RECREATION, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
MARGARET TODD SENIOR CENTER MEETING ROOM 3 1560 HILL ROAD
April 9, 2009 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
75 Rowland Way #200 Novato, CA 94945-3232 A. ROLL CALL 415/899-8900 FAX 415/899-8213 www.ci.novato.ca.us Chair Nancy Weber Mayor Vice Chair Eric Lucan Jim Leland Commissioner Clifford Parker Commissioner John Reuscher Mayor Pro Tem Commissioner Spiro Stratigos Commissioner Kaye Porter Jeanne MacLeamy Councilmembers Commissioner Karyn Kambur Carole Dillon-Knutson Pat Eklund Madeline Kellner B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Interim City Manager Patricia Thompson C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. March 12, 2009.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
E. READER BOARD INFORMATION
1. Various PRCS Fliers
F. CITIZENS PRESENTATIONS
G. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
1. Youth Programs - Steve Mason.
H. OLD BUSINESS
There are no Old Business items.
*In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact Lori Simpkins at 899-8200. Notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to help ensure accessibility to this meeting. 090409a.wpd 4/2/9 1
City of Novato Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission Meeting Thursday, April 9, 2009 Page 2
I. NEW BUSINESS
1. Whole Foods Public Art Project.
Consider and recommend art project for Signature Properties Whole Foods Project, located at 700 DeLong Avenue.
2. Operating Budget Workshop.
Hear presentation on department’s continuing budget reductions for FY 09/10.
J. STAFF REPORTS
1. Programs, Projects and Issues Report - verbal
• Dog Park Controlled Access
• Community Garden Status
• Public Art Site Identification Process
• Department Sustainability Efforts
2. City Council Action Updates - verbal
• Teen Center Office Conversion Project
• Recreation Facilities Reciprocal Use Agreement
• Operating Budget Workshop
3. Upcoming City Council Items
4/14 - Youth Financial Assistance Program (Proclamation)
4/21 - Continued Discussion on Budget Cuts and Revenue Enhancement Opportunities
4 . Media Articles - Comments from the Director/Commission.
K. COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS
1. Commission Comments/Reports
2. General Plan Steering Committee Update
090409a.wpd 4/2/9 2
City of Novato Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission Meeting Thursday, April 9, 2009 Page 3
3. Council Budget Meetings
4. Request Agenda Items
L. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING
May 14, 2009.
M. ADJOURNMENT
090409a.wpd 4/2/9 3 NOVATO RECREATION, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, March 12, 2008 Margaret Todd Senior Center* 7:00 p.m. Meeting Room 3 1560 Hill Road
A. ROLL CALL
Chair Weber called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Commissioners present: Reuscher, Porter, Parker, Stratigos, Lucan, Kambur
Commissioners absent: None
Also present: Director Pam Shinault, Deputy Director Kathy Kormos, Recreation Services Division Manager Kevin Conklin, Recording Secretary Lori Simpkins
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
1. February 12, 2009. Page 5, under item I.1., fourth paragraph, replace “… aren’t good examples.” with “isn’t an adequate sample size. Page 12, last paragraph, deleted the sentences “The Open Space group want to protect open space, which Novato has very little of. Marin County is the one that would be most successful in protecting open space land. This will be difficult to present to Novato citizens.” Page 13, first paragraph, should read, “…to clean ridge tops for fire breaks. He didn’t think people would be excited to preserve open space since Novato has a lot of it.” Fifth paragraph beginning, “Commissioner Reuscher agreed. He thought there…” was deleted. There were also some spelling corrections.
MOTION/SECOND, COMMISSIONERS, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 1 D. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no Public Comment.
E. READER BOARD INFORMATION - Reader Board is available.
1. Various PRCS Fliers.
F. CITIZENS PRESENTATION
There were no Citizens Presentations.
