October 1, 2012 | San Francisco Arts Commission

Full Commission - October 1, 2012

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, October 1, 2012
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Minutes

Commission President JD Beltran called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.

Roll Call
Commissioners Present
JD Beltran, President
John Calloway
Gregory Chew
Amy Chuang
Charles Collins
Roberto Ordeñana
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar
Cass Calder Smith
Kimberlee Stryker
Gwyneth Borden, ex officio
Commissioners Absent
Sherene Melania, Vice President
Leo Chow
Dorka Keehn
Approval of Minutes

There was no public comment and the minutes were approved as submitted.
RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-266: Motion to approve September 10, 2012 Minutes.
President’s Report
President Beltran reported that the book about the Arts Commission, Arts for the City: Civic Art and Urban Change, has gone to press and will be available for sale in January, 2013. She said it was beautiful, and hoped to show sample pages at the end of this meeting.
Observing the large number of people in attendance, she asked how many intended to make public comment. Seeing the large number of hands raised, she said that public comment at this meeting would be limited to two minutes to allow the Commission to finish its meeting before the Youth Commission meeting at 5:15.

There was no public comment.
Director’s Report
Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny announced changes in the organization chart: the Street Artists Licensing Program and Civic Design Review Program will now report to the Deputy Director. He noted that this represents a return to prior practice, and that the organizational changes respond to the Controller’s Report recommendations. He added that he and Deputy Director Rebekah Krell continue to work with the Department of Human Resources on a number of reclassification and other personnel issues.
Mr. DeCaigny reported that a consulting team led by MIG/MMC has been chosen to facilitate the strategic planning process. He said that they have a lot of experience with city policy issues and have worked with the Recreation and Parks Department. He reported that discussions continue on the scope of work, and how best to engage Commissioners as well as the community to help support a vibrant arts ecosystem.

Mr. DeCaigny announced that the two Jun Kaneko sculptures temporarily installed in the Civic Center will be removed a bit early, so they will be gone by Halloween. He praised this public-private partnership, and thanked gallerist Rena Bransten and Public Art Trust and Special Projects Director Jill Manton.

Galleries Director Meg Shiffler distributed postcards for the Gallery’s upcoming annual fundraiser, Passport. She explained that people can buy one of 500 Moleskine notebooks customized as “passports” for $25, and on October 14, visit eleven North Beach businesses and have their passports stamped with artist-designed stamps at each location. She added that each year, the event highlights a different San Francisco neighborhood, and a party ends the day. She explained that concierge passports, with all of the artist stamps, were available for $125.

President Beltran said that Passport was an amazing and fun event, generating a limited edition artwork for a very modest price, as well as offering a chance to talk with the artists.

Community Arts and Education (“CAE”) Program Manager Robynn Takayama reported on 2 Blocks of Art on Central Market, the first night of which was held on Friday, September 28, and the second would be Friday, October 19. She reported that the series was a partnership with Urban Solutions, and described some of the artists, performers and organizations involved. She said that the response was really enthusiastic.

Mr. DeCaigny complimented Ms. Takayama, along with Community Arts and Education Program Associate Cristal Fiel and Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff and other CAE staff, for their work on this successful event.

He reported that the agency celebrated National Arts in Education Week, September 9-15, in partnership with Creative Impact. Activities included an event for some 300 participants at the Asian Art Museum, with representatives of the California Arts Council, the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Education and the School District, as well as performances by student groups and soul singer Martin Luther McCoy.

A series of ArtImpact posters for Muni’s T-line, promoting the importance of arts education, was unveiled at the event. Mr. DeCaigny complimented Arts Education Program Manager Tyra Fennell, Arts Education Program Associate Marissa Mossberg and Ms. Nemzoff for their work on the event and the posters.

There was no public comment.
Consent Calendar
President Beltran said that she would sever items 5 and 6, regarding Central Subway panelists and Cultural Center grant advances, respectively, from the Consent Calendar to allow Commissioner Ordeñana to recuse himself because of potential conflicts. She also severed item 10, regarding San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“SFMTA”) convenience facilities, for separate consideration.
Commissioner Ordeñana explained that his employer, the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center, was named as a co-beneficiary of a third-party fundraising event with Bayview Opera House, structured so that funds would flow from the Opera House to the Community Center, and he requested recusal from consideration of this item. As to item 6, he said that this was the same conflict he had explained at previous meetings: his employer rents space to the Queer Cultural Center.

