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FAC 11-01-12 APPROVED MINUTES FINE ARTS COMMISSION Special Meeting, Conf. Rm. A 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino November 1, 2012 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE At 7:04 p.m., Chairwoman Jessi Kaur called the meeting to order in Conference Room A, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairwoman, Vice-Chair Rajeswari Mahalingam, and Commissioners KC Chandratreya and Russell Leong. Absent: None. Staff present: Fine Arts Commission staff liaison Kimberly Smith, City Clerk Grace Schmidt, City Planner Gary Chao, Planner Colin Jung, Interim Assistant Planner Diana Pancholi. STAFF REPORT - None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None NEW BUSINESS 1.Minutes of the special meeting of October 23, 2012. Chandratreya moved and Leong seconded to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. The agenda was reordered to take up item No. 3 next. 3. Additional review, as requested by the developer, of the public art work proposed for Homestead Square development. Sobrato Corporation. Artist: Brad Howe. City Planner Gary Chao explained that this item was brought back to the Fine Arts Commission for a formal action regarding the proposed artwork by Brad Howe that was discussed on October 23, so that they would have the ability to appeal that decision if necessary. The developer heard the commission’s comments about wanting a artwork of a different style than was presented, and they were already working on some other ideas, but they also wanted confirmation that they could continue working with Mr. Howe. The developer November 1, 2012 Cupertino Fine Arts Commission Page 2 has already entered into a contract with him, and there would be some financial considerations if the artist were to change. Commissioner Mahalingam said she was not at the meeting when the artwork was reviewed, but she had looked at the application materials and she had visited the other artworks in the city. She said she liked the proposed piece, but there did seem to be a marked resemblance between it and other pieces already placed in the city. She wanted to stay with the artist Brad Howe, as long as the art work had a different look. Commissioner Leong said that originally he had hoped that a different artist would be selected, as specified in the art selection guidelines, and Mr. Howe has a number of pieces in the communities around Cupertino. In this case, he would honor the developer’s choice of artist, and Mr. Howe should be retained for this project as long as the design was significantly different. Commissioner Chandratreya said he did not think that the commission should ever interfere in the process of selecting an artist or a style, as long as the city policies are followed. In this case, he would respect the developer’s choice of artist and the work they had done so far, as long as the art piece is significantly different. Chairwoman Kaur explained that when this clause was added to the policy, the intention was not to pertain to a specific sculptor, but rather to encourage a diversity of artists and art styles throughout the community. Kaur moved and Mahalingam seconded to the following: (1) Continue this item to November 27; (2) Agree that the developer should continue with artist Brad Howe; (3) Asked for an additional proposal(s) for unique artwork that is significantly different from existing artwork in and around the city; and (4) As the artist to consider incorporating characteristics of the city in the artwork (such as education, technology, diversity, or local history). The motion carried 3-1, with Commissioner Chandratreya voting no. He explained that he believed that developers should be able to select any art work they want by any artist they choose, as long as the guidelines are followed, and he did not think the commission should micromanage the process. November 1, 2012 Cupertino Fine Arts Commission Page 3 2.Consider height changes to the approved art work for the Aloft Hotel. Artist: Joyce Hsu. Discussion was held via teleconferencing with Aloft Hotel management representative Jason Durbin anhd artist Joyce Hsu. The Commissioners expressed concern that the artwork maquette showed that the sculpture would be much shorter than the 19 feet originally presented. Ms. Hsu explained that because of the sculpture’s height and shape, it was determined that interior bracing would be needed to address the stresses causes by wind shear. The cost for that additional work was substantially more expensive, as much as $7000 to $10,000 more, and beyond the project budget. The commission and staff reviewed the plans and a new elevation drawing emailed by the artist, and determined that there would be a planter area of about 21 inches, a pedestal for the sculpture of about 27 inches, and the resized artwork would be 12 feet tall. It was determined that even though the sculpture had been scaled back overall in size, once it was installed it would still rise to a point about 16 feet above the sidewalk, and measure about 5 feet wide. Leong moved and Chandratreya seconded to approve the artwork as amended, which would measure 12 feet tall with a base of at least 27 inches and a planter depth of at least 21 inches. The motion carried unanimously. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 1.Commissioner announcements about local arts events and opportunities. No reports were made. NEWS ARTICLES - None ADJOURNMENT At 8:30 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. /s/Kimberly Smith ___________________________ Kimberly Smith Staff Liaison