Meeting Information

Executive_Committee

MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   P.J. Johnston
   Maya Draisin
   Beverly Prior
   Jeannene Przyblyski
   Sherri Young
   
   Staff and Others Present
   Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
   Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar
   Gallery Director Meg Shiffler
   
   
2. Update on Budget
   Interim Director Nancy Gonchar reported that the Mayor has requested departments to submit budgets with a total reduction of 13%: 5% in ongoing cuts, 3% one-time, and a 5% contingency cut. The Mayor’s Office prefers reductions in operational costs and personnel rather than in programs. Ms. Gonchar explained that because of the small size of the Arts Commission, and the impact of previous budget cuts, it is not possible to cut staff without cutting programs. She distributed a draft budget proposal which took the cuts from the $1,000,000 in funding annualized in FY 2007-2008.
   
   Commissioners discussed the proposal, observing several times that requiring equal percentage cuts from all departments has a disproportionate effect on small departments such as the Arts Commission. Commissioners urged making this point in discussions with the Mayor’s Budget Office. Ms. Gonchar noted that she had made this point several times in previous discussions with the Mayor’s Office. She said that she would contact other small departments to see if we might make the case as a group.
   
   Commissioners thought it was important to preserve the new initiatives supported by the annualized funding, particularly in light of the significant community interest and involvement in those initiatives. They suggested considering trimming some funds from the granting programs as well as other initiatives. They also thought it was important to preserve some of the agency’s high-visibility activities and projects. In response to a question from the Committee, Ms. Shiffler discussed the proposed Bill Fontana project at City Hall, noting that it coincides with the beginning of the City Hall bicentennial year. Commissioner Przyblyski pointed out that this project could also demonstrate how an investment of City funds may be augmented by grants from other sources. Ms. Gonchar replied that she would consider the Committee’s recommendations and that the final budget would be presented for a motion in January.
   
   The Committee acknowledged the difficulty for staff of juggling all these priorities while developing the required budget, and expressed appreciation to Ms. Gonchar for her work on the proposed budget. The Committee discussed the fact that because program operations are funded by other sources, while the General Fund pays for a staff person, it is impossible to cut General Fund expenditures without losing the staff to run the program.
   
   Ms. Gonchar thanked the Committee for their ideas and said she would revise the draft budget. The final budget will be presented for a motion at the January Executive Committee meeting, and will go to the full Commission in February. The budget will be delivered to the Mayor’s Office on February 21, 2008.
   
   
3. Public Employee Appointment/Hiring: Director of Cultural Affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission
   Closed Session to Consider Candidates for the Position of Director of Cultural Affairs
   
   
   1. Open Session: Public Comment on All Matters Pertaining to the Closed Session
      There was no public comment.
      
      
   2. Vote on Whether to Hold Closed Session to Consider Candidates for the Position of Director of Cultural Affairs (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b))
      The Committee voted unanimously to hold closed session. The closed session included Commission President P.J. Johnston, Commission Vice President Maya Draisin, and Commissioners Beverly Prior, Jeannene Przyblyski and Sherri Young. The session was closed at 4:05 p.m.
      
      
   3. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b)
      Consideration of Candidates for the Position of Director of Cultural Affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission, Classification 0961, Department Head I
      
      
   4. Reconvene in Open Session
      The Committee reconvened in open session at 4:40 p.m.
      
      
      1. Possible Report on Action Taken in Closed Session (Government Code Section 54957 and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(b)(4))
         The Committee made no report.
         
         
      2. Vote to Elect Whether to Disclose Any or All Discussions Held in Closed Session (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a))
         The Committee voted not to disclose any of its discussions.
         
         
4. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
   
   
5. Adjournment
   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

spr 1/3/08