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Agenda, first session

Del Mar City Council
May 1, 2023

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Agenda, first session
Meeting
May 1, 2023
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Del Mar City Council
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Del Mar City Council Meeting Agenda
Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
May 1, 2023 City Council Meeting

INFORMATION RECEIVED

AFTER THE COUNCIL AGENDA

WAS DISTRIBUTED
(“Red Dots”)

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
MAY 1, 2023
Item 4 – Amendments to the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations Manual

1. Were the proposed changes reviewed with the affected employees through "meet and confer" or other process, and what was their feedback? Staff Response: There are currently no “affected” employees related to the proposed action. However, both the Fire and General Employee unions were notified regarding this change. To date, no concerns have raised by either.

Item 5 – Agreement with HF&H Consultants for Water and Wastewater Utility Rate

1. Will the studies include a rate analysis to implement reclaimed water use in the City?
Staff Response: Yes, the reclaimed water expansion will be an optional project, which will impact rates.

2. We have a plan for a phased reclaimed water program, no? Staff Response: If City Council decides to fund the reclaimed expansion project, staff will develop a Delivery Plan for the project.

3. How much, if any, of the costs of implementing the extension of reclaimed water phases will be included?
Staff Response: All the optional costs will be included.

4. If included, will any of the reclaimed water be available to private customers, or just to the city for public property?
Staff Response: San Elijo JPA has certifications and a County of San Diego Health Permit to sell reclaimed water in the City of Del Mar. The City is listed as a “Purveyor” on SEJPA’s permit and is allowed to sell reclaimed water to any private or public customer in the City of Del Mar. The City currently sells reclaimed water to the Fairgrounds and could potentially sell reclaimed water to any residential or commercial property in the City (pending adequate pipelines, water pressure, and metering), but this would need to be further studied.

5. Is this part of the study charged to the water or sewer fund, or both? Staff Response: It will be charged to the Water Fund.
1 May 1, 2023 Items 4-6

6. Are the capital costs of extending reclaimed water service included in connection fees, in rates, or both?
Staff Response: If the City Council decides to fund the reclaimed expansion project, staff will develop the appropriate fee schedule.

7. If reclaimed water is not addressed in the proposed study, why not? Isn't including reclaimed water capital improvements and service charges how to finance this city program?
Staff Response: Yes, the reclaimed water expansion will be an optional project, which will impact rates.

Item 6 – Del Mar Civic Center Public Art Placement Update

1. The renderings seem to show heights that are inconsistent with the physical measurements. Octetra is 8 foot tall and 9 foot wide, Play Sculpture is 4 foot tall and 8.25 feet wide, and Celeste is 6 foot tall and 15 foot wide according to the dimensions provided. Can the renderings be modified to show the real dimensions of the sculpture?
Staff Response: The renderings of the public art placements are approximate and can be updated. Staff will add dimensions to all the renderings to make the size of the three public art pieces clearer. Based on Council’s direction at its meeting on May 1, 2023, staff will make any other updates to the survey before it is published.

2. Why is Celeste about the same height as Play Sculpture in the rendering when it is really 50% taller?
Staff Response: See response to Question 1.

3. Why is Celeste not shown as about double the width of Octetra? Staff Response: See response to Question 1.

4. I suggest adding a ruler bar to each image showing the height and width. Is that possible?
Staff Response: See response to Question 1.

5. Will some sort of protective barrier be needed around an installed piece to protect it from people climbing on it or from graffiti (as has happened in the elevator area)?
Staff Response: Staff has had preliminary discussions regarding risk & safety of adding permanent public art at the Del Mar Civic Center. After the public comment 2 May 1, 2023 Items 4-6
period is complete, staff will include a risk analysis of the specific art piece being recommended, and safety measures that may need to be implemented for the installation, for Council consideration.

6. Can a 4th photo please be added to the ranking question 11 - this area with nothing on it or perhaps showing typical current uses? For example, it is now used during the Farmers Market for booths with art and during various functions on the plaza. Having the space available has value.

Staff Response: See response to Question 1.

7. Also, in question 11, will the preferences be in randomized order for the three pieces? If not, putting them in alphabetical order underneath “none of the above” at the top, and labeling it as “alphabetical order” will help people actively choose one or another piece and make it clear that if they do nothing, they have not ranked the pieces.

Staff Response: Staff can set the answer options for Question 11 to be placed in an assigned order or have the answer options randomized for the survey taker. Another potential option would be to replace Question 11, with a question that asks the survey taker to indicate “yes” or “no” to “none of the above” with regard to the three pieces of art pieces being recommended. Staff requests that the City Council provide direction as to its preference for the survey.

8. Also, it would be good to have the photos be in the same order as the choices for ranking.

Staff Response: If staff sets the answer options in Question 11 in a specific order, the corresponding images can match that order. If it is the Council’s preference to have the answer options be randomized, staff will not be able to set the order of the images to be randomized.

9. Are there alternative options for placement of a permanent art piece? Staff Response: On July 11, 2022, Council approved the AAC to work on a proposal for the acquisition and installation of public art outdoors at the Civic Center, consistent with the Art Policy. The site the AAC is considering is the decomposed granite area on the Civic Center Plaza. However, there may be other suitable locations at the Civic Center or other public locations in the City. That has not be considered by the Art Committee at this time.

10.What are they? For example, what about Shores Park if it is to be a play piece? Seagrove Park?
Staff Response: At this time, the AAC is only evaluating the decomposed granite area on the Civic Center Plaza as directed by Council. Council would need to provide this 3 May 1, 2023 Items 4-6
direction to the Arts Committee and staff. However, last year, the Council authorized the Arts Committee to evaluate possible locations at the Civic Center for placement of public art, not other areas of the community.

11.See photo attached of a typical use of the space for art on Saturdays. The dirt area is a popular open space to set up. Would this still be possible with the proposed placement?
Staff Response: Staff has reached out to the Farmers Market Manager to confirm if any placement of a permanent art piece at this location will impact their operations. 4 May 1, 2023 Items 4-6
1 Melinda Gould
From: Camilla Rang <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2023 6:39 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item 6, City Council meeting 05.01.2023
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Council,
I see that you will/might approve a 60 day public comment period in regards to possible permanent art installation at the Civic Center. That's good, I'm all for that, and we can vote which one we like the best (or some people may not want any at all).

Perhaps my questions are premature, but is the placement of the possible art where there used to be tables and chairs? Isn't that kind of sad to lose picknick and sit-down area? Or could the area house both? The art perhaps doesn't have to take up all that space by itself? At least there could be benches around.

Also, the three chosen pieces look like something children will love to climb on - which I have no problem with, let them play, I just want to know whether that will be allowed. We don't want to have kids come visiting and be happy when they see these playground pieces, only to be reprimanded when climbing on them. That will leave a bad taste both for kids and parents. If not allowed to touch, I think we should choose different pieces that do not look inviting for children, something more stylish and not fun and whimsical. I love fun and whimsical, but that means people - and especially kids, will feel fun and whimsical themselves and will want to touch and explore. I can even see myself go lay down on the red worm, or jump up and sit on top of one of the gigantic hexagon screws and sip my coffee :)
Best,
Camilla Rang
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: S Gay Hugo-Martinez <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 7:28 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: #6 on city council agenda
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

This email is to address item #6 on the city council agenda for this Monday’s meeng.

One of my majors in college was ART. In my opinion NONE of these 3 pieces suggested by the “art” commiee is appropriate for anywhere in this city. I strongly oppose purchasing any of these 3 pieces for display in our city. These pieces are a beer fit for an environment for display outside a large commercial building – NOT in our small, quaint city. I am sure that many other residents of our city will agree with my assessment of these three pieces.

In addion, I would appreciate knowing the arsc background of the “art” commiee to beer understand their qualificaons to sit on this commiee.

Art is very subjecve and difficult to put into words why these pieces don’t work for Del Mar. I will try to explain. They are very cold, bold and extremely large pieces that don’t speak to anything relang to our small coastal city. A good example of art work that does work in our city is the piece in front of the library.

