asked if the damaged panel was repairable or not. Manager Duldulao said that there is no update if the green panel can be repaired and suggested it might be taken down due to safety reasons. 3. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Funding for Caltrain Plaza Art: ACM/Director Ranals informed the Commission that at the April 8 CPASC meeting, a CPASC member asked if the Cultural Arts Commission could contribute funding Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 3 towards Caltrain Plaza art project. ACM/Director Ranals reviewed the history of funding for Caltrain Plaza art, noting that former Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto had obtained $45,000 in donations from developers for the project prior to the City designating $500,000 towards the project. ACM/Director Ranals suggested that $500,000 should be sufficient to complete the project, but CPASC might be interested in selecting a combination of art pieces that might exceed the $500,000 budget. ACM/Director Ranals asked for the Commission’s feedback on how Commissioners would like to spend the $45,000 portion of the budget. ACM/Director Ranals discussed and responded to questions from Commissioners about using the $45,000 as a contingency fund in case unexpected costs arise related to installation of the artwork. This could include unplanned elements to enhance the artwork such as up-lights or additional signage. Commissioner Boldenweck expressed concerns that installation costs should be factored into the overall budget of an art piece. Commissioner Bond expressed support for using the additional budget if it allowed for a more impactful selection of art pieces. She also stated that she preferred that signage be considered separate from an art budget. Chair DeNatale stated that he would like the CPASC to work within the budget they have been allocated and mentioned that the money in the Cultural Arts budget could be used towards other community desires for art in other places. ACM/Director Ranals and the Commissioners discussed budget cuts from last year and the public art funds. As a member of CPASC, Vice Chair Campagna explained his consideration for supporting use of the $45,000 budget on Caltrain Plaza art. He shared his question offered at a CPASC meeting about a scenario where CPASC selects a proposal that only includes a sculpture, and what opportunity there would be to add a mural in the tunnel. Vice Chair Campagna stated his support for spending the $45,000 since it has been set aside for Caltrain Plaza art. He also noted that the Commission has an estimated $35,000 in its budget to carry out other projects. Commissioner Maharaj asked if there is a timeline for when funds will start being collected from developer fees. ACM/Director Ranals informed Commissioner Maharaj that she will check into the timeline and come back with an update. ACM/Director Ranals read a public comment regarding if the Bart Caltrain merger will affect the budget. ACM/Director Ranals said it will not affect the budget. ACM/Director Ranals confirmed her understanding of the Commissioners’ feedback and expressed her appreciation to them. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 4 2. Cultural Arts Commission Subcommittee Restructure: Vice Chair Campagna displayed a presentation to the Commission regarding streamlining and consolidating the current structure of the subcommittees. Manager Duldulao provided the Commission with the history of the subcommittees and reviewed how they work, noting the limit of a maximum of five members per subcommittee so not to establish a quorum. Chair DeNatale informed the new Commissioners that they will have the opportunity to join a subcommittee of their interest. Vice Chair Campagna reviewed proposed changes to the subcommittees in the following categories: Strategic Vision, Youth Art, Gallery and Exhibition, Public Art. The proposal would condense the eight subcommittees into four subcommittees, with the option to adjust over time as the need arises. Vice Chair Campagna asked the Commission for feedback. The Commission shared feedback and discussed ideas related to the best placement for the Performing Arts Subcommittee, the possibility for forming a Community Involvement Subcommittee, the process for joining a subcommittee, reviewing the tasks and improving a common understanding of what each subcommittee does, thinking about how to address emerging trends, and the best next steps to move forward with the restructuring plan. As a next step, Commissioner DeNatale suggested continuing the discussion on restructuring the subcommittees at the next meeting, and including a presentation showing which subcommittees Commissioners are currently committed to. Manager Duldulao thanked a member of the public, Daniel Deveron Baker, for joining the meeting and read a comment he wrote in the chat messages about putting music and performing arts at the top of the list instead of strategic vision. In response to a question left by Mr. Baker in the chat messages about if there was a limit to the number of subcommittees, Commissioner Bond responded with a chat message informing him that the Commission is not a specific number and provided some additional explanation about the intent to streamline subcommittees. In response to a question from Manager Duldulao confirming that no action is being taken on this agenda item, Vice Chair Campagna confirmed that no action will be taken at this time. Chair DeNatale thanked Mr. Baker for participating in the meeting. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 5 VIII: SUBCOMMITTEES: 1. Future Public Art Plan Chair DeNatale informed the Commission that the subcommittee has received a first draft of the Public Art Master Plan request for proposals (RFP) and hopes to update the Commission at the next meeting after the subcommittee has had the chance to review the draft. 2. Sculpture N/A 3. Fundraiser Commissioner Bowen stated staff is working on finding a fundraising platform. Manager Duldulao confirmed the City is still working through administrative hurdles and hopes to have answers soon. 4. Youth Art Show Vice Chair Campagna informed the Commission that he worked with the City’s Childcare Program to take about 30 photos of their Youth Art Show entries. There were around 20 Youth Art Show entries from the general public. The Youth Art Show will be displayed April 23 through May 31. 5. Jack Drago CAC Youth Art Scholarship 2021 Vice Chair Campagna stated that they have received four entries for the Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarship and the subcommittee would like to award two of the recipients. The first recipient, Cyrus Ramesh from South San Francisco High School, has a focus on acting and editing behind the camera. The second recipient, Janice Martir from El Camino High School, is an illustrator who wants to focus on character design and storybook art. Both recipients expressed how the scholarship would benefit them in their college careers. Vice Chair Campagna made a motion to award both recipients $1,500 each. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Campagna shared several links in the chat messages so that Commissioners could view artwork from the scholarship recipients. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 6 6. Art Shows 2021 a. July 9 & 10 Commissioner Bond stated the subcommittee will be holding a virtual General Art Exhibit and have selected a judge for the event. Eligible participants will be age 16 and up. b. October 8 & 9 Commissioner Boldenweck reported that plans for an October art show still need to be discussed by the subcommittee. 7. Other Subcommittee N/A X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Commissioner Hobson-Coard informed the Commission that her band, The Lovestruck Band, will be performing at the San Mateo County Fair. The date is still to be determined. Commissioner Cansino expressed her interest in joining the Performing Arts Subcommittee. Chair DeNatale confirmed that she can immediately be recognized as a member. XI. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Specialist Santos informed the Commission that Muralist Sirron Norris has provided a schedule of his painting dates, which will take place between April 16 through May 1. Specialist Santos shared ideal dates and times to visit Gardiner Park if Commissioners were interested in seeing the progress of the mural. Manager Duldulao informed the Commissioners that they should have received an Ethics Training email and reminded Commissioners to complete the training. XIII. ADJOURNMENT: Chair DeNatale adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cristina Simmons Administrative Assistant Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of April 15, 2021 Page 7 Next Meeting: May 20, 2021