12/10/2019 Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 01/14/2020
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
DECEMBER 10, 2019
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
1
I. CALL TO ORDER
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Wendy Sue Kissa Chair Present
Sally Armendariz Commissioner Present
Nancy Fierro Vice Chair Present
Karla Sward Commissioner Present
Marika Somorjai Commissioner Present
Nelly Bermudez Commissioner Present
Maricela Andrade Commissioner Absent
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The meeting packet was posted on Friday, December 6, 3, 2019 at 3:00
PM.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. November 12, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Motion was made by Commissioner Sward to approve the agenda. Motion
seconded by Marika Somorjai. Motion Passed 6 -0-0.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Karla Sward to approve the November
12, 2019 regular meeting minutes. It was seconded by Nelly Bermudez.
Motion Passed 6-0-0.
VI. INTRODUCTIONS
VII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
None.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
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IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Rescind Decision of 2020 Regular Meeting Schedule of Arts & Culture
Commission
Henig explained that at the most recent commission meeting (November 12,
2019), the Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) approved the 2020 meeting
schedule. After speaking with the Public Art Committee’s (PAC) staff liaison,
she had informed him that since the ACC and PAC will be consolidated,
PAC members would like input on the 2020 schedule and recommends that
it be discussed at their first meeting in January, when the commission will
expand to ten members. By motioning to approve, the Commission would
rescind the agreed upon schedule that was approved on November 12,
2019. The commission will meet on January 14, 2020 and use that meeting
to set and approve the 2020 schedule.
Kissa asked if the retreat would be rescheduled too. Henig said yes, all of
the 2020 dates would be modified-except January 14-based on the outcome
of the first meeting in 2020. Also, Kissa inquired where the meeting will be
held in the Chambers since the dais only has 9 chairs. Henig said it would
be around the conference table.
Motion made by Fierro to approve rescinding the 2020 Commission meeting
schedule. Sward seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0-0.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update of 2019 Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan
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Henig referred commissioners to packet page 13. Henig mentioned the
commissioner’s award that was presented to Kevin Heath of Limelight
Actors Theater in November. Also, the commission would delay finalizing
details of the art award criteria until the newly formed commission
reconvenes in January 2020. Commissioner Fierro mentioned she attended
Spirits at San Ysidro Park in October. Commissioner Armendariz attended
Dia De Los Muertos. Kissa attended Christmas Holiday parade. Henig
informed the commission that South Valley Civic Theater is planning to run
theatrical productions at the Center for the Arts since Limelight Actors
Theater will not be anymore.
Henig provided an update from the 150th Anniversary Committee Chair. She
said that the Committee is organizing a Family Day event on Saturday,
March 14, 2020 at Wheeler Center. A more formal event will take place on
March 12 (the actual anniversary date) at Old City Hall. It will be sponsored
by the Chamber of Commerce. The committee has requested volunteers
from the commission. Also, City Council is planning to honor the logo
contest winner and participants at a January 2020 Council meeting. Henig
will confirm the date once he is informed.
Fierro informed the commission about Christopher High School theater
productions at their black box theater. She’ll try to find out about upcoming
performances in advance so commissioners can attend.
B. Arts and Culture Commission has a fund account available to be used
for Commission-related business
Henig reiterated the purpose of the 801 fund. Kissa asked if funds could be
used from this budget to purchase awards for the logo contest participants.
Henig said that would be fine as long as it’s related to commission business.
Henig also explained that the Public Art Committee oversees a Public Art
Fund that can only be used for purchasing or improvements to existing
public art on city property. This fund will now be managed by Arts and
Culture Commission. These funds are raised by members of commission
subcommittee.
C. Fiscal Year 2020 Training Budget Expenditures
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Henig referred to commissioners to packet page 16 regarding the training
budget balance. Sward asked if the money rolls over at the end of the year.
Henig said it does not, but clarified that the end of the year is fiscal year, not
calendar year. Sward asked what past practices were of previous
commissioners. What made them so successful? Can Henig put them in
touch with the current commission, Sward asked. Henig said he would
reach out to them to see if they would be interested. Henig said he would
provide a binder of the history of the commission to Sward. She expressed
interest in borrowing it. Fierro mentioned about what the Public Art
Committee is doing such as the bench plaque program and curating public
art within the City. Bermudez discussed the importance of public art.
XI. PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE UPDATE
Fierro discussed the current public art approval process and how the
committee is investigating different ways to propose a more effective
process when it comes to developer’s selection of artwork. Kissa
recommended that the conversation continue when the commission meets
again in January.
XII. GENERAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE
No report.
XIII. GILROY ARTS ALLIANCE UPDATE
A. No report
Henig believes that the Commission will not be receiving updates on a
monthly basis anymore until the new Arts Alliance director position is filled.
Kissa mentioned she had not heard back from the head of the South Valley
Civic Theater organization yet. She had reached out to him. She’s hoping to
make contact to establish a rapport.
XIV. STAFF REPORTS
A. Recreation Department Updates
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Henig referred commissioners to packet page 17 and 18. The Holiday
Posada has been moved to the Cesar Chavez gym because of expected
rains. Henig mentioned that the next commission meeting will incl ude
elections of chair and vice chair as well as two other staff members will be
present at the meeting: Recreation Director Maria De Leon and
Management Analyst Carina Baksa. Baksa will eventually become the new
staff liaison to the commission. A public f orum-organized by the needs
assessment consultant (see report-was held on December 5 at the Senior
Center and close 100 residents attended the evening portion event.
Kissa requested that a list of vacant city-owned facilities be provided to the
commission at an upcoming meeting in January or February.
XV. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
None.
XVI. COMMISSION COMMENTS (Arts-Related)
Kissa requested that staff provide a list of vacant city-owned facilities to see
if there is space available for a kids/youth art center. Henig said he would
look into it and provide a list at either the January or February meeting.
Sward asked Henig about the downtown neighborhood and whether the
commission had jurisdiction over it. Henig explained they are privately
owned, but the City has been working closely with building owners to bring
them up to code. She also inquired about the murals downtown. Henig did
not know when those murals were created. There were more questions
about downtown. Henig explained that if the Commission were to focus its
efforts downtown they will need direction from Council to do so.
XVII. STAFF COMMENTS
No comments. Kissa asked if more students could participate at commission
meetings. Henig recommended that this discussion be saved for the retreat.
XVIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Bermudez. Motion seconded by Fierro.
Motion passed 6-0-0.
XIX. FUTURE MEETINGS January 14, 2020 at 5:30 P.M.
January 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
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Zinnia Navarro,
Recreation Department
Recording Secretary