I can’t believe that this city would spend such a large sum of money for one piece of art work, when the city desperately needs money to take down the telephone poles in the city to insure access to our homes in case of fires. Now that’s money well spent!
Gay Hugo-Marnez
Former city councilmember
1366 Via Alta
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Laura <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 8:18 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Agenda item 6 red dot
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Please add this red dot to agenda item 6.

Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council members, I have reviewed the proposed art installations and believe they are entirely inappropriate for the city.

First, I recognize that art is subjective, but these very large and very expensive sculptures do not fit with the city town hall’s aesthetic at all. They belong in a location with much larger buildings in a more park like setting- such as a university setting. The town hall is a low profile building in a natural surrounding. A huge red or pink modern sculpture will look completely out of place.

Second, it is very difficult to believe that the city would even think of spending 500 thousand to 2 million dollars on a single art installation. We have very significant and pressing issues the city must fund just to preserve our quality of life. There are also departments of the city that are understaffed.

I do hope you reconsider these choices.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

Laura Schaefer
158 6th St
3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: karen lare <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 10:08 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Eddie Lare; Dwight Worden-Private; Tracy Martinez; Dave Druker; Terry TG. Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Subject: Red-dot letter for City Council Meeting on May 1st Item 6 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Honorable Mayor and city Council, I read with interest the information on the public art process and the planned suggestions to the City Council from the Arts Committee.

Art is a very personal decision but art to be considered for public spaces on permanent exhibit needs to be more than just the preference of the consultant or the members of the selection committee it needs to represent the perspective of the majority of those who will interact with it. As such, Del Mar has three main constituents:

1. Owners of homes and businesses

2. Residents of homes and workers in local businesses 3. Visitors The committee arguably has a tough job because it is a very diverse crowd. So public input is the only way to really know if you have hit it right. So to the Mayor and Council Members, please take the time to really seek input and to really listen to the views of all not just your direct circle of neighbors.

My personal view is that the consultant and the committee got it wrong. Futuristic modern design does not feel right at all for Del Mar and if the piece with the “swinging” bench is going by the Tot Lot and has a place to be put there then fine but at what price? The others don’t feel to me to reflect what Del Mar is and don’t celebrate who we are as a beach community working hard to reflect sustainability and to integrate with our surroundings and to be an attractive welcoming place for residents and visitors. To my knowledge the city has never strived to be a place for modern design and sculpture.

One of the great things about art is its ability to start a conversation - but art like that in a small town like ours should be on rotation and not on permanent placement. Maybe that is where the selection process went wrong?
While I appreciate the work that has been done and the time taken, I don’t agree at all with the outcome and suggest that City Council seek a long period of public input and really listen to those representing ALL constituents.

Respectfully,
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 Karen Lare
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Nancy Stoke <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 10:41 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Council Agenda item 6 May 1 2023
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I must start my comments by admitting to the fact that I attended but mentally slept through most of my 7:30 a.m. Art History course in college.

That said, I recognize that art is in the eye of the beholder and I did enjoy the whimsy of some of the vertical pieces that have been around town. They were a fun surprise that popped up and didn’t take up much physical space.

The proposal as depicted in the Agenda to take a vast amount of physical space away from our City Hall public space for the purpose of highlighting any piece of public art doesn’t sit well with me.

The depiction to have a large dirt/gravel space around an art piece that is then surrounded on virtually all sides with a wide planter feels as if it is claiming all of that valuable public space which could be better used for public gatherings and enjoyment of our beautiful City Hall open space.

I fully support a 60-day comment period and I hope that the opportunity to be heard will be extended to everyone in town in a manner that is pushed out to community members individually rather than hoping the community members initiate their own input. If you are using an email push process, how are you going to capture input from those whose email addresses you do not have? Perhaps the survey should also be posted on the City’s website and printed in the Del Mar Times, and ask our local Woodpecker and Sandpiper editors to push the survey out to their readership so that you truly capture the voice of the community. Please don’t time the comment period to overlap with summer vacations. Your goal should be to obtain the most input possible before such large amounts of monies and public spaces are impacted.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Stoke
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Hershell Price <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 11:06 AM
To: Ashley Jones; City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot letter Item 6
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor and City Council,
I am submitting this Red Dot letter to support the entirety of the Red Dot letter submitted by Del Mar resident Karen Lare regarding item #6. It would be wise for our city council to follow her advice to extend the art review for a longer period of time so that more opinions can be heard before making a final decision.

Hershell Price
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Reisner, Ralph <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 3:23 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: S Gay Hugo-Martinez; Camilla Rang; Drew Cady; Al Tarkington; John Stahl; Karl Willert; Hershell Price; Payson Stevens; Steven Crowe; Laura Schaefer; Karen Lare; William H.

Scripps; Nitza; Tom Grindle; Reisner, Ralph; Tom Harrington; jhindman2015; Debbie Church; Nancy Stoke; Linda Judd; John Spelich; Weare, John; Lacey Logan; Arnold Wiesel; Shirli Weiss; Suren Dutia; PAMELA SLATER-PRICE; Andrew Chan; Chris Bachtel; AJ Fenner; Maier, Lynn; Helen Papaconstantinou; Reeni; alec reisner; Krista Buckland Reisner; Ron Reisner; Richard E. Showen; Larry Waggner; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: City counsel red dot item 6
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Honorable Members of the Del MarCity Council:

We fully agree with the conclusions below submitted by another Del Mar resident urging the city council to reject the recommendations of the Arts Advisory committee:
"these very large and very expensive sculptures do not fit with the city town hall’s aesthetic at all. They belong in a location with much larger buildings in a more park like setting- such as a university setting. The town hall is a low profile building in a natural surrounding. A huge red or pink modern sculpture will look completely out of place.

Second, it is very difficult to believe that the city would even think of spending 500 thousand to 2 million dollars on a single art installation. We have very significant and pressing issues the city must fund just to preserve our quality of life”.

We urge the council to reconsider these choices.

Ralph and Danute Reisner
268 SurfviewCt.

Del Mar
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Tom Grindle <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 5:02 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item 6 city council agenda May 1
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Members of the Del MarCity Council:

I fully agree with the conclusions below submitted by another Del Mar resident urging the city council to reject the recommendations of the Arts Advisory committee:
"these very large and very expensive sculptures do not fit with the city town hall’s aesthetic at all. They belong in a location with much larger buildings in a more park like setting- such as a university setting.

The town hall is a low profile building in a natural surrounding. A huge red or pink modern sculpture will look completely out of place.

Second, it is very difficult to believe that the city would even think of spending 500 thousand to 2 million dollars on a single art installation. We have very significant and pressing issues the city must fund just to preserve our quality of life”.

Please reconsider these choices.

Thanks,
Tom Grindle
Melanie Way
Del Mar
Sent from Tom
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Laura DeMarco <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 12:08 PM
To: Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; David Druker; Dan Quirk; Dwight Worden Cc: Ashley Jones; City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot: Item 6 Public Art proposal opposition CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Council Members and Staff,
As a former member of the board and collections committee of the San Diego Museum of Art, I support public art.

However, I oppose the proposed large-scale sculptures being permanently installed in Del Mar’s Civic Plaza for the following reasons:
1) Violates Design Guidelines: The village commercial corridor’s design guidelines are to “protect and enhance human scale, warmth, charm…pedestrian involvement”, be “harmonious…with the surrounding neighborhood’s…color scheme, existing improvements or natural elements, architectural features, (and)… materials”; not “block” or “detract from coastal views”; and “avoid the use of light, bright, and/or reflective colors and materials”. As shown in the photo below, none of the proposed large sculptures meet these guidelines as they are not harmonious with the neighborhood’s scale, color, materials, and architecture. They also block coastal views and are a pedestrian safety hazard to children and others who would climb the structure. Thus, the proposed sculptures violate the following Design Review Ordinances (DROs):
a) 23.08.072 - The design will create a private or public nuisance. b) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (A)
The design unreasonably blocks significant public coastal views. c) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (B)
The design detracts from the natural beauty of the coastal area d) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (C)
The design is out of scale with other structures in the neighborhood. e) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (D)
The design is not harmonious with or is functionally incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood in one or more of the following respects:
• Color scheme
• Existing improvements or natural elements in the area • Architectural features and ornaments
• Type and quality of material
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
3 2) Blocks Public Access: In addition to obstructing ocean-view corridors, the large sculptures significantly limit the plaza’s use. The massive installations would occupy almost 1,000 square feet at the very center of the plaza which hinders its use and the public’s enjoyment for the Farmer’s Market and social gatherings. 3) Creates Unfunded Liability: The proposed large sculptures would create a long-term, unfunded liability to the city as it would be a dangerous magnet for children and thrill seekers to climb on and to fall from. In addition to potential claims from those hurt by falls, the sculptures would be expensive to maintain and repair from damage caused by vandals, corrosive ocean air, humidity and rain, scorching sunlight, temperature changes, and dog urine. 4) Lacks Public Support: I have heard many critical comments about the city’s “temporary” art sculpture program which blocks public access on already narrow sidewalks and street corners in our small village commercial corridor. This will grow into vocal and vociferous public opposition to the “permanent” proposed large-scale, light- or brightly-colored sculptures which are more appropriate for an urban setting next to skyscrapers or in a large park’s playground. Del Mar citizens are clamoring for badly needed road repairs, park improvements (especially the “unplayable” playing field at Shores Park), restoration of eroded beaches, undergrounding of power lines, better bluff beach access, and more sheriff patrols — not a costly, massive, ocean-view obstructing structure blocking public enjoyment and use of the civic plaza. 5) Hinders Funding Solicitations: Plopping a highly visible public art installation costing hundreds of thousands of dollars next to Del Mar’s new $18M+ city hall hurts city officials from soliciting funding from public agencies, grant-making bodies, and philanthropists for higher priority civic projects for our “poor” city! In fact, NCTD used our expensive city hall, which cost 4x more than that of neighboring Solana Beach’s, in their PR campaign and legal filings with the STB.

Del Mar residents are better served by city officials focusing on higher priority projects instead of trying to compete with the many massive modern sculptural masterpieces already installed at UCSD’s Stuart Collection; the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla and San Diego; and the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park.

Bottom line, scarce city resources and staff time are best spent on the highest priority civic projects, especially with increasing interest rates, the state’s pending budget cuts, historic federal deficits, more restrictive lending terms, reduced grant opportunities, and the predicted looming recession that will shrink city tax revenues. It is time to batten down the hatches and not erect what many perceive as an expensive, ego-driven edifice that provides no great public benefit.

Thanks for your consideration,
Laura
4 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Dolores Jamison <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 12:28 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; David Druker; Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Subject: May 1 Council Agenda — Item #6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

April 29, 2023
Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

Regarding Item #6 on your May 1 docket, I would strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

As a longtime (now retired)employee of UCSD, I have witnessed the process of new public art being introduced for the internationally renowned Stuart Collection many, many times. I can tell you that initially, opposition and skepticism is to be expected. This is especially true for conceptual, abstract art that is designed to stand out—not blend in—and stimulate and attract viewers.

I am very familiar with Isamu Noguchi’s work, and think Del Mar would be most fortunate to have one of his iconic installations permanently on display at our Civic Center. Either of the Noguchi pieces would lend a distinctive, modern presence to City Hall, while also introducing world-class public art to residents and visitors, including children who will want to instantly interact with it.

The fact that Marc Brutten is willing to donate one of these works of art to Del Mar is most fortuitous.

It is extremely unlikely that Del Mar will ever have another opportunity to acquire—at no cost to the City—a work of art by someone like Isamu Noguchi, a world renowned and much admired artist.

I would urge you to please vote to accelerate this public review and feedback process.

Warm Regards,
Dolores Davies Jamison
1209 Crest Road
Del Mar, CA
>
5 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Shannahoff, David <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 12:30 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; David Druker; Dan Quirk; Dwight Worden; Ashley Jones
Subject: Red dot: Item 6 Public Art proposal opposition CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Ashley Jones, Mayor Martinez, Terry Gaasterland, Dan Quirk, and Dwight Worden.

I cannot improve on the comments, insights, and perspective of Laura Stanley DeMarco. So given the information that she provides below, I can only say I agree 100% with her comments and I am against the inclusion of any of these sculptures on City property.

Kind regards,
David Shannahoff-Khalsa
Del Mar, CA 92014
PS Del Mar resident since 1969.

On Apr 29, 2023, at 12:08 PM, Laura DeMarco <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear City Council Members and Staff,
As a former member of the board and collections committee of the San Diego Museum of Art, I support public art. However, I oppose the proposed large-scale sculptures being permanently installed in Del Mar’s Civic Plaza for the following reasons:
1) Violates Design Guidelines: The village commercial corridor’s design guidelines are to “protect and enhance human scale, warmth, charm…pedestrian involvement”, be “harmonious…with the surrounding neighborhood’s…color scheme, existing improvements or natural elements, architectural features, (and)… materials”; not “block” or “detract from coastal views”; and “avoid the use of light, bright, and/or reflective colors and materials”. As shown in the photo below, none of the proposed large sculptures meet these guidelines as they are not harmonious with the neighborhood’s scale, color, materials, and architecture. They also block coastal views and are a pedestrian safety hazard to children and others who would climb the structure. Thus, the proposed sculptures violate the following Design Review Ordinances (DROs):
a) 23.08.072 - The design will create a private or public nuisance. b) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (A)
The design unreasonably blocks significant public coastal views. c) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (B)
The design detracts from the natural beauty of the coastal area d) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (C)
6 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 The design is out of scale with other structures in the neighborhood. e) 23.08.077 – Relationship to Neighborhood (D)
The design is not harmonious with or is functionally incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood in one or more of the following respects:
• Color scheme
• Existing improvements or natural elements in the area • Architectural features and ornaments
• Type and quality of material
7 May 1, 2023 Item 06
3 8 May 1, 2023 Item 06
4 2) Blocks Public Access: In addition to obstructing ocean-view corridors, the large sculptures significantly limit the plaza’s use. The massive installations would occupy almost 1,000 square feet at the very center of the plaza which hinders its use and the public’s enjoyment for the Farmer’s Market and social gatherings.
3) Creates Unfunded Liability: The proposed large sculptures would create a long-term, unfunded liability to the city as it would be a dangerous magnet for children and thrill seekers to climb on and to fall from. In addition to potential claims from those hurt by falls, the sculptures would be expensive to maintain and repair from damage caused by vandals, corrosive ocean air, humidity and rain, scorching sunlight, temperature changes, and dog urine.
4) Lacks Public Support: I have heard many critical comments about the city’s “temporary” art sculpture program which blocks public access on already narrow sidewalks and street corners in our small village commercial corridor. This will grow into vocal and vociferous public opposition to the “permanent” proposed large-scale, light- or brightly-colored sculptures which are more appropriate for an urban setting next to skyscrapers or in a large park’s playground. Del Mar citizens are clamoring for badly needed road repairs, park improvements (especially the “unplayable” playing field at Shores Park), restoration of eroded beaches, undergrounding of power lines, better bluff beach access, and more sheriff patrols — not a costly, massive, ocean-view obstructing structure blocking public enjoyment and use of the civic plaza.
5) Hinders Funding Solicitations: Plopping a highly visible public art installation costing hundreds of thousands of dollars next to Del Mar’s new $18M+ city hall hurts city officials from soliciting funding from public agencies, grant-making bodies, and philanthropists for higher priority civic projects for our “poor” city! In fact, NCTD used our expensive city hall, which cost 4x more than that of neighboring Solana Beach’s, in their PR campaign and legal filings with the STB.

Del Mar residents are better served by city officials focusing on higher priority projects instead of trying to compete with the many massive modern sculptural masterpieces already installed at UCSD’s Stuart Collection; the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla and San Diego; and the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park.

Bottom line, scarce city resources and staff time are best spent on the highest priority civic projects, especially with increasing interest rates, the state’s pending budget cuts, historic federal deficits, more restrictive lending terms, reduced grant opportunities, and the predicted looming recession that will shrink city tax revenues. It is time to batten down the hatches and not erect what many perceive as an expensive, ego-driven edifice that provides no great public benefit.

Thanks for your consideration,
Laura
9 May 1, 2023 Item 06
From: Anne Farrell <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 2:28 PM
To: Dan Quirk <[email protected]>; David Druker <[email protected]>; Dwight Worden <[email protected]>; Terry Gaasterland <[email protected]>; Tracy Martinez <[email protected]>
Cc: City Clerk Mail Box <[email protected]>; Bonnie Grossman ([email protected]) <[email protected]>
Subject: Red Dot: Item #6 / Art Advisory Committee
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council:

I fully support the Arts Advisory Committee, and our city’s well-considered Public Art Policy, and I urge you to follow it in terms of the proposed new sculpture for the Civic Center Plaza.

I am an art historian by academic training, and worked for 34 years in art museums – 24 of those as a senior staff member of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. It is incredible to think that our small city of Del Mar could have a significant sculpture by Isamu Noguchi on permanent view in our public plaza, and it was so generous of Marc Brutten and the Del Mar Foundation to offer to make this donation. Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the most important, critically-acclaimed sculptors of the 20th century. If you are not familiar with his work, you can read about him here: https://www.noguchi.org/isamu-noguchi/biography/biography/ Each of the proposed Noguchi works are ideally suited to placement at the plaza. They are meant for public engagement, including for children’s play, and integrate very well with our beautiful Civic Center architecture and landscaping, as Mike Jobes, the lead architect, has stated.

The city adopted its Public Art Policy (updated 7/26/2017) specifically to provide an unambiguous process for decision-making. Moreover, you appointed your Arts Advisory Committee to provide careful, balanced citizen expertise to make recommendations. We now have private sector generosity that will make possible the installation of a world-class artwork that will enhance this prominent site in our city. To quote Americans for the Arts' Public Art Network Council , “The best of public art can challenge, delight, educate, and illuminate. Most of all, public art creates a sense of civic vitality in the cities, towns, and communities we inhabit and visit.”
It behooves you now to stand by your Arts Advisory Committee and follow your own Public Art process, rather than let uninformed individuals try to inject politics and their own personal aesthetic taste into the decision-making.

Thank you,
Anne Farrell
Via Alta, Del Mar
10 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Joanne Sharp <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 3:22 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: [email protected]; Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk Subject: May 1 2023 Council Agenda Item 6. RED DOT
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers,
It has come to my attention that Del Mar is being offered an incredible opportunity to acquire an artwork by one of the most acclaimed sculptors of the twentieth century, Isamu Noguchi. As a lifelong visual artist and designer, I can easily envision one of the two examples as a stunning addition to our Civic Center. I feel that the geometric forms of the larger work in particular complement the modernist design of the Civic Center and its plaza, inviting physical interaction by children and adults alike. It's joyful color would add an exclamation point to our beloved community space.

Please vote to take action to begin the review and feedback process; don't let this extraordinary opportunity slip away!
Thank you,
Joanne Sharp
1230 Umatilla St.

Del Mar, CA
11 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Bill-Deb Stern <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 4:05 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: May 1 Council Agenda — Item #6, Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor Martinez and Council members:

We strongly support the installation of a Noguchi sculpture at our Civic Center. We have admired his work for many years.

The fact that a member of the community is willing to donate a piece should make it an easy decision for the council to approve.

This sculpture and our local sculptures would enhance Del Mar’s reputation as a destination to visit.

Deborah and William Stern
278 Surfview Court
Del Mar, CA
12 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Arthur Olson <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 5:41 PM
To: Dan Quirk; David Druker; Dwight Worden; Terry Gaasterland; Tracy Martinez; City Clerk Mail Box; Bonnie Grossman ([email protected])
Subject: Red Dot: Item #6 / Art Advisory Committee
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council:

I am in full support of the Del Mar Arts Advisory Committee and their considered opinion on the appropriateness and in fact their enthusiasm for accepting the amazing gift of the sculpture by renowned artist Isamu Noguchi as a permanent part of our Civic Center Plaza. I urge you to approve of their determination as it will be a landmark addition for our city, and a joy to experience for residents and visitors of all ages alike.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and should be appreciated and supported by the Council.

Thank you.

Art Olson
Arthur J. Olson, Ph.D.

Anderson Research Chair Professor
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology The Scripps Research Institute
10666 North Torrey Pines Rd.

La Jolla, CA 92017
Direct tel: 858 784-9702
http://ccsb.scripps.edu
13 May 1, 2023 Item 06
RED DOT LETTER FOR ITEM #6, MAY 1ST COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers Druker, Gaasterland, Quirk and Worden, The current Arts Advisory Committee with a council-endorsed plan of action is a vast improvement over the one I served on with Carl Hilliard during my first term (2008-2012) on the council. Citizens with expertise in the arts now have a charter and a process to choose works of art that will enhance our community, and the current council should respect their work.

I urge each of you to respect the recommendations of the Arts Advisory Committee and not let others in the community insert their personal views into the process. The attraction of a worldclass work of art being installed on our Civic Center is too good to pass up.

I enjoyed working with Mike Jobes on the design of the City Hall and the Town Hall, and I am pleased that he supports this wonderful addition to his award-winning design.

Donald Mosier, former Mayor and Councilmember
14 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: May 1 City Council Agenda, Item #6, Red Dot From: Tanya Young <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 7:02 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box <[email protected]>; David Druker <[email protected]>; Dwight Worden <[email protected]>; Tracy Martinez <[email protected]>; Terry Gaasterland <[email protected]>; Dan Quirk <[email protected]>
Subject: May 1 City Council Agenda, Item #6, Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

I am writing to ask your support for Item #6 on the May 1 agenda. I strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

It is my understanding that the City of Del Mar has an opportunity to accept as a donation a work of public sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, one of the iconic artists and designers of the 20th century. If the donation is accepted, this work will be permanently installed at City Hall.

Noguchi, a Japanese-American born in Los Angeles in 1904, is among the most celebrated and influential artists and designers of the 20th Century. He is especially known for his public works, outdoor sculpture and furniture design (“one of the most celebrated catalogs of modernist furniture design”). Noguchi was a preeminent landscape and theatrical designer, collaborating with Martha Graham, John Cage and Merce Cunningham. He completed many important public space commissions, the ceilings for the Time-Life headquarters in New York City among others. In 1986 Noguchi represented the United States at the Venice Biennale. That same year The Whitney Museum of American Art New York honored him with a major retrospective. Among many honors, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and also elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1987 Noguchi was awarded the National Medal of Arts. He was a humanist who advocated for interned Japanese-Americans during WWII, going to live at one of the camps, Poston, in Yuma County, Arizona.

In its obituary for Noguchi, The New York Times called him "a versatile and prolific sculptor whose earthy stones and meditative gardens bridging East and West have become landmarks of 20th-century art”. His beautiful sculpture and landscape design can be seen at a museum devoted solely to his work: The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum in New York City.

What an extraordinary opportunity to have a work by an artist of this stature made available to our City. I strongly encourage you to ignore any naysayers and act immediately to accept.

Below is a photo I found while researching his much-admired art and life for this letter. It is of Noguchi in Spoleto, Italy in 1968 with one of the sculptures being offered to us. What’s good enough for Spoleto is surely good enough for Del Mar! With best wishes,
15 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 Tanya Young
919 Klish Way
Del Mar, CA
16 May 1, 2023 Item 06
3 TANYA YOUNG STUDIO
[email protected]
858.382.3636
http://tanyayoungart.com
www.facebook.com/tanyayoungscienceillustration
instagram: tanya_young_studio
twitter: @tanyayoungart
17 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Gale Darling <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 10:33 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item #6 on 5/1 meeting
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor & Council Members,
To be gifted this renowned artist’s sculpture and not accepting it feels like a HUGE missed opportunity.

Art is subjective and not everyone will like it, yet sharing this work of art with the community would be an asset that we shouldn’t pass up.

Best
Gale Darling
217 24th St.

Sent from my iPhone
18 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Larry D. Brooks <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 12:34 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Dwight Worden-Private; David Druker; Tracy Martinez; Terry TG.

Gaasterland; Dan Quirk; Ashley Jones
Subject: RED DOT - Item 6; Del Mar Civic Center Public Art Placement Update; 5/1/2023 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Council Members and Staff,
We would vote “None of the Above” on the proposed large-scale structures being installed in our Civic Center Central Plaza.

The Plaza is a wonderful venue for cultural events, the Farmers’ Market, informal outdoor meetings, and a quiet respite from the daily grind. The proposed structures would not enhance that ambiance and would reduce or restrict the area available for such uses. In addition, they are not in keeping with the scale, style, and charm of our village.

Lastly, scarce City dollars and staff time could be better spent on infrastructure maintenance, beach improvements, utility undergrounding, etc.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,
Martha & Larry Brooks
411 9th Street
19 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Mary Friestedt <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 3:29 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; David Druker; Dwight Worden; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk; Tracy Martinez
Subject: May 1 Council Agenda - Item #6, Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

April 30, 2023
Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

Regarding Item #6 on your May 1 docket, I enthusiastically support the Council's approval of the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

Del Mar would be extremely fortunate to have an Isamu Noguchi piece at City Hall, and Marc Brutten's generous offer to donate one of his works of art is something we cannot turn down.

The excitement of having a Noguchi piece that would stimulate, bring joy, and attract residents and visitors alike in our precious village must not be missed.

As a former president of the Del Mar Garden Club and now the head of beautification for our four gardens in town, I believe a Noguchi installation could be the ultimate centerpiece and showstopper for Del Mar.

Please vote to accelerate the public review and feedback process.

With gratitude,
Mary Friestedt
20 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 328 Bellaire Street
21 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Bettina Experton <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 5:40 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: RED DOT re. Agenda Item #6 of the City Council Meeting of May 1st.

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Public comment re. Agenda Item #6 of the May 1st Del Mar City Council Meeting Dear Madam Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I share the opinion of many other residents opposed to the AAC proposed artworks for outdoors display at the Civic Center, both because they are visually a poor fit for the City of Del Mar and extremely costly. In addition, the package for item #6 doesn’t provide some critical information regarding the suitability of these artworks for a Del Mar outdoor location: their construction material. In researching the matter, I found that the “Play Sculpture” (which was displayed indoors at one time at the SF museum of Modern Art, among many other places) and the “Celeste” piece are both made of steel, which even if powdered coated, will require frequent paint refreshing as they will be quickly subject to rust in our seaside environment; and the “Octetra” piece is made of concrete which will not make it user friendly for kids to climb or interact with it in any other playful ways.

With regard to the very high cost of these selected pieces (ranging from $175,000 to $500,000), is the Public Art Program Reserve Fund fully funded to pay for these? If not, does General Fund money need to be allocated for such a costly purchase? Such information should be provided to the public, and be part of the survey, as residents may wonder if other funding priorities should be addressed first.

Note re. the survey (with my humble comments from my epidemiology days): it is poorly worded and bias in its phrasing.

Specifically, in questions 7-9, the least favorable response should be phrased as “not at all” instead of “not my favorite” (which erroneously implies that you may still like that option); and regarding question 11: a.) it should be called “Personal Choice” (vs. “Personal Ranking” - where the “none of the above” answer doesn’t fit the question as labelled), b.) the “none of the above” choice should be at the bottom of the list (and not in the middle – as an afterthought add on), and c.) answers should not use a “drop to the top” method (as the “none of the above” choice is not a ranking answer) “– but use checkboxes instead.

Given all the controversial issues raised on these proposed artworks by so many residents, why not choose instead a colorful planter designed by the Del Mar Garden Club (which would be original Del Mar created art), or a fountain, or combination of both (such at the entrance of l ’Auberge), or playground equipment? I understand that these last two options would not qualify as public art under the City of Del Mar Public Art Policy, but they would certainly generate more approval, less controversy, and at a tiny fraction of the cost of these AAC proposed artworks.

Sincerely,
Bettina Experton, MD, MPH
540 Tewa Street
Del Mar, CA 92014
22 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Red Dot Letter Item 6
From: PAMELA SLATER-PRICE <[email protected]>
Date: April 30, 2023 at 2:40:26 PM PDT
To: Ashley Jones <[email protected]>
Cc: Tracy Martinez <[email protected]>, "Terry TG. Gaasterland" <[email protected]>, Dan Quirk <[email protected]>, David Druker-Private <[email protected]>, Dwight Worden-Private <[email protected]>
Subject: Red Dot Letter Item 6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor and city council,
I am in support of most of the excellent letters submitted on item 6 that call out the inappropriate placement of the massive Noguchi pieces on the open space area of our new award winning city hall/civic center building. I would especially like to call out Laura DeMarco’s letter as summarizing all the concerns with this project. She has done a thorough job of documenting the inappropriateness of this location for permanent large art installations. This space provides open vistas to the ocean and places for citizens to relax and enjoy.

I urge you to carefully read and consider all the many concerns raised here. I urge a vote to discontinue any further work on the project. Del Mar has far more pressing needs that clearly need precious staff attention.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Pam Slater-Price
Del Mar
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
~ Dr. Seuss
23 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Gloria Sandvik <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 11:25 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Letter/ # 6-Art Advisory Committee
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
With great respect for the work of the Art Advisory Committee, this letter is written to urge you to follow the recommendations the Committee is forwarding.

With delegated leadership, the Committee has carefully followed the process outlined in the Public Arts Policy. As a City Council you chose wisely to ensure that the committee had fair representation, experience and expertise. Bonnie Grossman, the Chair, has a background in both art history and landscape architecture, and is a registered and esteemed professional. Under her leadership, reconnaissance was undertaken to find the pieces that would qualify to be positioned at city hall given specifications outlined. The specifications were to ensure, among other considerations, that the pieces would be safe, childproof, weather and erosion proof and compatible in terms of design. The committee made their selection process for your approval after this very careful curation.

Also, the Committee garnered the necessary funding to make this project a reality at the point of recommendation. This is quite extraordinary and is an enormous contribution to the city and it's residents by generous donors.

As you all are aware, citizen participation is the life blood of a democracy. This Committee has given of their time, talent and treasure to create an opportunity to have a globally acclaimed sculptor’s work at our City Hall. Acknowledging and applauding their efforts, let’s ensure the sculpture experiences a pride of placement to be appreciated by both Del Mar residents and visitors.

As a a personal preference, I favor Isamu Noguchi's pieces that the committee has recommended however, I most urge your respect and vote of confidence in light of the Committee's thorough efforts.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the Art Advisory Committee’s recommendations.

Gloria Sandvik
Crest Road
Del Mar, Ca. 92014
Sent from my iPhone
24 May 1, 2023 Item 06
City Council Members,
I am opposed to having any of these 3 pieces of sculpture permanently displayed at the Del Mar Civic Center.

None of this artwork is appropriate or suitable for the Civic Center site.

These pieces were specifically created/designed to be placed in a Children’s playground so that children would be able to engage in “playing” on them, climbing on them. If one of them MUST be placed in Del Mar, the more appropriate space is the children’s play area.

Because of their large size, placing one of them in the open area of the Civic Center will make that piece the focal point for the entire center. The open space of the Civic Center should be reserved for use/enjoyment by ALL residents and visitors of our city, not just artwork created for children.

In conclusion, Isamu Noguchi is noted for his work in large stone sculptures – not artwork like these proposed.

