August 11, 2010

STREET ARTISTS LIAISON COMMITTEE
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
3:00 p.m.

25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 140

MINUTES

 

Members present: Michael Addario, Chairman, CherylChen, Debra King, Jimmy Sha, Tad Sky

Members absent: None
Staff present: Street Artists ProgramDirector Howard Lazar, Street Artists Program Assistant Alyssa Licouris

Michael Addario, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.

 

It wasrequested that the meeting begin with Item #2 since Advisory Committee memberSusan Tibbon who wished to address Item #2 was present but had to leave early.

 

2. Action. Hearing and possible motion to recommend the followinginspection/monitoring procedures for the Advisory Committee of Street Artistsand Craftsmen Examiners: (a) enter information on checklist sheet wheninspecting an artist’s display stand; (b) based on the checklist sheet, enter agrade on a sign for the artist to post at the artist’s display stand; (c) at ascreening session, take a minimum of ten (10) minutes for screening each art orcraft. 

 

ChairmanMichael Addario explained more thoroughly about Action #2. He would like topropose using a receipt book to keep track of the checklist information. Thecarbon copies of the receipt book would be shared with the Street ArtistsProgram office, the artist, the Liaison Committee and the Advisory Committee.The receipt book method would help to keep all parties informed about“citations” and one copy would stay in the book so “citations” could be trackedmore easily. It will show that all parts of the program are informed like asystem of checks and balances. Mr. Addario would like to see all licensesdisplayed at each artist’s booth which include their Street Artist license,Seller’s Permit and Business Tax Registration Certificate. The inspectionscorecard from item (B) is similar to that which the Health Department gives torestaurants. The number on the card would correspond to how compliant an artistis with the Street Artists Program.

 

Ms. DebraKing proposed that a street artist license should not be given out immediately becausethere should be a waiting period for artists so the Street Artists Programstaff can do a more thorough investigation of the proposed artwork. AdvisoryCommittee member Josie Grant disagreed and stated that it will not stop anyonefrom putting illegal items on their tables which is why it is important to monitorartists on the street. Ms. Grant also stated that the Advisory Committee spendsmore than 15-20 minutes per artist at a screening. Mr. Lazar explained that thereare 5 people per time slot at a screening. The Advisory Committee can screen 5people simultaneously and go back and forth between the artists. Ms. SusanTibbon agreed with Mr. Lazar and stated that although when one looks at ascreening agenda, it appears that 6 minutes are spent with each artist, inactuality, it is more like 15 minutes at the very minimum since the AdvisoryCommittee will ask artists to create example pieces in front of them. Ms.Tibbon commented on the universal checklist and agreed that this is a goodidea. She warned the group to be mindful that the program is very diverse andit might be difficult to address everyone with a universal check list. Shedisagreed with the scorecard since it is difficult getting artists to displaytheir licenses, it will be harder to convince them to display a scorecard witha “grade”.

Mr. Tad Sky said it is important to have street artist licenses displayed atall times. He inquired about the standard penalties for violations.

 

Ms. King statedthat the grading system would categorize artists too much. Ms. Grant stated itis an invasion of privacy and it will shame people if they are graded. Thegrading could be done within the program staff but should not be mandatory forthe public to see on the streets. For the public, the grades would translateinto “which artists they should buy from” and “which they should not buy from”.Mr. Lazar stated his understanding that the only license which requires agrading procedure is that of the health/food department and that the streetartist ordinance requires that an artist display their license, business taxand sellers permit but does not require anything else to be displayed.

 

Mr. Addarioagreed to amend the motion. He would like to keep item A and not vote on item Bor C. He asked for public comment.

 

StreetArtist Eddy Steneck agreed that it is important to display licenses. Anythingwith addresses of the artists such as Business Tax Registration Certificate orSeller’s Permit makes some people nervous since they want their personaladdress to be confidential. Street Artist. Pat Lloyd stated that inspectors aretargeting people and that they are not knowledgeable enough to score artists andwill be prejudiced by giving others a better score. Ms. Lloyd stated that some AdvisoryCommittee members have a conflict of interest. Street Artist Z.B. Doroszkiewiczstated it is good to show the license on the table and stated that he and Ms.Grant are only friends.