G. STAFF PRESENTATION
1. Recreation Programs – Kevin Conklin. Mr. Conklin announced that the Gymnastics Center will hold its seventh Novato Gymnastics Classic meet. They have a group of great volunteers and parents that help out with this event, along with all of the staff. It is one of the top meets in the area. During the meet, they open up the Teen Center for families to relax while waiting for their child to compete and they hold the awards ceremony there. The upstairs mezzanine is turned into a hospitality room for the judges. They also open up the pocket park for siblings to play in. The Teen Center has about 40 teens a day dropping in. The 7th and 8 th grade dances were moved to the Teen Center from Novato High School gym. This has been a better venue because it also offers teens to play pool, video games and to mingle in the pocket park. Staff has set up speakers in the pocket park so the teens can listen to the music, but it is low enough for them to be able to talk. Girls basketball registrations were down this year from 40 teams to 19 teams. Staff believes possibly they are signing up for CYO or just not playing. Also, AAU Basketball has extended their season. First and second grade basketball registration is up with 23 teams this year. Adult softball registrations for Spring are down. Some teams are sharing players, while other teams have dissolved. Due to the reduced number of teams, the program will not rent McInnis Park this year. He also announced that a past participant in the Boxing program, Paul Nave, will be in a celebrity fight this month. There are about 30 members of the Boxing Club.
Commissioner Parker asked if they are still offering the Fight Night.
Mr. Conklin said that event will be in September at the Hill Gym. Last year they had approximately 400 attend the Fight Night.
H. OLD BUSINESS
1. Facility Fees. Ms. Kormos said the biggest change in the facility fees schedule for athletic fields is changing from the per player fee to an hourly rate. The recommended change was prompted when the Novato Unified School District changed their facility fees. The last time the City adjusted its facility fees was in 2007, and before that it was 2000. These fees coordinate with NUSD’s fee
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 2 schedule, where both agencies rent the majority of fields and gyms. This will help both manage the usage of fields more efficiently and possibly serve more groups. The City’s recommended facility fees match closely with NUSD’s approved facility fees. She gave a brief synopsis of the process NUSD went through to recommend and approve their facility fee schedule. Many youth athletic groups were upset with the large fee increase. NUSD met with the groups and has suggested phasing the fee increase over a three year period. She explained NUSD’s phasing process. So far, some youth athletic groups have submitted applications to NUSD, a few have not. City Council approved the facility fees (excluding the fields and gyms) that the Commission had recommended for approval. NUSD used a broad approach to phase all of their facility fees. The City is only recommending phasing the field fees. Novato Youth Center and the Greek Orthodox Church rent out their gyms, and their rental fees are higher. The City is recommending no change in the gymnasium rental fees this year. She explained the field rates were comparable to NUSD’s field rates such as the IVC fields rate is comparable to high school field rates, and grass multi use fields matched middle school multi grass use field rates. NUSD staff have reported no complaints about the fee increase from rental groups.
Commissioner Lucan asked if the City would be phasing in the recommended fees over a three year period.
Ms. Kormos said no. The City will re-examine the process on an annual basis.
Commissioner Reuscher asked if the City will keep an eye on what NUSD does over the next three years.
Ms. Kormos said they stay in contact regularly.
Commissioner Lucan asked for a definition of what a multi use field was, and if they could be shared.
Ms. Kormos explained that a multi use field was a field where softball or soccer could be played on. IVC fields can have either softball games or soccer games but not mixed uses.
Commissioner Lucan calculated that a soccer group could rent a field for less.
Ms. Kormos said that in the past, youth athletic groups would report the number of players using City fields. For example, youth soccer would have 1,500 participants, but only 100 players would use City fields. It was an honor system. In looking at the reserved usage, the City was being paid $1 an hour.
Chair Weber asked what the NUSD rates are now that are lower than the City’s.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 3 Ms. Kormos said NUSD’s tennis courts are $2 an hour for community service groups, the City’s are $4 an hour. The Novato High School Old Gym is $10 an hour, while the City’s gyms are $30 an hour. She reminded the Commission that these NUSD rates are phase 1 of 3.
Mr. Conklin said gyms in Novato are heavily booked. The NUSD’s low gym rate is good for the youth groups.
Commissioner Stratigos didn’t agree that the City not compete with NUSD’s facility fees. If the fields are rented more, would the City add more maintenance.
Ms. Kormos said there were be no added maintenance.
Commissioner Parker asked if there is any policing of the usage of fields particularly when fields are closed.
Ms. Kormos said there is not. Groups can drop in when a field is not reserved.
Commissioner Stratigos asked if reservations were posted at the fields.
