Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
4:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Maya Draisin
Alexander Lloyd
Staff Present
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
As a courtesy to Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar, President Johnston took Agenda Item 3, the budget report, out of order.
- 2007-2008 Budget Report
Ms. Gonchar discussed the current draft budget for the budget submission to the Mayor’s office, and explained that the Budget Office is requesting a 3% decrease from the departments. She reviewed the organization chart showing positions cut over the last several years. She also explained that there was an across-the-board percentage reduction based on the assumption of staff attrition, but that because turnover at the Arts Commission is so low, the reduction is too large. She also noted that the department will be requesting significantly more capital improvement funds.
Commissioner Lloyd said that he’d like to work with Commissioner Draisin to see if they could find some streamlining of processes or create other efficiencies with technology. Ms. Gonchar welcomed that offer, noting that the department is already quite efficient.
President Johnston raised the question of replacing positions lost in staff cuts of recent years. He noted the strong argument for a development position, and suggested a strong case might be made for another new position, perhaps in a future year’s budget. Commissioners discussed this question, and how the agency can prioritize and limit the tasks it attempts in light of the small number of staff, and the various responsibilities mandated by the City Charter or by legislation.
Staff reviewed the budget schedule and process with Commissioners. Mr. Newirth announced that the Mayor had annualized the $1 million in supplemental funding to be carried forward into future years, with some specific directives from the Mayor's office as to how the funds are to be spent, including the funding of the Public Art Program Director’s position.
- Community Arts Programming Spending Plan
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth explained that $60,000 will go to the Dewey Crumpler mural project, and $100,000 toward the Communities of Opportunity in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of Community Development. He reported that other initiatives approved were work on the Cultural Centers, the development of a common Citywide grant application, and a facilities survey inventory. He distributed the proposed spending plan, and explained that some of the spending is already mandated, such as the Public Art Program Director’s position. He opened the discussion of how the remaining funds should be spent, beginning with the observation that there is less art in the neighborhoods than there should be.
President Johnston reviewed the budget schedule, indicating that the budget submission to the Mayor’s office was due on February 21. The Commissioners discussed the discretionary portion of the supplemental funding, noting that the budget submission could indicate more general priorities for expenditures, rather than giving very specific details. The discussion covered arts in the neighborhoods, conservation of artworks in the Civic Art Collections, the relative merits of staffing versus contracting to accomplish the identified priorities and projects, and the relationship of the proposals to the priorities expressed in the Arts Task Force’s final report.
- San Francisco Arts Commission Retreat
President Johnston proposed postponing the retreat until after February, in light of the budget discussions. Mr. Newirth pointed out that for each Committee, because there is so much business to take care of, there is not enough time for policy discussions. This kind of discussion could take place at a Commission retreat. President Johnston suggested that there be a facilitator. He said that during the last round of facilitated discussions, he really appreciated the participation of the many staff members, noting that Commissioners don’t often have extended discussions with staff.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
RN/spr 2/23/07