President Beltran explained that she would also sever item 10 for separate consideration because several members of the public wished to comment on it.

President Beltran called for a vote on the remaining items of the Consent Calendar. There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was approved as follows.

RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-267:
Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

Approval of Committee Minutes
1. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-268: Motion to approve the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2012.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-269: Motion to approve the Motion to approve the Street Artists Committee Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2012.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-270: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2012.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-271: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Meeting Minutes of September 19, 2012.
  Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee Recommendations (September 11, 2012)
5. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-274: Motion to approve the proposed 2012-2013 Management and Program Plan and budget for Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, for a grant not to exceed $522,923, contingent upon completion of revisions to the MPP and FY12 Final Report.
  Street Artists Committee Recommendations (September 12, 2012)
6. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-275: Motion to approve text recommended by William J. Clark and Robert J. Clark amending minutes of Street Artists Committee meeting of January 12, 2011 to include information not previously recorded due to audio recording failure.
  Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (September 17, 2012)
7. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-276: Motion to approve Phase 2 of the Moccasin Control and Server Building with the contingency of providing a three-dimensional rendering and materials samples prior to Phase 3 review.
  Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (September 19, 2012)
8. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-278: Motion to approve an amendment to the Civic Art Collection Guidelines to include Resolution No. 0507-12-142 and Resolution No. 0507-12-143.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-279: Motion to approve artist honorarium payments in the amount of $1,000 each to the following artists for their newly commissioned work for the exhibition Nothing to See Here at the SFAC Galleries: Nicole Jean Hill; Jin Zhu; Johnna Arnold; and Joshua Band.
10. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-280: Motion to approve the following short list for the Central Subway Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Opportunity as recommended by the Prequalification Panel:
  Michael Arcega
  Lawrence Argent
  Alice Aycock, Ball-Nouges Studio
  Cecil Balmond
  Chris Burden
  Linda Fleming
  Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo
  Mark Handforth
  Sol LeWitt
  Donald Lipski
  Roxy Paine
  Jaume Plensa
  Charles Ray
  Kent Roberts
  Tony Smith
  May Sun
  Pae White
11. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-281: Motion to approve the following finalists for the Central Subway Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Opportunity as recommended by the Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Selection Panel: Sol LeWitt; Roxy Paine; and Charles Ray.
12. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-282: Motion to approve the following short list of artists for the Central Subway Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel:
  Shimon Attie
  Hung Liu
  Lisa Blatt
  Sun/Erenberg Team (SET)
  Diane Andrews Hall
  Cheonae Kim
  Bovey Lee
  Niana Liu
  Mike Mandel
  Lordy Rodriguez
  Clare Rojas
  Jovi Schnell
  Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen
  Mark Dean Veca
  Pae White
  Imin Yeh
13. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-283: Motion to approve the following short list of artists for the Central Subway Union Square Station Art Glass Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel:
  Tim Bavington
  Lisa Blatt
  Randy Colosky
  Amy Ellingson
  Diane Andrews Hall
  Jim Isermann
  Cheonae Kim
  Bovey Lee
  David Maisel
  Clare Rojas
  Leslie Shows
  Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen
  Pae White
14. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-284: Motion to approve the following short list for the Central Subway Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel:
  Shimon Attie
  John Bankston
  Hung Liu
  Lisa Blatt
  Randy Colosky
  Amy Ellingson
  Kota Ezawa
  Diane Andrews Hall
  Mildred Howard
  Jim Isermann
  Niana Liu
  David Maisel
  Mike Mandel
  Lordy Rodriguez
  Clare Rojas
  Jovi Schnell
  Leslie Shows
  Owen Smith
  Chris Sollars
  Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen
  Mark Dean Veca
  Pae White
  Imin Yeh
15. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-285: Motion to increase Attie Art Projects LLC (aka Scott/Shimon Attie) contract for a police memorial artwork in the lobby of the new Public Safety Building from $342,500 to the new contract amount not to exceed $392,500 for continuation of fabrication.
16. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-286: Motion to increase Paul Kos’ contract for a police memorial artwork in the plaza of the new Public Safety Building from $300,000 to a new contract amount not to exceed $450,000 for completion of construction document phase and continuation of fabrication phase.
17. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-287: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Lordy Rodriguez for the 2013-2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
18. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-288: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Mark Ulriksen for the 2013-2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
19. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-289: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Sanaz Mazinani for the 2013-2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
20. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-290: Motion to approve two additional poster designs by Christina Empedocles for the Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012-2013.
21. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-291: Motion to approve an increase in Rupert Garcia’s contract to design, fabricate and install two mosaic murals at General Hospital from $307,312 to $365,929 due to an increase in the fabricator’s price.
22. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-292: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design for a light sculpture by Merge for Boarding Area E at San Francisco International Airport.
  After the vote, Commissioner Ordeñana left the room, and President Beltran called for public comment on the two motions approving budgets and Management and Program Plans for Bayview Opera House, African American Art and Culture Complex (“AAACC”) and the Queer Cultural Center.
  
