09/08/2020 Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 10/13/2020
CITY OF GILROY
ARTS AND CULTURE COM MISSION
(“In partnership with City Council, the Arts & Culture Commission promotes the Arts in the
Gilroy community.”)
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Maricela Andrade Commissioner Present
Nelly Bermudez Commissioner Absent
Judy Bozzo Commissioner Late
Nancy Fierro Vice-Chair Present
Camille McCormack Com missioner Present
Melanie Reynisson Chair Present
Federico Saldana Commissioner Present
Marika Somorjai Commissioner Late
II. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda was posted on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 3:45PM
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Arts and Culture Commission - Regular Meeting - Aug 11, 2020 6:30
PM
Commissioner Camille McCormack motioned to approve the minutes of
August 11, 2020, Chair Melanie Reynisson seconded the motion. Motion
passed 6-0.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Chair Reynisson to approve the agenda,
Commissioner Saldana seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
V. INTRODUCTIONS
Kraig Tambornini, Senior Planner with the City of Gilroy's Community
Development Department attending meeting to answer any technical
questions about the Gilroy's 150th Bell Project.
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Amanda Rudeen with the Gilroy's 150th Committee to present the 150th
Bell Project.
VI . PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Gilroy 150th Committee El Camino Real Bell Project
Amanda Rudeen from the Gilroy’s 150th Anniversay Committee presented a
project seeking Arts and Culture Commission recommendation of project to
Council. March 12, 2020 was Gilroy’s 150th Anniversary since
incorporation. To mark this milestone, the 150th Anniversary Committee is
proposing to place an ‘El Camino’ Bell in the Paseo in Downtown Gilroy to
honor Gilroy’s history along this route. El Camino is a 600 mile long road
from San Diego to Sonoma that linked Precidios, Pueblos and Missions . In
1904 El Camino Real Association was created and made recommendation
to commemorate the route using marker bells. Commissioner Fierro
commented that the bell was associated with the missions and asked if this
was respectful of different backgrounds. Ms . Rudeen stated that the bell is a
mileage marker not a symbol of Catholicism, that El Camino was a pathway
that was used for numerous purposes linking towns along the route.
Commissioner Saldana commented that when teaching history, it is
important to teach it from all angles and that aside from the Missions, the
road was a thoroughfare for a lot of commerce that happened in California.
Motion was made by Commissioner McCormack to recommend the 150 th
Bell Project to Council for approval. Motion was seconde d by Chair
Reynisson. Motion passed 6-1.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Public Art Shelter-In-Place Project and Post on Social Media
1. Staff Report: Carina Baksa, Management Analyst
2. Public Comment
3. Possible Action:
Discussion of Potential Project and Adoption of Implementation
Plan
Chair Reynisson presented on the ongoing idea of Public Art while
sheltering in place. She has reached out to the City to see how the public
submittals can be vetted prior to posting in City Social Media Channels.
She is developing a plan of implementation and wants to get theme ideas
from other Commissioners. Commissioners shared some themes, if they
think of others, they are to send to staff Baksa and she will forward to Chair
Reynisson. Expected to start with month of October.
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IX. FINANCIAL REPORT
A. Financial Report for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
1. Staff Report: Carina Baksa, Management Analyst
2. Public Comment
3. Possible Action:
Accept Financial Reports for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
Staff Carina Baksa gave the Financial Report for the Quarter Ending June
30, 2020 for the Arts & Culture Commission Funds:
1. Arts & Culture Commission Donations Fund has a balance of $1,358.34
2. Public Art Project Fund has a balance of $13,245.47 with reserved funds of
$4,508.19, leaving an available balance of $8,737.28
3. Training budget balance at the end of June was $1,966.94.
X. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
Arts at Christopher High School are very much impacted by students not
attending school in person. Ceramic students picked up their supplies to
work from home, Sculpture and Design picked up Clay and some students
picked up Water Colors. Band and Choir have not reported how they are
handling these times yet. Drama had auditions for Doctor Faustus.
Students are brainstorming on m ethod of delivery, but maybe a radio show.
Lost art teacher last year, not sure if School District is going to hire a
replacement. Lost Audio and Visual Production Class as well. Students are
still trying their best and hope that with time, they are able to go back to
some kind of normalcy.
XI. COMMISSION COMMENTS (Arts-Related)
Commissioner Bozzo reported that the restoration of the Aztec Calendar on
the back of the Building on Seventh and Frontline streets. Commissioner
Bozzo also was asked to make comments or send questions on Budgeting
Workshop. She send in asking if the budgets for improvements needed in a
lot of areas in the City would include a portion for Public Art. Even if she did
not get a response, she put it out there and it should be kept in the ear of
Council all the time. Chair Reynisson made the comment that along the
same lines, when City made to replace certain street lights or other
cosmetic fixes, that the City may choose an artistic replacement as opposed
to simply the same plane fixtures. She stated that finding the exact same
policy in another Santa Clara County City may be the best way to approach
Council. Continue this conversation in every meeting, even if it’s in
Commission Comments section.
Chair Reynisson reported that the Bike and Pedestrian Commission is
having an interactive map of Gilroy made to show walking and bike trails
throughout the whole city. Chair Reynisson has requested to have the art
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pieces throughout the City added to it as well. ACC can submit the photos
and information of where these items are and that can be pinned on this
map. More to come.
Commissioner McCormack joined The Neon Exchange and she will report
on it every month.
XII. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM
XIV. FUTURE MEETINGS October 13, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
Carina Baksa,
Recreation Division
Recording Secretary