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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2006 Approved HCAC MinutesCITY OFDUBLIN HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES OF: FEBRUARY9, 2006 The February 12, 2006 meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:04p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chairperson Mack. Pledge of Alleriance Chair Mack led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Acuff, Vonheeder-Leopold, Fasulkey, Mack, and Halket Commissioners Absent: White and Lussie Oral Communications Approval of Minutes ON A MOTION BY CM. HALKET, SECONDED BY CM. ACUFF AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2006 AS PRESENTED. Written Communications -None Public Hearing - None Unfinished Business -None New Business 8.1 Public Art Master Plan Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart reported that in 2001-2002 the City Council rated as a high priority to create a Public Art Master Plan for the City of Dublin. Lowart presented a brief overview of the Public Art Master Plan in the form of a power point presentation, covering the eight sections of the plan; Background, Public Art Master Plan, Public Art Program Overview, Opportunities, Guidelines for City Projects, Guidelines for Private Development, Policies and Implementation. Staff has discussed considering a future Public Art Venue which they would like to propose to the Commission and the Council. It would be an opportunity for the City to have a collection of art in one space that might create an interesting gathering space for people to visit. Heritage & Cultural Arts Supervisor John Hartnett stated that a Public Art Venue is a location where several pieces of public art are on display in a consolidated area. Usually, a large number of different types of art sculptures are on display for the public's view. Some Venues are thematic in nature whereas others can be educational. Public Art Venues can range in cost from $350,000 up to $5 million or more, depending on the amount of art pieces and possible land costs. Potential locations for a Public Art Venue include; Camp Parks, Dublin Historic Park and Emerald Glen Park. Hartnett presented photos of sculptures and artwork of public art venues in Colorado, San Marino, California and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lowart pointed out that the Draft Public Art Master Plan proposes requirements for new commercial, industrial and office development projects over 50,000 sq. ft. to allocate % of 1% of the building valuation (exclusive of land) to finance an art project. In lieu of providing on -site artwork, the allocation may be deposited into a public art fund. For projects under 50,000 sq. ft., they would allocate % of 1%, however if they choose to pay into the public art fund, it would be at 90% of the '/z of 1 % allocation. The '/z of 1 % of building valuation formula is also being proposed for residential projects for new single family and multi -family developments. Lowart passed out a financial chart to the Commission with background information on how much developers have paid for public art in the past. There are many inconsistencies in the way the program is currently being implemented. Staff is proposing as part of the Public Art Master Plan that we establish a consistent process so that there is an equal Minutes — February 9, 2006 Page 2 of 4 playing field for all types of projects. A few exemptions to the percent for art requirement for developers are being proposed which include; 100% low-income housing projects, childcare centers, and nonprofit agencies and institutions that exclusively provide social services to the general public. The Draft Public Art Master Plan was presented to the Public Art Task Force on January 30, 2006. In general, the Task Force supported the draft report; however they requested some minor changes which are highlighted in the report. The Task Force also raised three issues including: 1) should public art school projects be included in the existing inventory of projects, 2) should condominium conversion projects be subject to the percent for art program and, 3) should small residential unit projects also be given the 90% of the %2 of 1% discount option. Commission Input Cm. Acuff asked that since the school art projects are funded by the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation and the School District, why the City would include these projects in the art program. Lowart stated that if we are going to be listing the existing inventory of art within the City, either by private or City development, it might be appropriate to include the public art which exists on school property. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that it was just an idea, that if we are going to count the various pieces of art, there should be a paragraph acknowledging that fact. All but one of the elementary schools has a piece of art and at least 99% of the art was paid for by the School District. Cm. Acuff stated that the Master Plan states that at least 25% of an apartment unit had to be filled before they could develop a committee to select the artist and artwork. She is glad that this issue was clarified in the Master Plan, as we ran into problems in the past with this issue in previous encounters. It is good to have a plan in writing. Cm. Acuff stated that in regards to funding, the Master Plan refers to identifying sources for funding. How are we going to do that? Do we develop another task force? Lowart stated that at one time the Task Force contemplated recommending that a portion of the City's budget be set aside on an annual basis. Staff is not recommending that this be done because we do not believe it is prudent to tie up a future Council's hand in this way. It is suggested rather, that it be part of the annual budget process. If there is a surplus in any given year, the Council can elect to deposit money into the Public Art Fund. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she heard that one of the developers, Mr. Banducci, who was on the Task Force, relayed to some people his concern for the percent for art program. Did that get to anyone here or was it strictly to a Council member? Hartnett stated that he received an e-mail from Mr. Banducci expressing his concern for the percent for art program. He also stated in his e-mail, that he is supportive of public art and has put public art in several of his developments, even when there wasn't a requirement. Lowart added that currently the one project that Mr. Banducci is involved in has entitlements and therefore would not be subject to this program. Cm. Halket stated that she is curious as to where the formula for the '/z of 1 % for public art came from and when was that decided upon? Lowart stated that back in 1997, public art was encouraged in private developments, but there was no set dollar amount. When we were looking at a way to ensure that there is either public art throughout our community or an opportunity to generate funds for public art, we looked at various public art programs throughout the state. Many cities had a percent for art program, and the percentage ranged from ''/a to 2%, with the average being around 1%. Chair Mack directed her question to Rich Ambrose, City Manager, asking if staff foresees running into any issues because of what the developer has to pay in fees for development, versus the cost of the art project. Minutes — February 9, 2006 Page 3 of 4 Ambrose stated that what we are trying to do is equalize the playing field. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a fee. It is a zoning ordinance modification. The developers have money in their budget to include some form of art. The question is, is the % of 1% the right amount? That will be up to the Council to decide. Cm. Fasulkey stated that based on the consensus of other cities as reported by John, the %2 of 1% seems very reasonable. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that the reality of all of this is that there is no other way to fund art projects. If it was not for the City and the large developers, the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation would never have been able to accomplish what it has done in the realm of public art. The Public Art Master Plan would give the City the opportunity to have additional funding sources. Cm. Fasulkey stated that she feels this sends a message that we are serious about making public art in Dublin really happen. She is very excited about having an Art Venue in Dublin. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she thinks it would be fair to have an exclusion for residential developments of 19 units or less, because having a piece of art in front of a small development wouldn't be appropriate. Ambrose reminded the Commission that this is a zoning regulation; therefore we need to give them the same opportunity to put the art in. The question is where do you draw the line? We may want to think about what we want to be the logical outcome, but there needs to be some cut-off somewhere. Cm. Acuff asked if there could be some sort of statement that says a building unit has no public spaces. Ambrose stated that we don't necessarily need public spaces for all art. Public art does not need to be on public property, but it does need to be accessible and visible by the public. Cm. Acuff asked could we recommend the Master Plan with the direction that the Council reconsider the number of units to be disallowed. Lowart stated that the option for the 19 units or less is not included in the documents. It was brought up at the Task Force meeting for Staff to look into. If the Commission has recommendations for the Council to consider, we will include it in the Staff report. Staff also needs the Commission's direction on the three issues. ON A MOTION BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, SECONDED BY CM. FASULKEY AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT 19 UNITS OR LESS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ART ZONING ORDINANCE. ON A MOTION BY CM. VONHEEDER LEOPOLD,, SECONDED BY CM. ACUFF AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT A STATEMENT BE ADDED TO THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN TO INCLUDE SCHOOL DISTRICT ART PROJECTS. ON A MOTION BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, SECONDED BY CM. FASULKEY AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ART ZONING ORDINANCE. ON A MOTION BY CMM, VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD, SECONDED BY CMM, HALKET AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN WITH THE THREE ISSUES BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED. Minutes — February 9, 2006 Page 4 of 4 Other Business 9.1 Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLYRgports from Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioners and/or Staff Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that it would be nice if the Commission had name badges to wear when attending functions as representatives of the City. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she was very disappointed that the Senior Talent Show did not take off. Hartnett stated that we made a good faith effort to get the seniors involved. The Senior Center is a new facility and going through growing pains. He is confident that in a year or two we can re -address the possibility of offering a Senior Talent Show. Chair Mack suggested perhaps calling it something else instead of a Senior Talent Show. Many seniors don't like things always referred to as senior this or senior that. Cm. Acuff stated that in regards to sculpture gardens, she suggested checking out the sculpture garden at the Oakland Museum. If you're ever in Albuquerque, New Mexico, visit their museum's sculpture garden. They have been working on it for 20 years and it was funded through their foundation. If our Heritage Center could develop a foundation as part of its historical funding process, we might be able to develop a sculpture garden of our own. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that for some reason, the City of Dublin businesses and residents just do not want to contribute to non -profits. Cm. Acuff stated that there is a lot of renovation going on at the Springs. It seems they are trying to bring the apartment up to the standards of the other apartments in the area that charge more rent. They have a huge amount of land in front where they cannot build anything because it is on the Calaveras fault. It would be a great location for public art. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that she has always thought it would make a great park. Hartnett reminded the Commission of the final winter concert scheduled this Saturday, February 11 at 7:00pm. Bell & Branch, an Irish duo will be performing. Over fifty tickets have been sold. Lowart reported that the Council, at their meeting last Tuesday, revisited the Camp Parks Plan and are in favor of a combination theme and cultural elements. In addition, the Council approved the conceptual design of the Dog Park. It was suggested by one of the Council members to include public art in the Dog Park. One suggestion was to include an historic art project such as a bronze sculpture of the Dougherty family dog buried at the Dublin Cemetery. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold stated that the dog is buried at the foot of Dougherty's grave. She believes that D.H.P.A. may have an address of his grandson. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05PM Respectfully submitted, C144- Char J. Young, AdpfiinistratKe Technician APPROVED: Connie Mack, Chairperson