HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-08 Arts & Culture Commission Regular Meeting Agenda Packet
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
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
AGENDA
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS MEETING WILL BE LIMITED.
THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20
MEETING MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE www.cityofgilroy.org.
In order to minimize the spread of the COVID 19 virus, the City will be offering telephone
and email options for public comments at this meeting. The public is encouraged to
participate in this meeting by as follows:
VIEW THE MEETING LIVE ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/GilroyCityHallMeetings
PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN ON AGENDA ITEMS BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN BY THE
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION. COMMENTS MAY BE EMAILED PRIOR TO OR DURING THE
MEETING TO Carina Baksa AT carina.baksa@cityofgilroy.org AND MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE
THE CHAIRPERSON OPENS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE ITEM. ADDITIONALLY, COMMENTS MAY
BE MADE BY LEAVING A VOICE MESSAGE AT (408) 846-0215, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 8,
2020. IMPORTANT: identify the Agenda Item Number or PUBLIC COMMENT in the subject line of
your email. The Clerk will read the first three minutes of each email into the public record.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Governors Order N-29-20, the City will
make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special
assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City a minimum of 2 hours prior to the
meeting at (408) 846-0215.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE GILROY OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE
Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.
Commissions, task forces, councils and other agencies of the City exist to conduct the
people's business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the
people and that City operations are open to the people's review.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE OPEN GOVERNMENT
ORDINANCE, TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE OR TO REPORT A
VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE OPEN GOVERNMENT
COMMISSION STAFF AT (408) 846-0204/shawna.freels@cityofgilroy.org
PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES:
During the PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA portion of the
meeting, each person wishing to speak should prepare a presentation of not more than
2
three (3) minutes. Persons wishing to address the Commission are requested, but not
required, to complete a Speaker’s Card located at the entrances. Completion of this
speaker’s card is voluntary. All persons may attend this meeting and speak, regardless
if a card is completed or not. Speaker’s slips should be submitted to the Secretary
BEFORE this portion of the meeting begins. Anyone wishing to address the Commission
on any other item on this AGENDA is requested, but not required, to fill out a speaker’s
slip as well and submit it to the Secretary BEFORE the Commission takes action on the
item.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the City of Gilroy Arts & Culture
Commission after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection
with the agenda packet in the Recreation Division at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street
during normal business hours. These materials are also available with the agenda
packet on the City website at www.cityofgilroy.org
Mission Statement: “To be an advocate for cultural and artistic activities in th e Gilroy
Community. To build bridges and promote communication through cultural and artistic
opportunities for all individuals, thereby improving the quality of life in our city.”
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. SECRETARY'S REPORT
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Au gust 11, 2020
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
V. INTRODUCTIONS
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Gilroy 150th Committee El Camino Real Bell Project
1. Staff Report: Carina Baksa, Management Analyst
2. Public Comment
3. Possible Action:
Receive Report and Recommend Public Art Project to City
Council
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance
to participate in this meeting, please contact the Recreation Division at (408) 846-
0460. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable
arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title
II)
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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
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
X. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
XI. COMMISSION COMMENTS (Arts-Related)
XII. STAFF COMMENTS
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
XIV. FUTURE MEETINGS October 13, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
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
AUGUST 11, 2020
6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Maricela Andrade Commissioner Absent
Nelly Bermudez Commissioner Absent
Judy Bozzo Commissioner Present
Nancy Fierro Vice-Chair Excused
Wendy Sue Kissa Commissioner Absent
Camille McCormack Commissioner Present
Melanie Reynisson Chair Present
Federico Saldana Commissioner Present
Marika Somorjai Commissioner Present
II. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda packet was posted on August 7, 2020 at 3:20 PM.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (report attached)
Motion to approve the minutes of June 9, 2020 was made by Commissioner
Judy Bozzo and seconded by Chair Melanie Reynisson. Motion passed 5 -0.
A. Minutes of June 9, 2020
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda was made by Chair Reynisson and seconded
by Commissioner Camille McCormack. Motion passed 5-0.
V. INTRODUCTIONS
Ashleigh Perales is the new student representative from Christopher High
School. Ashleigh is going to be a Senior at Christopher High School this
year.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
One public comment was submitted by resident Phill Laursen. Comment
was read into the record by Staff Carina Baksa.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
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Packet Pg. 4 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Aug 11, 2020 6:30 PM (APPROVAL OF MINUTES)
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A. Proposed Public Art Shelter-In-Place Project and Post on Social Media
Chair Reynisson explained an idea to get the community involved by
creating art at home. The intent is to help residents cope with sheltering-in-
place and encourage creativity. Commissioners discussed the plan and will
provide feedback to Chair Reynisson to formulate t he framework.
