HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2006 Approved HCAC Minutes CITY OF
HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF:'JULY 27,2006
The July 27, 2006 meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:00 PM at the
Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chair Mack.
Pledge of Allegiance •
Chair Mack led the Pledge\of Allegiance.
Roll Call -
Commissioners Present: Acuff,White,Lussie,Vonheeder-Leopold,Fasulkey,Mack, and Halket
Commissioners Absent: None
Oral Communications-None
Approval of Minutes-May 11,2006
ON A MOTION BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, SECONDED BY CM. LUSSIE AND BY UNANIMOUS
VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MINUTES OF MAY 11,2006 AS PRESENTED.
Written Communications-None
Public Hearing-None
Unfinished Business
7.1 Dublin Fine Arts Foundation—Art Takes Place Proposal
Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor John Hartnett advised that for Fiscal Year 2006-2007, the Dublin Fine Arts
Foundation (DFAF) submitted a Funding Proposal Request to the City in the amount of$45,000. The Funding
Request was broken down into two components; $15,000 to provide general operating support for various projects
including the Bray Common's "Art in the Parks", project and school projects, and $30,000 to provide
implementation funds for"In the Tri-Valley:Art Takes Place"proposal. At the City Council Budget Study Session
on March 22, the Council unanimously voted to approve DFAF's request for general operating support and the Art
Takes Place proposal and directed Staff to include funds in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget.
At the current time, the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton have expressed an interest in the project, and DFAF is
in the process of requesting a $30,000 commitment from each city. The goal is to receive one-third of the project _
budget from the participating cities and the remainder to be raised from foundations and private sources.
Hartnett introduced Lynn Baer, Consulting Director for DFAF, who presented an overview of the Art Takes Place
proposal to the Commission.
Cm. Acuff felt that bringing art to the malls and department stores like DFAF has done in the past, is a brilliant
way to get art out to a mass of people.
Cm.Lussie is glad that all three cities are working together on this project and feels it will be a great success.
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Cm. Fasulkey asked if the project would be able to move forward if Pleasanton or Livermore pulled out of the
project. Baer felt strongly that this program could fiscally continue even if one of the other cities backed out of the
project.
Chair Mack likes the idea of having a central theme running through all three communities and cities working
together and feels this type of collaboration is always positive.
New Business
8.1 Art in the Parks—Bray Commons
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Minutes—July 27, 2006..
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Hartnett advised that in September of 1993 the City Council gave conceptual approval to the Dublin Fine Arts
Foundation's proposed "Art in the Parks"program. The goal of the "Art in the Parks"program is to enhance City
parks through the placement of artworks appropriate to each park's history, location, size and use. Since that time,
the Foundation has completed commissions in eight parks. A commission for the future Dougherty Hills Dog Park
on Amador Valley Boulevard is also underway as part of the Art in the Parks program and scheduled for
completion by spring of next year.
Hartnett stated that a Selection Committee comprised of members of the DFAF Board and a representative and
alternate from both the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and Parks and Community Services Commission as
well as community members from the Bray Commons Park neighborhood reviewed the materials from 15 artists.
The Selection Committee selected five artists to prepare proposals and maquettes for the park artwork. The
maquettes were placed on display in the Civic Center Lobby with an opening reception including the artists on
May 24th. The public was encouraged to make comments regarding the pieces. At the end of the display period
the Selection Committee met,reviewed the public comments and selected the proposal by artist Bill Gould.
Hartnett introduced Lynn Baer, Project Consultant for DFAF who presented the Bray Commons art
recommendation to the Commission.
Baer advised that for Bray Commons Park, Mr. Gould proposes a work entitled "Wind, Shade, Light =
Tranquility". It is a wind driven kinetic sculpture that will react to the changing environment. The supporting
concrete base (covered by grass/plants) will support multiple 3" in diameter steel stems. Growing out of the top of
each stem will,be a steel canopy form inspired by various leaf shapes, starting at 12 feet and up to as high as 20
feet. Both the stems and the canopy will be covered with a coating that contains real copper which will be treated
to patina.
The total cost of the artwork is $20,000 and will be paid for by the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation. As with past Art
in the Park projects,the City has contributed one-quarter of the project cost, or$5,000.
Hartnett added that in addition to review by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, the Parks and Community
Services Commission will review the artwork at the August 21, 2006, meeting. Recommendations and comments
from both Commissions will be presented to the City Council at the September 19, 2006 meeting.
Cm. Acuff wanted to make sure that the stem pieces were structurally sound and would sway with the heavy winds
in Dublin. Baer confirmed that the final art piece will be structurally sound and the art piece must meet all City of
Dublin safety code requirements in order to be installed in Dublin.
Cm. Von Heeder-Leopold confirmed that the City of Dublin has already paid$5,000 for this project.
ON A MOTION BY CM. ACUFF, SECONDED BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, AND BY UNANIMOUS
VOTE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE BRAY COMMONS ART WORK TO
THE CITY COUNCIL.