 

Mr. Addariostated that the address on the Business Tax Registration Certificate and Seller’sPermit can be blocked out.

 

Member Sky moved to recommend thefollowing inspection/monitoring procedures for the Advisory Committee of StreetArtists and Craftsmen Examiners: (a) enter information on checklist sheet wheninspecting an artist’s display stand; the motion was seconded by Member King.

 

ChairmanAddario called for public comment relative to this recommendation.

 

Mr. Lazar statedthat a blank area could be added at the bottom of the inspection checklist foradditional comments by the Advisory Committee members.

 

Members Sky, King and Addario votedfor the recommendation while Members Chen and Sha voted against therecommendation. The recommendation was passed and will go to the Street ArtistsProgram Committee meeting in September for approval.

 

1.  Action. Hearing and possible motion torecommend that the Arts Commission request designation of spaces for street artists on Port of San Franciscoproperty at Pier 33 and Pier 35.

 

ChairmanMichael Addario introduced the Fisherman’s Wharf Public Realm Plan which willcompletely remodel parts of the Wharf including some streets that affect thestreet artists spaces. Mr. Addario, the Street Artists Program staff andDirector of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel met with Neil Hrushowy,Planner/Urban Designer of the San Francisco Planning Department, to discuss theFisherman’s Wharf plan and make sure the Street Artists are included. Mr.Addario stated the plan calls street artists “vendors” and that they “clutter” thesidewalk. Mr. Addario feels it is important to get spaces at Pier 33 and 35before construction begins in the western area of the wharf so the streetartists aren’t completely displaced when construction starts.

 

Mr. Tad Skyagreed that this is a great opportunity for the street artists. He advised avisit to the potential spaces, to photograph the area and have a detailedproposal or rough draft ready for the Street Artists Program Commissioners bySeptember. Ms. Chen and Ms. Sha agree that these spaces should require 3ft x4ft x 5ft tables.

 

Chairman Addariocalled for public comment relative to this recommendation.

 

The artistspresent agreed that this is a good idea. Street Artist Pat Lloyd said she wouldvolunteer to start this project as soon as possible. 

 

Member Sky moved to recommend thatthe Arts Commission request designation of spaces for street artists on Port of San Francisco property at Pier 33 andPier 35; the motion was seconded by Member King.

 

There wasno additional public comment.

 

The recommendation was unanimouslyapproved.

 

3. Action. Hearing and possible motion to recommend that the Arts Commissionappoint at least one (1) member of the Liaison Committee to serve as a memberof the Street Artists Committee.

 

Mr. Tad Skyreiterated that this is an old idea. With the high turnover rate ofCommissioners on the Street Artists Committee, it would be a good idea to havea member of the Liaison Committee rotate every meeting to help discuss issuesand add a new side of input. While Mr. Lazar gives his Director’s views, aLiaison Committee member can add the point of view of a street artist. If theLiaison member has a conflict of interest at a special meeting, the Liaisonmember can excuse himself from that portion of the meeting. Mr. Jimmy Shaagreed that rotation is key. Mr. Addario agreed that it is important to have avoice of the street artists on the SAPC.

 

ChairmanAddario called for public comment relative to this recommendation. StreetArtist Sureyya Ozsoy agreed that rotation should be part of thisrecommendation. Street Artist Z.B. Doroszkiewicz posed the question of whether thecommittee members are qualified and professional enough to sit with the StreetArtist Program Commissioners. Street Artist Eddy Steneck brought up thequestion of what would happen if a Liaison member has a conflict of interest.Also he wanted to know if it is even legal to have a Liaison Committee member participateon the Street Artists Program Committee since the Mayor appoints Commissioners.Mr. Lazar agreed to check with the City Attorney to see if a Liaison Committeemember is allowed to act on a committee of Commissioners and if so, whether itrequires an ordinance. In a violation hearing, since there would be a conflictof interest, the Liaison Committee member would be excused. Mr. Sky reiteratedthat it is good to have a street artist member on the committee to provide anequal opportunity for discussion since Liaison members are only allowed tospeak during public comment at this time and they cannot vote on Street ArtistCommittee issues.

