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As Vice-Chair of the Civics Arts Commission, I have spent the last two years in efforts to encourage and promote <br /> the arts.While serving on the"Public Art Website Committee" (October 4,2021) 1 analyzed three suggested city <br /> websites and submitted a written report on Palo Alto,San Mateo, and San Leandro. I then engaged in an hour <br /> zoom meeting with City staff to point out the progressive and engaging San Leandro website where the Arts held a <br /> prominent place, unlike Pleasanton's obscure and hard-to-find limited information. My charge now became to <br /> write about each of the public art pieces. I became the sole writer of 36 short essays describing each public art <br /> and 9 utility boxes.The writings were intended to engage the public in appreciating Pleasanton's public art, learn <br /> about the artist,and the location of the art,and identify the contributor. Nothing has happened with these <br /> writings. They languish under inaction. I requested some be released to the local newspaper to encourage public <br /> awareness and promote visibility. I was told the City process might allow a release of only one a month, at best.As <br /> of today, my considerable efforts have resulted in no results.Also, my understanding is that the City website is <br /> being rebuilt. There has been no contact or communication between the contractor and the"Public Art Website <br /> Committee" nor myself requesting any kind of input. <br /> The Civics Arts Commission engaged in a public discussion about the small number of applicants for the <br /> Community Grant Program.Various commissioners suggested revising and abbreviating the application to <br /> encourage a wider range of applicants. It became clear it was not a point of further City discussion when the only <br /> change in the application was to bold a phrase on page 10 of the application noting the evaluation criteria. <br /> Apparently,the Community Grant Program-Civics Arts and Youth-are intertwined and not open for suggested <br /> revision. <br /> The pace at which the Civics Arts Commission is able to proceed is hindered by a lack of consistent meetings of the <br /> PASS Committee. PASS is a sub-committee of Civics Arts. Since 2022, requests to convene this committee have <br /> been postponed for the Feb 6, 2023 election of a Civics Arts member to PASS. The existing 2021-2022 Civics Arts <br /> members could have been long ago involved allowing the discussion and approval of proposed art to then be <br /> recommended to the Civics Arts Commission. <br /> Items on the Civics Arts agenda labeled "future agenda"do not have a timetable for action. Feb 6,2023,future <br /> agenda includes: <br /> City-Wide Strategic Plan,QR codes, utility boxes,and the all-important 2014 Cultural Plan. Missing is the Teen <br /> Poet selection.All of these are important points of consideration but the March meeting will be devoted to the <br /> Civics Arts grant allocation;the May 4, meeting is a joint meeting with the Library Commission (where the future <br /> items will not be discussed); The August meeting is slated as Civics Arts Division Annual Presentation,Oct. 11, <br /> 2023 meeting is a joint meeting with the Youth Commission (again no action on future agenda items) the <br /> November 6,the meeting is the Community Grant funding Criteria and Community Grants Final Report. <br /> The 2014 Cultural Plan needs updating.There is great hope that the"future items" in the 2014 Cultural Plan <br /> revision will find an action meeting date. It will deserve considerable time and effort. <br /> I believe City staff to be hardworking. The Civics Arts Commission does not belong under the Library <br /> and Recreation umbrella which is a small part of the job. <br /> The Arts should be recognized as an important force in creating the vitality of Pleasanton's <br /> community and businesses. <br /> I share these thoughts with you as a concerned community member. I can be reached for further <br /> comment at <br /> My comments do not reflect my position as the Vice-Chair of the Civics Arts Commission. I am not speaking for the <br /> commission but rather as a concerned public servant. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Janice Coleman-Knight <br /> Pleasanton resident <br /> z <br />