I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL CITY OF MODESTO CULTURE COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2018 3:30 PM TENTH STREET PLACE 1010 TENTH STREET, MODESTO, CA 95354 3rd FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 3001 II. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of the February 7 and March 7, 2018 Minutes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Presentation Renaming of Mellis Park Project B. Art in Public Places Ordinance discussion/redlines Continued from March 7, 2018 C. Modesto s 150 th Anniversary Sub-Committees V. NEW BUSINESS A. Report on Meeting with Thomas Reeves, COM Community & Media Relations Officer B. Request budget from City Council to hire consultant for 150 th Anniversary Celebration C. Reappoint/Appoint Poet Laurette for a 2-year term. VI. VII. VIII. IX. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS These matters may be presented only by interested persons in the audience. Under State law, Commission members may respond to matters being presented under this item only as follows: A) Briefly respond to statements made or questions raised. B) Ask a question for clarification. C) Provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information. D) Request staff to report back at a subsequent meeting. E) Commission member may take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. MATTERS TOO LATE FOR THE AGENDA These may be presented by members of the Culture Commission and staff, upon determination by a majority vote that an emergency exists, as defined by State law, or by a 2/3 vote that: 1) there is a need to take immediate action, and 2) that the need for action came to the City s attention after the agenda was posted. CURRENT AND UP-COMING CULTURAL EVENTS Opportunity for the Culture Commissioners to share current and up-coming cultural events. ADJOURNMENT The next scheduled Culture Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 3001, 1010 Tenth Street, Modesto, CA. Copies of the agenda are on file at the Stanislaus Library Reference Room, 1500 I Street, Modesto, and in the office of the Community & Economic Development Department, Economic Development/Administration Division, Third Floor, 1010 Tenth Street, Modesto, CA. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact 209-571- 5566. Assistive listening devices are available upon request. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make
Culture Commission Agenda Page 2 June 6, 2018 reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Notice: Persons who wish to speak to the Culture Commission regarding any item on the printed agenda, including oral communications, are encouraged to sign in on a form provided at the meeting. The purpose of this list is to have your name and address should we need to contact you or provide additional information to you. Signing this form is optional to speakers. Posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2 on by on the bulletin board at Tenth Street Place.
MINUTES City of Modesto Culture Commission Tenth Street Place - 1010 10 th Street, Room 3001 - Modesto, California February 7, 2018 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF: GUESTS: David Leamon. Julie Scherer, Athens Abell, Rebecca Harrington, Javier Jauregui none Bob Kimball, Wayne Mathes and Laura Akin Amanda Duran, Austin Grant, Eleanor Chase, Sebastian Jones, Council Member Madrigal I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Leamon called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. Recording Secretary Akin took the roll call. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Scherer, and second by Commissioner Abell, and carried unanimously that the minutes of the December 6, 2017 be approved. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner IV. Old BUSINESS A. Update Meeting with the City Manager Meeting to be rescheduled and return to a future agenda. B. Art in Public Places Ordinance Councilmember Madrigal would like the City to copy from the City of Santa Cruz. Copies of their ordinance and website presentation provided to the Commission. Commissioner Harrington suggested we just use Santa Cruz s ordinance. Commissioner Scherer would like to use samples from three cities, including Santa Cruz. Wayne Mathes shared copies of a draft 2013 Master Art plan and Updates to the Modesto Municipal Code, Article 13. Art in Public Places, Section 4.-1.1301. After review of the 2013 documents councilmember Madrigal suggested the Commission use these documents as a starting point to incorporate ideas from other cities. He also suggested that one or more of the Commissioners come to council meetings to share updates about art and culture in Modesto. 1
