Full Commission - December 5, 2011

MEETING OF THE FULL ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, December 5, 2011
3:00 p.m.
City Hall Room 416
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Minutes

Commission President PJ Johnston called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m.

Roll Call
Commissioners Present
PJ Johnston, President
Mark Breitenberg
John Calloway
Gregory Chew
Lorraine García-Nakata
Dorka Keehn
Sherene Melania
Barbara Sklar
Kimberlee Stryker
Sherri Young

Commissioners Absent
Leo Chow
Amy Chuang
Jessica Silverman
Cass Calder Smith
Christina Olague, ex officio

Noting the large number of members of the public in attendance, and the fact that the room had to be vacated by 5:00, President Johnston said he would continue some items, and take other items out of order to allow as many people to speak as possible; public comment would be limited to two minutes per speaker.
Approval of Minutes
This item was continued to the next month.
President’s Report
This item was continued to the next month.
Interim Director’s Report
Ms. Beltran thanked the Commission for the opportunity to serve as Interim Director, noting that this would be her last meeting in that position. She reported that the agency was stronger and more fiscally responsible, with better staff morale, and she praised the staff as extraordinary. She added that she was not a candidate for the permanent position of Director of Cultural Affairs, and she looked forward to returning to life as a full-time artist and a Commissioner.

President Johnston thanked Ms. Beltran for her courage in stepping into the breach during a difficult transitional year which impacted staff even more than Commissioners, as well as the people in the community who rely on the agency. He looked forward to welcoming Ms. Beltran back to the Commission.
Consent Calendar
This item was continued to the next month.
Committee Reports and Committee Matters
This item was continued to the next month.
Controller’s Report on Financial Management Review
President Johnston explained that there was no current vote or action item with regard to the report, and that policy improvements in response to the report would be taken over the coming months. He announced that a special meeting on December 12 would be devoted to reviewing the report and hearing further comments from members of the public. Today’s meeting, he said, would focus on hearing from the Controller’s office.

Ms. Beltran explained that the format of the report called for the agency to submit only brief responses to each of the findings, and did not allow for more thorough responses giving context or explanation. She emphasized that the funding of Cultural Equity Grants (“CEG”) and of community arts remained alive and well; the Controller’s report called for improving the administration of the grant funds, not for their elimination. In regard to the question of multiple grants for an organization, she explained that the Controller’s report did not call for eliminating them, but rather for clarifying its policy on whether and when an organization might appropriately be awarded a second grant. Ms. Beltran added that Arts Commission staff was researching best practices on this question.

Ms. Beltran introduced the Controller’s office team, including City Services Audits Director Tonia Lediju, Audit Manager Irella Blackwood and Associate Auditor Nicholas Delgado. Ms. Lediju explained that her team worked under the direction of Controller Ben Rosenfield, and that the department’s mission was to ensure the City’s financial integrity and efficiency. She explained the goals, limits and methods of the audit, and reviewed the report and each of its findings in detail. She explained that her team had discussed each of the findings with Ms. Beltran and Arts Commission staff, and their responses were included in the report. She pointed out that the Controller’s role was as an independent auditor making recommendations, and it was up to the Commission to determine how to implement those recommendations.

The Commission thanked Ms. Lediju and the Controller’s office team, agreeing with the need for better procedures and policies, and reiterated continuing support for the City’s arts community.

President Johnston called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Carolina Ponce de León of Galería de la Raza appreciated the Commission’s support, and recommended against limiting simultaneous grants.

Michael Addario, Street Artists Liaison Committee chair, thanked Ms. Beltran for her courage in initiating the audit, and said it should be done annually. He said that the Street Artists Program should be audited.

Lily Kharrazi of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts said that her organization works in tandem with Cultural Equity Grants, supporting the arts of immigrant and traditional communities.

London Breed, Executive Director of the African American Art and Culture Complex, said that CEG was really important, and that funding should be more equitable throughout the City’s various districts and communities.

Vinay Patel, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, thanked the Commission, and said CEG was nationally renowned. He said that many people were at this meeting to express their concern that the work of CEG was being discredited.

Cassie Sneider, author and comic book artist, said that she met her publisher at a Radar Productions reading funded by CEG, and the program changed her life. She urged continuing support for CEG.

Rene Yañez protested that the audit should have been done while Mr. Cancel was still with the agency, and this timing was like a trial in absentia, with no opportunity for him to answer charges against him.

Peter Warfield of Library Users Association said that the Arts Commission has problems following its procedures with regard to the Sunshine Ordinance. He criticized the process for the approval of the Bernal Heights Library mural.

Beth Pickens of Radar Productions thanked the Commission and CEG staff for their work supporting the arts ecosystem in San Francisco.

Ali Liebegott, author, said that she had received an Individual Artist Commission from CEG, and that artists desperately need the program. She added that young queers could afford to live in San Francisco in 1991 when she moved here, but no longer. She asked the Commission to hold each other and the new Director accountable.

Annie Danger said she was a transgender woman and recipient of CEG grants. She said the funding was crucial to a number of diverse communities.

Celine Schein of Chitresh Das Dance Company said that CEG support has been really significant in the company’s growth. She wanted to be careful that arts organizations were not pitted against one another, and supported the exceptional staff at the Arts Commission.

Rachna Nivas of Chitresh Das said she was extremely fortunate to have been trained at a high level and was grateful for the opportunity provided by CEG grants.

A number of other speakers expressed support of CEG.

President Johnston said that there would be a further hearing the following Monday, and reiterated that there was nothing to vote on at this time.
Technology Report
This item was continued to the next month.
Public Comment
There was no further public comment.
New Business and Announcements
This item was continued to the next month.
Public Employee Appointment/Hiring: Director of Cultural Affairs of the San Francisco Arts Commission
Closed Session to Appoint a Director of Cultural Affairs
President Johnston explained that the Government Code allowed for this matter to be discussed in closed session. He called for public comment on holding the closed session.
1. Public Comment
  Mr. Warfield said that it was important that the Director understand and be able to meet the requirements of the Sunshine Ordinance.
  
  There was no further public comment, and the Commission went into closed session to consider appointment of a Director of Cultural Affairs.
2. Vote on Whether to Hold Closed Session to Appoint a Director of Cultural Affairs [San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b)]
  The Committee voted unanimously to hold a closed session for the above purpose. The closed session commenced at 4:30 p.m.
3. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b)
  The closed session included Commission President P.J. Johnston, Commissioners Mark Breitenberg, John Calloway, Gregory Chew, Lorraine García-Nakata, Dorka Keehn, Sherene Melania, Barbara Sklar, Kimberlee Stryker and Sherri Young , and Deputy City Attorney Adine Varah.
  
  Consideration and Possible Action to Appoint a Director of Cultural Affairs, City and County of San Francisco, Classification 0961, Department Head I
4. Reconvene in Open Session
  1. Report on Action Taken in Closed Session [Government Code Section 54957 and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(b)(4)], and in the event the Commission appoints a Director, the roll call vote of that action.
    The Commission reconvened in open session at 4:48 p.m. and President Johnston reported that they voted unanimously to appoint Thomas DeCaigny as Director of Cultural Affairs. President Johnston reviewed the search and interview process, and briefly described Mr. DeCaigny's background.
  2. Vote to Elect Whether to Disclose Any or All Discussions Held in Closed Session [San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a)]
    The Commission voted unanimously not to disclose any of its discussions.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

8/12/14 spr

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Commission Secretary Sharon Page Ritchie, 415-252-2591, sharon.page_ritchie@sfgov.org.

Full Commission - December 5, 2011 - Meeting Minutes