HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-2019 - CAC - Approved MinutesNewport Beach City Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 11, 2019
Regular Meeting – 5:00 PM Civic Center Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – 5:00 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Arlene Greer, Chair Michelle Bendetti, Vice Chair
Wayan Kaufman, Commissioner
Ritch LeGrand, Commissioner Marie Little, Commissioner
Vacant, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent: Miriam Baker, Commissioner
Staff Present: Natalie Basmaciyan, Library Services Manager Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager
Francine Jacome, Administrative Support Technician III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Motion made by Commissioner Bendetti, seconded by Commissioner LeGrand, to nominate Commissioner Greer for the office of Chair.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker
Motion made by Commissioner Bendetti, seconded by Chair Greer, to nominate Commissioner Little for the office of Vice Chair.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker
Motion made by Chair Greer, seconded by Vice Chair Little, to nominate Commissioner
Bendetti for the office of Secretary.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Baker
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IV. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Chair Greer announced Commissioner Glabman has resigned from the City Arts Commission in favor of an appointment to the Board of Library Trustees.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Mosher felt City Arts Commissioners inappropriately wrote letters to the City Council in support of Commissioner Greer's reappointment to the City Arts Commission because
the Brown Act requires discussion of matters pertaining to the City Arts Commission be
held in public. The ad hoc committees of the City Arts Commission appear to be permanent committees that meet in private, which violates the Brown Act. The Chair's
appointment to each of the ad hoc committees raises another Brown Act issue of
communications between the ad hoc committees.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes of the June 13, 2019 City Arts Commission Meeting
1. Draft of 06/13/2019 Minutes
Chair Greer corrected the fifth sentence of the first paragraph of Item VI.B.7 as "Prizes will
be awarded in the categories of oil and acrylic painting, watercolor painting including pen, ink, and charcoal, photography, and sculpture."
Motion made by Commissioner Bendetti, seconded by Chair Greer, and carried (5-0-0-1) to approve the Minutes of the June 13, 2019 City Arts Commission meeting as amended.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker
B. Consent Calendar Items
2. Financial Report – Review of financial information
Library Services Manager Basmaciyan reported the Programming balance decreased
from $22,728 to $963 due to expenditures of $1,386 for marketing, $7,740 for The Side
Deal Concert on the Green, and $9,785 for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition. A payment for catering for The Side Deal concert is outstanding. The Professional Services balance
decreased from $9,491 to $363 due to expenditures of $825 for cleaning of Sphere 112, $493 for transcription services, $1,910 for the Sculpture Garden grand opening, and $5,900 for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition. The Cultural Arts Grants balance decreased
from $14,500 to $8,500 due to a payment of $6,000 for two performances by Laguna Playhouse. The Sculpture Garden balance decreased from $116,711 to $85,567 due to
payment of honoraria and shipping charges to deliver contracts.
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In response to Commissioner LeGrand's inquiries, Assistant City Manager Carol Jacobs
advised that all funds will be deposited into accounts on July 1 when the fiscal year begins. Unspent funds will return to the City General Fund at the end of the fiscal year.
Chair Greer noted $2,600 for artist awards, $150 for valet service, and $2,000 for the curator have not been deducted for the Newport Beach Art Exhibition. Assistant City Manager Jacobs clarified that expenses incurred prior to June 30, 2019 for which invoices
are received in July or August will be charged to the fiscal year 2018/19 budget.
3. Cultural Arts Activities – Monthly review of cultural arts activities from the
Library Administrative Office for upcoming Library and City arts events and services
Library Services Manager Basmaciyan indicated Ed Olen's Sobier Photo Project is on display at the Central Library gallery and is attracting positive attention. Staff added a
display case of whimsical Mickey Mouse ears, which is attracting quite a bit of attention. More than 300 works of art were submitted for the 55th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition on June 15. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and children's activities. On
June 16, The Side Deal performed on the Civic Center Green before more than 3,000 people. The City Arts Commission officially opened the Sculpture Garden Phase IV with tours, music, children's activities, and an awards ceremony on June 16. Staff is beginning
preparations for the Marina Park concert on September 29. In reply to Commissioner LeGrand's query, Library Services Manager Basmaciyan
reported the light show will not be held after the concert. Staff will notify the artist of the decision. Administrative Support Technician Francine Jacome explained that Marina Park
staff has found that more people are likely to attend an early evening concert when the
following day is a school day and when football games are televised the same evening. In addition, cleaning the area following a concert is difficult after dark because there is no
lighting in the area. With a 4:00 p.m. start time, the concert should be finished by 5:30
p.m.
Motion made by Commissioner LeGrand, seconded by Chair Greer, and carried (5-0-0-1) to approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Baker VII. CURRENT BUSINESS
A. Items for Review and Possible Action
4. Central Library Gallery Exhibits – The Art in Public Places Library Gallery Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends that the City Arts Commission approve
exhibitions by Ann Apeles Brunning, Lisa Fu, Roxanne Sexauer, Sunny
Kim, Quilts on the Wall, and Richard Kendrick Ferncase in the gallery space in the Central Library lobby.
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Library Services Manager Basmaciyan reported the proposed exhibits will fill the schedule
for the Central Library gallery through 2022. Chair Greer related that the proposed exhibits provide a wide variety of media. During
Roxanne Sexauer's exhibit, there is an opportunity for a woodcutting demonstration. Motion made by Vice Chair Little, seconded by Commissioner Bendetti, and carried (5-0-
0-1) to approve exhibitions by Ann Apeles Brunning, Lisa Fu, Roxanne Sexauer, Sunny Kim, Quilts on the Wall, and Richard Kendrick Ferncase in the gallery space in the Central
Library lobby.