  Public Comment:
  
  Reverend Arnold Thompson of the AAACC board of directors thanked the Commission for its support, and talked about the birth of the Cultural Centers from the Neighborhood Arts Program. He encouraged everyone to visit the centers and see the great work they are supporting. He added that young people in the community are doing great things and having success because of what they learn and the contacts they make at the center.
  
  Other members of the community spoke in support of the center and its work, noting that one of the 16-year-old participants in AAACC’s music program recently signed a record deal with Universal.
  
  There was no further public comment.
  
  The Commission approved the following motions, with the recusal of Commissioner Ordeñana:
23. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-272: Motion to approve the proposed 2012-2013 Management and Program Plan (“MPP”) and budget for Bayview Opera House, Inc, for a grant not to exceed $311,658, contingent upon completion of revisions to the MPP and FY12 Final Report.
24. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-273: Motion to approve the proposed 2012-2013 Management and Program Plan and budget for African American Art and Culture Complex and sub-grantee Queer Cultural Center for a grant not to exceed $570,876 (including $474,206 to African American Art and Culture Complex and $96,670 to sub-grantee Queer Cultural Center), contingent upon completion of revisions to the MPP and FY12 Final Report.
  Commissioner Ordeñana returned to the meeting room, and President Beltran called for public comment on the motion to approve the SFMTA Operator Convenience Facility.
  
  Public Comment:
  
  Leora Vestel said that residents of the area who would be impacted by the Hampshire Street project were never notified, and now the SFMTA was seeking final approval of the project. She asked the Commission not to approve the project in order to provide an opportunity for the residents to give their input. She said that residents did not know about the Civic Design Review Committee, which asked SFMTA at their June 18 meeting to reach out to neighbors, and they did not do so. She felt that the design was flawed and would be better with community input. She thought there were several procedural errors which warranted further review, including a reference to the 71 bus line, which does not run in that area. She added that she thought there was a significant safety hazard.
  
  Greg Rasmussen said that he lived two blocks from the proposed site on Hampshire, and was never notified. He said that one neighbor saw one flyer on a pole several blocks away. He thought there was problem with a palacial toilet located on a residential street. He said that within two blocks, neighbors collected 96 signatures, and he was certain the remaining neighbors would also support reconsidering the project. He reiterated that the 71 line doesn’t run nearby, and added that he takes Muni daily. He said that residents should have a say, and that the big toilet was planned for an area where many residents don’t feel safe. He said that although the Civic Design Review Committee requested that SFMTA meet with them on June 18, the residents didn’t get a meeting with SFMTA until September 18, and only at the initiative of residents, not the SFMTA. He asked the Commission to postpone approval until residents have had an opportunity to meet with SFMTA.
  
  President Beltran asked the SFMTA representative to comment on the project. SFMTA project manager Drew Howard explained that the motion as submitted covered two locations, one on Fitzgerald Avenue in the Bayview, and the other on Hampshire Street. He requested that the Commission revise the motion to approve only the Bayview location, where SFMTA has met with the community and has support for the project. He said that SFMTA is committed to continue to meet with the Hampshire Street neighbors and look at various options for both the terminal and the operator restroom.
  
