10/08/2019 Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 11/12/2019
CITY OF GILROY
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
(“In partnership with City Council, the Arts & Culture Commission promotes the Arts in the
Gilroy community.”)
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 8, 2019
5:30 p.m.
Gilroy Arts Alliance
7341 Monterey Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
1
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Arts and Culture Commission meeting was called to order by Chair
Wendy Sue Kissa at 5:30 PM.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Wendy Sue Kissa Chair Present
Nancy Fierro Vice Chair Present
Maricela Andrade Commissioner Present
Marika Somorjai Commissioner Absent
Karla Sward Commissioner Present
Sally Armendariz Commissioner Present
Nelly Bermudez Commissioner Absent
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The packet was posted on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 2:20 PM.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Arts and Culture Commission - Regular Meeting - Sep 10, 2019 5:30 PM
Motion was made by Chair Wendy Sue Kissa to approve the September 10,
2019 regular meeting minutes.
Motion Passed 5-0-0.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff member Adam Henig requested to move Item B in New Business to
Item A.
Motion was made by Chair Kissa to approve the agenda as amended in
new business.
2
Motion Passed 5-0-0.
VI. INTRODUCTIONS
A. Kevin Heath, Gilroy Arts Alliance
Heath introduced himself to the commissioners prior to the meeting and
took them on a tour of the Gilroy Center for the Arts.
VII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
A. Limelight Actors Theater
Chair Wendy Sue Kissa informed Kevin Heath director of the Limelight
Actors Theater that the Arts and Culture Commission will be presenting an
award to him at an upcoming performance in November.
She thanked Kevin for his community involvement with the arts.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. AS (15-24), Cambridge Place Planned Unit Development Public Art
Proposal
Planner Miguel Contreras presented a proposed public art piece that will be
erected at a new residential development, 750 Sullivan Way for Cambridge
Place. The art piece was created by artist Vickie Jo Sowell, who was
present. The sculpture of a teacher and two students standing beside a
globe atop five stacked books will honor the history of the site as being the
original site of Las Animas School. The proposed art sculpture will be 6' x 3'
and will have a light fixture for Globe illumination and will be maintained by
the HOA.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Fierro to recommend the public art proposal
for the Cambridge Place Development to City Council. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Karla Sward.
Motion passed 5-0-0.
B. 2442 : Arts and Culture Commission 801 Fund
3
Staff Member Adam Henig informed the Commission he forgot at prior
meetings to mention that the Commission has funds available to spend on
commission related business (frames, printing costs, etc.). The account
funds were accumulated from volunteer efforts by commissioners when they
were supporting the sales of fireworks. The total amount in the account is
$1,408.34.
It was proposed to purchase a frame for the award that will be presented to
the Gilroy Center for the Arts.
It was motioned by Chair Kissa to set a $50 spending limit on the purchase
of a frame and it be purchased at a Gilroy-based business. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Sward.
Motion passed 5-0-0.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. Fiscal Year 2020 Training Budget Expenditures
Staff member Henig informed the commission there is nothing to report.
He stated he did not hear back if any commissioner had attended the arts
workshop sponsored by the California Arts Council in Salinas on September
23, with regards to mileage reimbursement.
Vice Chair Fierro stated she has seen seminars offered outside the
immediate area.
Henig informed the commissioners if they find a seminar that happens in
between commission meetings, commissioners are able to att end but would
need to keep receipts and bring the information to the next commission
meeting in order to be reimbursed for their travels and/or admission fee.
B. Update of 2019 Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan
4
Henig informed the commissioners there have not been any changes to the
work plan since the previous meeting.
He has yet to receive an update on how the 150th Anniversary Committee
plans to celebrate the logo contest winner.
The Commission has discussed presenting a quarterly Art and Cultural
Award. Vice Chair Fierro and Commissioner Maricela Andrade discussed in
between meetings possible criteria for the Art and Cultural Award.
This subcommittee had questions for the commission:
Can the recipient can be someone who has been compensated for
their art?
Can the award be presented to anyone who has contributed to local
arts and culture?
It was discussed to issue an award on a case-by-case basis, regardless if
recipient is being compensated. Commissioners mentioned another city
(Thousand Oaks) which issues community impact awards of various types.
It was discussed to have the various categories and verbiage emailed to
Adam to discuss at the next meeting.
Also, Henig reminded the commissioners to track the local arts and culture
events they plan to attend. They can also email him events they attend.
XI. PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE UPDATE
Vice Chair Fierro informed the commission the committee member Saldana
is working on the new Bench Plaque Program for new parks.
The bench plaques price has been increased to $600.
The committee is also working on an art and artist catalog for developers to
assist in the public art proposals when new development takes place.
She also delved into the background of the Public Art Committee, which is
the fundraising subcommittee of the Arts and Culture Commission.
XII. GENERAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Vice Chair Fierro stated she believes the GPAC meeting is set take place
this week.
XIII. GILROY ARTS ALLIANCE UPDATE
A. Gilroy Arts Alliance Report
5
Kevin Heath informed the Commission the exhibit of Steven Pattie was just
taken down today, 10/08/19.
The 8th Annual Dia de los Muertos Exhibit will be installed this weekend. An
event will take place on October 27th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
It has been discussed to relaunch the Center for the Arts in January under
new leadership.
The Center is currently open Tuesday's and Wednesday's 2PM-5PM and
most Saturday's 11AM-2PM.
Chair Kissa informed Kevin the Commission would like to present the award
on November 9, 2019.
XIV. STAFF REPORTS
A. Recreation Staff Report
Staff member Henig informed the commission about the Recreation
Department's fall production of Peter Pan Jr., which will run November 8-17
at Gilroy High Theater.
The free community event Spirits Night will be hosted at San Ysidro Park on
Friday, October 25th.
The Recreation department is currently in the midst of implementing a new
software, CivicRec, which has a projected launch date of December 10,
2019.
The annual Breakfast with Santa event will be held on Saturday, December
14th. If anyone would like to volunteer contact the Recreation Department.
The City Council will be discussing potential changes to commissions,
committee and boards, which could affect the Arts and Culture Commission.
The meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2019. Potential options include
making the non-chartered commissions and committees meet on a less
frequent basis or merging them together. Henig encouraged commissioners
to attend.
XV. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
None.
XVI. COMMISSION COMMENTS (Arts-Related)
Commissioner Sally Armendariz reminded everyone the Tamal festival will
take place Sunday, October 13, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
She also mentioned CARAS is still working on the restoration of the Aztec
Calendar and the artist group wants to present to the Arts and Culture
Commission at a future meeting.
On November 3rd from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and CARAS will be hosting a
Dia de los Muertos event at the Veterans Hall and will be selling Enchiladas
to fundraise for the mural project.
6
XVII. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
XVIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Andrade to adjourn the meeting. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Sward.
Meeting adjourned at 6:46 pm.
Motion passed 5-0-0.
XIX. FUTURE MEETINGS November 12, 2019 at 5:30 P.M.
Vanessa Arteaga,
Recreation Department
Recording Secretary