CC Min 2012-02-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chris Beth, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, introduced the item and Steve Cortez, Chair of the Civic Cultural Commission (CCC), spoke on the issue. Mr. Cortez explained his appreciation for Council's interest in these issues and Mr. Cortez shared his awareness that Council is the ultimate decision maker. Mr. Cortez shared the positives of the Birds on Broadway(BOB) art. Mr. Cortez explained how other communities have similar art pieces. He said they have five more such pieces for Council approval. Generally speaking, they wish to introduce more public art and solicit local artists' pieces for the beautification of Redwood City. One Council Member commented that before the Civic Cultural Commission went out and discussed the matter with Peninsula Arts Council, Council should have been consulted. One Council Member noted that there was a concern that there was no joint vision for when this came to pass. She said that this was a missed opportunity to have a joint vision and a joint message, and the Council is coming into it at the end of the process. So, this Council Member will not be support it. Furthermore, she does not feel this is representative of the downtown that the Council so loves. She also noted that this is an artist from Oregon and she believes there are many artists in Redwood City. Ms. Beth Mostovoy, with the Peninsula Arts Council, also provided some details about the Bird and its benefits. She added details about placement of the birds at different levels and heights. She highlighted what she thought were the benefits of BOB. One Council Member noted that the nails are harsh and this is her personal observation. There were safety concerns about the weight of the sculpture. She will not be supporting this. She hopes the sculpture is secured because of its weight. One Council Member inquired if this is ratification of an award and if the award has already been given. Mr. Beth explained some "learnings" from this experience, and he referred that in the Municipal Code the CCC is to make recommendations to the City Council, but things have been done a little differently through the process that had been established. This Council Member wants it to be clear that public art always comes to the Council ahead of time. He inquired if there were five more birds coming. Mr. Beth said that was the concept, but only one BOB has been awarded. This Council Member wanted to know the financial commitment. Mr. Beth said it is about $450 per bird. Mr. Bell explained that the total cost of the project, if all birds were to be made, it was $5,000. This Council Member is disappointed that this concept went as far as it went because it is not a local artist. He added that this places the Council in a tough position because people have worked hard on this. He expected all decisions related to public art to come before Council, but it does not look like that is the case. This Council Member also is not too excited about the birds. Another Council Member said she is going to present a slightly different perspective where she did not expect to comment on this, because she was expecting to be more high level. She gave examples of public art at Red Morton (mural) and Council has never commented on these matters. She opined she was not expecting to micro- JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY February 27, 2012 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 MINUTE BOOK NO. 64 Page No. 58