Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
3:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commission President P.J. Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:37 p.m.
- Roll Call
Commissioners Present
P.J. Johnston
Alexander Lloyd
Beverly Prior
Jeannene Przyblyski
Commissioners Absent
Maya Draisin
Staff Present
Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
Development Director Rachelle Axel
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton
Cultural Equity Grants Program Director San San Wong
- Cultural Center Management and Program Plan
President Johnston explained that this item had been severed from the Community Arts, Education and Grants Committee’s agenda to prevent a conflict of interest with newly-appointed Commissioner Young, whose organization is a tenant at the African American Arts and Culture Complex. He reported that the Native American Cultural Center was not funded because it is in transition; that Mission Cultural Center and SomArts were fully funded, and that the Bayview Opera House was funded for 120 days during its transition to a new Director. Commissioners held a brief discussion on the Cultural Centers and their history, as well as an overview of their landlord/tenant relationship with the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Prior made the following motion, and Commissioner Przyblyski seconded it. The motion was unanimously passed.
Motion to approve the proposed 2007-2008 Management and Program Plan and budget for the African American Arts and Culture Complex for a grant not to exceed $411,720.
- President’s Report
President Johnston reported on the status of the search for a new Director of Cultural Affairs. He has consulted with the City Attorney’s office about when Ms. Gonchar will need to step out of the room for the Committee’s deliberations and when closed sessions will be appropriate. He reported that a contract has been signed with search firm Ralph Andersen & Associates; that the firm’s president, Heather Renschler, will be responsible for the search; and that she has contacted Public Art Program Director Jill Manton, the staff liaison for the search. Ms. Renschler will meet with the Executive Committee, and with the Program Directors, and will do other research to develop a current job description, and will report to the Executive Committee over the next several months.
- Interim Director’s Report
Ms. Gonchar reported that the staff met with facilitator Chris Sutherland and her associate, Derek Aspacher, in a mini-retreat. Ms. Sutherland began the discussion with a very rough summary report on their interviews with most of the Commissioners and all of the senior staff. Ms. Gonchar reported that the retreat went well and that staff is optimistic and ready to move forward.
Commissioners noted that the interviews were thought-provoking, and they briefly discussed the importance of a thorough orientation for new Commissioners, the advantages and disadvantages for a fifteen-member Commission of working in committees, and how to make better use of full Commission meetings.
Ms. Gonchar reported on the budget process, noting that the Board of Supervisors had cancelled the budget hearings for the current week. Commissioners had a brief discussion on the difference between a one-time addback and an annualized budget increase; and on the Hotel Tax Fund and the possibility of inviting Grants for the Arts Director Kary Schulman to a Committee meeting to discuss both agencies’ use of Hotel Tax Fund money.
- Interim Deputy Director
Ms. Gonchar explained that the following motion would allow the agency to bring in someone to help with the Deputy Director’s responsibilities that she has had to put aside in taking on the responsibilities of Interim Director. President Johnston made the following motion, and Commissioner Prior seconded it; it was passed unanimously.
Motion to approve the allocation of $50,000 from the Public Art Fund to support an interim Deputy Director or contractor(s) to assist in the chief financial officer (“CFO”) duties, as well as other administrative functions of the Deputy Director.
- San Francisco Symphony Summer in the City Series
Ms. Gonchar explained that the following motion reflected the actual final contract negotiated with the San Francisco Symphony to produce the Summer in the City concert series. Commissioner Przyblyski made the following motion, and Commissioner Lloyd seconded it; it was passed unanimously.
Motion to revise Resolution Number 0604-07-160, to increase the contract with the San Francisco Symphony to produce the annual Summer in the City concert series to a total amount of $1,621,577.
- Public Comment
There was no other public comment.
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
spr 8/2/07
