Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-11-12; Arts Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: ARTS COMMISSION 3:30 p.m. November 12, 1986 Library Conference Room COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Bear called the meeting to order at 3:4-5 p.m. ROLL CALL; Present - Chairman Bear, Commissioners Bischoff, Frye, Meilach and Straub. Absent - Commissioners Brierley and Roston. Staff Members Present: Connie Beardsley, Manager of the Cultural Arts Program Geoff Armour, Assistant Library Director Mayor Casler APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Arts Commission approved the minutes of October 8, 1986, with the following amendment: Page 3 typo "sculture" needs to be spelled correctly. Minutes approved as amended. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT; Chairman Bear stated he had some questions regarding the Minutes and actions taken last month. There were several requests for items to be returned to staff for an answer, and he wanted those answers. One was a question on the open space at Stagecoach Park. Connie Beardsley answered this question, stating she had talked with Dave Bradstreet and Mark Steyaert, looked at Stagecoach Park and gone over the plans. As far as a pops concert, there are only 260 parking spaces, which would not be adequate parking for a concert of that size. Also, the streets would not accommodate enough parking for that type of entertainment. The conclusion was there would not be enough open space available to accommodate a pops concert. As far as the sculpture, that will be discussed later. The amphitheater on the Sammis property was another item discussed at the last meeting. Connie Beardsley talked with Don Briggs, of Sammis Properties, and that theater would be in the second or third phase of construction. The Planning Department turned this request down initially on the impact to the area, such as noise and any effect on the Lagoon. The Coastal Commission and many other bodies would be involved in that decision. That will be proposed along with a time schedule. The first phase will be coming back to Council in the spring of 1987. The amphitheater was proposed in an open area and projected to accommodate 2,500 to 3,000 people. Ms. Beardsley stated she had not asked for the plans for the theater, but would be happy to do that. Bear Bischoff Frye Meilach Straub MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 2 COMMISSIONERS CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: (continued) Commission discussion followed on the best way to view the amphitheater area. The area is between the railroad tracks and 1-5, and can be seen from La Costa Avenue or Highway 101. Questions were asked about the noise and whether people would throw trash about. The noise and other environmental impacts would be important. Sammis Properties is interested in going ahead with the amphi- theater. Chairman Bear suggested this Commission should see the original plans and be briefed on the process. Ms. Beardsley stated she would invite Mr. Briggs to the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Bischoff suggested one of the Commissioners could work with Mr. Briggs on the amphitheater project. Ms. Beardsley stated she checked with Dave Bradstreet on Macario Canyon as a site, and that was not an alternative. Proposition H was voted down, and it will be approximately eight years before there is access to Macario Canyon. Commissioner Bischoff stated an amphitheater would need to serve a larger area than just Carlsbad, and must be on public land, such as Macario Canyon. Chairman Bear stated it would be helpful to learn where Sammis is in their planning, and an update from someone in the City on the state of planning regarding Macario Canyon. He added he felt that planning was minimal at this time. In answer to query as to whether there were any alternatives to Macario Canyon, Ms. Beardsley stated there were none proposed to date. Commissioner Bischoff stated it would be possible to find out how many parks were planned for buildout, and felt Macario Canyon was probably the only one available. Chairman Bear had a question regarding the Evelyn de la Rosa Concert, and Ms. Beardsley stated the concert was video taped and the tape is available. COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT - for discussion Chairman Bear referred to Attachment A in the packet, which consisted of recommendations by Connie Beardsley for the distribution of $25,000 available for Community Arts Support FY 86/87. Chairman Bear said he saw nothing wrong in setting $3,000 aside and holding it. He did not feel the full $25,000 should be encumbered at this juncture. Ms Beardsley concurred. Ms. Beardsley added that the Commission might want to fund an arts festival through the grant program or set funds aside separately. Premier Magazine is interested in an arts festival or fair, and would like to have a community meeting to develop such a project. This is a Blade Tribune Publication. MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 3 COMMISSIONERS COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT - for discussion; (continued) Chairman Bear suggested $10,000 instead of $15,000 for grants, which would indicate the Commission's desire and reserve another $5,000 for special projects the Commission might want. Ms. Beardsley added that money could be transferred back, if needed. Chairman Bear asked about the music at Magee Park, and Commissioner Straub felt it was excellent. Commissioner Bischoff stated it helped promote interest in the overall arts program. Chairman Bear asked whether the Commission wanted to set aside money for music at Magee Park, and Commissioner Bischoff stated yes, due to the success of the program. Commissioner Meilach concurred. Chairman Bear asked the Commission about the spring arts residency, and Commissioner Meilach felt that should be continued. Commissioner Frye mentioned the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, and the funding for that. Ms. Beardsley stated they could ask them to submit a grant. They could ask a corporation to sponsor, or take funds directly from the arts support category. In answer to Commission query regarding the place they would perform, Ms. Beardsley stated they would perform at the Cultural Arts Center. Commissioner Meilach suggested a pops concert could use the May Co. parking lot. Chairman Bear stated he would be