Donated redwood bench, two sculpture openings prompt Sebastopol subcommittees and site inventory work

Committee members reported a donated bench for the Johnson art installation and set planning steps for two upcoming sculpture openings. Robert said Sturgeon’s Mill donated two 3‑inch redwood slabs (sufficient for a six‑foot bench) and its board president, Tom Schafer, agreed to construct the bench; the committee aims to install the bench before the April 5 dedication at the Johnson site.

Given tight timelines, the committee voted to form a two‑member ad hoc event subcommittee (Jeff and Barbara) to handle outreach, scheduling and coordination for the Johnson opening and the later Ned Kahn event on May 3. Staff clarified ad hoc groups of two can perform planning work between meetings but that any group communications intended for the full committee must be routed through staff for distribution.

Separately, members voted to create a two‑member site‑inventory subcommittee to walk selected corridors and identify city‑controlled and potential private properties for future public‑art placements. Staff offered to provide digitized zoning maps and to meet with an ad hoc member to define inventory areas and reduce workload. Committee members suggested initial target streets and locations including High Street, Ives Park, Laguna Parkway, Covert, Pleasant Hill and areas adjacent to the library and art center.

On signage and labeling, staff reported contacting a vendor about etching QR codes into stainless‑steel plaques and described typical material sizes used for sculpture signage; members discussed mounting options (stakes, wall mounts, botanical‑style plaques) and agreed on the need for consistent sign design across entry sites.