 

Member Sky moved to recommend thatthe Arts Commission appoint at least one (1) member of the Liaison Committee toserve as a member of the Street Artists Committee; the motion was seconded byMember King.

 

The recommendation was unanimouslyapproved.

 

ChairmanAddario tabled item #6 (Hearing and possible motion to recommend that anyperson convicted of a felony be prohibited from being certified as a streetartist) and tabled item #4 (Hearing and possible motion to prohibit the displayor advertising of any art or craft involving alcoholic beverages). A request totable #5 was denied.

 

5.    Action. Hearing and possible motion torecommend that a requirement  that theadornment (including labels) of flattened bottles be original art created bythe street artist.

 

Mr. MichaelAddario stated that this issue has become a recent and ongoing issue at JustinHermanPlaza. Mr. Tad Sky agreedthat this issue is important and reminded all present that this discussion isnot aimed at any one party but is important enough to talk about criteria. Hebrought up the example of the bead craft criteria in 1970’s. The flattenedbottle issue has become a gray area. Although a flattened bottle has beenaltered in form according to the “Miscellaneous” craft criteria, if thebottle’s commercial label were to be considered “Decoupage”, it would fail.According to the “Decoupage” section, the craft must use the original work orphotography of the artist or be placed on a self made backing. It is agreedthat the commercial label is the part of the work that is selling the piece. Ifthe commercial label did not exist, would the flattened bottle sell itself? ProgramDirector Lazar stated that the dominant part of the piece is the label andrelated this situation to the manufactured pendants that must be fullyintegrated into the design of the necklace. Mr. Lazar would like to see theartists make their own labels to be documented at the screening. The criteriadoes not go far enough in this case of the flattened bottles, and, based oncomplaints, this is why this issue should be visited.

 

Ms. Debra Kingstated that while she can see the validity of the recommendation, she does notfeel she can comment due to a personal bias. Ms. King recused herself.

 

Ms. Cheryl Chenagreed with previous comments of Mr. Sky and Mr. Addario. Advisory CommitteeMember Josie Grant agreed that the flattened bottles are a new issue and theAdvisory Committee believes it is necessary to draft a set of criteriaspecifically for the flattened bottles.

 

Mr. Addarioagreed to table this issue. Tad Sky will be attending the Advisory Committeemeeting on August 16^th to draft criteria for flattened bottles. Ms.Grant invited the Liaison Committee to come to the meeting. Street Artist PatLloyd requested to see all complaints against the bottles.

 

 

5.    Discussion. New Business/Public Comment.

 

The issueof the unofficial mini-mini lottery has been an important issue this week atthe Wharf. In 2004, Mr. Addario proposedto legalize the mini mini which was denied by the Street Artists ProgramCommittee. There was one day when the mini mini was not held this week whichcreated a lot of confusion. The mini mini has always been a gentleman’sagreement. It is important to figure out how to make it legitimate. StreetArtists Program Director Lazar requested that the Liaison Committee draft aproposal for the Street Artists Program Committee, that the Liaison and Lotterycommittees meet to talk about the proposal. This would be a public meeting andthe agenda posted 72 hours in advance as well as sent to all artists withemail. Mr. Tad Sky proposed that the Liaison Committee poll the street artistson whether they want a mini mini or not. It would be important to amend the nameof the mini mini. Ms. Cheryl Chen and Mr Jimmy Sha liked the idea of a one daylottery similar to the one at JustinHermanPlaza.A proposal could be brought to the Street Artists Program Committee for itsSeptember meeting.

 

There beingno new business or further public comment, Chairman Addario adjourned themeeting at 4:55p.m.

 

Respectfullysubmitted:

 

 

AlyssaLicouris, Street Artists Program Assistant

 

 

Minutesapproved by:

 

 

HowardLazar, Street Artists Program Director