  President Beltran thought this was a good solution, and that it was understandable that SFMTA wanted to move ahead with the project where they had community support. She revised the motion as requested, and called for a vote; the motion was approved as follows.
25. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-277: Motion to approve Phases 2 and 3 of the SFMTA Operator Convenience Facility for the Fitzgerald Avenue and Third Street location only, with the contingency of modifying the door and refining the connections to the roof.
26. Civil Grand Jury Report
  Mr. DeCaigny reported that Commissioners had received copies of the agency’s official response to the Honorable Katherine Feinstein regarding the Civil Grand Jury Report, and that they had received the initial report a couple of months earlier. [Both documents were posted online with the agenda for this meeting.] He reviewed highlights of the response, and reported that he had discussed the response at greater length with the Executive Committee, particularly the governance section.
  He began his report by thanking the Civil Grand Jury for their time and dedication, and their interest in seeing a lively, healthy arts ecosystem as critical to San Francisco, and seeing the arts managed appropriately.
  
  He noted that the report called for responses as “fully agree,” “disagree partially,” or “disagree wholly.” He pointed out that “disagree partially” could also be read “agree partially.” Mr. DeCaigny reported that he worked very closely with the agency’s management team to get lots of staff input, as well as with all the agency’s City partners, to prepare a very well thought-out response, clarifying issues where necessary and highlighting steps the Arts Commission has taken over the past year, as well as areas for further improvement.
  
  Beginning with the issue of increasing efforts to raise the Commission’s profile, Mr. DeCaigny reported that the agency disagreed, noting that it often served an important behind-the-scenes role. He added that many of the Commission’s programs already have high visibility and national recognition, including Cultural Equity Grants and Public Art. He pointed out that while it might be a questionable use of City funds to raise the agency’s profile, the agency does promote its activities and could always do a better job of that.
  
  On the question of Commissioners’ oversight, he said that quality training and orientation for Commissioners was essential, but felt that a new citizens’ advisory board was not appropriate and would in fact diffuse the responsibility of Commissioners. He added that it was not within the purview of the agency to set the number of Commissioners, but that was set by the voters in the Charter; in any case, the Arts Commission is one of the larger commissions in the City. Mr. DeCaigny also disagreed with the impression that artists are not capable of governance; the diverse group of Commissioners have a variety of skills, including financial and management skills as well as art skills.
  
  Commissioner Sklar added that, as the longest-serving Commissioner, she was always impressed with the caliber of her multitasking, multitalented colleagues. She said that none of them could get by without the ability to manage budgets and organizations.
  
  President Beltran said that all of the Commissioners are Renaissance people, accomplished in the arts, running businesses, serving on boards, managing finances and budgets, and making business decisions. She said this was why the Mayor chose them. She agreed that being an artist is not a handicap in governance and management.
  
  Commissioner Chew added that this is the third commission on which he has served, and he found his colleagues on the Arts Commission to be among the most committed and accomplished.
  
  Commissioner Calloway agreed that training is vital, and said that he needed more support when he came to the Commission. He said that Commissioners are expected to hit the ground running, and need training in the protocols and structures of serving on a City commission.
  
  Mr. DeCaigny noted that progress is being made on this front, and that he and President Beltran are meeting with Commissioners one at a time for training. He added that as a new Director, he too had a lot to learn quickly, and he reaffirmed his commitment to working with President Beltran and all of the Commissioners to maintain transparency, be responsive to community input, and improve systems at the agency.
  
  Mr. DeCaigny said that the report cited a New York Times article describing problems with the City’s Civic Art Collection. He explained that the agency has long been aware of the challenges, has recently hired new full-time staff and is working on updating the Collections database to reflect the most current location and condition of all of the artworks. He added that the Commission has made clear to him that this is a top priority. He pointed out that in this difficult economic climate, the Arts Commission, like other departments, has had to struggle with deferred maintenance, but he and staff are working hard to find resources to deal with the most pressing needs. He added that the strategic plan will take into account all of the agency’s capital needs, including those of the Collections and the Cultural Centers, with the aim of creating a ten-year plan to address the needs in an appropriate sequence.
  
  Mr. DeCaigny reported that while it has been difficult historically to find capital funds for the Cultural Centers, he was proud to report the largest capital commitment to them in over a decade, with support from the Mayor’s office, the Board of Supervisors, and the Mayor’s Office of Disability, as well as the community, Arts Commission staff and the Centers themselves. He was hopeful that improvements in the economy will provide further funds, and added that strategic planning will outline specific improvements needed at each of the Centers.
  
  As to the report’s recommendation on public hearings, he said this has been implemented: the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee meets monthly. These meetings are open to the public who may attend and bring up any issues about the Cultural Centers. He added that staff is also holding monthly meetings with Cultural Center leadership.
  
  He said that staff is working with the City Attorney’s office to investigate the option of long-term leases for the Centers. One issue is that a mechanism for Commission oversight is the annual grantmaking process for funding the nonprofit organizations running the Centers, and it is important to maintain that oversight. Mr. DeCaigny said that this will also be considered in strategic planning.
  
  Commissioner Collins appreciated the impetus of the Civil Grand Jury report to examine the relationship with the Centers. He hoped that their constituents and leadership, like Reverend Townsend, would let elected officials know at budget time how important the Centers are to them.
  
  Next, Mr. DeCaigny turned to the discussion of the Street Artists Licensing Program. He agreed that sometimes this is not the happiest Committee appointment for Commissioners. Other Committees may award grants and approve interesting artworks and projects, but for the Street Artists Committee members, there is a policing function in monitoring the artists, and they sometimes have to hear difficult conflicts and complaints, and make the very unpleasant decision to revoke an artist’s license. Nonetheless, he said that Commissioners have done a great job on this Committee and he cited the present and past Chairs, in particular, for their enthusiastic service. He added that there is one vacancy on this Committee and was hopeful that the Mayor would soon fill the Commission’s two vacancies. He looked forward to the program’s celebration of its eightieth anniversary in another forty years, which was met with applause.
  
  Mr. DeCaigny said that the agency deferred to the City Attorney’s office and other agencies on recommendations in the report not within the purview of the Arts Commission. He disagreed with the allegation that the Street Artist fee increased primarily because of the City Attorney costs, explaining that it was instead due mainly to required costs of staff and benefits. He pointed out that the program’s use of the City Attorney’s services was legitimate, including review of documents for privacy concerns and appropriate redactions before release. He reiterated that the program is mandated to be self-funding. He noted that there is a large number of street artists, and that the 52 requests came primarily from five individuals, or less than two percent of the artists, who were dissatisfied. He reminded the Commission that the program serves a large number of street artists, and of people in San Francisco, and that the few complaints are not necessarily representative of the great majority.
  
  He explained that the Arts Commission would not implement moving the Street Artists Program to the Office of Small Business, first because it doesn’t have the authority to do so. He added that a petition circulated a few years earlier was signed by a couple of hundred street artists in support of keeping the program with the Arts Commission, arguing that it takes artists to review art. Mr. DeCaigny agreed that these are small businesses, and he and staff were investigating opportunities for partnership with the Office of Small Business, for example, helping artists develop online sales through sites like Etsy.com.
  
  Commissioner Chew praised Mr. DeCaigny’s comments, noting the unique challenges for the artists and the program, and praised the work done by Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar and Street Artists Program Associate Alyssa Licouris.
  
  Turning to the Civil Grand Jury Report’s findings on the relationship with the San Francisco Symphony, Mr. DeCaigny said the agency disagreed wholly. He explained that the Ciity Charter authorized the funding of the Symphony, which optionally chooses to make a gift to the Commission. He explained that both organizations work closely with the City Attorney’s office to ensure compliance with the law, and that the Arts Commission really appreciates its partnership with the Symphony.
  
  Commissioners thanked Mr. DeCaigny for his thorough response and review for the Commission.
  
  Public Comment:
  
  Stephen Phillips, a photographer who also sells his work in a brick-and-mortar shop on Beale Street, said he was really happy to be in the Street Artists Program, and really appreciated the fortieth anniversary celebration. He thought that any bureaucracy has some problems, but focussed on what is going right in the relationship between the artists and the agency, which he said has served them well. He thanked both Mr. Lazar and Ms. Licouris, who makes the nuts and bolts of the program so easy. He was hopeful that the number of spaces might even increase over time, and he praised the volunteer work of his many artist colleagues on behalf of the program.
  
  Debra King said she has been in the program for 36 years, and was thankful that it provides venues for the artists’ microbusinesses to be seen. She said that San Francisco’s program was a nationally respected model, and that many cities, nationally and internationally, have inquired about how it is run, and asked Mr. Lazar to speak at their conventions. She urged patience, and said that her own career began with a card table, and now she shows her work at ten to fifteen highly recognized shows throughout the western United States. She said that the Arts Commission was an excellent fit for these eclectic and sometimes eccentric microbusinesses, and urged continuing the partnership.
  
