Arts Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Arts Commission Wednesday, March 19, 2014 7:00 PM Neighborhood Room - Recreation Building, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 CALL TO ORDER SALUTE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Present: 3 - Commissioner Suzanne Moshier Chair Misuk Park Commissioner Shawnte Santos Absent: 1 - Commissioner Vinita Karun PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1.A. 14-0361 Approval of Draft Minutes of February 19, 2014 Arts Commission Meeting Chair Park requested an amendment to reflect the Commissioner's suggestion of a fundraiser "at Hands on the Arts," deleting the words "in May." Commissioner Santos motioned to approved the minutes as amended, Commissioner Moshier seconded the motion. Approved unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 14-0359 Jay Paul Company/Moffett Place Public Art Component Visual Arts Coordinator, Kristin Dance introduced the Architect Tom Gilman, and the Artist Cliff Garten. It was noted that Mr. Gilman also designed the nearby property at Moffett Towers. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2014 He described the Moffett Place project as a 53 acre complex spanning over Bordeaux Drive. It is designed to include public walkways that connect nearby neighborhoods to the Lockheed Light Rail Station. Thirty-nine percent of the space is usable green space and public easement. Mr. Garten described his approach to public art, which is to create a space that accommodates usable public spaces with sculpted landscape in conjunction with art elements. Mr. Garten presented the art, which is located in the plazas and public intersections of the Moffett Place complex. The art will include fountains, illuminated sculptures, screens and functional art including benches, tables and waste receptacles. Grasses and landscaping are designed, and will be maintained, to enhance and complement the art. Mr. Garten answered Commissioner's questions. Commissioner Santos noticed a waste receptacle incorporated into a plaza and inquired about recycling can options. Commissioner Moshier inquired about shade over the cement benches as they could become hot and unusable during days with high temperatures. Chair Park requested more detail about decomposed granite. Chair Park inquired about the decision to use concentric patterns. She inquired if the high garden, a private area, will include art. Chair Park likes that the scope of the project is integrated into one uniform vision. She stated the plans are gorgeous and go above and beyond expectations. Commissioner Moshier inquired about the technique to move olive trees into the grove. Commissioners agreed that keeping existing trees aligns with Sunnyvale community values. Chair Park opened the public hearing. As there were no public comments, she closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Commissioner Santos motioned to approve the art as proposed with the condition that the developer submit a completed lighting plan for the approved artwork to the Visual Arts Coordinator for review prior to installation of the artwork. Commissioner Park seconded the motion. Approved unanimously. Commissioners provided their voting rationale: Commissioner Santos stated it is a huge project and likes that it uses a consistent vocabulary throughout the entire campus. It includes thoughtful elements in each piece of art. She likes that usability is taken into consideration, and that an emphasis was put into creating a welcoming design. The plans accomplish the difficult task of exhibiting art and creating a landscape to complement it, resulting in a design that fits into the surrounding environment. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2014 Commissioner Moshier stated she loves the integration of art into an area the public will enjoy. She indicated it is unfortunate when art disappears behind a gate where the public is unable to see it. She likes that there are contingency plans for the benches and fountains. She appreciates there is an emphasis on comfort. She thinks it is a wonderful plan and looks forward to seeing it. Commissioner Park stated it is a very ambitious project and she believes it is on the right track to success. The Moffett Place project meets the criteria of Sunnyvale’s Art in Private Development requirements and it is well thought out. One of the most important criteria is that the public has access to the art. She appreciates the extra consideration to place the art where the public receives the maximum impact from the art. She really likes the containers of light, which hold sunlight. She stated this kind of space is valuable to renew an urban area. Commissioners, the developer, and the artist gave Ms. Dance accolades for support and knowledgeable guidance in the process. 3 14-0360 Election of Vice Chair Commissioner Moshier nominated Commissioner Santos for Vice Chair. Commissioner Santos accepted the nomination. Chair Park closed nominations and asked for a vote. The vote was unanimous to appoint Commissioner Santos as Vice Chair. Yes: 3 - Commissioner Moshier Chair Park Commissioner Santos No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Karun NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS COMMISSIONER ORAL COMMENTS Chair Park attended the CPRS awards dinner and congratulated Tegan McLane and the Department of Library and Community Services for being recognized for the LED lighting in the Theatre. STAFF ORAL COMMENTS Community Services Manager Tegan McLane updated the Commission on the Theatre lighting project, as five organizations have toured the Theatre to consider LED lighting in their respective venues. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 19, 2014 Ms. McLane provided an update of the property owner's address for the BBVC Compass Bank building in response to the Commissioners request. Ms. McLane announced that the Hands on the Arts event will be held on May 17, 2014 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Commissioners are welcome to volunteer. Volunteer forms are available online at HandsOnTheArts.inSunnyvale.com Ms. Dance provided information about two upcoming AIPD projects, one on El Camino and the second on the corner of Maude and Mathilda. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT 8:19 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 4