Ms. Kormos said they were not. When staff is aware of groups playing on closed fields, staff is sent to notify the group.
Commissioner Kambur asked if the renters are required to have insurance coverage.
Ms. Kormos said they are.
Chair Weber opened the meeting for public comment on this item.
Eric Grover, 291 San Felipe Way, is president of Novato Little League North, and use the City’s Babe Silva baseball field. He has attended the many NUSD meetings and realize that the field rental rates were low. The current City recommendations are fair, but manageable for the league. NUSD offered users that help maintain the fields a discount on the hourly rate. He asked if the City would do the same. He also asked that since their season has begun, when would the new fees be implemented.
Ms. Kormos said that if they have an approved rental permit from the City with the old rental rates, the City will honor them. Any new reservations will be charged the new rates. Staff has reviewed the maintenance costs of fields which have climbed over recent years. The recommended rates exceed the ability for the City to recover any maintenance costs. They will not offer any discounts.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 4 Mr. Grover asked if the level of maintenance will remain the same.
Ms. Kormos said there will be no increase in maintaining the fields.
Chair Weber closed the meeting for public comment on this item.
Commissioner Parker asked for clarification of the NUSD vs. the City’s tennis courts rates.
Ms. Kormos said NUSD has a nonprofit youth rate which is $2 an hour. The City has a comparable rate category of community service rate which is $3 an hour. NUSD’s rates were higher before their recent rate changes, but because they are phasing over three years, they split the overall rates over the three years, which made some of NUSD’s fees lower in phase 1 than before the rate increase.
MOTION/SECOND, COMMISSIONERS KAMBUR/PORTER, TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THE ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED FEES.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
I. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
J. STAFF REPORTS
1. Projects and Programs and Issues Report - verbal
·Budget – proposed additional 5% and 10% reductions. Ms. Shinault said so far the department’s Council approved reductions have been consistent with the department’s budget strategy, which is reducing spending and increasing fees, and see partnerships with other groups. Staff continues to meet with groups to keep them informed. In the past, the department has expanded to broader areas than core recreation programs such as the NIEP program, which have become critical to Novato seniors. She broke down the approved reduction cuts: 40% from Administration, 43% from the Recreation Division, and 17% from the Community Services Division. The Community Services Division is limited on being able to generate revenue, which is heavily weighted by the Margaret Todd Senior Center which offers free or low fee services to seniors. She is concerned that the public only sees what is on the current agenda, and are not aware of what the department has given up in the past. Last month the City’s deficit was $2 million, this week it increased to $3 million. With Council declaring
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 5 Police and Public Works positions top priorities, it is up to Central Administration, Community Development and Parks, Recreation and Community Services departments to make up the difference. Chair Weber did a nice job speaking at the last Council meeting. She mentioned that without Parks, Recreation and Community Services programs, the City will need more police officers because crime will increase. Council has continued discussion of the budget to next Tuesday. They supported scenario #2, which asks each department for 5% cuts, except for police and public works positions. The Police Department has the largest budget, the Public Works Department has the second largest budget. That means $250,000 in cuts shifts to the other three departments. At next Tuesday’s Council meeting, Ms. Shinault will be recommending the department’s 5% cuts, with some changes that Council had asked her to make. She is trying to recommend cuts with the least impact on staffing and programs. The 5% budget reduction equals to 2 full time positions which do not bring in any revenue (NIEP Supervisor and the Museum Coordinator). The Historical Guild Board met and voted to fund half of the Museum Coordinator’s position. The City continues to seek two grants to help fund the NIEP position, and have asked the County Board of Supervisors for one time donations. She is also planning on doing some outreach to service clubs. The department’s goal is to fund these positions 100% with outside funding. If the NIEP position is eliminated, the valuable programs will be eliminated. Everything needs to be in place by July 1. Staff will also look to see if there are any funds available from the President’s Stimulus Package. So far the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department has reduced 47 different items. Staff will begin to develop a transition plan which needs to be in place by July 1.
Chair Weber asked if the 5% included the $64,000 department cuts Council recently approved.
Ms. Shinault said it doesn’t. The department did not get credited for the savings due to the elimination of her Deputy Director position when she was promoted to Director.
Commissioner Lucan asked if interns could be used to cover cuts in staffing.