Gay Hugo-Martinez
Art Major in college
Former City Council Member
Resident of Del Mel
25 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Red Dot Letter Re: May 1 Council Agenda — Item #6 -----Original Message-----
From: ingrid hoffmeister <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 2:08 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box <[email protected]>; David Druker <[email protected]>; Dwight Worden <[email protected]>; Tracy Martinez <[email protected]>; Terry Gaasterland <[email protected]>; Dan Quirk <[email protected]> Subject: Red Dot Letter Re: May 1 Council Agenda — Item #6 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. >> Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:
>>
>> Regarding Item #6 on your May 1 docket, I would strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall. >>
>> I have witnessed the process of new public art being introduced for the internationally renowned Stuart Collection many, many times. I can tell you that initially, opposition and skepticism is to be expected. This is especially true for conceptual, abstract art that is designed to stand out—not blend in—and stimulate and attract viewers.
>>
>> I am very familiar with Isamu Noguchi’s work, and think Del Mar would be most fortunate to have one of his iconic installations permanently on display at our Civic Center. Either of the Noguchi pieces would lend a distinctive, modern presence to City Hall, while also introducing world-class public art to residents and visitors, including children who will want to instantly interact with it. >>
>> The fact that Marc Brutten is willing to donate one of these works of art to Del Mar is most fortuitous. It is extremely unlikely that Del Mar will ever have another opportunity to acquire—at no cost to the City—a work of art by someone like Isamu Noguchi, a world renowned and much admired artist.
>>
>> I would urge you to please vote to accelerate this public review and feedback process. >>
>> Warm Regards,
Ingrid Hoffmeister
146 10th street
Del Mar
CA 92014
8583424445
26 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Lynn Gaylord <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 9:33 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Tracy Martinez; David Druker; Terry Gaasterland; Dwight Worden; Dan Quirk; Ashley Jones
Subject: Item 6 Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Council Members and Staff,
Our beauful new Civic Center has truly become a site in town where residents congregate, have take-out lunches and dinners, and just generally enjoy sunsets and playing on the turf. In fact, the area where there is discussion about adding a big piece of permanent art would much beer serve the public if addional tables and chairs were placed there. But to the point of Item 6, the city-wide survey:

I am glad there is the opon for residents to express “None of the above.” Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Gaylord
Ocean Front
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 9:38 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Dwight Worden; David Druker; Tracy Martinez; Dan Quirk; Terry Gaasterland Subject: Red Dot Item 6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Mayor, City Council and City Manager,
I want art in my city and at our Civic Center.

Let the Art Committee do it’s job!
Alice McNally
1332 Stratford Ct
Del Mar CA 92014
858-342-3244
Sent from my iPhone
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Sandy Dijkstra <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 9:51 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; David Druker; Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; Dan Quirk
Cc: Elise Capron
Subject: Noguchi Sculpture at City Hall
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Red-dot—May 1 Agenda, Item #6
Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

We fully support the City’s Arts Advisory Committee’s recommendation to begin the public vetting for a permanent art installation at City Hall. Acquiring a Noguchi work of are at zero or very low cost to the City is an incredible opportunity. Please vote to move forward with this exciting prospect.

Sandy and Bram Dijkstra
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
Subject: FW: RED DOT Item #6 Art Advisory Committee
From: Arline Paa <[email protected]>
Date: April 30, 2023 at 10:28:25 PM PDT
To: [email protected]>
Subject: RED DOT Item #6 Art Advisory Committee
Mayor Martinez
Members of the City Council
I was a member of the original AAC. Our first meeting was in January 2019. The City of Del Mar’s Public Art Policy is a well thought out and researched document approved and updated July 2017.

The sculpture “ Octetra” will bring life and energy to our Civic Center. The idea that this would be an interactive way for children to explore art is most appealing.

This is a wonderful opportunity to bring outdoor public art to Del Mar.

Thank you
Arline Paa
Sent from my iPad
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
Subject: FW: Permanent Art
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Monica Valentino <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, May 1, 2023 at 9:24 AM
Subject: Permanent Art
To: <[email protected]>
This art has no place at our civic center
Monica Valentino, Realtor
858 775.2220

WINDERMERE HOMES & ESTATES
1312 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar CA 92014
DRE# 00836091
Je parle francais
Yo hablo espanol
ATTENTION: Be aware! Online banking fraud is on the rise. Call your escrow officer to verify information prior to sending funds. I will never request you send funds or personal information through an email. If you receive an email request such as this, please notify me immediately before taking any action. --
3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Nitza <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 10:38 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable members of the Del Mar City Council,
Item 6
I am writing to you regarding the modern art pieces which are being considered for placement at the City Hall.

I find them to be inappropriate & completely misplaced for our small community.

They do little to blend with the ambience of our charming Town Hall & seaside village &/or awaken a sense of imagination and uplift one’s spirit.

I find them repugnant on every level, especially at such an exorbitant cost for an unattractive, and frankly unpleasant eyesore.

Consider investing in more trees for our community. They will serve us all, & future generations to come, with their beauty, cooling shade & carbon reduction.

Nitza Leichtling
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Drew Cady <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 10:39 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot for Item #6 for tonight’s
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable City Council Members:

The three pieces of so-called ‘art’ being proposed for the Town Center Plaza are the very antithesis of public art…. They do nothing to stir the creative mind, amuse or engage the public eye or lift our souls….and they remind me of what my grandmother referred to as ‘kitsch’… certainly not art~!! It is very sad that the Del Mar Foundation is about to spend a small fortune, and impose their narrow opinion of what constitutes public art upon Del Mar, for such schlock~!! Sincerely,
Drew Cady
903 Stratford Ct, Del Mar
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Annie Herlik <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:00 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland
Subject: Support of item #6
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:
>
>>
>> Regarding Item #6 on your May 1 docket, I would strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

Sent from my iPhone
3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Gail Eyler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:05 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Fwd: Red Dot-Item 6/Art@Advisory Committee
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:

From: Gail Eyler <[email protected]>
Date: May 1, 2023 at 1:57:47 PM EDT
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Red Dot-Item 6/Art@Advisory Committee
Mayor Martinez and members of the Del Mar City Council, As a resident of Del Mar I fully support the Arts Advisory Committee and the public art that is being proposed to be installed in Del Mar’s Civic Plaza.

My husband and I have been life long members of MOMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Whitney as former residents of NYC. From our personal experience we understand the importance of public art as a contributor to the quality of life of a city’s residents.

While there will always be a need for road repairs, parks that need improvements, more police on the streets, sidewalks feeling overcrowded, etc…. there is an equally profound need for beauty, curiosity, pride, a sense of belonging, and stimulating conversation that this amazing sculpture by Noguchi will provide to Del Mar residents and visitors.

The fact that the City has been offered a gift of a sculpture by a world renowned artist is an extraordinary piece of good fortune for our community.

Public art greatly contributes to a community’s identity and enhances the quality of life for its’ residents and visitors so we can come together and solve the other issues that need to be addressed. Let’s bring joy, happiness, and kindness into this community and embrace this wonderful gift that ignites conversation.

I urge you to stand up for your Arts Advisory Committee and follow your own Public Art process.

Sincerely,
4 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 Gail Eyler
Zapo Street, Del Mar
Sent from my iPhone
5 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Karl Willert <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:26 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Item 6 Public Art Placement at DM Civic Center Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Honorable Mayor Martinez and City Council Members:

I am writing in regards to item 6 on the agenda of the May 1st Del Mar City Council Meeting. I am in full support of the proposed 60-day public comment period under consideration today. However, there are some matters that I am concerned about and would like to see addressed:

1. Process: As I understand, only 3 pieces are under consideration, which were pre-selected by an Arts Committee. How were these 3 pieces selected? Previously, I had seen alternate pieces that I preferred to the ones under consideration now. Granted, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is likely impossible to select an art piece pleasing to everyone in Del Mar. However, the process that led to the current selection has, in my opinion, not been transparent. Further, the current selection is very narrowly focused, leaving little option for something with broader appeal.

2. Artists: The currently selected pieces are from world-renowned artists. I would like to see local artists be considered as well. None of the pieces under consideration reflect anything about the uniqueness of Del Mar and, nor do they fit well with the aesthetics of the surrounding environment.