Commission will seek to publish art work via City approved social media
channels. Plan will be presented at next Commission meeting.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Work Plan for Remainder of Calendar Year 2020
1. Staff Report: Carina Baksa, Management Analyst
2. Public Comment
3. Possible Action:
Discussion of 2020 Work Plan and Provide Comments.
Commission discussed revisions to their work plan for the remainder of the
calendar year 2020 based on the current circumstances under the COVID-
19 Pandemic. Revised plan will be presented at next Commission meeting.
IX. FINANCIAL REPORT
None. Final FY 20 report will be given at next meeting.
X. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS
Student Representative Ashleigh Perales presented the commission with a
list of classes being offered at Christopher High School for students to get
involved in Career Tech and Visual and Performing Arts.
XI. COMMISSION COMMENTS (Arts-Related)
Commissioner Bozzo was following up on Bench Plaques that were
approved at the June meeting. Staff Baksa reported that she is working
with new vendor to order plaques and look for installer since City Facilities
staff may no longer be able to accommodate installation.
XII. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:22 pm
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Packet Pg. 5 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Aug 11, 2020 6:30 PM (APPROVAL OF MINUTES)
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XIV. FUTURE MEETINGS September 8, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
Carina Baksa,
Recreation Division
Recording Secretary
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Packet Pg. 6 Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Aug 11, 2020 6:30 PM (APPROVAL OF MINUTES)
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Gilroy 150th Committee El Camino Real Bell Project
Meeting Date: September 8, 2020
Submitted By: Carina Baksa
Prepared By: Carina Baksa
Recommendation:
Receive Report and Recommend Public Art Project to City Council
Project Background:
March 12, 2020 marked the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Gilroy.
To mark this major milestone, the Gilroy 150th Committee is proposing the installation of
an El Camino Bell and Plaque to be located in historic downtown Gilroy, along Monterey
Road, part of the historic route of El Camino Real. This historical marker would add to
the history of our town and provide a long-lasting marker of our City’s sesquicentennial
year.
A Brief History of El Camino Real and the El Camino Bell:
The El Camino Real is widely known today as a 600-mile (965-kilometer) road which is
spans from the area in San Diego near the Mission San Diego del Alcalá to the Mission
San Francisco Solano in Sonoma. This is actually only a piece of the El Camino Real.
El Camino Real referred to the actual roadways of the Spanish colonial times in Spain’s
New World. By calling a path or road a camino real, it meant the road was protected
under the Spanish crown and its viceroys. Camino reals were known to link Spanish
settlements from Mexico City to Sonora as well to Santa Fe as well throughout Baja
California before Alta California.
In Alta California, the route was needed in order to link the presidios (military forts),
pueblos (towns), and missions. The roads were an essential part of the growth of New
Spain, as they needed the ability to move people, materials and food quickly to
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establish footholds in the area to hopefully stop any territorial conflicts with Britain and
Russia who were also looking to establish footholds along the west coast.
The road began as a dirt foot and horse path and was not fixed at first. The actual path
was constantly lost due to weather conditions which washed away the traces from prior
journeys. Winds and new growth would replace landmarks and where the route was
near the shore was at times erased by tides. As exploration of California was made, a
route that could be traversed repeatedly and with ease of horse and foot was desired.
The Spanish soldiers and Franciscan friars built this route and marked it by carving
crosses in large trees. As the friars found suitable areas for missions to be erected, the
route was widened to accommodate carts and wagons. As a result there was never a
single running route from San Diego to San Francisco, but a collection of many routes,
which in time was linked together to establish the overall route we are more familiar with
today.
After Mexico won its Independence from Spain in 1821, no road was considered a
camino real anymore. It was not until many years later did the road name El Camino
Real was utilized mainly with the Mission Revival movement of the 20 th Century. Today
you will find several roads in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas and portions
throughout Mexico utilizing the name to commemorate the new roads near the original
pathways.
Throughout California, the road was made more easily traversed as they eventually
linked all the 21 missions together. After the Independence in 1821, the missions
started to lose a foothold of the lands surrounding them as ex-Spanish officers were
seeking to become landowners themselves. In 1833, with the Mexican Secularization
Act this established the disestablishment of the Roman Catholic Church and the
Missions therefore creating the large land grants known today as ranchos. By the late
nineteenth century, even though several segments of the road were still widely used
many parts were lost.