Ms. Shinault said the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department uses over 500 volunteers a year to operate its programs. They also count on grant funding to help with programs and facilities. They are looking for partnerships to step up and help. At the March 10th Council meeting, Council made it clear that they want to also look at the out years of the City budget, 2009 – 2012. The 2009/10 budget has structural
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 6 problems. With the downturned economy, it will be a difficult road to get to a zero deficit. As each year comes and goes with no new taxes the City will need to restructure itself. The deficit will become larger. The department could see sweeping changes if asked to cut more than 10%. They may have to close facilities or seek others to operate and maintain them.
Commissioner Porter said it is heart breaking to see how all ages are affected by this. She hopes that the public will step up and volunteer. They need some good ideas.
Ms. Shinault said she is telling people that what the City needs is cash, - now.
Commissioner Stratigos said people need to spend money in Novato.
Commissioner Porter said she recently toured the Marin Community Foundation’s facility. The MCF stated that they are focusing on more general ways to give grants. She was concerned about the groups that currently receive and rely on MCF grants, but if not given the grant in the future, what will happen to them.
Ms. Shinault said the department continues to do outreach to groups to keep them informed regarding budget cuts. Some of the Council meetings are televised to also keep the public informed. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services department recently sent out an e-blast to its customers letting them know about Council budget meetings. She will also hold a budget meeting for the public this coming Monday afternoon at the Margaret Todd Senior Center. The department will also need to create a transition plan and be ready to implement it July 1. The goal is to try to keep the transition as smooth as possible for the public. At the Commission’s next meeting she is planning a budget workshop. As the Council looks at cuts for the out years, there will be an impact on staffing. It could mean elimination of several more staff positions and closures of facilities. The City is obligated to give a 30 day notice to employees. Another issue that is of concern is employee bumping rights. She gave an example of the recreation coordinator working at the senior center bumping the recreation coordinator at the teen center. That staff person could have no experience or knowledge of working with teens. The City is obligated to give them training and time to learn the job. If the department is asked to make 10% cuts, it will need to reorganize the department.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 7 Ms. Kormos said that if positions are eliminated, the programs that the eliminated positions oversaw would also be eliminated. They will need to see how best to use the staff that is left. It will be challenging.
Commissioner Kambur attended the March 10th Council meeting and heard one message from the many speakers, which was “tell us what is needed so they can try to help”. Groups need to have the opportunity to brainstorm ideas to help the City. Sutter Hospital has a Senior Guild that also does outreach to Novato seniors, maybe the City and the hospital senior guild can help each other.
Commissioner Stratigos also suggested Kaiser may have some of the same programs.
Ms. Shinault will pursue the ideas. Council also suggested that there are other groups that can provide the same services that get cut by the City. They could have groups come into the City’s facilities and operate the programs.
Commissioner Kambur asked if the solar panels project was approved.
Ms. Kormos said it was. It is a $4 million project. The funding comes from the Capital Improvement Project’s account and is not a part of the general operating budget. Not doing this project will not help the budget deficit.
Ms. Shinault said that the department has been criticized for going forward with the construction of the Hamilton Pool and the Firehouse Museum. The public doesn’t understand that these are Capital Improvement Projects which are funded separately by restricted funds. CIP funds are earmarked for projects only. The CIP monies cannot be moved to the general fund. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services department has been subsidized by 40 – 60%. With the accepted budget cuts, the department is close to 60% cost covered.
Ms. Kormos said that in the 2005/06 fee study, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department was 40 – 60% subsidized, which was in range with other parks and recreation departments.
Chair Weber asked about the use of the City’s emergency fund.
Ms. Shinault said the City is discussing using 25% of the fund to help cover the 2009/10 deficit. The City Manager is recommending not using more emergency funds. Taking $500,000 from the emergency fund for this
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 8 coming year will bring the emergency fund down to 13% of the General Fund. Also part of the City Manager’s recommendation includes employee concessions of 5%. The department heads have already given a 4.9% concession.
Commissioner Kambur said that if the City takes up the offers of outside groups’ help, could the funds be used for other positions or programs.
Ms. Kormos said that if $61,000 was donated for a position, it could be accomplished through a revenue adjustment.
