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Record of Proceedings

Walnut Creek Arts Commission Regular Meeting – April 21, 2025

City Council — Monday, April 21, 2025
BodyWalnut Creek, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:49

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:06

Welcome to the April 21st, 2025 Arts Commission regular meeting.

0:12

Effective October 17th, 2023.

0:15

Public comments may be made in person or in writing.

0:18

If you'd like to view the meeting remotely, you may do so in one of the following ways.

0:22

YouTube Live, Comcast Cable 28, Rossmore Channel 26, Astown Channel 31, and ATT Uverse Channel 99 or live stream online at the city's website.

0:35

Secretary, would you please call the role?

0:38

And bear with me as I get used to running down this.

0:41

Commissioner Perelman.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Commissioner Clauber.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Commissioner Magnani.

0:48

Here.

0:48

Commissioner Tesfay.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Vice Chair Baltazar is running late.

0:53

And Chair Dresser?

0:54

Here.

0:56

Public communications.

0:58

This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on items not on the agenda.

1:02

Under the Brown Act, the Commission cannot act on items raised during public communications, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed.

1:11

Request clarification or refer the item to staff.

1:16

Next on the agenda is a consent calendar.

1:18

Does any commissioner have questions on any item on the consent calendar?

1:25

No questions.

1:26

If there are no commissioner questions, is do we have any public comment on the consent calendar?

1:33

We have no public comment.

1:42

Motion to approve the items on the consent calendar.

1:47

Second.

1:47

Great, thank you.

1:48

Would the secretary please call for a vote?

1:51

First, Commissioner Perelman with your preferential vote.

1:55

Aye.

1:57

And Commissioner Clobber?

1:59

Aye.

2:00

Commissioner Magnani?

2:01

Aye.

2:02

Commissioner Tessway?

2:03

Aye.

2:03

And Chair Dresser.

2:05

Aye.

2:07

Next on the agenda is an item for commission consideration.

2:11

Item for a election of chair and vice chair.

2:14

At this time, I invite any public comment.

2:20

No comment.

2:23

An eligible voting commissioner will take a make a motion for chair.

2:26

I'd like to motion to um nominate Sarah Baltazar as chair of the arts commission.

2:33

I second that motion.

2:35

Would the secretary please take a vote?

2:38

Commissioner Perriman.

2:40

Aye.

2:41

Commissioner Clauber.

2:43

Aye.

2:44

Commissioner Magnani?

2:45

Aye.

2:46

Commissioner Tesfay?

2:47

Aye.

2:48

And Chair Dresser.

2:49

Aye.

2:50

Motion carries.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Procedural████████12%
Budget Management████6%
Public Engagement████6%
Technology and Innovation██3%
Disability Rights█2%
LGBTQ Plus Community█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Walnut Creek Arts Commission Regular Meeting – April 21, 2025

The Walnut Creek Arts Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 6:56 PM in the Council Chamber. All commissioners were present (Commissioner Baltazar arrived at 6:14 PM). The meeting covered election of officers, approval of prior minutes, consideration of fee changes for FY 2026/27, and updates on public art projects and the Lesher Center strategic plan.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of January 27, 2025 Minutes: Motion by Klauber, second by Magnani, carried unanimously (7 yeas: Baltazar, Dresser, Klauber, Magnani, Tesfay; Perelman preferential vote YEA). The minutes were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No oral in-person public comments were made. Chair Dresser opened and closed the public comment period with no speakers.