In 1892, Miss Anna Pitcher who was the Director of the Pasadena Art Exhibition
Association to the Women’s Club of Los Angeles pitched the idea of preserving the El
Camino Real. She felt it was important to try and preserve the route as the new
invention of the automobile was having the heavy influence on the wealthy Californians
who were wanting a new well-built and maintained roadway built for their autos.
In 1894, Helen Hunt Jackson published the book “Ramona.” This book was a great hit
and portrayed the Spanish colonial California as a romantic paradise where it painted
Southern California as an American Mediterranean retreat. As a result of the book,
several regional Mission boosters saw this as a means of restoring not only active
parishes in several of the missions, but as well a way to don effort to restore others
which had just crumbled to ruin in order to attract visitors and share in the romantic
vision.
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In 1902, Miss Anna Pitcher tried again to the pitch the idea of preserving the El Camino
Real after the growth in stories were arising around the mission chain and the fabled
road which connected them to the California Federation of Women’s Club as well the
Native Daughters of the Golden West. Both times she gained support of the idea and
started steps to implementing the proposal.
In 1904 a group of individuals formed the El Camino Real Association. This
organization took charge and took on the mission to mark out the historic route as well
start promoting tourism along the road. They organization struggled trying to find all the
missing parts of the roadway and therefore lobbied the government for support. Mrs. C.
F. Gates at one of the meetings recommended the idea of commemorating and marking
the route with markers or bells at every mile marker along the route as well on the
Missions and selected historical landmarks.
In August 1906, the first of these markers was created and installed in front of the Old
Plaza Church in downtown Los Angeles. The marker was an 85 -pound cast iron bell
with decorative piping suspended from an eleven-foot bent guidepost resembling a
shepherd’s crook. The bell was inscribed. “El Camino Real 1769-1906” and a sign on
the post which reads “Historic El Camino Real.” The bells were manufactured by her
husband’s foundry where she developed her own bell-shaped forms and pouring in
molten medal. She quickly went and create her own company, California Bell
Company.
In 1910 the State Highways Act authorized the construction and paving of the route.
The El Camino Real roadway fell well short of expectations due to construction lags as
well the route had many terrain challenges of crossing streams and steep grades up
hills and mountains. Finally in 1925, the road was completed and the majority of the
roadway was assigned the route number US 101.
Where the plan was to install the bells, lack of regular maintenance several of the
installed bells fell into disrepair, were vandalized and not to mention some were stolen.
In 1913 the goal of installing 450 bells along the route had been completed with a bell at
each of the 21 missions and the rest spaced out along the highway. In 1926, the
California State Automobile Association and the Automobile Club of Southern California
took over the responsibility of maintenance of the bells residing on any state -owned
property. This program lasted until 1931 when support was ceased.
In the late 1930s, California Bell Company stopped producing the bells in order to
reallocate iron for World War II. The company was then sold to two women who worked
at Macy’s who created miniature souvenir bells. In 195 2, the company was sold again
to Joe Rice, but the company went inactive in 1960 so he could focus on his other
business.
As construction and care of the highway happened from 1931 to 1959, the road was
widened and some bells were removed with some lost to vandalism or theft. In 1951,
only 120 bells remained. In 1959, California’s pre-AB 1707 defined the El Camino Real
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and in reference the legislation defines this as a historic route, but did not preserve the
historical integrity of the route.
In 1963, 81 replica bells were created by the California Bell Company and donated for
replacement purposes. Afterwards, the company went out of business. The following
years had several small groups trying to revitalize efforts in maintaining, repairing and
preserving the heritage of the El Camino Real and her bells.
Through the years, many Californians shared many stories and memories of their
travels along the coast seeing the bells. In 1996, a project ran by Lee Ford of AAA of
Northern California was quoted as stating “They’re a symbolic part of our history . . .
They’re nostalgic, and they show our connection with Mexico.” In 1998, John Kolstadt,
a Saratoga mortgage broker, wanted to see about having a marker made for his garden.
He searched and found Joe Rice and approached him to make a bell for him, but Joe
Rice instead stated he will not sell him a bell but will sell the company to him. In the
garage were castings of the bell, tools, equipment as well all the plans to produce them.
After pondering on the idea for some time, John Kolstadt struck a deal with Joe Rice to
buy the California Bell Company. After inventorying all the items he bought, he found
he had all the items necessary in order to replicate the 1906 bells. John then partnered
with Caltrans to manufacture new bells and have them installed along Highway 101.
The partnership allowed 555 bells to be installed along Highway 101 from Los Angeles
to San Francisco by 2006 with vision to continue added bells to the north and south to
complete the entire El Camino Real.