Ms. Shinault said the department has already been approved to increase fees in the Gymnastics program to collect new revenue of $45,000. The department would embrace any outside help.
Commissioner Kambur was concerned that in looking at the out years and more cuts, there will be nothing left to cut but to close the doors.
Chair Weber said one solution is to look for partners. At the March 10th Council meeting, several groups said they would step up and help.
Ms. Shinault said that if groups want to help, they need to step up now. There may be some programs that the public will no longer see, but could come back at a later time.
Chair Weber asked if there was a chance for any Stimulus funds.
Ms. Shinault said there is for government infrastructure. They will work with NUSD for renovation stimulus funds for the Hamilton School gym project. The City would close the Hamilton gym and the new gym would meet more needs. With the Hamilton Pool project bid being lower than estimated, they may be able to move some money to the Hamilton gym project. Right now they are short funding to build the gym.
Commissioner Stratigos asked about the discontinuation of the Skate Park contract.
Ms. Shinault explained how the City contracts with New Beginnings to have their residents open and close and pick up trash at the Skate Park, with the cost being $15,000. The Skate Park could remain open all the time.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 9 ·Hamilton Pool Construction Project. Ms. Shinault said construction should begin in April. Her concern is how to find the funding to operate the pool. The cost is equivalent to 1-2 positions. She is working with a consultant to create a Request for Proposal to secure an operator for the pool and allow the City to collect some revenue. It would need to be in place before the opening of the pool in 2010.
Ms. Kormos said the YMCA is agreeable to the RFP.
·Hamilton Gym – joint project with Novato Unified School District
·Council Finance Subcommittee. Ms. Shinault said that Council set up a new subcommittee with Council members Eklund and Kellner. Ms. Shinault thought it would be good for her to serve on the committee. The committee is establishing a work plan, and discussed how to interface with the Citizens Budget Committee. There are several other department heads on the committee.
Chair Weber asked how they drew members for the committee.
Ms. Shinault said Council accepted applications.
Commissioner Lucan asked for a City Manager update.
Ms. Shinault said a recommendation will be going to Council on March 24th . She was not sure when the new City Manager would start.
2. City Council Action Updates – verbal
3. Upcoming City Council Items. Ms. Shinault said at the March 10th Council meeting, they said they would pull the Teen Center Office Conversion Construction Contract which was on consent. Their concern was going through with the contract if the Teen Center was going to be closed due to budget cuts. The cost of $50,000 would finish the room, fix a roof leak, and provide storage, office space and a meeting room for staff.
4. Media Articles - Comments from the Director/Commission
K. COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS.
1. Commission Comments/Reports. Commissioner Parker asked about the why the Community Gardens project group needed to come up with a deposit fee of $4,000. He asked if something had changed.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 10 Ms. Shinault said the City requires a deposit from the start, since they are considered a private developer. Staff has worked with Ms. Valero and the group and has given them enough time to submit their application. The deposit covers staff time. They requested and were given a new deadline to submit, which is ending March 31st . She heard that their efforts were diverted to start a garden at a Church.
Commissioner Parker asked if the $4,000 deposit was a new stipulation.
Ms. Shinault said no and that staff has met with the group and told them the private development requirement. They know the insurance requirement and what is needed to convert the vacant property. The Pump Track group will be going to Council on April 24th to secure approval to submit a use permit application. The Community Garden group does not need a use permit as it is a permitted use. The Pump Track group prefers the same location as the Community Garden group. The Pump Track group has proposed to pay $500 a year in rent to the City.
Chair Weber asked if that could be increased to $1,000 rent.
Ms. Shinault was not sure how it will be received by Council. It will only generate a nominal amount.
Commissioner Porter asked since the Community Garden has set up a garden at the Church, will they still pursue a garden at O’Hair Park.
Ms. Shinault was not sure. They have until the end of this month to apply.
Commissioner Reuscher said he has talked to Ms. Valero who said they are still interested in pursuing a garden at O’Hair Park.
Ms. Shinault understood that they were having a difficult time raising the $4,000 deposit. Some of the people in their group have been laid off and can no longer spend as much time on the project.
Commissioner Parker asked if other cities charge a deposit.
Ms. Shinault said it is the way the City operates its cost recovery program for private development projects.
