HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-04; Arts Commission; MinutesARTS COMMISSION
Minutes
Sept. 4, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chung, George, Carrillo, Ferone, Nassiri, Clark
Absent: Breyer
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Chung led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the regular meeting held Aug. 7, 2025
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Vil lage Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Motion by Commissioner Ferone, seconded by Commissioner Nassiri, to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion carried, 5/0/1/1 (Chung-Abstain, Breyer -Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
1. CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE: Receive a presentation regarding the
work of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee, the City of Carlsbad Intergovernmental
Affairs Program and the city's recent and ongoing advocacy efforts related to the arts. (Staff
contact: Jason Haber, City Manager Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
The Commission received the report.
Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Jason Haber, shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file
in the Office of the City Clerk).
Commissioner Carrillo asked for clarification on SB-456 and how that will work with artists
who do public artwork on the outside of buildings and is there consideration for artists in
other mediums. Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Jason Haber responded that the bill is
specifically limited to muralists. Commissioner Carrillo asked if artists would need to be
licensed if we were to have an artist do public art against a building and Mr. Haber confirmed
Sept. 4, 2025 Arts Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
that yes, they would need to be licensed. Commissioner Carrillo asked if the City of Carlsbad
supports this bill or not and Mr. Haber stated the City has not taken a stance one way or
another on this issue.
2. PROPOSITION 28 UPDATE: Receive a report on Proposition 28 from a representative of the
San Diego County Office of Education. (Staff contact: Craddock Stropes, Library & Cultural
Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
The Commission received the report.
Cultural Arts Manager, Craddock Stropes and San Diego County Office of Education Arts
Coordinator, Pauline Crooks, shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk).
Commissioner Nassiri asked out of the $938,000,000 that was distributed to schools in 2023
or 2024, how much of that was allocated to Carlsbad and the other local school districts. Arts
Coordinator for the San Diego County Office of Education, Pauline Crooks, advised that that
information is public information and if San Diego County Code 37 is searched, the exact
dollar amounts can be seen in an Excel spreadsheet. Commissioner Nassiri requested an
example of why a school or teacher would not spend the allocated money right away. Ms.
Crooks explained that some teachers are concerned the money will "go away" so they wait
to spend it but Ms. Crooks assured that is unlikely to happen.
Vice Chair George asked how the San Diego County Office of Education can ensure that the
money will not go away. Ms. Crooks advised that as community members, we have the right
to question the schools on where the money is going. Auditors ensure the money is being
used correctly as well as advocacy associations. Vice Chair George asked Ms. Crooks to explain
how the 20% remaining funds can be used after the 80% of the funding goes to pay the
teachers. Ms. Crooks explained that it can be used to cover salaries, materials, instruments,
uniforms, supplies, etc. but not for facilities.
3. CHESTNUT AVENUE INTERSTATE 5 UNDERPASS PUBLIC ART UPDATE: Receive an update from
artist team, Greenmeme, on the Chestnut Avenue 1-5 Underpass Public Art. (Staff contact:
Krystal Roa, Library & Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
The Commission received the report.
Program Manager, Krytal Roa, shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk).
Commissioner Clark asked if one concept would be easier to maintain over the other in the
case of getting hit with graffiti, or scratched, or hit with a car. Greenmeme Artist team
Sept. 4, 2025 Arts Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
responded that both would be covered in an anti-graffiti coating and in either case, either
option would be made to be easily fixed or replaced.
4. 2025 TGIF CONCERTS IN THE PARKS SEASON: Receive a report on the TGIF Concerts in the
Parks 2025 season. (Staff contact: Craddock Stropes, Library & Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Receive the report.
The Commission received the report.
Cultural Arts Manager, Craddock Stropes, shared a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the
Office of the City Clerk).
Commissioner Ferone questioned why the last concert had low attendance. Cultural Arts
Manager Stropes attributed it being later in the season than usual due to the Fourth of July
holiday.
Vice Chair George requested that the concerts be more geographically equitable to residents
west of El Camino Real.
Commissioner Carrillo asked if the $30,000 earned from the three corporate sponsorships
affects the budget. Cultural Arts Manager Stropes said that yes, we are within budget and the
money offsets the cost of the events and allows the department to improve activities in the
future. Senior Budget Analyst Fiona Everett explained that as the corporate sponsorship
program grows, that would allow tax payer dollars that fund the current TGIF Concert Series
to be reallocated into other arts programs.
Vice Chair George asked if the money for extra security at the concerts comes out of the
Cultural Arts budget or the Police Department's budget. Senior Budget Analyst Everett
explained that money comes from the Police Department's budget and the Cultural Arts
budget covers the producer, traffic control company, sanitation company, shuttle company
and staffing.
5. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR SELECTION: Accept nominations and adopt resolutions selecting a
Chair and Vice Chair for the Arts Commission for fiscal year 2025-26. (Staff contact: Craddock
Stropes, Library & Cultural Arts Department)
Recommended Action: Adopt the resolutions.
The board accepted nominations and adopted two resolutions to select a Chair and Vice Chair
for fiscal year 2025-26.
Motion by Commissioner Ferone, seconded by Commissioner Clark, to adopt a resolution
appointing Barbara Chung as Chair. Motion carried, 6/0/0/1 (Breyer -Absent).
Sept. 4, 2025 Arts Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
Motion by Commissioner Carrillo, seconded by Commissioner Ferone, to adopt a resolution
appointing Nora George as Vice Chair. Motion carried, 6/0/0/1 (Breyer -Absent).
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: The
Commissioners make brief announcements, brief reports of their activities and requests for
future agenda items.
CULTURAL ARTS MANAGERS COMMENTS:
Cultural Arts Manager Stropes commented on the following:
• Temporary Chalk Art project in the Village is the first of several projects that the Cultural
Arts Department has contracted with the Carlsbad Village Association with the next
project being in the spring
• Courtyard Concert next Saturday -Encore Saxophone Quartet
• The Cultural Arts Department Arts Education staff will have a presence at the Carlsbad
ArtWalk on Sept. 20 and 21. Offering free art activities for all ages to the community
• The Cannon Art Gallery had an Open Studios event on Aug. 30, and it was one of the
biggest turnouts to date with about 160 people in attendance. There will be another Open
Studios event in October as well as other upcoming activities that will help to promote
late nights in Carlsbad by keeping the Gallery open until 7 p.m. on Friday Nights
• Thank you to the Arts Commission and the work done for the Community Arts Grants
Payments to the grantees went out this week
• A calendar of events and reminders will be issued so Arts Commissioners can attend or
participate in grant funded projects
• October is Arts & Humanities month, and Cultural Arts will be accepting a proclamation
at the City Council meeting on Oct. 7. That night will also be the night for the final
approval from City Council for the Veterans Memorial Park artwork
• Please be on the lookout for the quarterly article in the Carlsbad Chamber newsletter
focusing on arts and culture
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
STAFF COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:41 p.m. u ~
Ariel Donovan
Senior Office Specialist