8.2 Murray Schoolhouse 150'"Anniversary Celebration and Exhibit Grand Opening
Heritage Center Director Elizabeth Isles advised that in Fiscal Year 2005-2006 the Dublin City Council rated as a
high priority goal: "Coordinate grand re-opening of the Murray Schoolhouse to commemorate the 150`"
anniversary of the schoolhouse upon completion of the exhibit restoration project". With the pending completion
of the new exhibit, The Journey, and the 150th Anniversary of the Murray Schoolhouse, plans are now in place for
grand opening events for the public. Two events are scheduled for the Grand Opening and 150th Anniversary
Celebration of the Schoolhouse. The first event is the preview party sponsored by the Dublin Historic Preservation
Association. The second event is a Grand Opening Celebration sponsored by the City of Dublin. Isles reviewed the
specific details of both activities. Additionally, Isles indicated that on Sunday, August 6, Staff will put the
emphasis on the new museum and feature tours from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for the public.
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Minutes—July 27, 2006
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Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold reminded everyone that there is still space available for the Friday night dinner.
• Chair Mack advised that the Commission is very excited about this event and are very excited about the grand
opening.
8.3 Ulferts Development—Public Art
Hartnett advised that the City Council approved the design for the Ulferts Development to be located at the
northwest corner of the overall Koll office complex. The project consists of up to 25,000 square feet of restaurant
use with the anchor tenant being the Ulferts Furniture store. Unique features of the development include
contemporary architecture utilizing many of the same components of the Koll office buildings.
As a condition of construction, the City Council has required the developer, Ulferts Center Dublin, Inc., to include
a public art element in the project. The developer has selected Hong Kong artist, Aries Lee, to create the artwork
for the project. Mr. Lee, Staff and representatives for the developer met on several occasions to refine the design
for the artwork.
Mr. Lee has proposed a sculpture that will compliment the many restaurants incorporated into the Ulferts Center.
The art piece, entitled "Festivity", represents the meaning of being joyful and content. The sculpture uses the
symbols of Chopsticks and Dim Sum in an abstract manner, as an expression of a sense of joyous emotion that is
brought about by festivity. Like the kind of variety that the Ulferts Center offers, "Festivity" is a fusion of Asian
and international flavors that is stylized by a mix of Pop Art and Minimal Art. The color red symbolizes happiness
and prosperity.The sculpture brings these elements together by using basic forms of cubes, spheres and cylinders.
The location of the artwork will be at the front of the outdoor courtyard. The sculpture will be made of stainless
steel or fiber reinforced plastic, with a red powder coated paint on the top half and a mirror finish on the bottom
half. The base is made of concrete and decorated with stone. The sculpture stands approximately fifteen feet high
and is thirteen and one half feet long by twelve feet wide. The sculpture will be situated within a fountain enclosed
by a circular cement wall twenty two feet in diameter.
Hartnett introduced Ulferts staff, Diana Lee, Assistant Project Manager, Calvin Kam, Architect and Karen Kam,
Project Manager for questions or comments on the project.
Cm. Fasulkey asked what the numbers in the image of the art piece was for. Calvin Kam advised that the numbers
were the street address of the building,but they have since decided to remove them.
Cm. Lussie asked if the pool would have water jets. Karen Kam confirmed that there will be small water jets that
will create calming sounds.
Cm. Acuff asked if a bench was going to be included so people could sit and view the art. Calvin Kam advised that
they are in the process of figuring out what material to use for a nearby bench
Cm. Mack asked if the water would reflect off of the art piece in the evening. Calvin Kam advised that the art
piece would be too high to reflect any light.
Cm. Lussie asked if a Chinese grocery store would be included at this site. Karen Kam indicated no.
Cm. Fasulkey asked if a plaque could be included which described the meaning of the art piece to the public.
This would help the public appreciate and enjoy the art piece more thoroughly. Cm. Halket agreed with this idea.
Calvin Kam agreed and will take their suggestion into consideration.
Cm.Lussie and Cm.Halket suggested that seating be provided so people could sit and enjoy the art piece.
Minutes—July 27, 2006
Page 4 of 4
ON A MOTION BY CM. LUSSIE, SECONDED BY CM. ACUFF AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE
COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE ULFERTS ARTWORK TO THE CITY COUNCIL,
WITH CONSIDERATION GIVEN FOR THE SUGGESTIONS MADE.
Other Business
Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioners and/or Staff
Cm. Lussie attended a reception at the Asian Art Museum. The Monet exhibit is at the Legion of Honor.
Cm. Halket reported that she enjoyed her trip to our Sister City in Bray, Ireland. She was amazed that all of the
museums in Ireland are free and funded by the government.
Cm.Fasulkey went to the Titanic exhibit in June. It was a real hands-on experience with all kinds of artifacts.
Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold recently visited the Steinbeck Museum and San Juan Batista and thought each site was
very fascinating and interesting.
Chair Mack plans on attending the last two summer concerts.
Hartnett reported that the summer concert series have been very well attended, even with the heat.
Adjournment
Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
(2/ i .
Christie Marks
Senior Office Assistant
APPROVED:
g/ / 9—
Chair
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