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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2008 0520 AC REGMINUTES OF THE ARTS COMMISSION Moorpark, California May 20, 2008 A Regular Meeting of the Moorpark Arts Commission of the City of Moorpark was held on May 20, 2008, in the Council Chambers of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Amador led the pledge of allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Jean Amador, Clint Harper, Rena Petrello Christieann Rohal, and Dennis Swinburne Staff Present: Mary Lindley, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services; Barry Hogan, Deputy City Manager; L.J. Stevens, General Manager, High Street Arts Center 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: A. High Street Arts Center Update — Season Two (LJ Stevens, General Manager, High Street Arts Center) Ms. Stevens gave an update on Season Two at the High Street Arts Center. She talked about the addition of a part-time staff person who has been helpful in following up on group reservations. Ms. Stevens discussed the proposed Season Three shows for the Arts Center, which include The Fantastiks; Bell, Book and Candle; The Plight Before Christmas; The Two and Only; and The Prisoner of Second Avenue. The Commissioner's came back to the High Street Arts Center update after the Veteran's Memorial Update. Commissioner Swinburne commented that the season was very well put together. Commissioner Harper commented that he thought the program sounds really good. He commented that the Fantastiks might not draw the younger familys. Ms. Stevens commented that it might because of the connection between the college and the Fantastiks. Ms. Stevens commented that generally the Theater was appealing to the older crowd, which historically is the case with small theaters regionally. Commissioner Harper commented about including shows that appeal to the vaudeville aspect. Ms. Stevens stated that "The One and Only" is very much like a vaudeville show. She also stated that she will be consulting with the people that used to put on the Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Meeting May 20, 2008 Page 2 melodrama and vaudeville shows. Ms. Stevens indicated that we have to be careful when performing vaudeville and melodrama due to issues with rights. Commissioner Harper suggested that if a parody is being performed that no rights were needed. Ms. Stevens indicated that was only the case if you are 501 (c)(3) non - profit corporation, which the Theater /City is not. Commissioner Petrello wanted to know what the difference would be if Ms. Stevens had more money, how different would the season be. Ms. Stevens stated that if she had more money she would probably not change the season, but spend more money on advertising and public relations. Ms. Stevens commented that if the Community Foundation for the Arts were instituted, then the money they raise to support the Arts Center could be use to hire a public relations firm. Commissioner Petrello commented that a Public Relations firm would be a good idea. Commissioner Rohal asked if during the vaudeville show, a mini - version of the High Street Broadcast could be acted out in the beginning. Ms. Stevens indicated that if they did that they would have to pay the equity actor that currently volunteers for the High Street Broadcast, since he would be acting at a time when there is a ticket price. Commissioner Amador asked Ms. Stevens if she is intentionally going for the senior crowd or if there are any of the upcoming shows that would appeal to the younger crowd. Ms. Stevens indicated that the youth theater workshop would be a showing of Beauty and the Beast, that the Fantastiks uses two leads in their early- twenties, and that the melodrama has a kid character. Ms. Stevens stated that the Fantastiks and The One and Only would appeal the most to families. Ms. Stevens indicated that from a "putting butts in the seat" standpoint, the older crowd is who is willing to go. Ms. Amador indicated that that was due to the content of the shows. Ms. Stevens indicated that her message at the City Council meeting was to bring crowds to the Theater, and the only way to do that is to choose shows that attract people who are willing to go to the Theater. Ms. Amador indicated that she felt that the message at the meeting was also one of diversity and choosing different diverse shows to appeal to all different types of people. Ms. Stevens indicated that a number of a -mails were sent to the City Council and when they were tallied, the requests for a melodrama received the most votes. Ms. Stevens indicated that the Youth Theater Workshop is geared more to families. Ms. Stevens also said that the City is offering 5 scholarships to kids who are interested in participating in the youth theater workshop. Ms. Amador stated that she feels that the fact that diversity is not included in the Arts Center Season is a big weakness of the Center. Ms. Amador made another comment about there not being enough diversity in the season. At this point, Ms. Lindley interrupted the discussion to point out that this item was only a presentation item which is meant to update the Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Meeting May 20, 2008 Page 3 Commission and is not open for discussion between staff and the Commission. She indicated that she would suggest to Mr. Riley that he agendize this as an Action /Discussion item, which would allow the Commission to discuss the item. Commissioner Amador indicated that the role of the Commission was unclear and perhaps they should wait until the role is clearer before they have a discussion. Commissioner Petrello indicates that the confusion comes because last