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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2008 0916 AC SPCMINUTES OF THE ARTS COMMISSION Moorpark, California September 16, 2008 A Special Meeting of the Moorpark Arts Commission of the City of Moorpark was held on September 16, 2008, in the Council Chambers of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:15 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: Hugh R. Riley, Assistant City Manager; L.J. Stevens, General Manager, High Street Arts Center 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: A. High Street Arts Center Update — Season Three (LJ Stevens, General Manager, High Street Arts Center) Ms. Stevens gave an update on the shows for Season Three. She indicated that one of the planned shows; Jay Johnson's show the Two and Only, had to be cancelled due to the presenter being offered a European tour of his shows. Ms. Stevens indicated that the commitment to premier the show in Ventura County at the High Street Arts Center is still on the table. Ms. Stevens has selected the Neil Simon play The Prisoner of Second Avenue as a replacement show. Ms. Stevens gave an update on the close of the Fantastiks and compared it with Bye Bye Birdie, which was the second show last year. Ms. Stevens indicated that the advertising budget is smaller this year and she is unable to advertise in some of the larger papers this year. Ms. Stevens indicated that they are in rehearsals for Bell, Book, and Candle. Half of the cast has worked with the HSAC previously, and half are new to the theater. Ms. Stevens indicated that she is participating in the 4 Star Committee which is a committee of five local theaters. They get together and discuss their seasons and support their local theaters. It helps to spread the word about the HSAC, so that people know what we are doing at the theater and hopefully will be interested. Commissioner Harper asked about the melodrama, The Plight Before Christmas. Ms. Stevens indicated that the audience has responded favorably to the melodrama, especially since the original melodrama Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Special Meeting September 16, 2008 Page 2 characters from the Theater's heyday. Ms. Stevens also indicated that the Stage Door Theater is closing. She will be discussing possibilities with the theater company about performing at the High Street Arts Center. Commissioner Petrello requested information from Mr. Riley about the Community Foundation for the Arts. Mr. Riley brought the Commission up to speed on where staff is at in the process. Commissioner Petrello commended staff on the promotional video of the HSAC being played on Channel 10. Ms. Stevens indicated that the High Street Broadcast is also aired on XM radio. B. Veteran's Memorial Update (Hugh Riley, Assistant City Manager) Mr. Riley gave an update on the status of the Veteran's Memorial. He discussed the Architect's estimate and the fact that the bid line items will be separated so that items can be easily added or deducted based on the base bids received. Mr. Riley indicated that the groundbreaking will be on November 11. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 6. REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA: Commissioner Amador requested information from Mr. Riley about the City Council's action regarding the authority of the Arts Commission. Mr. Riley went over the City Council's decision, which confirmed the Commission's authority. 7. DISCUSSION /ACTION ITEMS: A. Consider Placement of Art Piece at Ruben Castro Human Services Center. Staff Recommendation: Review Ruben Castro Human Services Center site plan and make recommendations on location, type, and style of artwork. Mr. Riley gave the report and background of the Center for the Commission, including the services that will be provided there. The Commission reviewed the site plan for the Ruben Castro Human Services Center. Commissioner Harper suggested that the art piece should go where the City Seal should have been placed. He suggested commissioning a Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Special Meeting September 16, 2008 Page 3 bronze sculpture of Ruben Castro. Commissioner Swinburne asked how much the budget for the artwork would be. Commissioner Amador asked how much the budget would be if this were a developer. She also suggested maybe doing something along the walkways through the complex rather than a stand alone object. She suggested perhaps using recyclable or renewable materials in the walk way to tell a story. Commissioner Petrello liked the story idea and also the sculpture idea and wondered if the two ideas could be melded. Commissioner Rohal liked the idea of the walkway as well, since it would be visible as people enter the building from the sidewalk. Staff provided the Commission with a possible budget of 1 % of the value of the construction of the building, which equals approximately $130,000. Commissioner Rohal discussed the tree at the Simi Valley Town Center that has things hanging from it that tell a story and suggested that we could do the same at the Ruben Castro Human Services center and tying it in with the walkway. Commissioner Harper suggested using something that has historical ties, to keep the piece less contemporary, and that the sculpture of Ruben Castro would be the way to go with this. Commissioner Harper suggested seeing if the Council would support the sculpture of Ruben Castro and set a budget, so they could go out with an RFP. Commissioner Amador suggested that Ruben Castro's story could still be told in mosaic, and have him depicted with children. She also suggested that due to his Latin heritage