These 3 pieces are merely ”famous”, which should not be a criterion for selection. Let’s support our local artists who have a better understanding and a more intimate relationship with Del Mar.

3. Cost: The selected art pieces are quite expensive, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Although this money is from private sources, I do see several problems with this: (i) Security: how will these valuable pieces be guarded?; (ii) Liability: in the event of vandalism who will cover the restoration costs?; and (iii) Optics: I can picture the headline in the paper: “Del Mar installs half million dollar art piece at city hall”. Given current societal problems (affordable housing, homelessness, drug addiction, etc.) I feel these exorbitant costs are difficult to justify. Surely, we can find more modestly priced pieces.

Sincerely,
Karl Willert
131 Sea Cliff Way, Del Mar
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Red Dot, May 1st, Item 6
From: Melissa Gans <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:28 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box <[email protected]>
Subject: Red Dot, May 1st, Item 6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

I am writing to ask your support for Item #6 on the May 1 agenda. I strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

It is my understanding that the City of Del Mar has an opportunity to accept as a donation a work of public sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, one of the iconic artists and designers of the 20th century. If the donation is accepted, this work will be permanently installed at City Hall.

Noguchi, a Japanese-American born in Los Angeles in 1904, is among the most celebrated and influential artists and designers of the 20th Century. He is especially known for his public works, outdoor sculpture and furniture design (“one of the most celebrated catalogs of modernist furniture design”). Noguchi was a preeminent landscape and theatrical designer, collaborating with Martha Graham, John Cage and Merce Cunningham. He completed many important public space commissions, the ceilings for the TimeLife headquarters in New York City among others. In 1986 Noguchi represented the United States at the Venice Biennale. That same year The Whitney Museum of American Art New York honored him with a major retrospective. Among many honors, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and also elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1987 Noguchi was awarded the National Medal of Arts. He was a humanist who advocated for interned JapaneseAmericans during WWII, going to live at one of the camps, Poston, in Yuma County, Arizona.

In its obituary for Noguchi, The New York Times called him "a versatile and prolific sculptor whose earthy stones and meditative gardens bridging East and West have become landmarks of 20th-century art”. His beautiful sculpture and landscape design can be seen at a museum devoted solely to his work: The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum in New York City.

What an extraordinary opportunity to have a work by an artist of this stature made available to our City.

I strongly encourage you to ignore any naysayers and act immediately to accept.

Below is a photo I found while researching his much-admired art and life for this letter. It is of Noguchi in Spoleto, Italy in 1968 with one of the sculptures being offered to us. What’s good enough for Spoleto is surely good enough for Del Mar!
With best wishes,
735 Hoska Drive
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 Melissa Gans
Del Mar, CA
3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
3 Sent from my iPhone
4 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:29 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: ubject: Red Dot Letter Re: May 1 Council Agenda — Item #6 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Honorable Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers:

I am writing to ask your support for Item #6 on the May 1 agenda. I strongly urge the Council to approve the community outreach plan recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee so that we can begin the vetting process for a permanent art installation at City Hall.

Respectfully,
Alice Brown
484 Avenida Primavera, Del Mar, CA 92014
5 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Nancy Kane <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:33 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot May 1st-Agenda item #6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor Martinez and City Council Members, Please approve the acceptance of the gift and the installation of the iconic Noguchi Sculpture at our Civic Center. In my opinion, as a resident of this beautiful community, this would be a very important gift.

Respectfully,
Nancy Kane
Sent from my iPhone
6 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Jill Gartman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:35 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot May 1 Agenda Ítem #6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Honorable Mayor Martinez and City Councilmembers:
> Please approve the gift and install the iconic Isamu Noguchi sculpture at our Civic Center.

Sincerely,
Jill Gartman
Pine Needles Dr
7 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: mara Bickett <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:38 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot, agenda item #6
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Honorable Mayor Martinez and City Council Members, I wholeheartedly support accepting a sculpture for the Civic Center. My preference is the geometric Noguchi (#1).

Thank you
Mara Bickett
508 Van Dyke Avenue
Sent from my iPhone
8 May 1, 2023 Item 06
City of Del Mar
Memorandum
________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael Luna, Special Projects and Programs Manager DATE: May 1, 2023
SUBJECT: Red Dot Item 6: Del Mar Civic Center Public Art Placement Update Item 6 on the City Council’s May 1, 2023, agenda includes a staff recommendation that the City Council receive an update on the public outreach process for consideration of the placement of public art at the Del Mar Civic Center and provide direction and final approval to begin the sixty (60) day public comment period. The Council liaisons to the Arts Advisory Committee contacted Mike Jobes, the Del Mar Civic Center architect, for his professional opinion on the three public art pieces currently recommended by the Arts Advisory Committee. Staff is submitting this red dot communication with Mr. Jobes’ feedback for consideration by the City Council.

Attachment A – Email communication from Mike Jobes to the Arts Advisory Committee Council Liaisons, Council Members Dwight Worden and Dave Druker. 1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Michael Luna
Subject: RE: Art for Del Mar Civic Center: your opipnion requested ---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mike Jobes <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Subject: RE: Art for Del Mar Civic Center: your opipnion requested To: Dwight Worden <[email protected]>
Cc: David Druker <[email protected]>
Hi Dwight!
So exciting to hear about a major investment in art for the public plaza! I return to Del Mar as often as possible to spend time walking around the grounds to watch the plants grow and to see how people interact with the spaces. What an honor to be asked to weigh in on this choice.

I much prefer Octetra by Noguchi of the three. I believe it’s faceted and planar geometry is most compatible with the roof lines of Town Hall and the shade structures on the plaza. Its color is congruent with the sunsets over the Pacific. I also believe this sculpture will encourage the most interaction from kids visiting the plaza and overlook. The proposed location just across the walkway from the artificial turf area, where yoga and games are played, further enhances a sense of play in this area of the plaza. I’d suggest pushing it as far west as possible on the gravel area so it is directly adjacent the concrete walkway, encouraging more interaction from the play area. It may be worth exploring rotating the sculpture 45 degrees to the position shown in the visual mockup to encourage a more free-flowing circulation around the piece by avoiding a large parallel surface adjacent the walkways. In the orientation shown in the mockup, the east face creates a bit of a wall from the main circulation spine as you enter the plaza from Camino Del Mar. I see parallels between Noguchi’s perspective being born in California with Japanese roots, to the perspective of looking west from the plaza at the same latitude as Japan, directly across the Pacific.

I believe the way Octetra is intended to lay flat on the ground is best for this location at it likely won’t need additional footings. Whereas, Play Sculpture, by Noguchi appears to touch down on three points. These point loads of Play Sculpture may require some type of concrete spread footing so they don’t press into the gravel area.

In my opinion, the closed-form tubular geometry of Play Sculpture and Celeste is less compatible with the Coastal Craftsman architecture of the Civic Center with its more angular and articulated forms. Celeste reads a bit too much like a large bike rack and doesn’t encourage as much interaction without any of its surfaces configured for seating or play.

The lighter finish of Celeste will likely show more staining and wear over time.

I hope this helps!
Mike Jobes, AIA, Principal
The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
(206) 718-0773
From: Dwight Worden <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 10:06 AM
To: Mike Jobes <[email protected]>
Cc: David Druker <[email protected]>
Subject: Art for Del Mar Civic Center: your opipnion requested 2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 Hi Mike!
The City of Del Mar is embarking on a process to select a major piece of sculpture art for the beautiful Civic Center that you designed for us that we opened in 2018. Our Arts Advisory Committee has worked with a New York arts consultant in selecting candidate pieces and has reviewed 18 from her as well as many others reviewed by committee members on their own. We are now down to 3 top choices being recommended by the Arts Committee.

At this point we would greatly appreciate your feedback, not on the merits of the top three art pieces, but rather your professional judgment as the architect who designed the civic center as to whether or not these three pieces are compatible, in your view, with the civic center design. I am attaching a PDF that shows all three top recommendations, including a mock-up of the top candidate (Octetra by Isamu Noguchi) on the proposed plaza site.

