HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-21-2022 Public Art Commission MinutesSaratoga Public Art Commission Minutes
November 21, 2022 – Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
SARATOGA PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ramya Vasu called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ramya Vasu, Vice Chair Gloria Wu, Commissioner James Cai,
Sohini Kar, Siana Smith
Absent: None
Also Present: James Lindsay, Crystal Bothelio
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Public Art Commission Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the minutes from the September 19, 2022 meeting.
CAI/SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: CAI, KAR, SMITH, VASU, WU. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. Committee Updates (Informational Only)
Recommended Action:
The Commission formed several subcommittees that meet outside of the
Commission’s regular meetings to develop recommendations and work towards
implementing the Commissions ambitious work plan. This agenda item provide s a
time for those committees to provide an update on their efforts to the Commission.
This item is informational only.
Chair Ramya Vasu shared that the City received a great response to the contest with
more than 60 submittals. The 3 judges selected 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each
of the age categories. The winners will be announced at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Poems will also be on display outside of the Book-Go-Round.
Saratoga Public Art Commission Minutes
November 21, 2022 – Page 2 of 3
Vice Chair Gloria Wu shared that the Online Art Challenge is ongoing, she shared a
few pieces of her own artwork as part of the challenge. Commissioner Sohini Kar
added that the committee selected 5 judges.
Chair Ramya Vasu noted that she received feedback from students and
recommended that in the future the Online Art Challenge be expanded to include
students who attend school in Saratoga in addition to residents.
Chair Ramya Vasu requested an update on Paint the City.
Assistant City Manager Crystal Bothelio shared that the timeline for the project has
shifted as a result of the State approval process for painting Caltrans utility boxes,
pushing the overall timeline out so that painting occurs in the summer most likely.
3. Fiscal Year 2023/24 Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Review the 2022/23 Work Plan and progress to date. Brainstorm revisions or new
ideas for the 2023/24 Work Plan for staff to gather additional information, including
feasibility, resource needs, and possible implementation timeline, for the
Commission to finalize the proposed 2023/24 Work Plan at the January 16, 2023
meeting.
Chair Ramya Vasu proposed that future poetry contests could include Saratoga
Library or be combined with the spring contest that the Library conducts. In addition
or as an alternative, a second contest could be held for residents in addition to
students.
Chair Ramya Vasu requested a list of projects and efforts that have been completed
for the next discussion on the work plan and requested that an estimated timeline
for work plan items be included as part of the presentation to City Council.
Commissioner Siana Smith discussed budget needs for work plan items, including the
State Route 85 and sculpture work plan items, and implementation options for the
work plan options should they require significant funds.
Chair Ramya Vasu requested that the State Route 85 subcommittee meet before the
end of the calendar year.
Commissioner Siana Smith raised the possibility that the artwork exhibit
opportunities and Montalvo collaboration work plan items could be synced or
combined.
Vice Chair Gloria Wu suggested discussion of combining the efforts at the January
meeting.
Saratoga Public Art Commission Minutes
November 21, 2022 – Page 3 of 3
Chair Ramya Vasu discussed opportunities for increasing participation in
#SaratogaROCKS, such as increased resident outreach, and use of environmentally
friendly paint.
Assistant City Manager Crystal Bothelio confirmed that she would contact the City’s
Public Information Officer on outreach opportunities and ask staff to buy
environmentally friendly paint when supplies are purchased in the future.
Commissioner Siana Smith discussed options for delivering rock painting kits to
retirement communities and doing specific outreach to those communities.
Chair Ramya Vasu suggested coordinating rock painting activities in advance of City
events so that rocks can be displayed during events. For example, a rock painting
activity could be held at the Senior Center in advance of Arbor Day and painted rocks
could be on display during the event.
Commissioner Siana Smith proposed using photos of painted rocks as part of the
projection art display or holding a rock painting competition.
4. 2023 Meeting Schedule
Recommended Action:
Review the 2023 meeting schedule and make adjustments as needed.
The Commission confirmed the 2023 meeting schedule.
Emilie Zhang, public speaker, proposed that the Commission consider planning and
coordinating public art efforts that promote volunteerism.
Chair Ramya Vasu proposed that subcommittees keep this in mind when discussing
work plan implementation.
5. Future Agenda items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next regular meeting is on
January 16, 2023 6:30 p.m.
No additional items were scheduled for the January meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ramya Vasu adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, City of Saratoga