City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

March 14, 2012

Street Artists Committee - March 14, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
STREET ARTISTS COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
2:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 330B
San Francisco, CA 94102
___________________________

Minutes

Commissioner Chew, Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.

1. Roll Call
Commissioners Present:

Greg Chew, Chair
John Calloway
Amy Chuang
Jessica Silverman

Staff present: Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny, Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar, Street Artists Program Assistant Alyssa Licouris

Commissioner Chew welcomed the Commissioners and the sergeant-at-arms, Sergeant Robinson of Northern Police Station.

2. Discussion. Street Artists Program Director’s Report.

Program Director Lazar reported on the following:

SFMTA Letter/F-Line: Mr. Lazar presented a copy of the letter he received on January 5 from SFMTA Director, Ed Reiskin, regarding the proposed location of the boarding platform of the F-line. Mr. Lazar explained that street artists and he attended three public hearings at SFMTA. Mr. Lazar wanted to thank Tad Sky who spoke at the hearings along with James Millard for spearheading the campaign. Mr. Lazar explained that he had met with Mr. Reiskin, National Park Service personnel, and several street artists at various meetings regarding the F-Line and the EIS report and expressed to Mr. Reiskin that the original EIS report showed the F-line platform location as being “inflexible”. Mr. Lazar read excerpts from his response letter to a letter written by Mr. Reiskin which referred to adequate public input opportunities of the project. Mr. Lazar reported that Mr. Reiskin’s letter now confirmed that the EIS report would “improve flexibility” when considering the location of the platform, that Mr. Reiskin had talked to Superintendent Frank Dean of Golden Gate National Rec Authority who understood the street artist concerns, the EIS document has been adjusted, and there would be adequate public input opportunities. Mr. Lazar reported that he was pleased with Mr. Reiksin’s letter.

Travel Channel: On February 10, Mr. Lazar and street artists were interviewed at the Wharf by the Travel Channel. They interviewed street artist Lottery Committee members and were interested in the history of the Street Artists Program and the lottery procedure of assigning spaces. Mr. Lazar reported that it would be aired in April and the Street Artists Program would be sent a DVD copy of the interview along with a YouTube link to share with the street artists who have e-mail.

BART spaces: Mr. Lazar explained that the full Arts Commission approved the proposal to add six (6) new, temporary spaces to the “BART” area on Market Street between Spear and Steuart streets near Justin Herman Plaza. Mr. Lazar reported that the new spaces legislation will be put on the March 20th full Board of Supervisors agenda which would probably be referred to the Land Use Committee. Mr. Lazar said that the additional spaces were non-controversial since no one seemed to be against them.

Jefferson Street Reconstruction: Mr. Lazar reported that Jefferson Street between Hyde and Jones streets will undergo transformation to widen sidewalks and become more pedestrian friendly, and that street artists expressed fear that they may lose their spaces. Mr. Lazar spoke with the Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, Christine Maley-Grubel who told him that she had called the Planning Department and they assured her that the street artists won’t lose any spaces on Jefferson Street.

Mr. Lazar said that the street artists’ spaces will probably have to be adjusted when construction occurs. As an example of adjusting spaces during a construction period, he cited street artist Tad Sky who, when the Embarcadero was under construction due to the F-Line and the Farmers Market vendors were displaced, had to negotiate daily with the farmers group to find spaces for street artists with the farmers at Justin Herman Plaza. Mr. Lazar explained that, as the Program Director, he has authority to relocate street artist sidewalk spaces on a given block without requiring approval from the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Lazar reported that reconstruction of Jefferson Street would occur between October, 2012 and June, 2013.

Commissioner Chew suggested that after the reconstruction Mr. Lazar ask for more additional spaces on Jefferson Street since the street will become more pedestrian friendly.

Mr. Lazar responded that he would have to go to both the Port Commission and the Board of Supervisors for approval to receive additional spaces.

Public Comment:
Tad Sky suggested that staff talk to the landscape architects and workers when construction occurs to save or find alternative spaces since the workers don’t want to displace artists. He noted that it was good that construction would happen during the winter months.

Committee Discussion:
In response to a question by Commissioner Chew, Mr. Lazar confirmed that both sides of Jefferson Street were under the authority of the Port Commission.

3. Action. Hearing and possible motion to request Board of Supervisors for re-designation of twenty-two (22) street artist spaces on Hyde Street, Jefferson to Beach streets, with exemption from regulation of Police Code Section 2405(c)(8)(2) which prohibits selling adjacent to a white zone.

Mr. Lazar explained that by regulation street artists’ spaces can’t be next to a white zone. He explained that the Board of Supervisors by an ordinance has the authority to exempt street artists’ spaces from any regulation as long as it wouldn’t cause public safety issues. Mr. Lazar reported that the curbs adjacent to 22 of the 29 spaces on Hyde Street have been painted white. He was informed of this by street artist William Clark.

Commissioner Calloway commented that it seems like it is the “responsibility” of the Street Artists Program to react to other departments’ actions.

Mr. Lazar stated that in the beginning years the Street Artists Program received little cooperation from other agencies, but now agencies will notify them about certain issues such as the Mobile Food Facilities applications.

Commissioner Calloway noted that it shows progress as an agency.

Mr. Lazar responded to Commissioners Chew’s question regarding the procedures of approval for the item. Mr. Lazar stated that approval would be sought first by the full Arts Commission, and then the item would be submitted to the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors.

Motion: Motion to request Board of Supervisors for re-designation of twenty-two (22) street artist spaces on Hyde Street, Jefferson to Beach streets, with exemption from regulation of Police Code Section 2405(c)(8)(2) which prohibits selling adjacent to a white zone.
Moved: Calloway, Silverman.

Commissioner Chew called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved.

4. Action. Hearing and possible motion to approve proposal by Lottery Committee to re-number spaces on Hyde Street, Jefferson to Beach streets:

It is proposed that, on the west side of Hyde Street, spaces J-4, J-3, J-2, J-1B, J-1A, and J-1 be renumbered as H-1 through H-6, respectively; and that spaces H-15 through H-21 be renumbered as H-7 through H-13 respectively.

It is proposed that, for the east side of Hyde Street, spaces H-1 through H-14 be renumbered as H-14 through H-27, respectively; and that spaces H-22 and H-23 be renumbered as H-28 and H-29, respectively.

Mr. Lazar explained several of the street artist spaces on Hyde Street which are named as J1, J2, etc. originally belonged on Jefferson Street, but they were moved due to the advent of the Argonaut Hotel. Mr. Lazar stated that since the artists knew them as “J” spaces, the labels were kept after the spaces were moved. Mr. Lazar stated that the Street Artists Program staff met with Lottery Committee members who proposed a uniform progression of numbers as 1 to 29 or H1 to H29. Mr. Lazar explained that the staff would develop a new sign-in sheet and adjust the maps on the website, and that approval from the Board of Supervisors was not necessary.

Motion: Motion to approve proposal by Lottery Committee to re-number spaces on Hyde Street, Jefferson to Beach streets.
Moved: Calloway, Silverman

Commissioner Chew called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved.

5. Discussion. Public Comment.

Street Artist Tad Sky reminded the Commissioners about the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Street Artists Program. He made a plea for funding for the event from the Arts Commission. He said that if the Commission waited until the Program’s 50th anniversary to celebrate, it would be questionable as to how many of the original artists would be present to celebrate; it was essential to do it now. He also emphasized that it would be good publicity for the artists and the Arts Commission which this year is celebrating its own 80th anniversary.

Mr. Sky stated that the estimated budget for the event was $10,000-12,000. The budget included items such as banners at the three main street artist locations for a year, a permit from Recreation-Park Department, a stage, toilets and other things. He stated that he was hoping to get the music acts for free. He foresaw the event being low key and low budget. He stated that it is important to promote since, from the beginning, the Street Artists Program never discriminated against anyone; equal opportunity was granted to everyone. He said that if a celebration did not occur, it would be a great opportunity missed.

Mr. Sky described other organizations that receive funding from the Arts Commission. He stated that he believes the Street Artists Program is a worthy cause, too.

Commissioner Chew expressed support of using the Arts Commission’s communication resources to provide outreach for the event since 40 years is a milestone.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny explained that he had a meeting scheduled with the Street Artists Program staff the following week and that he is committed to celebrating the 40th anniversary. He stated that since it was not in this year’s Arts Commission’s budget, he will have to review the 3rd quarter report to see how much money is left over after accommodating unexpected costs such as City Attorney fees. He stated that finding funds for the Street Artists Program anniversary was a top priority. He has dedicated staff time towards communications relating to the event and he will speak to the Development Director to see if they can find outside funders. He noted that the event is on his calendar. As of right now, he stated, the Arts Commission is committed to in-kind donations of staff time for creating press releases and getting press at event.

Commissioner Chew stated that the 40th anniversary is an important event. He suggested trying to obtain less expensive permit prices.

Mr. Lazar reported that he has described the event to Recreation and Park staff. He stated that, in addition to the permit for the event, there is a music permit usually for a two-hour long music slot but that Rec-Park might allow a longer time frame if the music is of low key amplification.

Commissioner Chew stated that the music shouldn’t be pro bono and suggested showcasing long-time artists at the event.

Commissioner Calloway questioned the value of showcasing long-time artists.

Mr. Sky suggested that they have a lottery to select artists for showcasing.

There was no further public comment.

6. Discussion. New Business and Announcements.

Street Artist Tad Sky proposed that the Commissioners have a print-out of the list of the Arts Commission’s standard penalties in front of them at their meetings in order to help speed up the violation hearing process and help the Commissioners on their decision-making.

Mr. Lazar explained further that they would have one sheet which had an example of all of the standard penalties that were created from the “Bluebook” which were developed by the Arts Commission and the City Attorney. He also reminded the Commissioners that they always have the authority to mitigate or increase the penalty.

Mr. Sky stated that the listed types of violations were in Chapter 9 of the “Bluebook”.

Mr. Lazar stated that he would bring the standard violation/penalty list to every meeting for the Commissioners.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny noted that the list would be like a cheat sheet or quick reference guide to the “Bluebook”. He stated that this sheet would help the process have more equity.

There was no further public comment.

7. Action. Adjournment: Motion to approve request by Program Director to adjourn meeting in memory of Street Artist Steven Goldberg.

Mr. Lazar said that Mr. Steve Goldberg had been a street artist at least 12 years who had worked primarily at Fisherman’s Wharf and at the Cliff House area.

Motion: Motion to approve request by Program Director to adjourn meeting in memory of Street Artist Steven Goldberg.
Moved: Calloway, Silverman.

Commissioner Chew called for public comment. There was no public comment.

The motion was unanimously approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Alyssa Licouris, Street Artists Program Assistant

Minutes approved by:
Howard Lazar, Street Artists Program Director

ADL 3/20/12

An audio recording of this meeting is available online at the following address: http://www.sfgov3.org/index.aspx?page=4151