Discussion Items

  • Election of Chair & Vice-Chair:
    • Motion by Dresser, second by Klauber, to elect Vice-Chair Baltazar as Chair. Unanimous (7 yeas).
    • Motion by Dresser, second by Klauber, to elect Commissioner Magnani as Vice-Chair. Unanimous (7 yeas).
    • Chair Baltazar arrived and assumed the chair; Vice-Chair Magnani presided during the interim.
  • Consideration of Proposed Changes to FY 26/27 Fees & Charges for Arts Related Programs:
    • Staff presentation by Kevin Gordon (Business Manager, Arts and Recreation Department). Key proposed changes included:
      • Eliminating set fees for Bedford Gallery public art walking tours in favor of a "pay what you can" model, following the success of a similar model for admissions (which saw a ~50% increase in revenue).
      • Expanding fee ranges for season subscriptions, equipment rentals, and advertising packages at the Lesher Center.
      • Eliminating telephone and online order fees to comply with SB 478 (Honest Pricing Law); these fees are now included in advertised ticket prices.
      • Increasing the minimum rental hour requirement for the Vukasin Theater to align with standard event rental periods.
      • Reducing the minimum rental fee for Rudney Plaza (from $1,000 to $600) to accommodate smaller events.
      • Removing the photo shoot backdrop fee at Bedford Gallery due to non-use and potential copyright issues.
      • Setting the concession fee at 0% (previously 15%) based on a successful pilot.
    • Commissioners asked detailed questions about revenue impacts, implementation logistics, fee range justifications, and specific items (e.g., gallery outreach presentations, resale merchandise, artist commissions). Staff and Emily Anders (Bedford Gallery Curator) provided responses.
    • Motion by Magnani, second by Dresser, to accept the proposed changes as part of the FY 26/27 budget process and forward to City Council. Unanimous (7 yeas).
  • Public Art Projects Report (presented by Mariah, Public Art Manager):
    • Hand of Peace mosaic at Civic Park completed biennial maintenance over three days at a cost of just over $15,000 (previously approved in 2023). Loose tesserae were re-grouted, base stucco repaired and resealed.
    • 2025 public art walking tour season launched with 41 participants on the first tour, significantly higher than typical April numbers.
    • Heather Farm Park project: meetings with architects and artists ongoing; staff in contract process.
    • Downtown Big Belly receptacles: Walnut Creek Downtown Association has selected artists for rewrapping; project done in collaboration with Recycle Smart and city departments; rollout in phases starting with 10 units.
  • Lesher Center Strategic Plan Update (presented by staff):
    • New ticketing software launched, resulting in significant staff time savings (e.g., season subscription seat assignments completed in one day vs. multiple weeks).
    • Partnership announced with SF Jazz for a headliner series (4-5 productions next season).
    • Presentation to City Council scheduled for May 20, 2025, summarizing strategic plan progress over the last three years.
  • Staff Announcements:
    • Center Rep's season closing with "Happy Pleasant Valley, a Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery Musical" (world premiere, June 1).
    • Headliner series: Fiesta Cultural featuring Mariachi Reina de los Angeles (June 13) and free street fair (June 14).
    • Bedford Gallery spring exhibition "Limitless: Celebrating Artists with Disabilities" (65 artists, 177 works) now open; will travel nationally. Upcoming workshops (lino cut printing, freestyle art) and Pride Day events (June 7).
  • Commissioners’ Announcements: Commissioners shared cultural activities attended, including the Limitless show, Berkeley Rep's "Here There Are Blueberries," and upcoming community events (Beautiful Resistance March, LGBTQIA+ town hall, May Day events). One commissioner noted leading a painting class at Central California Women's Prison.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approval of the January 27, 2025 minutes.
  • Election of Sarah Baltazar as Chair and Peter Magnani as Vice-Chair (both unanimous).
  • Unanimous acceptance of the proposed fee and charge changes for FY 26/27 for arts-related programs, to be forwarded to the City Council for approval as part of the budget process.
  • The public art walking tour season launch saw strong early attendance (41 participants).
  • The new Lesher Center ticketing system is operational with demonstrated efficiency gains.
  • Next meeting: Not specified; future presentations to Council on May 20 for the Lesher Center strategic plan.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the April 21st, 2025 Arts Commission regular meeting. Effective October 17th, 2023. Public comments may be made in person or in writing. If you'd like to view the meeting remotely, you may do so in one of the following ways. YouTube Live, Comcast Cable 28, Rossmore Channel 26, Astown Channel 31, and ATT Uverse Channel 99 or live stream online at the city's website. Secretary, would you please call the role? And bear with me as I get used to running down this. Commissioner Perelman. Here. Commissioner Clauber. Here. Commissioner Magnani. Here. Commissioner Tesfay. Here. Vice Chair Baltazar is running late. And Chair Dresser? Here. Public communications. This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on items not on the agenda. Under the Brown Act, the Commission cannot act on items raised during public communications, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed. Request clarification or refer the item to staff. Next on the agenda is a consent calendar. Does any commissioner have questions on any item on the consent calendar? No questions. If there are no commissioner questions, is do we have any public comment on the consent calendar? We have no public comment. Motion to approve the items on the consent calendar. Second. Great, thank you. Would the secretary please call for a vote? First, Commissioner Perelman with your preferential vote. Aye. And Commissioner Clobber? Aye. Commissioner Magnani? Aye. Commissioner Tessway? Aye. And Chair Dresser. Aye. Next on the agenda is an item for commission consideration. Item for a election of chair and vice chair. At this time, I invite any public comment. No comment. An eligible voting commissioner will take a make a motion for chair. I'd like to motion to um nominate Sarah Baltazar as chair of the arts commission. I second that motion. Would the secretary please take a vote? Commissioner Perriman.

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