time the Commission was allowed to discuss the Season. Commissioner Harper indicated that the Commission is frustrated at not being able to have a meaningful discussion about the Arts Center Season. Commissioner Harper indicated that he would not reapply to be on the Commission unless the Commission's role changes dramatically. Commissioner Amador asked Ms. Lindley at what point the Commission could request that an item be placed on the Agenda to discuss the role of the Arts Commission. B. Veteran's Memorial Update (Mary Lindley, Park's, Recreation and Community Services Director) Ms. Lindley gave an update on the Veteran's Memorial. She informed the Commission that the City Council approved the memorial. The landscape architect is at about 50% construction drawings, with final drawings to be ready next week. The City Council will then approve the drawings and the project will go out to bid. Ms. Lindley indicated that they are trying to have the memorial completed by Veteran's Day in November. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 6. REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA: None. 7. DISCUSSION /ACTION ITEMS: A. Consider Art in Public Places for Tuscanv Sauare (Commercial Planned Development No. 2005 -02) to Provide Direction as to the Location and Type of Public Arts Desired for the approximately 74,402 Square Foot Retail Commercial Shopping Center on Approximately 6.96 Acres on the Southwest Corner of Los Anaeles Avenue on the Application of Tuscanv Partners, LLC Staff Recommendation: 1) Select a preferred location for the art piece; 2) Suggest the type of art piece preferred; 3) Schedule an Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Meeting May 20, 2008 Page 4 adjourned meeting of the Arts Commission on a date and time certain in June to consider and finalize a recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Hogan gave the staff report. Mr. Hogan requested that the Commission select the location for the art work and which of the sample art pieces the Commission liked. Commissioner Petrello asked the applicant why he prefers the particular location. Larry Greene, Tuscany Square Partners, stated that the Commission is welcome to come to the center and visit the proposed preferred location. Mr. Greene indicated that visibility for pedestrians and vehicular traffic, were the main goals for selection of the preferred site. The art piece would be placed in the planter. Commissioner Harper indicated he felt this was not a bad location, but why the art piece wouldn't be placed near the food court. Mr. Greene indicated that there was a lot of hardscape, planters and water fountains, in that location and they felt it was too congested to add another piece of art, which might overpower the piece in that area. Commissioner Rohal thinks the location is good, but she was not excited about the art piece selection. Commissioner Amador thinks that the focal point is in a good spot. Commissioner Amador thinks the space might be too narrow and too triangular to display the art piece properly, dependent on what piece is selected. Mr. Green indicated that they could push the art piece back from the curb toward the building. Commissioner Amador agreed that would work. Commissioner Swinburne indicated that he feels that the type of sculpture will dictate where you put it. Commissioner Swinburne asked how the Commission was to pick the art pieces. Mr. Hogan indicated that these were samples of styles and the Commission should pick a style and the applicant could come back at the next meeting with more representative artwork. Mr. Hogan indicated that the art piece would be a reproduction piece given the size of the budget. Commissioner Petrello indicated that she didn't want the art piece to be cookie cutter, but that it should be unique to Moorpark. Commissioner Swinburne indicated that he liked the contemporary style. Commissioner Harper indicated that Greco - Roman style of architecture would mesh well with the center. Mr. Hogan recapped the decisions thus far: the location was good, and to review widening the area, or setting the piece back. Commissioners Rohal and Petrello like classical style. Commissioners Amador and Swinburne like the contemporary style. Commissioner Amador also requested a scale of the piece and picture of the base. Mr. Hogan requested dates the Arts Commissioners are available for Mr. Greene to return to the Commission. No dates were decided. Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Meeting May 20, 2008 Page 5 8. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Approval of Minutes for the Arts Commission Meeting of February 19, 2008. Staff Recommendation: Approve as presented. Commissioner Petrello moved and Commissioner Swinburne seconded a motion to adopt item 8A. Unanimous B. Approval of Minutes for the Joint Arts Commission and City Council Meeting of April 23, 2008. Staff Recommendation: Approve as presented. Commissioner Harper moved and Commissioner Rohal seconded a motion to adopt item 8B. Vote 4 -0 with Commissioner Petrello abstaining. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS ON CONFERENCES /MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COMMISSIONERS: Chair Amador requested a future agenda item for the forthcoming special meeting to discuss the second season schedule for the high street arts center. Commissioner Petrello requested a future agenda item to discuss the creation of a theater foundation. Chair Amador requested a future agenda item to discuss the annual Moorpark arts festival for next year. Chair Amador requested a future agenda item to discuss the arts commission role. 10. ADJOURNMENT: Ljza-,�� Jea Amador, Chair Hugh R. Wiley, Assistant anager