Your timely feedback will be greatly appreciated! If you prefer to give it orally, feel free to call me at my number below or council member Dave Druker at 858.342.1203. As the two council liaisons to this process either of us will be happy to chat with you.

Thanks!
Dwight Worden
Del Mar City Councilmember
858.481.26090
3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Linda J <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:47 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Linda J
Subject: Red dot item No 6
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Hello Honorable City Council Members,
I respectfully submit that the three works of art for consideration are all inappropriate for the open space at city hall. These sculptures belong in a museum or corporate environment. The space is too small for these pieces and they block the ocean view that people enjoy from the city hall. The works of art do not fit the architecture of the site. Most likely, they will end up becoming a jungle gym of some sort, which would be insulting to the artist. To install any one of these pieces would be rather pretentious for our lovely city by the Pacific Ocean.

I urge the city to reconsider our city’s more pressing needs.

Kind regards,
Linda Judd
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: suren dutia <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:51 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: RED DOT for Item 6 - City Council Meeting 5/1/2023 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

May 1, 2023
Dear Mayor Martinez and Council members.

As a former member of the Arts Committee in 2021 till 2022, I would like to share some background information and my perspective on the proposal before you (Item #6) so you can understand how we got here.

I was appointed to the Arts Committee for a short period. A sub committee was formed to explore ideas and location for where Art could be installed on Town Center property, and I was asked to serve on this sub committee along with Barbara Inwood and one other member whose name I cannot recall.

During Feb and March last year, our sub committee of 3 met regularly and made recommendations as requested at the May 2022 Arts Committee meeting. Note that I spoke to a number of random residents from various parts of town to understand what kind of outdoor art would appeal to them and those ideas were discussed within our sub committee.

We identified 5 spaces on the town center parcel per instructions given to us where art could be placed:

1. We wanted to honor our own Del Mar artists with a 6 month rotation of 2 art pieces showcased in a glass and wood structure along the wall to the north of city hall front doors;

2. We recommended a large upright prominent art piece be selected and placed, in the planter where the large tree is in front of city hall so that it is front and center at all town hall gatherings. It could be enjoyed by people relaxing on the ocean terrace and from the street as well. An art sculpture of the City Torrey Pines logo art piece made by a Del Mar Artist was suggested.

3. On the terrace, we recommended a tall artistic wind sculpture from the many options designed by several respected southwestern artists in Santa Fe, NM in the garden bed to the left of the proposed red sculpture in the photo presented to you to add whimsy to the space as these sculptures move with the wind. These sculptures aesthetically fit in with nature blending into the space and can entertain all ages!
2 May 1, 2023 Item 06
2 4. A few smaller, low wind sculptures in the empty long planter to the left of the ocean terrace that would add natural movement to this static area which is pleasing when looking across the terrace at the ocean.

5. Lastly, a movement sculpture of ducks which the city owns and is in city storage for the not very visible south planter past the breezeway towards 10th street to the left from the Breezeway doors.

Our ideas presented to the Arts Committee were mocked and rejected by Betty Wheeler, who is not a member of the Arts Committee but was attending the meeting as a representative of the Del Mar Foundation since the Foundation intended to fund one significant piece of art for about $100,000.

Betty was also going to shepherd the project through the city process given she was very familiar with how things work at City Hall and do the necessary work as she had done before to spare staff the work, get approval much quicker than if staff did the work and simply get Staff blessing. Her remarks were immediately supported in softer words by both the Chair Bonnie Grossman and committee member Mark, owner of the Del Mar Plaza, as their vision and goal was to install "world renowned art of Museum quality” which the Del Mar Foundation would pay for so that people from around the world would come to Del Mar to see this quality art. This all was news to the sub-committee since the directive given to us was markedly different. Not sure why our time was wasted for the 2 months of work unless it was just to pretend the process to explore ideas was followed - certainly, not very respectful of the 3 art sub committee members!
The sub committee was effectively replaced by Betty, Mark and Bonnie since they decided to handle the task themselves by hiring an art consultant to make recommendations on which art pieces to purchase and then Betty suggested the Arts Committee get a directive immediately from the City Council at their next meeting to pursue this path. I don't recall a vote on this matter by the committee, only discussion amongst the 3 themselves to move forward to get Council blessing and to hire a consultant. Clearly the majority members of the Arts committee were not given the opportunity to weigh in their vote. (3 members present - Bonnie, Mark and myself and 1 in attendance for half hour early in meeting and not present for discussion and decision and rest not in attendance). Note 3 votes is a quorum and majority.

Further, as you all well know, a consultant never gives independent feedback, they cater their recommendations to the specifications given to them by their client (The Arts Committee) who is paying them (The DM Foundation).

While I am grateful to the Del Mar Foundation where so many Del Mar Residents make donations to support activities in town, and for Betty's enthusiasm and hard work, I think Betty's conflicted leadership on two fronts and inappropriate role in this matter is of serious concern The recap above demonstrates that the process is tainted and has resulted in a proposal in front of you that simply doesn't reflect Del Mar values nor does the art fit within the proposed site.

After spending close to $30 million dollars to build an ecofriendly town center that has won numerous awards for a sustainable built environment, the aesthetics' DO matter. I like contemporary art very much, have a few pieces in my own collection and I live in a contemporary Corbusier style home. Art is a very personal choice and art in outdoor city spaces must appeal to most of our residents who have to live with this art daily. Art decisions cannot and should not be propelled by 3 voices especially when it's permanent art.

This red piece of art by a Japanese artist Nogouchi for the town center is bold but does not belong at the town center even if it was worth a million dollars. It can belong in spaces like the Plaza but that's owned by an individual so spending Foundation funds would not be inappropriate. It could possibly 3 May 1, 2023 Item 06
3 be placed at Seagrove Park given the large green space, but bold contemporary art also does not fit in with the natural beauty of the flora, fauna and coastline of Del Mar. Typically, such bold pieces belong in a university campus where color blends in with it's surroundings or private grounds or in large parks with gardens where the piece's color compliments the color of nature. They are not meant to be a playground given the cost and "museum quality art" for viewing.

With over 25 plus years of service at The San Diego Museum of Art in various capacities working with Staff and Curators, I did learn a few things and unfortunately, the town hall piece placement recommendation is inappropriate and more importantly, it is taking away precious open space on the ocean terrace valued by the general public, used frequently by people in our community, especially children who play there.

We can certainly do much better by select art pieces that complement our outdoor spaces given we have to live with these choices for a very long time.

Thank you for your consideration to stop this flawed process from moving forward.

Respectfully,
Jas Grewal
Del Mar Resident for 31 years
4 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Robert Boyce <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 11:50 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot item 6
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Mayor and City Council,
Regarding item 6 on your agenda, while I am thankful to the generous individual who apparently is willing to donate this sculpture and appreciate Isamu Noguchi’s work, I feel the placement of this sculpture at city hall is not suitable. My wife and I both appreciate modern art, but that is not the point.

I am very disturbed by the individuals who have called other residents “uninformed,”accused residents of “injecting their own politics” into this decision or put residents down for expressing their “own personal views.” This has nothing to do with politics, and it is not that citizens who object to the placement of this structure are “uninformed” rubes. I suppose these people believe my wife and I are not permitted to express “personal views.”
Many, my wife and I included, are not ungrateful to this donor, but we object to locating this sculpture in an area where it just does not seem to fit.

Last time I checked, this was a democracy. A small “informed” cadre of citizens should not treat others residents’ views as “uninformed” “political” or inferior.

Please reconsider the placement of this sculpture.

Robert Boyce
158 6th St.
5 May 1, 2023 Item 06
1 Melinda Gould
From: Michael Halpern <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2023 4:30 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item 6 Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

I apologize for the late submission, but please no. There are many well-written submissions already covering this topic. Thank you.
1 May 1, 2023 Item 06

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