Ms. Kormos said that in the past the City has not asked for a deposit, but within the last few years, they have begun to ask developers to cover more of the staff’s time spent on processing applications.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 11 Ms. Shinault said the process isn’t easy to develop on public land.
Chair Weber asked if they would get their deposit back if they decide not to continue with their garden plans at O’Hair Park.
Ms. Shinault said they would get back any balance remaining from the deposit.
Commissioner Parker said two years ago it seemed the process was easier to get a project completed.
Ms. Shinault said at that time it was not clear that the community garden project would be done as a City project. Council has set its priorities and is focused on those.
Commissioner Parker asked if the Pump Track group is interested in a track at Hamilton.
Ms. Shinault said they were not. At O’Hair Park, the group would need a water supply connection, drainage, parking and meet ADA requirements. It is not easy when property is undeveloped.
Chair Weber asked about the new dog park fees.
Ms. Shinault said they will set up a gate that will restrict access. Dog owners will have to fill out an application and pay a fee to use the dog park. It is possible the system could be abused. The dog park receives the most complaints of any other facility. Having them fill out an application and agree to use rule and guidelines may help reduce complaints.
Commissioner Kambur asked how many dogs are at the park on a given day.
Ms. Shinault said there are about 50 dogs a day at the park. It feels crowded. She is working with the Humane Society on an education component.
2. General Plan Steering Committee Update. Commissioner Reuscher did not attend the last meeting.
Commissioner Lucan said he attended the meeting. It was a round table discussion where maps of the Northwest Redwood corridor were laid out. The consultant asked attendees to create a list of their dream ideas on mixed use, retail and open space areas. Many of the attendees had similar ideas. The consultant will create three scenarios on how to utilize the land.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 12 Ms. Shinault heard there were over 100 people in attendance.
Chair Weber asked if there were any big box suggestions.
Commissioner Lucan said there wasn’t. Many were in line with the past City Manager Dan Keen’s vision of a town center like Corte Madera’s. The question of what to do with the wide Redwood Blvd. was discussed with ideas similar to the San Rafael Fourth Street feel, or a walk way down the middle.
Chair Weber asked if the March 17th council meeting will be at the same location and if they should speak at the meeting.
Ms. Shinault said it would be at the NUSD building, and she hopes more public will come and speak.
Chair Weber asked if any Commissioners wanted to volunteer to go and speak.
Commissioner Lucan said he is planning to attend but speak on a different issue of the budget.
Ms. Shinault said it is a good idea for public speakers for the department be in front of the Council each meeting. She asked if any of the Commissioners have seen the public art in front of the Toast Restaurant at the Hamilton Marketplace shopping center.
Ms. Kormos said it is a fountain with mosaic tiles.
Ms. Shinault said the City has received Costco’s public art payment of $66,000.
Chair Weber asked if they could start planning a public art project.
Ms. Shinault said they could.
Commissioner Stratigos asked about the Scottsdale public art project’s progress.
Ms. Shinault said the artist is working on it and should install the art piece this spring.
Chair Weber said that since Commissioner Lucan is speaking on something else, they need a commissioner to attend and speak. She asked for a volunteer.
Commissioner Stratigos said he would attend and speak.
Ms. Shinault encouraged the commissioners to be advocates for the department as
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 13 they are feeling threatened.
Commissioner Porter said that just watching the meetings makes one an advocate. She recently toured the Novato Youth Center and had no idea the extent of their programs. They are in the same boat. Novato citizens need to be aware of what is happening in Novato.
Ms. Kormos said that advocacy is very important. A 5% cut for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services equals $190,000. The department feels that what they do is hand in hand with public safety. If the Parks, Recreation and Community Services doesn’t offer programs for Novato’s youth and seniors, Novato would become unhealthy and victims of crimes. Money spent on Parks, Recreation and Community Services programs are preventive, healthy, and keeps kids off the streets.
3. Council Budget Meeting 4. Request Agenda Item
L. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING
April 9, 2009.
M. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
090312m.wpd:01/17/08 14 STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 9, 2009
TO: Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission
FROM: Kathy Kormos
SUBJECT: WHOLE FOODS PUBLIC ART PROJECT
REQUEST
Consider and recommend art project for Signature Properties Whole Foods Project, located at 700 DeLong Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend art project for Signature Properties Whole Foods Project, located at 700 DeLong Avenue.