Other suggestions include; sell a City of Modesto asset to begin an Arts fund; separate wants, work on Policy and MMC first and then ask for funding. ACTION: Commissioners to review new materials and bring red lines to the next meeting. C. Modesto s 150 th Anniversary Chair Leamon met with Mayor Brandvold; the Mayor thought the Commissions ideas and suggestions were good and that they would add this event to the FY 18/19 budget. The Commission would need to also find sponsors for support. Director Birdsill will ask Laurie Smith to also add the 150 th Anniversary event as a line item in the department budget. Other Comments/suggestions: o Commissioner Abell suggested that one person represent each decade. o Commissioner Leamon suggested that the Commission needs one point person to be on the 150 th Anniversary Committee. o Recording Secretary Akin shared events and plans for the Ceres 100 th anniversary in 2018. o Commissioner Scherer suggested that the commission form a subcommittee. Also she spoke with the US Postal service and they could do a special cancellation for the anniversary. She also suggested uses for any money collected: Relocate mid-century play structure, commission a mural, and create a beautification program. o Director Birdsill commented that the commission would need City Council approval to use a logo; they should include a city flag contest and encourage branding of all on-going city events for 2020. o Commissioner Jauregui suggested banners for downtown that could be placed in the light-posts. o Commissioner Abell suggests that the commission form a 150 th Anniversary sub-committee, get a PR person, and approach all the event planners and that one person take the lead that is arts and community minded. o Commissioner Leamon suggested that a contact list be created for use. o Commissioner Harrington suggested the commissioners look at California.com- event news. Director Birdsill said the sub-committee idea was good and that there should be a maximum of 3 subcommittees to be less formal and the subcommittees would work on details and split out duties. ACTION: Email ideals and/or contact information to Recording Secretary Akin for compilation. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Culture Commission meeting time change
a. It was requested that we change the time or day of the Culture Commission to accommodate Bob Kimball s schedule due to the DoMo meeting that meets on the same day at 4pm. o It was suggested to move the meeting to the 2 nd Wednesday of the Month, this motion and vote was then rescinded, the DoMo meeting was moved to a different day. B. Discussion- expanding the Art in Public Places ordinance recommending to City Council that they adopt a requirement that new public buildings incorporate public art. Commissioner Scherer would like the word Public removed. Director Birdsill pointed out that this may be an issue requiring private development to include art. Chair Leamon agreed that it would be a hard-sell but could possibly start with new public buildings and that it would be better to incorporate into the Master Plan starting with one Zone, such as the Downtown Core Zone or an area such as 10 th street between J and I streets. Commissioner Abell would like to take out Requirement and change to Encourage. Director Birdsill said that the commission needs to come up with why Public Art is important to Modesto. ACTION: Culture Commission to write an Ordinance to encourage public art; to be brought back to next meeting for discussion. VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. Bob Kimball shared that Cynthia Birdsill is leaving the City of Modesto, last day to be Friday, March 23 rd. Bob has been appointed in Cynthia s place and will be attending Culture Commission meetings. B. Austin Grant and Mr. Jones discussed the idea of changing the name of Milnes Park to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. They have 500 signatures in support of this change and suggested that Standiford Park be renamed Milnes Park. ACTION: Mr. Grant and Jones to put together a proposal and bring to the next meeting. VII. MATTERS TOO LATE FOR THE AGENDA Commission Sub-committee to attend Council meetings- Commissioners Abell, Scherer, Harrington and Jauregui volunteered to attend City Council meetings to act as Culture Commission Liaisons to the City Council and keep them updated on Cultural events. ACTION: It was moved by Commissioner Abell, and Second by Commissioner Scherer that the aforementioned Commissioners be appointed as Culture Commission Liaisons to the City Council. 3
VIII. CURRENT AND UP-COMING CULTURAL EVENTS Commissioner Scherer- the Downtown report will be presented at the Gallo Center on March 1 st, presentation by DoMo, cost $18. Commissioner Abell- Mistlin Art Gallery National Parks Photos exhibition through the end of February. Commissioner Harrington- Mancini Park improvements in the works, TID donated funds, Commissioner Harrington will keep the Commission updated. IX. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Harrington and second by Commissioner Abell that the meeting be adjourned at 4:53 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. Next Meeting: Public Art ordinance & Redlines, Report about Milnes Park re-naming Future Meeting: Jennifer Mullen to discuss Graffiti, Tour Murals, meet with New City of Modesto Public information Officer
MINUTES City of Modesto Culture Commission Tenth Street Place - 1010 10 th Street, Room 3001 - Modesto, California March 7, 2018 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF: GUESTS: David Leamon. Julie Scherer, Athens Abell Rebecca Harrington, Javier Jauregui Bob Kimball, Wayne Mathes and Laura Akin Amanda Duran, Austin Grant, Sebastian Jones I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Leamon called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. Recording Secretary Akin took the roll call. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes for February 7, 2018 Culture Commission meeting will be moved to the April meeting due to a lack of quorum. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None. IV. Old BUSINESS A. Presentation renaming Mellis Park The Project applicants shared their proposal. ACTION: Continued to April 4, 2018, Parks, Recreation and Neighbor staff to be invited to the April 4 th, 2018 meeting. B. Art in Public Places Ordinance ACTION: Continued to the April 4 th, 2018 meeting; Commissioners to review new materials and bring red lines to the next meeting. C. Modesto s 150 th Anniversary Commissioner Scherer meet with Reggie Rucker to discuss his possible involvement with PR, his fee is $2500 ACTION: Invite new PIO to attend the April 4, 2018 meeting to discuss this event. V. NEW BUSINESS None. 1
VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. Commissioner Abell attended a February City Council meeting to introduce herself and share information about the Culture Commission. she plans to attend March 13 th as well and invited other Commissioners to join her. VII. MATTERS TOO LATE FOR THE AGENDA None. VIII. CURRENT AND UP-COMING CULTURAL EVENTS Commissioner Scherer- the Modesto Marathon weekend of March 11 th. IX. ADJOURNMENT It was moved that the meeting be adjourned at 4:36 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. Next Meeting: Public Art ordinance & Redlines, Report about Milnes Park re-naming Future Meeting: Jennifer Mullen to discuss Graffiti, Tour Murals, meet with New City of Modesto Public information Officer Culture Commission Minutes 3/7/18
Change Mellis Park & King-Kennedy Center to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Center To: The City of Modesto From: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee President: Sebastian Jones Secretary: Amanda Duran Spokesperson: Austin Grant Date: Feburary 28, 2018 Subject: A proposal to Change Mellis Park & King-Kennedy Center to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Center Purpose We are proposing a change to the name Mellis Park & King-Kennedy Center to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Park and Center. This proposal is being constructed due to the outcry of Modesto citizens. Members of this committee created a petition to request the change, the committee took to the streets in efforts to gather signatures for the cause. Through our canvassing efforts, we were able to gather over 1000 signatures. The change is needed because the time is right and the community is asking for this change. We suggest the name change of Mellis Park and King-Kennedy Center be changed to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Park. History
Modesto has a rich history that must be maintained for years to come. The city has a tradition to recognize prominent Modesto citizens by naming parks around the city to honor them. In an excerpt from the Modesto Bee, Modesto named the West Modesto Park after Dan Mellis and his brother, George, in November 1964. Dan Mellis died in 1960 and was a former councilman and business and community leader. His business ventures included a chain of liquor stores in Modesto and Stockton. George Mellis was a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge. He died in August 1964 of cancer at the age of 43, according to Bee archives. Prior to changing the West Modesto Park to Mellis Park, it was named Franklin Park. We are requesting the City of Modesto access these records for verification purposes. Solution to the Problem The Martin Luther King Jr. Committee propose that we purchase a statue and change the name of the park and center to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Center. This will provide the community with a great structure and honor one of America s greatest public servants. This project can be done quickly and effectively, and take only a few days to build and change. However, the Mellis name would still be present in the city of Modesto as two of our prominent civic servants. In order for the Mellis name to be moved from its current location, it would have to replace a park that is not recognized by a current upstanding Modesto citizen. Through different conversations with the committee and the City of Modesto. Standiford Park in north Modesto was recommended as the park to be renamed Mellis Park in honor of former city councilman Dan Mellis and his brother, Superior Court Judge George Mellis. The park is across the street from the Greek Orthodox Church. The committee thought it would be a good place to honor the Mellis name due to their involvement with the Greek community. Therefore, the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Park Committee proposes that Mellis Park and King-Kennedy Center be changed to Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Center.
Conclusion In conclusion, I think this change will not only make our community stronger. But put Modesto on the map as a culturally diverse city. I think this change should be approved due to the citizens of this city exercising their civic duty for their voice to be heard. As I stated before, 1000 members of this community signed a petition to exercise this right. The City of Modesto has to recognize this as a community issue and not a regular one.the solution was that the Mellis park name would move to Staniford Park. Members of this community have been waiting to see this change for the past 10 years. Yet, this is the first time we have gotten this far. We have followed the law and the legislative process. Thus, this issue needs to be recognized and sent to counsel for a vote. Therefore, I would like to thank the city of Modesto for their cooperation this last 2 months. I know this process has been hard for everyone. However, the cooperation has been great and informative. Thank you for considering this proposal.