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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-25 Approved CAC Meeting MinutesCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Newport Beach Council Chambers 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Thursday, July 10, 2025 – Regular Meeting City Arts Commission Members: Melissa Kandel, Chair John Blom, Vice Chair Heather Ignatin, Secretary David Anastos, Commissioner Tiare Meegan, Commissioner Vanessa Moore, Commissioner Laurel Tippett, Commissioner Staff Members: Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager Camille Escareal-Garcia, Cultural Arts Assistant I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Melissa Kandel called the City Arts Commission Regular Meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Chair Melissa Kandel Secretary Heather Ignatin Commissioner David Anastos Commissioner Tiare Meegan Commissioner Vanessa Moore Commissioner Laurel Tippett Commissioners Absent: Vice Chair John Blom (excused) Staff Present: Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager Camille Escareal-Garcia, Cultural Arts Assistant III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Kandel led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The City Arts Commission shall nominate and elect commissioners to serve as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Chair Kandel nominated Secretary Ignatin for Chair. City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 2 Motion made by Chair Kandel, seconded by Commissioner Moore, to close nominations for Chair and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Vice Chair Blom absent) Chair Ignatin nominated Commissioner Moore for Vice Chair. Motion made by Chair Ignatin, seconded by Commissioner Kandel, to close nominations for Vice Chair and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Vice Chair Blom absent) Chair Ignatin nominated Commissioner Kandel for Secretary. Motion made by Chair Ignatin, seconded by Vice Chair Moore, to close nominations for Secretary and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Commissioner Blom absent) V. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC - Waived VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS None VII. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of June 12, 2025, City Arts Commission Meeting 1. Draft of 06/12/2025 Minutes Chair Ignatin requested edits, changes, or deletions of the minutes. There were none. B. Consent Calendar Items 2. Financial Report Review of financial information. 3. Cultural Arts Activities Monthly review of cultural arts activities from the Library Administrative Office for upcoming Library and City arts events and services. Chair Ignatin opened the item for Public Comment, and there were none. Motion made by Vice Chair Moore, seconded by Secretary Kandel, to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2025, meeting and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Commissioner Blom absent) Library Services Director Hartson noted that the motion made was only for the minutes and not the balance of the Consent Calendar. Motion made by Vice Chair Moore, seconded by Secretary Kandel, to accept the balance of the Consent Calendar and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Commissioner Blom absent). City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 3 VIII. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Items for Review and Possible Action 4. 2025 Halloween Spooktacular Painting Event Review, discuss, and approve the Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s proposal to host a pumpkin painting booth at the City’s Halloween “Spooktacular” event in October at Mariners Park. Library Services Manager Lightfoot reported that the Commission hosted a booth at the Halloween Spooktacular at Mariners Park for the first time last year, where people could paint miniature pumpkins. She stated that staff is looking for approval of the Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s proposal to have a booth at this year’s event on October 25th. Secretary Kandel commended last year’s event, which was fun and well attended. In response to Secretary Kandel’s inquiries, Library Services Manager Lightfoot reported that the budget of $1,750 is higher than last year in anticipation of likely needing more supplies, including pumpkins. She confirmed that staff can reach out to their Recreation and Senior Services peers to see if there is the ability to create a space for attendees to leave their pumpkins while they dry with corresponding signage. Chair Ignatin added that last year’s event was largely successful, and they went through 100 pumpkins in the first 11 minutes. She endorsed increasing the budget to double the number of pumpkins. She noted the booth was recognized at the City Council meeting. In response to Secretary Kandel’s inquiry, Library Services Manager Lightfoot confirmed staff saved last year’s banner. Chair Ignatin opened the item for Public Comment, and there were none. Motion made by Vice Chair Moore, seconded by Secretary Kandel, to approve the item as recommended and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Commissioner Blom absent) 5. Family Fun Night Holiday Ornament Review, discuss, and approve the Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s proposal to design and produce a holiday ornament for the City’s Family Fun Night during the Christmas Boat Parade viewing in December at Marina Park. Library Services Manager Lightfoot reported that the City hosts an annual Family Fun Night at Marina Park during the Christmas Boat Parade. She added that the Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee recommends the Commission design and produce a holiday ornament to hand out at the event, adding that the ornament’s design would be brought to the Commission for final approval. In response to Vice Chair Moore’s inquiries, Chair Ignatin stated that the budget of $1,000 will cover at least 100 and possibly 150 ornaments, based on to-be-determined factors, such as the design and materials. She added that she supports the item because the City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 4 Family Fun Night is a highly attended family event, and an ornament would be a fantastic way to connect with the community. She added that participation would also allow the Commission to partner with other departments across the City while continuing the trend of participating in family-friendly events. She noted the ornament would have a low cost, leading to a big impact, and it could become an annual tradition with residents starting collections. She reported that several hundred people attended last year’s Family Fun Night and added that the strategy would be to provide one ornament per family. In response to Commissioner Anastos’ inquiry, Secretary Kandel confirmed that the Commission would design the ornament. In response to Commissioner Anastos’ inquiry, Chair Ignatin stated that community design options could be considered. In response to Commissioner Anastos’ inquiry, Library Services Manager Lightfoot reported that the information about the $1,000 budget is