Meeting Information

Full_Commission

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, April 2, 2007
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416

Minutes

President Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   P.J. Johnston
   Andrea Cochran
   Maya Draisin
   Leonard Hunter
   John Kriken
   Alexander Lloyd
   Sherene Melania
   Janice Mirikitani
   Beverly Prior
   Lawrence Rinder
   
   Commissioners Absent
   José Cuellar
   Jeannene Przyblyski
   Dede Wilsey
   Pop Zhao
   Dwight Alexander
   
   
2. Approval of Minutes
   The following Resolution was moved, seconded, and unanimously adopted:
   RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-097: APPROVAL OF MINUTES ADOPTED
   RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby approve the Minutes of the Meeting of March 5, 2007.
   
   NOTE: ALL ADOPTIONS ARE UNANIMOUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
   
   
3. President’s Report
   President Johnston, noting that Passover would begin at sundown, promised a short agenda that would be completed well before then. He invited everyone to a farewell party for outgoing Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth, to be held at Don Ramon’s on April 5.
   
   President Johnston noted that the Commission’s agenda included a motion to appoint Nancy Gonchar as Interim Director of Cultural Affairs. He briefly explained the search process for a new Director of Cultural Affairs; the Controller’s Office would be hiring a search firm to conduct a nationwide search, and the firm will work with Commissioners and staff. The Executive Committee will work with the selected search firm, and will require that they reach out to all Commissioners for their input. He also explained that Public Art Program Director Jill Manton will act as staff liaison to the Commission for the search process.
   
   President Johnston then thanked departing Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth for his fourteen years of service to the City, including twelve as Director. He said that while he could talk about many successes and a few regrets over that period, he wanted to more basically and fundamentally thank Mr. Newirth for his service. He said that someone who could serve the City, particularly as a director, for such a long time, deserves our gratitude. Calling him by definition a leader in his field, he thanked Mr. Newirth for devoting his time as a public servant.
   
   
4. Director’s Report
   Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth thanked President Johnston. He congratulated Public Art Program Manager Judy Moran and Ms. Manton on the Third Street Light Rail project, noting that Ms. Moran had begun work on this project at the beginning of her tenure at the Arts Commission ten years earlier.
   
   He welcomed Dia Penning as the new Arts Education Program Manager. Noting that she came from California College of the Arts, he predicted that she would be an incredible asset to the Arts Commission.
   
   Finally, he read to the Commissioners his letter to the arts community on his departure. He thanked the Commission and staff, receiving their applause.
   
   Commissioner Mirikitani spoke, noting that she had the longest relationship with Mr. Newirth among the Commissioners present. She thanked him on behalf of the City, the community and the Commission, for his dedication and unfailing commitment to arts in the City and to doing what’s right. She expressed enormous respect and gratitude, and promised that he will not be forgotten.
   
   Commissioner Draisin thanked him, noting that she came in to the Commission with lots of new ideas. She said that Mr. Newirth was always the listening ear, pointing her in the right direction, pointing out challenges and where she might jump over hurdles. She thanked him for guiding her and for his support.
   
   Commissioner Cochran said that it had been a pleasure to work with him, that he was a beacon of what a director should be and has fought the hard fights.
   
   Commissioner Hunter thanked him as well, noting that he has enjoyed meetings with Mr. Newirth. As an aside, he has also learned a lot about good neckties!
   
   Commissioner Kriken noted that he had been on the Commission at the beginning of Mr. Newirth’s career here, and then had to leave. He is very proud to be here at the end of Mr. Newirth’s career at the Arts Commission.
   
   President Johnston said that this was one of the many times he missed former Commissioner Ethel Pitts Walker, who was always good at finding closure. He said that she and Mr. Newirth had mentored him on the Commission. Saying that the City is like a family, whose members go through good times and hard times, and eventually go their own way just as a family member might leave for college, he said that Mr. Newirth would be with the Commission as it continues.
   
   
5. Consent Calendar
   RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-098:
   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. 0402-07-099: Motion to approve the Visual Arts Committee Special Meeting Minutes of February 28, 2007.
      
      
   2. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-100: Motion to approve the Street Artists Committee Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2007.
      
      
   3. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-101: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of March 19, 2007.
      
      Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (March 19, 2007)
      
   4. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-102: Motion to approve the Sensu Element, San Francisco Japantown History Walk Phase 1.
      
      
   5. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-103: Motion to approve the Portrero Hill Health Center Addition Phase 2, contingent upon addition of the security measures as presented and with the recommendation that the complete repair of the exterior of the existing build be prioritized, with repainting of the exterior as a minimum action.
      
      Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (March 21, 2007)
      Action
   6. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-104: Motion to approve the authorization to waive $7,000 art enrichment for Crocker Amazon Maintenance Shed/Restroom Building.
      
      
   7. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-105: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with moderator Thom Sempere and panelists Derek Powazek, Heather Champ, Deanne Fitzmarurice and J.D. Beltran for $300 each for the Are we all photographers now? panel discussion that accompanies the Breakthrough: An Amateur Photography Revolution exhibition (April 20-June 16, 2007).
      
      
   8. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-106: Motion to approve the revised proposal for gate sculptural elements for entrances at the Rolph Playground and Potrero del Sol Park by artist Isis Rodriguez and to authorize the artist to proceed to design development and fabrication stages of the project.
      
      
   9. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-107: Motion to approve the amended Black Rock Arts Foundation proposed Scrap project of a temporary bandshell in the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, provided that the Foundation obtains neighborhood approval and fulfills all necessary safety and other requirements of the Parks and Recreation Department.
      
      
   10. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-108: Motion to approve the amended Black Rock Arts Foundation proposed Scrap project of a temporary installation of a playhouse made of recycled materials for the children’s park at Treat and 23rd Streets, provided that the project meets all safety and all other requirements of all other City departments.
       
       
   11. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-109: Motion to make payment in the amount of $1,000 to artist Brian Goggin for further research into the design proposal for the Moscone Recreation Center in order to comply with safety standards.
       
       
6. Appointment of Interim Director of Cultural Affairs
   President Johnston introduced this motion by referring to Mr. Newirth’s statement of pride in the excellent staff he has assembled. President Johnston agreed that this legacy of an executive is crucial in time of transition. He thanked Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar for stepping up to see the agency through the transition. He expressed his utmost confidence in Ms. Gonchar's steady, competent guidance, and his pleasure in moving the Commission to appoint her as Interim Director.
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-110: Motion to appoint Nancy Gonchar, currently serving as Deputy Director, as the Interim Director of Cultural Affairs, effective April 14, 2007.
   
   The motion passed unanimously, to general applause.
   
   
7. Committee Reports—Motions
   
   1. Executive Committee—P.J. Johnston, Chair
      
      1. President Johnston asked Ms. Gonchar to report on planning for the Commission and staff retreat, thanking Commissioner Draisin for her help in organizing it.
         
         Ms. Gonchar first thanked the Commission and the staff for their confidence in her. On behalf of the staff, she thanked Mr. Newirth for his unwavering support of the arts in the City.
         
         Turning to the retreat, Ms. Gonchar explained that near the beginning of her tenure, Commissioner Draisin said that she wanted to organize a retreat, and it was now coming to pass. She and Commissioner Draisin have held initial discussions with facilitator Chris Sutherland, who, prior to founding her consulting firm, was Chief Operating Officer at the East Bay Community Foundation, and Director of Programs for the Peninsula Community Foundation. Ms. Gonchar said she thought the retreat would be held on a Friday in June. In preparation for the retreat, Ms. Sutherland will meet with Ms. Gonchar and Commissioner Draisin, develop several questions, interview Commissioners and senior staff, and present her report to the entire staff for feedback. Ms. Gonchar believes it will be an interesting and exciting process.
         
         President Johnston noted that scheduling is always a challenge, and encouraged everyone to be as flexible as possible to allow for the greatest possible participation. Commissioner Melania noted that her organization has a facility at the Presidio that can probably accommodate everyone.
         
         
   2. Civic Design Committee—Andrea Cochran, Chair
      1. Commissioner Cochran reported that the Committee had a short meeting, at which they reviewed two projects. The Committee found the Japantown signage very interesting. The other project provided much-needed improvements to a health center on Potrero Hill. The Committee was distressed to see that there was barely enough money to make the minimal improvements, and tried to add their weight to help get additional funds for repainting and maintenance.
         
         
   3. Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee—José Cuellar, Chair
      1. President Johnston reported that Commissioner Cuellar was in Puerto Rico, and he would give the Committee report. He reiterated that he would be ceding his spot on the Committee to Commissioner Melania. He said that the Committee had not met, but that he had been meeting with staff and Commissioner Cuellar regarding pressing matters at the Cultural Centers.
         
         Community Arts and Education Program Director Judy Nemzoff and Cultural Equity Grants Program Director San San Wong reported that, in response to a recent Committee meeting which became a forum for community comments, they were leading a series of community meetings in different venues to get input on the proposed neighborhood artist residency program. They thanked Gallery Director Meg Shiffler for her help in reaching out to studio artists. The meetings are at Intersection for the Arts, hosted by ArtsForum; the Tides Foundation, co-hosted by Alliance of California Traditional Arts (ACTA), Door Dog Music Productions, and World Arts West; and the State of the City's Children's Summit, with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. They anticipate rolling out the program in the summer.
         
         President Johnston presented the following motion.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-111: Motion to approve the following individuals as application review panelists for the agency-wide panel pool:
         
         Deborah M. Cullinan, Executive Director, Intersection for the Arts
         Brad Erickson, Executive Director, Theatre Bay Area
         Patrick Dooley, Artistic Director, Shotgun Players
         Sonia BasSheva Manjon, Director, Center for Arts & Public Life, California College of the Arts
         Sean San Jose, member, Campo Santo
         Cedric Yap, Deputy Director, Bay Area GoodWill; and former Deputy Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families, City of San Francisco.
         
         
   4. Street Artists Committee
      
      1. Commissioner Lloyd made no report, referring the Commissioners to the thorough minutes. He presented the following motion.
         
         
      2. RESOLUTION NO. 0402-07-112: Motion to approve former certificate-holders for priority issuance of certificate with waiver of re-screening of wares: Patsy Leal Snell, Marvin Kirkland, Winston Jamison, Diane Medina, Amparo Roman, Jon Clary, Vicky Carp, Stephanie Henkel.
         
         
   5. Visual Arts Committee
      
      1. Commissioner Rinder reported that the Committee’s actions were reflected in the Consent Calendar. He reported that Ms. Shiffler had given a very interesting presentation on the Breakthrough project, and that they had an extended and engaging discussion with Black Rock, voting to move forward on two of their projects. The Committee requested revisions on the third project to improve it. Finally, they authorized funds for Brian Goggin to do a little more research on the Moscone Recreation Center project.
         
         
8. New Business
   There was no new business.
   
   
9. Reports and Announcements
   There were no other reports or announcements.
   
   
10. Public Comment
    There was no other public comment.
    
    
11. Adjournment
    President Johnston once again thanked Mr. Newirth for his service. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
    

5/2/07 spr