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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2001 0207 CC REG ITEM 10BTO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: BACKGROUND MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT The Honorable City Council I C110. I ITEM /0- 0 Crry or - _%400RPAR1K. CALIFORNrA City C011nCA Meeting ACTrc�r: Mary K. Lindley, Director of Community Ser vices[ tz. January 19, 2001 (CC Meeting of February 7, 2001) Review of City Council Action Regarding Art in Public Places Policy At its January 17, 2001 meeting, the City Council requested additional information on prior actions or discussions regarding Art in Public Places. This Agenda Report serves to provide the requested information. At the March 24, 1999 joint meeting between the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission, the formation of an Art in Public Places Committee and the establishment of an Arts in Public Places policy were discussed. A number of ideas for the composition of the Committee were discussed including the City Council; the Parks and Recreation Commission; an expanded membership of the Parks and Recreation Commission that includes individuals knowledgeable about art; and a citizens committee comprised of individuals interested in art. There was expressed concern about a committee comprised solely of individuals from the art community as not being representatives of the community. A concern was also voiced that removing the City Council from the initial decision of an art project would reduce the possibility of the process being politicized. Additionally, there was discussion at the meeting of drafting an ordinance and developing policies and guidelines for an Arts in Public Places program. The Council indicated that the Parks and Recreation Commission could develop the initial policy document for review and approval by the City Council. The types of C4*003G Art in Public Places Page 2 provisions typically addressed in a policy /guideline include, but are not limited to: composition of the Committee and its role, acceptable projects, the processes used to solicit and select projects, siting project locations, on -going maintenance of art pieces, and when to accept artwork in -lieu of fees. In reviewing the video tape of the meeting, the Council appeared to indicate that the Parks and Recreation Commission should be asked to consider the idea of an Art in Public Places Committee and the development of an Art in Public Places policy. My interpretation of the Council's direction does not include specifically naming a committee at that time, but rather asking the Commission for its recommendation. The Commission was also asked to look at the feasibility and desire of using Art in Public Places funds for City entryway monument signs. Although some progress has been made, staff has not had an opportunity to finalize a draft policy sufficient to take to the Parks and Recreation Commission for its initial comments. It is anticipated that the draft could be ready for consideration in March or April. DISCUSSION At its meeting on January 17, 2001, the Council discussed the possibility of creating a Council Committee comprised of two Councilmembers to review and make recommendations on public art projects, in particular the proposed project for the southwest corner of Tierra Rejada Road and Mountain Trail Street (Vons Shopping Center). Every city with an Arts in Public Places program structures it to best meet its needs. In some cities, the City Council or an appointed advisory committee to the Council has responsibility for the program. In other cities, primary program responsibility is given to a separate commission set up for that purpose. The City Council has little input into the art selection process. The City of Signal Hill, for example, forms a new art selection committee for each project it commissions. The committee is typically comprised of representatives from the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and the \ \MOR_PRI_SERV \home folders \MLindley \Administration \Art in Public Places ccagd.doc 0031") Art in Public Places Page 3 local non profit Arts Council. The Art Selection Committee's recommendation is forwarded to the full Parks and Recreation Commission and then to the City Council for final approval. The City Council retains the final decision for the project. When the City of Ventura first established its Arts in Public Places program, it created an advisory committee to the City Council comprised of individuals from the arts community. The Committee's recommendations were forwarded to the City Council. Today, the City has a Public Arts Commission comprised of seven members: at least two members representing architects, landscape architects or urban planners; at least four members representing visual artists, curator, gallery directors, and other arts professionals; the seventh member may fall into one of the aforementioned groups. All members must have specialized expertise or experience in the field for visual arts, design, urban planning or prior involvement in the City's community cultural planning process. While the Commission makes policy and program recommendations to staff and the Council, it has the final authority over the selection of the artist and art work. The Commission often forms advisory committees to work on specific program elements or art projects. The recommendations of the advisory committee are reviewed by the Commission. To date, Moorpark has $187,400 in its Arts in Public Places fund. In addition to the Tierra Rejada Road /Mountain Trail Street project, there are a number of viable locations for future Art in Public Places projects that ensure that public art is showcased throughout the City. Such potential locations include, but are not limited to: Arroyo Vista Recreation Center, the northeast corner of Spring Road and Tierra Rejada Road, a location in the downtown area, and Griffin Park in the Campus Hills area. In order to proceed with an art project at Tierra Rejada Road /Mountain Trail Street site and proceed in developing guidelines or policies for a public arts program, the Council is asked to indicate what body it wishes to develop a recommendation. Staff proposes that the Council consider a committee comprised of two City Council members, one Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and two members from the art community selected by the City Council. Additional compositions to be considered include: an expanded body of the Parks and Recreation \ \MOR_PRI_SERV \home folders \MLindley \Administration \Art in Public Places ccagd.doc C U'O0 .3 8 Art in Public Places Page 4 Commission that includes individuals from the arts community, a City Council Committee, a committee that includes a representative from the Planning Commission, some variation thereof, or some other composition not yet identified. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Direct staff as deemed appropriate. \ \MOR_PRI_SERV \home folders \MLindley \Administration \Art in Public Places ccagd.doc C 0 0 a 9