  Dennis Dooley said that he came to San Francisco in 1970, joining the Diggers, an anarchist group in the Haight with people like Peter Coyote, Peter Berg and Gary Snyder, giving away free food. He said he was a poet selling handprinted books, and learned to make jewelry. He said that the program is really diverse, with every race represented. He said that such an open and free setting is vulnerable to unbalanced people, some of whom may be very good artists, but they don’t represent all the street artists. He said the artists are on the whole hardworking and competitive, with a wonderful community spirit.
  
  Kai Rorie IV emphasized that he was a local San Francisco resident, and his two sons were native San Franciscans. He said that he has lived in the city for more than forty years, and has been with the Street Artists Program since the start. He was amazed at the genuine energy Mr. Lazar and the staff put forth. He praised them as always effective, competent and honest. He dismissed criticism, saying that different people have agendas. He thought both staff and the Commission listen and are always fair. He appreciated the support for all kinds of artists for so many years.
  
  Kai Rorie V said that he was the newest street artist, and was thankful to get his license earlier this year. He wanted to keep his comments brief and personal; as a recent college graduate, he now has his own business and is succeeding despite the financial hard times. He said that for forty years, people worked hard and sacrificed so that he could get this license in two weeks. He said that he has worked in craft his whole life, that his father passed the craft down to him. He was thankful for the opportunity, and truly believed in the program. He thanked Mr. Lazar and Ms. Licouris, calling them a big reason the artists succeed.
  
  Paula Datesh said she was glad to see the Commissioners face to face. She said that she was a designer in New York, and said that someone she didn’t know, Mike Addario, took it upon himself to investigate her, calling her sister in New York, and her brother, an attorney in Walnut Creek. She said she had a civil restraining order, and reiterated that she did not know Mr. Addario. She said that she worked on the streets of San Francisco for many years. She said she has been slandered on the internet and had to change her name. She said that she left in 2009 with a perfect record, and has suffered greatly.
  
  Tad Sky, street artist, thanked the Commission for the fortieth anniversary celebration, and thanked Commissioners for their kind words. He said that he had been interviewed for the Civil Grand Jury Report, and gave positive criticism. He said that he never would recommend separating the Street Artists Program from the Arts Commission. He recalled that a couple of years ago, there was a survey of artists on this question, and another survey within the last month. He said they were not able to reach all of the artists, but not one of those reached wanted to leave the Arts Commission, and 243 wanted to stay. Finally, he hoped to see Commissioners at the fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2022.
  
  John Tunui echoed previous speakers, and said that he also valued the support the Commission has given the artists. He said that this report created a wonderful time to gather and reexamine the program, and that very, very few people had a mean spirit or mean intent. He said these very few who harbor these feelings sever the ties between the artists and the Commission. He said the vast majority of artists think it is a perfect match.
  
  Street artist Kathleen Hallinan said that her letter was on record. She said that in 1974, she got to know her mother, who had not raised her, and learned to do creative leatherwork, which she still does. She said that she has met a lot of wonderful people, including celebrities; Robert Plant bought belts from her, and Michael Douglas bought baby shoes. She said that the program was unique and really important, and that the artists have learned a lot about how to interact with government. She said that she was married in City Hall, and that the Street Artists Program is a wonderful marriage of art and government. She said that the citizens of the world thank the Commission.
  
  Street artist Luis Gervasi said he arrived in San Francisco in 1989, just in time for the Loma Prieta earthquake. He said that the two percent don’t represent him, or the many other Latino street artists he knows.
  
  Dik Knoble said he has been a street artist since 1974, and has always handled any disagreements one-to-one. He has no complaints and was relieved to hear the Commission’s support of the Street Artists Program. He thanked the Commission.
  