concerned about the noise. Ms. Beardsley stated aesthetics would not be as pleasing as a grassy lawn for a concert. Commissioner Frye stated he felt they should try for something like chamber music, and balance the programs. Commissioner Straub felt artists should be booked for a series of concerts, if possible. Ms. Beardsley agreed series do better than single concerts—as the interest builds. If people enjoy the concert, they will tell their friends. The suggestion was made by Ms. Beardsley that Carlsbad could try to form a Carlsbad 100 and have special benefits for those contributors. They could actually underwrite the concert, and maybe have a reception with the orchestra. That provides another way of promoting and raising funds. Chairman Bear stated the format employed by the North County Concert Association is for four concert series throughout the year. Commissioner Frye stated that schedule includes magicians and others not involving music. MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page COMMISSIONERS COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT - for discussion (continued) Arts Commission approved a revised budget as follows: $10,000 for grants to be awarded at the February Commission meeting from applications due in January 1987. $3,000 music at Magee. $4,000 for spring arts residency. $8,000 miscellaneous reserve. Ms. Beardsley stated some of the $8,000 might be needed for calendar printing. Chairman Bear said the Commission needs a reserve for those things and should discuss them as they come up. Commissioner Bischoff asked whether the Commission could encourage people to help subsidize, and Ms. Beardsley said the Community Arts support can be kept separate, and it is possible to specify what is to be done with their donation. Commissioner Straub asked about the use of a band shell. Ms. Beardsley explained the band would use it and probably for music at Magee Park. In fact, anyone with a small, outdoor kind of performance could use such a shell, as it would be portable. Of course, this would then involve a storage problem. Commissioner Meilach added the School District has a shell for chorale groups, and it has been used at the Cultural Arts Center. Ms. Beardsley said the Carlsbad Concert Band had requested looking into purchasing a band shell. There is no allowance for capital expenditures in this year's budget. Grant money cannot be used for that. Chairman Bear stated that, this year, because of its newness, the Commission was not involved in the budget process. He expressed the hope that when that time comes around next year, the Commission will have more information and would be involved in advising Ms. Beardsley. He hoped capital expenditures would be a part of the budget in 1987-88. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - for discussion Chairman Bear referred to Attachment B - three recommendations for public art: Safety and Service Center, Redevelopment Area and Playground Sculpture. Ms. Beardsley stated, from the direction of the Commission at the last meeting, they desired outdoor sculpture. She felt there should be a two-dimension piece in the meeting rooms. Outdoor pieces will be done in the Redevelopment Area and for Playground sculpture. This would allow different artists to become involved. Because of the other sculpture being turned down, this would be a new area to talk about; and it is not known if another building will be built at the Safety Center site. They might change the plaza area. Bear Bischoff Frye Meilach Straub MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - for discussion (continued) Commissioner Meilach stated that having seen the Safety Center and the meeting rooms, she was not certain the Commission would know what they wanted in the meeting rooms. Commissioner Bischoff concurred. Commissioner Frye stated any artwork in the meeting rooms would be seen by a smaller number of people and he expressed reservations about that. Commissioner Meilach stated there was a spot on the right side of the outside stairwell that she felt would be a good spot for a piece of sculpture. The tree kills anything being in the plaza. She felt a three-dimensional piece was needed, to be more visual to more people. In answer to query about whether the Police had expressed a preference, Ms. Beardsley stated they had not. She added the meeting rooms will get a lot of use. Council meetings will be there while City Hall is being remodeled, and there can be three separate rooms or one, according to the need. Commissioner Meilach inquired whether money was available to do both things, as she would hate to give up the outdoor sculpture for an interior piece. Ms. Beardsley stated more input was planned from the community. The process for selecting the first piece will offer the community a chance to comment on the models. There will be a time period for display and to allow the community to make comments. That would be non-binding input for the Commission to use. Commissioner Meilach suggested the Commission adopt what they want and send each Council Member a copy explaining the process to them. The Commission hopes Council would go along with the recommendations of the Commission and the Selection Committee. Commissioner Frye stated the Commission needs to have a basic understanding with Council what the rules are before they talk about individual pieces of art. There is a need to have a meeting with Council within the next two or three months. Commissioner Frye added the Commission should not send a specific recommendation until after a meeting with Council. Commissioner Straub said the Commission needs to agree on a process among themselves and take that before Council to ask for their approval in advance. Commissioner Meilach feet that must be done first. This Commission was appointed to buy art and make decisions regarding art in the community. Commissioner Frye agreed this Commission needs to have a meeting with Council. Before that, the Commission needs to agree on a presentation to Council. If that is forcefully done, Council will listen. MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 6 COMMISSIONERS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - for discussion (continued) Ms. Beardsley commented this Commission is an Advisory Commission. Mayor Casler stated she had talked with Mayor-elect Lewis about this. He was impressed with the work the Commission has done in the last nine