DISCUSSION The RCCS is asked to provide a recommendation to approve and accept a proposal by Signature Properties for an art project at the Whole Foods site. The City of Novato’s Municipal Code, Section 19.21 of the Zoning Code, requires that in the case of construction or alteration of a nonresidential building, art shall be installed and maintained as part of the project. Developers may request to pay in-lieu fees instead of providing art, however Signature Properties has chosen to incorporate public art into their downtown Novato project.
Municipal Code 19.21.060 General Requirements, subsection C, states, “Art may include, but is not limited to all paintings, murals, inscriptions, stained glass, fiber work, statues, reliefs, or other sculpture, monuments, fountains, arches, ...... Art or architectural features with an art component shall be displayed in a manner that will enhance its enjoyment by the general public.” The ordinance provides for certain levels of review specific to the art project. Works of art are subject to design review approval of the scale and location of the artwork, with recommendations from the City’s Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission (RCCS) on the artwork. Criteria used by the RCCS may include, but is not limited to, context, scale, artistic quality, media, permanence, durability, and public safety.
The Commission is asked to review and recommend the Whole Foods site project as meeting the criteria for public art. The art project is comprised of three primary components.
Plans include: • A series of five large murals painted on the side of the building facing Reichert Avenue. • Eight 12 inch bronze tiles (flush mounted to the sidewalk) along Reichert and within the landscaped plaza area at the corner of DeLong and Reichert. • A steel sculpture to be centrally located in the plaza area.
WHOLEFOODSARTSTAFFREPORT.DOC; 4/2/09 1
The developer has provided a site plan and an elevation that depicts the placement of the tiles, murals, and sculpture for Commission review. Additionally, a plan provides visual renderings of the various tiles, and the steel sculpture. The tiles and the murals will display scenes that are historical in nature, while the sculpture will be a more modern piece.
The bronze tiles will include one tile with text describing the history of the site as Henry Pini’s Mill, and one of Henry Pini (circa 1920). The remaining tiles focus on elements of agricultural and ranching life. The murals will be painted through the combined efforts of artists Sharolyn Poli and Peri Pfenninger. Sharolyn is a Novato native who recently returned from studying and working as a muralist in Texas. She now resides in Napa and is very excited about contributing in a mural project in her home town. Peri Pfennininger was born and grew up in New York City. She received her formal Art training in California and New York and currently resides in Napa. Ms. Pfennininger has more than twenty years experience as a commercial artist in both New York and California. More information on her work and biography can be found at www.peripfenninger.com. The content for the five mural panels is detailed in Attachment 4.
The sculpture for the Whole Foods plaza has been selected to contrast the proposed murals on the Reichert building façade and the bronze tiles in the sidewalk. The sculpture is a twisting steel circle that is 45 inches in diameter and 25 inches wide. It sits on a 42 inch high, 18 inch square concrete pedestal. The sculpture is the work of Northern California artist Roger Berry who creates metal sculptures with arching shapes that seem to suggest loosely intertwined knots. Looped forms twist around and curve back upon themselves in gracefully choreographed movement. Roger Berry was born in Chico, CA in 1950, Berry received his degree in art from Raymond College, University of the Pacific in 1972. He has had a large number of works purchased for public art installations throughout the country, including most recently, Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV, Stanford University in Stanford, CA, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, and Kaiser Hospital, San Francisco, CA.
The RCCS is asked to review the art project and provide a recommendation on the artwork. Planning Department staff has reviewed the plans for placement of the art project, and the valuation of the work as required by code. The determination is that the proposed work complies with the code requirements for public viewing and cost. The Design Review Committee is responsible for reviewing the scale and location of the project, and will make a recommendation of the art based on those characteristics of the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
As this is a privately owned public art project, there is no anticipated fiscal impact for the City.
ATTACHMENTS
1.) Conceptual Sculpture Elements Layout 2.) Conceptual Sculpture Elements 3.) Reichert Avenue Elevation, depicting mural placement 4.) Whole Foods Mural Project Description
WHOLEFOODSARTSTAFFREPORT.DOC; 4/2/09 2