  There was no further public comment.
Committee Reports and Committee Matters
1. Executive Committee
  1. President Beltran reported that much of what the Committee discussed had already been extensively covered in today’s meeting, including the book, the organization chart and the Civil Grand Jury Report.
    There was no public comment.
2. Civic Design Review Committee—Cass Calder Smith, Chair
  1. Because Commissioner Smith had to leave the meeting at 4:15, Commissioner Stryker made the report. She explained that she had been on vacation and did not attend the last meeting, but wanted to pass on Commissioner Smith’s comments. She commended Tara Lamont, Interim Manager of the Department of Public Works Building Design and Construction, who has presented some really excellent and well-designed projects, ready for review by the Committee. She said that overall, projects are going in a good direction, including well-planned Sunol Yard improvements to an iconic water temple originally designed by Willis Pope. The Committee thought that the new design was very nice, and appreciated the carefully conceived landscape.
    There was no public comment.
3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee
  1. In the absence of Vice President Melania, Commissioner Ordeñana reported that the Committee met in September and discussed the appointment of Lucy Lin as Interim Cultural Equity Grants Program Director after the departure of San San Wong from that post. He reported that a temporary Program Associate would be hired to fill the position temporarily vacated by Ms. Lin. He said that the program had two application deadlines.
    Turning to Community Arts and Education, Commissioner Ordeñana reported that the Committee reviewed the Third Street arts education posters, and reviewed the MPPs for four of the six Cultural Centers. He noted that all were doing well, and were focusing on strengthening the reporting through some technical assistance.
    
    There was no public comment.
4. Street Artists Committee—Gregory Chew, Chair
  1. Commissioner Chew reported that the Committee had a great meeting, and he presented the following motion, adding that one of the artists works in glass, and another does caricatures.
    There was no public comment, and the motion was approved as follows.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-293: Motion to approve requests by former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Julio Bonilla Jr., Lian Yuan Guang, Carol Glashoff.
    Commissioner Chew reported that the Union Square Business Investment District (“BID”) presented a very interesting proposal for Market and Powell Streets, influenced by the design of New York’s successful High Line. He explained that the pilot project will be funded by Audi.
    
    Mr. Lazar explained that the BID approached the Street Artists Program staff. The BID project aims to beautify Hallidie Plaza at Powell and Market Streets, with landscaping and seats for concerts and events. They know that the street artists have been there since the 1970s and want them to be a principal player. They have proposed a one-year pilot program, for which the BID will build three uniform street artist display booths, at no cost to the artists or the Arts Commission. The displays were designed by an architect and include some creature comforts for the artists, as well as the Arts Commission’s logo. The idea is that visitors will see a uniform “guild” of artists, displaying a unique variety of crafts. If artists like the displays, BID can build more of them.
    
    Mr. Lazar explained that because the proposed displays are slightly longer and slightly higher than the standard, they will require an exemption from the Board of Supervisors, after approval by the Arts Commission. He added that the Board has created exemptions 46 times over the last thirty years, and that they can do so as long as it doesn’t create a safety problem.
    
    Mr. Lazar stressed that this is a voluntary program which will be evaluated after a year, and that no artist can be required to use the displays.
    
    Commissioner Chew reiterated that the booth provides a slighter larger area for the artist, and added that the display booths will be stored onsite. Mr. Lazar explained that BID was willing to pay for storage for the booths in the basement of the Flood Building, so that artists would not have to break down and store or transport their booths as they ordinarily do; he noted that some artists use public transit with their booths and their wares.
    
    President Beltran thought this was a win-win proposal that would highlight the artists in that high-traffic area.
    
    Commissioner Stryker asked about the plaza, and Mr. Lazar asked Mary McCue of MJM Management Group to explain further.
    
    Ms. McCue explained that the BID asked her organization to consult. She said that in meetings with the Union Square Community Ambassadors, they were concerned that it was difficult for the general public to discover the street artists selling there, that a lot of activity in the space obscures them. She thought the artists could do much better if they were more visible and easily recognized, and added that this was one of the three most highly-trafficked pedestrian spaces in the country, after Hollywood and Vine, and Times Square. Her team reached out to Street Artists Program staff, who brought in artists to the discussion. She explained that this pilot program offered an opportunity to test, and then improve, the design of the display booth.
    
    She added that with her own background in art, this was a personal passion for her. She said that people are drawn to San Francisco for the arts, that artists speak loudly for the city around the world, and that in Hallidie Plaza, they have not been getting the attention they deserve.
    
    Commissioner Chew said that the design is distinctive and highlights the artists.
    
    Public Comment:
    
    Ms. Datesh said that she had worked on the High Line in New York and that it was cold and windy, and lots of arrests were made. She said that it was part of the parks department, and they were aggressively arresting people. She cited the First Amendment and said this space was not at all like the High Line.
    