From a collection of various dirt pathways linking from pueblo to pueblo, presidio to
mission and mission to mission, a vision was created to commemorate the exploration
and establishment of New Spain which led to beginning foundatio n of our road system
between cities and ranchos to eventually our paved highways. The El Camino Real and
the Bells which line it, provides the romantic vision and quest to trace the footsteps left
long ago.
El Camino Bell and Plaque:
Funding for the El Camino Bell and plaque will come from the Gilroy 150th funds,
approved by Council in the FY20 budget, and will be installed by the City of Gilroy
Public Works Department.
The proposed location for the bell and plaque is at the southwest corner of the paseo,
located between 5th and 6th Streets, and Monterey Road (see map below). This places
the bell adjacent to Monterey Highway, on City property, and next to the existing
historical informational boards in the paseo.
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The bell would be installed parallel to Monterey Road with the plaque situated just in
front of the bell post. The bell would sit 13 ½ feet tall and would be the same bell as
used by Caltrans to mark the historic El Camino Real. The plaque would be sized to
approximately 25 x 25” and would be installed flush with the concrete.
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Proposed Wording for the Plaque:
“City of Gilroy
150th Anniversary of Incorporation as a Charter City
Located at the intersection of historic pathways of native peoples and El Camino Real,
Gilroy’s location has long been the key to its good fortune. In 1906, guidepost bells
were placed along the El Camino Real to guide early travelers and preserve the historic
route. Today, El Camino Real is known as Monterey Highway.
Dedicated to the People of Gilroy, in Celebration of its Sesquicentennial March 12,
2020”
As part of the City’s 150th celebration, the Gilroy 150th Committee has made the
decision to pursue installation of an El Camino Real bell and commemorative plaque
within the Downtown paseo at 7453 Monterey Roa d (APN 799-07-054). The plaque will
be flush with the concrete. Specifications for the project area attached.
The committee is asking for a recommendation from the Commission on the project, as
it consists of an installation of a public commemoration feat ure within public space. The
City Council will consider a resolution to approve the project on September 21, 2020.
Attachments:
1. Attachment (Foundation Detail)
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Packet Pg. 13 Attachment: Attachment (Foundation Detail) (3009 : Gilroy 150th Committee El Camino Real Bell Project)
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Packet Pg. 14 Attachment: Attachment (Foundation Detail) (3009 : Gilroy 150th Committee El Camino Real Bell Project)
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Public Art Shelter-In-Place Project and Post on Social Media
Meeting Date: September 8, 2020
Submitted By: Carina Baksa
Prepared By: Carina Baksa
Recommendation:
Discussion of Potential Project and Adoption of Implementation Plan
Executive Summary
Chair Melanie Reynisson is continuing the discussion for the community art project
outreach. An e-mail has been sent to the City’s Community Engagement Coordinator to
use City’s social media account(s) and have someone designated as admin so if people
want to submit and share their posts on the page the admin can make sure they are
appropriate before accepting and then they would get posted .
Need to develop a calendar of monthly art themed ideas. Project could be called
“heART of Gilroy”. The goal is to call on the community to participate in the arts and
share their work. Each month can begin with a FB post of the month’s art flyer with the
theme, for example:
September: sidewalk chalk art
October: pumpkin decorating
November: photography capturing the beauty of our city
Other ideas or themes from Commissioners?
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ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Financial Report for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
Meeting Date: September 8, 2020
Submitted By: Carina Baksa
Prepared By: Carina Baksa
Recommendation:
Accept Financial Reports for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
Executive Summary
Below are the balances of each fund as of March 31, 2020:
DESCRIPTION Revenue Expenses Balance
Beginning Balance on 4/1/2020 1,358.34
No Activity
TOTAL 0.00 0.00 1,358.34
801 Arts & Culture Commission Donations
For the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
ACCOUNT # 801-2402-D137-3899
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DESCRIPTION Revenue Expenses Balance
Beginning Balance on 4/1/2020 13,802.02
3 Bench Plaques Ordered 556.55
TOTAL 0.00 556.55 13,245.47
Reserved Funds:
Designated for mural repairs $1,363.04
Designated for bench plaque repairs $1,000.00
Designated for GGF Founders Plaque repairs $2,145.15
Total Reserved Funds $4,508.19
Unreserved (Available) Funds: $8,737.28
801 Public Art Project Fund
For the Quarter Ending June 30, 2020
ACCOUNT # 801-2402-D151-3899
Combined Training Budget Balance as of June 30, 2020 is $1,966.94.
Only used for expense of $33.06 for mileage reimbursement for Nelly Bermudez to
attend an art workshop in Salinas on 9/23/19.
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