months, as well as the enthusiasm of the people of Carlsbad. He will be the liaison to the Arts Commission, and although he may not be able to attend the meetings, wants to be more familiar with their work and discussions. Chairman Bear stated at the last meeting the Commission stated forcefully they believed they should go ahead with the sculpture, and he agreed. He suggested the Commission return to a single project of sculpture at the Safety Center, with a revised process. Through Ms. Beardsiey, the community and Council should be advised what the Commission is doing and solicit additional public input prior to the ultimate selection by the Committee. He felt with a substantive change in the process, and with broad citizen input the sculpture stood a good chance of acceptance. Commissioner Meiiach stated the other projects should not be held up in the meantime. Chairman Bear said the Council should be advised the Commission is considering other locations. There is something to be said about getting something through and being successful. Commissioner Bischoff stated he felt there was a better chance for a functional piece of work in one of the parks. This would help their chance for other things in the future. Commissioner Meiiach stated she wanted to have a sculpture that would have meaning in the long run—staying power and make a name for Carlsbad. Commissioner Bischoff reiterated his thought of doing something in a park site at this time, and returning to the Safety Center spot at a future date. Commissioner Meiiach stated she felt the Safety Center sculpture should be finalized. The consensus of the Commission was to stay with an outdoor piece of sculpture instead of indoors. Commissioner Frye stated at the last meeting it was determined the Commission wanted the budget flexible. He felt there was a need for perimeters for the artists. Commissioner Frye felt there should not be a dollar limit set. The Commission should decide what they want and decide whether it is worth the money. They should decide how big it should be and know the sites available. MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 7 COMMISSIONERS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - for discussion (continued) Ms. Beardsley stated a large amount should be set, not necessarily to spend it, but giving the artists some flexibility. The Selection Committee would decide on the amount. Chairman Bear said they should come up with a definition of size and place, outside the Safety and Service Center. Commissioner Meilach stated the artists should be taken out there and let them decide. Let the artists do the brainstorming by telling them the Commission's thinking and asking for their ideas from a creative viewpoint. Ms. Beardsley said the artists could select the site that best suited their work. Commissioner Bischoff felt no dollar amount should be put on the piece. Chairman Bear said the concept is to pay for the maquettes. The medium would be on display for public comment and input. Commissioner Meilach felt an outside amount should be available. Chairman Bear commented that perhaps the Commission could say "any amount ultimately must be approved by City Council". Ms. Beardsley felt the amount should be "not to exceed $75,000", as interesting and large sculpture costs a great deal of money. Commissioner Frye felt guality was important, and would like to see fewer works of art. Chairman Bear stated the Commission wants to go ahead with a single project at the Safety Center. This would be outdoor sculpture with the revised project getting maguettes. Community input would be solicited. The artists would be selected in advance, and a ballpark amount of $75,000 would be included. Commissioner Meilach asked whether the Safety Center was the place for that outstanding a piece of sculpture. She did not feel it was a major sculpture area, as opposed to downtown. A major sculpture was needed - but she doubted that was the proper place. Commissioner Frye said there should not be any minor pieces or second best—they should all be major pieces of art. Commissioner Bischoff stated they should consider where the sculpture should go and where it would be best presented regardless of the political setup. Ms. Beardsley asked whether they wanted San Diego County artists only to be eligible to apply for the Safety Center sculpture. MINUTES November 12, 1986 ARTS COMMISSION Page 8 COMMISSIONERS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES - for discussion (continued) Commissioner Bischoff felt it should be opened up to reqional artists, and Commissioner Meilach concurred. This would include all of Southern California. Ms. Beardsley said this could be in Southern California, and if anyone from San Francisco wanted to enter, that would be fine. Arts Commission voted to go forward with a single project at the Safety Center. This would be outdoor sculpture, with the revised project getting maquettes and community input solicited. The artists would be selected in advance, and a ballpark amount of $75,000 would be included. The bidding would be open to anyone in Southern California but would not exclude anyone from other areas. Commissioner Bischoff stated he opposed the Safety Center location. Commissioner Frye said he was not in favor of anything inside the meeting rooms at the Safety Center. Chairman Bear read the reguest for proposals and stipulations Ms. Beardsley asked whether others should be considered, or whether the Commission should attempt to make this a test case for the process. Ms. Beardsley said the Commission needed to discuss the Redevelopment Area. Ms. Beardsley recommended the Selection Committee go back to having one Arts Commisioner, as three Commissioners was too many on the Selection Committee. All other members withdrew, leaving Commissioner Meilach as the representative. It was suggested by Commissioner Bischoff to add someone from the community and a professional. Ms. Beardsley will complete a list. Commissioner Meiiach wants it in black and white what the process is to be in order for the Commission to know what worked and what did not. Adjournment By proper motion, the Meeting of November 12, 1986 was adjourned at 5:31 p.m., to Thursday, November 20, 1986, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, CONNIE BEARDSLEY Manager of the Cultural Arts Program Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk HB:tb Bear Bischoff Frye Meilach Straub X X