    Mr. Sky said that this project had been presented to the Street Artists Committee in September, and he thought it was a great idea. He thought the artists would love the display in this very desirable area.
    
    There was no further public comment.
    
    Commissioner Ordeñana recused himself from voting on the following motion because the consultant working with the Business Improvement District, MJM Management Group, is a donor to his employer, the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center, and he thought this might present a conflict. He left the room.
    
    Commissioner Chew called for a vote on the motion as follows; it passed unanimously with the recusal of Commissioner Ordeñana, who returned to the meeting room after the vote.
  3. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-294: Motion to approve concept of a voluntary pilot program at Hallidie Plaza submitted by Union Square Business Improvement District for street artists to display their wares in uniform display booths measuring 3' wide x 5' long x 7' tall furnished by the Union Square Business Improvement District and to authorize Program Director to request Board of Supervisors to issue a temporary one-year exemption of Hallidie Plaza street artist spaces from regulations of Section 2405 (c) (3), (4), and (11) which requires street artist spaces to be 3' wide x 4' long x 5' tall and not within 5' of each other.
  4. This item was withdrawn.
  5. This item was withdrawn.
5. Visual Arts Committee
  1. Commissioner Sklar reported that the Committee had a full agenda. She said that work on San Francisco Airport is ongoing; they are currently working on Boarding Area E. She reported that the Committee discussed a proposed light sculpture by artist team Merge, and requested that they rework the design to make it more effective in daylight, when most visitors will see it.
    She reported that the Committee approved artist payments for the SFAC Galleries show Nothing to See Here, and reviewed proposed artworks for the Central Subway stations, choosing a short list of artists for each. The Committee also reviewed the Public Safety Building police memorial, which was taking longer to complete than expected, due to fabrication issues, and the Committee approved a corresponding increase in funding. She reassured the Commission that the project has been thoroughly reviewed, and this increase ensured that the artists have the money to complete the project.
    
    President Beltran recused herself from the discussion and vote on the following item because the contract in question is with her partner.
    
    Commissioner Sklar presented the following motion for maintenance on the Facsimile artwork at Moscone West. She asked Public Art Trust and Special Projects Director Jill Manton to discuss the motion. Noting that some Commissioners were familiar with the project, she explained that the artwork was designed by Diller + Scofidio (now Diller Scofidio + Renfro), who designed the High Line. The idea of the artwork is to bring the inside activity outside, playing on the fact that the building is public, but it often hosts private functions inaccessible to the general public. She explained that a 40,000-pound screen is suspended on a track that turns a corner of the building. A camera facing the building transmits to the screen either a live feed of what is happening inside, or an imposter feed during private events.
    
    She explained that the original project engineer is now an elderly gentleman who commutes from Carson to address the project’s technical problems. Ms. Manton explained that she has identified in Scott Minneman an individual with three engineering degrees, a Stanford graduate who couldn’t be more highly qualified to deal with the complex technology of the artwork. She added that he has a very good rapport with the Moscone staff, and because he is local, he can be onsite within hours, if needed. She urged the Commission to pass the motion, noting that it was first placed on the agenda some months ago, but could not be passed earlier for lack of quorum.
    
    Commissioner Sklar called for the vote; the motion was approved with the recusal of President Beltran, who returned to the meeting room after the vote.
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 1001-12-295: Motion to approve a contract not to exceed $29,000 with Scott Minneman for maintenance work on the Facsimile art project at Moscone West.
    Finally, Commissioner Sklar reported that the Committee approved poster designs for the Art on Market Street series.
Public Comment
Ms. Datesh said that she had been waiting since 2008 to talk to the Commission, that she had applied for a license in 2008, and had been slandered. She said that when she had called the Arts Commission offices, the person who answered would sing gospel music. She thanked the Lord for Catherine Barnes, and said that she followed up every phone call with an e-mail. She said that she had been arrested and accused of stalking Evelyn Russell, even though she was in New York, and that she had to spend 45 days in the San Francisco County Jail. She said that she had to spend the next two years going to court, and that Paul Kangas had investigated her case. She said that the phones had been rolling over for twenty years, and that she had no idea who Evelyn Russell was.
There was no further public comment.
New Business and Announcements
There was no further new business or announcements.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

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