AYES: Greer, Bendetti, Kaufman, LeGrand, Little
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Baker
B. Monthly Reports
5. Newport Beach Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner
Arlene Greer, Commissioner Miriam Baker, Commissioner Marie Little
Chair Greer reported thousands of people attended the Newport Beach Art Exhibition. Mayor Dixon and the juror presented artist awards. One hundred seventy-one artists presented more than 300 pieces of art during the event. Chair Greer listed the artists who
won awards and thanked the Newport Beach Arts Foundation and its Board of Directors, the Bungalow, the Walkers, Patty and Bob DeFasio, Cassandra Coblentz, Assistant City Manager Jacobs, Mayor Dixon, Assemblywoman Petri-Norris, Alice Gott, Adam Corsaro-
Peyton, Commissioners, and staff for their support.
Vice Chair Little thanked Chair Greer for her leadership and tireless dedication to the
success of the Newport Beach Art Exhibition.
6. Performing Arts for Concerts on the Green Ad Hoc Subcommittee –
Commissioner Michelle Bendetti, Commissioner Wayan Kaufman, Commissioner Arlene Greer
Commissioner Bendetti advised that The Side Deal concert was a success. A concert by Queen Nation is scheduled for August 25. The concert is timely because of the ongoing
recognition of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. The final Concert on the Green is scheduled for September 15 with a performance by Flashback Heart Attack.
Chair Greer indicated the Smith Band concert was also a success. Commissioner Kaufman noted the crowd requested an encore, and the band complied.
7. Performing Arts for Balboa Peninsula Ad Hoc Subcommittee –
Commissioner Arlene Greer, Commissioner Marie Little
Vice Chair Little reported Jason Lohrke will perform a Neil Diamond tribute concert in
Marina Park on September 29. Several of his performances are available on YouTube.
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The subcommittee continues to work through details of the performance and will share
more information during the August City Arts Commission meeting. 8. Art in Public Places Library Gallery Ad Hoc Subcommittee –
Commissioner Miriam Baker, Commissioner Arlene Greer Chair Greer referred to the subcommittee's recommendation in Item VII.A.4.
9. Cultural Arts Grants Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner Wayan
Kaufman, Commissioner Arlene Greer
Chair Greer proposed the City Arts Commission schedule a study session in October so
that Cultural Arts Grants applicants can present information about their programs to the
City Arts Commission.
In response to Chair Greer's inquiry, Assistant City Manager Jacobs indicated the City Arts Commission may vote on applications at the conclusion of the study session or at a subsequent meeting of the City Arts Commission.
Commissioner Kaufman agreed to contact OC Opera and Lyric Opera regarding applying for Cultural Arts Grants.
10. Publicity Liaison Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner Michelle
Bendetti, Commissioner Arlene Greer, Commissioner Wayan Kaufman
Chair Greer thanked the press and staff for publicizing City Arts Commission events.
11. Newport Beach Arts Foundation Liaison Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner Wayan Kaufman
Chair Greer reported more than 80 booths have been sold for Art in the Park.
In answer to Commissioner LeGrand's question, Chair Greer indicated the Arts Foundation will likely share information regarding sales during the Newport Beach Art Exhibition at its next meeting. A record 32 works of art were sold during the Newport
Beach Art Exhibition. 12. Sculpture in Civic Center Park Exhibition Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner Arlene Greer, Commissioner Marie Little Chair Greer related that the Sculpture Garden Phase IV opened on June 22. The Newport
Beach Arts Foundation hosted a luncheon prior to the opening. Mayor Dixon formally dedicated Phase IV of the Sculpture Garden on June 22. This subcommittee will remain
active as it explores acquisition of Burnt Matchstick. A new location will need to be found
for Burnt Matchstick.
Library Services Manager Basmaciyan reported the Newport Beach Arts Foundation will
need to raise funds and recommend the funds be used to purchase Burnt Matchstick.
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13. Metalfor Relocation Ad Hoc Subcommittee – Commissioner Arlene
Greer, Commissioner Wayan Kaufman, Commissioner Miriam Baker Chair Greer advised that the subcommittee has not had an opportunity to meet.
Jim Mosher expressed surprise that the City Arts Commission has not mentioned the $500,000 grant it received from the State.
Chair Greer indicated the City Arts Commission is awaiting news from the City Council
prior to discussing the grant.
VIII. CITY ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS
WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)
In answer to Commissioner LeGrand's query, Assistant City Manager Jacobs reported the
City Council has not accepted the grant from the State. Staff will investigate grant requirements and present an item to the City Council.
Chair Greer requested agenda items for the Then and Now exhibition, a Burnt Matchstick update, committee appointments, goals and objectives for the fiscal year, and Phase V of
the Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair Little requested an agenda item for additional banner sites.
In answer to Commissioner LeGrand's question, Assistant City Manager Jacobs reported staff has devised a plan to locate the Ronald Reagan statue near its current site with a
base of decorative stone.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Laura Curran remarked that residents should understand the genesis, proposed uses, and
fiscal responsibilities of the State grant in the amount of $500,000. She questioned
whether acceptance of the grant could preclude the City from applying for or obtaining other grants. She proposed future funding be used to showcase the natural beauty of the
park and to educate the public regarding Orange County coastal plants found in the park. A tour highlighting native plants in the park will be held on July 31.
X. ADJOURNMENT – 6:03 P.M.
Chair Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m.
Approved by: