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Agenda Item

7 18-0382 Subject: Amendments To Public Art Fee Ordinance From: Councilmember McElhaney And President Pro Tempore Guillén Recommendation: Adopt An Ordinance Amending Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 15.78 To (A) Authorize The Satisfaction Of The Public Art Requirement Through The Submission And Approval Of Alternative Equivalent Proposals For Installation Of Public Art In State Highway Right-Of-Way Or On Other Public Agency Property And (B) Permit In-Lieu Contributions To Nearby City Owned Arts Facilities To Satisfy The Public Art Requirement For Private Development, And Authorizing The Allocation Of Funds Contributed For Capital Improvements To Capital Improvement Fund Accounts Established By The City Administrator [NEW TITLE]

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    GLORIA FANGONHITZ over 8 years ago

    I write in support of this amendment. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is a city-owned arts and cultural facility in Chinatown that has been lovingly managed by API Cultural Center dba Oakland Asian Cultural Center since the facility was constructed in 1996. It exists as a result of community activism and advocacy. It is a beautiful space used by people in and outside of Chinatown, from neighboring and national non-profit organizations to private citizens for special occasions. It is in need of repairs and improvements and other upgrades: for example, the carpets are the original from 1996 and are badly worn and warped -- a trip hazard; the ceilings are stained; the audio and visual equipment is outdated; etc. Please support the amendment so the OACC can shine and be the jewel that it is for the Oakland and greater SF Bay Area community. Do no let this precious asset go to waste. Thank you. Over 20,000 people go through our doors yearly.

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    Eric Arnold over 8 years ago

    • Investment in the arts contributes positively to the quality of life in Oakland, and provides many aesthetic benefits, while also creating a sense of identity and civic pride.
    • If amended, this would allow for several hundreds of thousands of dollars in much-needed capital improvements to be allocated to cultural institutions such as the Malonga Casquelourd Center and Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
    • These cultural venues represent centers of Oakland’s cultural life, yet have been underfunded for decades.
    • The amendment would also allow for future investment into City-owned institutions, including art galleries and park and recreation centers which would also improve the quality of life in Oakland.
    • Supporting this proposed amendment should be a no-brainer, and is the right thing to do. There is literally no downside to amending the public art ordinance to allow for expanded investment into culture.