perhaps the mosaic could be slanted to be more true to Ruben's Heritage. The Commission does not support using the City Seal for the artwork. Mr. Riley suggested that since it would be a multi governmental agency there will be another opportunity to display the City Seal. The Commission suggested it would be easier to make the decision if they had a better idea of a budget and what the City Council would support. Mr. Riley summarized the Commissions suggestions to include: Bronze sculpture, mosaic story board /walkway of Ruben Castro's life or a mural to tell the story, some form of contemporary sculpture that combines all of the discussed aspects, but that is not so contemporary that it's unrecognizable. B. Consider Appropriateness Standards for Live Performances and Films Presented at High Street Arts Center. Staff Recommendation: Discuss the Community Appropriateness Standard and make amendment recommendations to the City Council. Mr. Riley gave the staff report. Commissioner Rohal asked that if the staff provided language appropriately relaxes the standard. Mr. Riley and Ms. Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Special Meeting September 16, 2008 Page 4 Stevens concurred that the new language would have the desired result. Commissioner Harper concurred that staff's recommended language is moderate enough to have the desired effect, and allowing staff to have the discretion to interpret community standards. Commissioner Rohal asked if language needed to be added that if the movie is questionable, that staff review is required. Ms. Stevens pointed out that language does exist that requires the proposed movie to be reviewed by staff prior to a rental agreement being signed. Commissioner Amador asked who is the "Agency" that reviews the material. Ms. Stevens indicated that Mr. Riley and her self review the material. Commissioner Amador expressed concern that she was not comfortable in providing the City legal advice on the language. Mr. Riley clarified that the point of the report was to check with the Arts Commission as a representation of the City as to whether or not the appropriateness standards at the HSAC should be loosened to allow the different types of movies that could be available or not. Commissioner Amador expressed further concern that the topic they were discussing is attempted to be answered historically by many different people and that the commission was attempting to define them with adjectives. Mr. Riley indicated that the definition is intended to be not as descriptive so as to allow for more latitude. Commissioner Amador indicated that she was not sure that the words that were defined would have the desired result. Mr. Riley indicated that this was a start and that perhaps further revisions in the future could make it stronger. Commissioner Swinburne asked if there was an attorney on staff at the City that could provide Mr. Riley the correct language. Mr. Riley indicated that the biggest change in the language was putting the onus on theater renter of warning the public about the content of the movie. Commissioner Harper indicated that you'd want to have notification posted so that a mother does not walk in with her child and be surprised by nudity. He also stated that at the same time you don't want to make every play or movie "plain vanilla" just because some in the community would not like it. Commissioner Harper than answered Commissioner Swinburne's inquiry about the City Attorney's role in the language. He indicated that the City Attorney would not tell you what the community appropriateness standards should be, but he would help you with the language to define whatever standard the City and community decide. Commissioner Petrello moved to approve staffs recommended language, Commissioner Harper seconded. Voice Vote 5 -0. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Approval of Minutes for the Arts Commission Meeting of May 20, 2008. Staff Recommendation: Approve as presented. Minutes of Moorpark Arts Commission Special Meeting September 16, 2008 Page 5 Commissioner Harper moved to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, Commissioner Petrello seconded, voice vote 5 -0. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS ON CONFERENCES /MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Rohal reported on her attendance of the Moorpark Library teen photography exhibit. Commissioner Amador indicated that she visited Tuscany Square and saw that the developer had built a beautiful fountain. She also indicated that the Fantastiks was a really good play and had done a blast e-mail to promote more people to attend. Commissioner Amador requested these items be placed on the next agenda, discuss the Moorpark Arts Festival, discuss the Theater Foundation, discuss the future and past theater venues, discuss the frequency of commission meetings, discuss the Commissioners roles. Commissioner Petrello requested clarification on the theater venue items. Commissioner Amador indicated that she meant that she wants to discuss what is happening at the theater and also in a broader sense beyond where we are or what we have already done. Mr. Riley requested clarification on the Arts Festival item. Commissioner Amador wanted a report on the last Arts Festival and where they are going forward for next year. Commissioner Swinburne had a question on the role of the commission staff report. Mr. Riley indicated that the report was just revisiting what was already present in the code. And now as the Commission moves forward they can begin to have more influence on the arts in Moorpark. 10. ADJOURNMENT: 7:52 p.m. Je n Amador, Chair r Hugh R. kff6y, Assistant Cli nager