included in the staff report. Chair Ignatin opened the item for Public Comment. Jim Mosher, Newport Beach resident, stated it is unclear how an ornament will create awareness for the City’s cultural arts programs. He inquired if the ornament distribution booth would have literature about cultural arts events because residents will not display the ornaments year-round. He agreed with Commissioner Anastos’ call to engage the community to design the ornament. Chair Ignatin closed Public Comment. In response to Chair Ignatin’s inquiry, Library Services Manager Lightfoot agreed that ways the ornament will be used to promote cultural arts events can be worked out by the Subcommittee. She added that staff will do whatever is called upon them when a design is finalized. In response to Commissioner Tippett’s inquiry, Vice Chair Moore stated the Commission can move to send the subject back to the Subcommittee for further discussion, or it can create a new subcommittee focused on the ornament’s design. In response to Library Services Director Hartson’s inquiry, Mr. Mosher reported that at City Council meetings, if there is a substitute motion, it is voted on ahead of the original motion, and the original motion is not voted upon unless the substitute motion fails. Commissioner Tippet called for clarification on whether they are looking to form a new Ad Hoc Subcommittee to approve the ornaments’ design or if they are looking to send the whole matter back to the Music and Live Entertainment Subcommittee. Library Services Manager Lightfoot clarified that Vice Chair Moore’s suggestion was to move the matter into the Art in Public Places Subcommittee but stated it may be cleaner to send the subject back to the Music and Live Entertainment Subcommittee because this is where the idea originated. Commissioner Tippett stated her impression is that the current discourse aims to send the matter back to the Music and Live Entertainment Subcommittee for further discussion. City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 5 Secretary Kandel inquired if there could be language to approve the funding amount so this component does not have to return to the Commission. In response to Chair Ignatin’s inquiry, Secretary Kandel confirmed that she is proposing approval of the concept of an ornament with further details to come from the Subcommittee, including the possibility of public collaboration. In response to Commissioner Tippett’s inquiries, Library Services Manager Lightfoot pointed out the portion of the staff report from which motion language is often derived and how that text would become the core of a motion to approve as recommended. Motion made by Commissioner Tippet, seconded by Secretary Kandel, to approve the Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s proposal to produce a holiday ornament for Newport Beach’s Family Fun Night during the Christmas Boat Parade at Marina Park with further details to come from the Subcommittee for CAC approval and carried 6-0-0-1 (with Commissioner Blom absent) B. Monthly Reports Chair Ignatin reported that new members will be appointed to these Subcommittees soon and requested the Commissioners email her any requests. 6. Art in Public Places Ad Hoc Subcommittee Vice Chair Moore, Commissioner Blom Vice Chair Moore reported they reviewed three pieces of art and recommended the artist submit more pieces for review due to changes at the library. 7. Art Week Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Vice Chair Moore, Secretary Kandel Vice Chair Moore reported that the Subcommittee identified August 9-15, 2026, as a preferred window for Art Week. 8. Music and Live Entertainment Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Secretary Kandel Secretary Kandel reported that everything from their meeting has been covered in this meeting. In response to Chair Ignatin’s inquiry, Secretary Kandel confirmed that the Subcommittee’s discussions were reflected in Item Nos. 4-5 of the Agenda. 9. Newport Beach Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee Vice Chair Moore, Commissioner Blom Vice Chair Moore reported that 18 pieces of art were sold, netting $1,141 for the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, which is the most in recent memory. She added that the event received strong reviews and having the band led to people spending time together and enjoying themselves. She reported collecting feedback to have the band play until 5:00 City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 6 p.m. in the future, doing the awards ceremony later in the day, and having better signage about the closing of the Artists’ Choice, along with keeping it open later if awards are announced later. She added that the artists loved their water and snack bags. She commended staff for the snack bags and thanked them for their work on a great event. Secretary Kandel thanked staff and lauded the work of Vice Chair Moore. She agreed to the idea of having the Artists’ Choice close later. Chair Ignatin also commended staff and Vice Chair Moore for all of their efforts, adding it is one of the best Art Exhibitions the City has conducted. 10. Public Relations and Marketing Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Secretary Kandel, Commissioner Blom Secretary Kandel reported meeting with representatives from the Pacific Symphony to discuss marketing, adding that there needs to be a follow-up arranged by staff for future meetings with the Pacific Symphony’s marketing team. 11. Sculpture Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair Ignatin, Secretary Kandel, Commissioner Blom No report given. 12. Student Art Exhibition Ad Hoc Subcommittee None Chair Ignatin reported that there are no updates as all Subcommittee members are no longer on the Commission. 13. Newport Beach Arts Foundation Liaison Vice Chair Moore Vice Chair Moore reported that 62 artists and $2,500 in sponsorship are lined up for Art in the Park and the Foundation is preparing a marketing campaign. She added that there will be a beer and wine bar using the same caterer as the Newport Beach Art Exhibition, and the Boy Scouts will assist at the event in exchange for a booth to sell popcorn. Chair Ignatin added that she has fliers for the September 20th event. 14. Historical Resources Liaison Commissioner Blom Commissioner Blom was absent, so there was no report. IX. CITY ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION, OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) None. City Arts Commission Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 7 X. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jatin Sharma reported he and other Newport Beach parents spend a lot of time taking their children to perform at theatres in many other area municipalities, as those facilities are priced at a level appealing to non-profits. He lamented how similar organizations in Newport Beach cannot afford to put on shows there. He encouraged the Commission to find a way for the City’s children to help showcase their talent, noting that next summer is the United States’ semi quincentennial. XI. ADJOURNMENT – 5:37 P.M. Chair Ignatin adjourned the meeting. Approved by: Heather Ignatin