Executive_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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
Ethel Pitts Walker
Staff Present
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar
Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie
President Johnston took up the budget discussion out of order as a courtesy to Ms. Gonchar, who was unable to stay for the entire meeting.
- Discussion: Update on 2006-2007 budget process.
Mr. Newirth reported that staff has been meeting with the Mayor’s office on the budget. Ms. Gonchar gave a brief overview of the Mayor’s proposed budget for the agency, explaining that an ever smaller portion comes from the General Fund. She discussed the proposal to move the staff whose offices are now downstairs to offices on the second floor, which could result in an ongoing reduction in rent. Mr. Newirth explained that the Department of Parking and Traffic has vacated its second floor offices, and he and Ms. Gonchar are pursuing discussions with Real Estate about whether those offices would be available, and about the possibility of such a move.
Commissioners and staff discussed possible ways to save and/or raise money, including investigating further use of information technology (“IT”); fees that might be initiated or increased and how best to implement them, transferring the maintenance of certain monuments to other City departments, etc. President Johnston singled out Public Art and Community Arts and Education as two areas that definitely need more resources, particularly for Cultural Center facility management. Commissioners Draisin and Lloyd agreed to meet with Mr. Newirth and Ms. Gonchar to discuss possible new uses of IT.
- Discussion: Possible legislation to amend the 1% for art requirement in C-3 zone development.
Mr. Newirth reported that work on this legislation is continuing. President Johnston believes that City Hall will be receptive to it.
- Discussion: Discussion and update on the Arts Task Force.
Mr. Newirth announced the dates of the remaining meetings scheduled, and distributed draft proposals from the subcommittees. He explained that there was still time for input on the Task Force’s recommendations. He described some of the issues and ideas being discussed by the Task Force, including funding, the Hotel Tax, a possible arts umbrella agency or advisory body, and an “arts czar” position in the Mayor’s office.
- Discussion: New Business
There was no new business.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
spr 1/6/06
