MEETING OF THE ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, September 14, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Remote Meeting via video and teleconferencing
 

Minutes 

President Ordeñana called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   
   Commissioners Present
   Roberto Ordeñana, President
   Kimberlee Stryker, Vice President
   Yakuh Askew
   JD Beltran
   Charles Collins
   Suzanne Ferras
   Mary Jung
   Dorka Keehn
   Nabiel Musleh
   Linda Parker Pennington
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Janine Shiota
   Debra Walker
   Paul Woolford
   Joel Koppel, ex officio
   
   Commissioners Absent:
   Marcus Shelby
   
   President Ordeñana shared that he was sending his thoughts to families and individuals across the west coast impacted by the fires. He said he hopes all members of the public, staff, and commissioners are staying safe with the air quality.
   
   President Ordeñana announced virtual meeting instructions.
   
   Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre announced public comment instructions.
   
    
2. Approval of Minutes
   Commissioner Stryker, seconded by Commissioner Ferras moved to approve the August 3, 2020 Minutes.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion unanimously carried by the following vote:
   
   Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shiota, Walker, Woolford
    
   RESOLUTION NO. 0914-20-116: Motion to approve August 3, 2020 Minutes.
    
3.  General Public Comment
   
   There was no public comment.
    
4. Director’s Report
   Acting Director Rebekah Krell gave a status update regarding two special grants launched by the Community Investments team and provided a timeline for the FY22 grant cycle. She also announced two proposals were submitted to the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Creative Placemaking program. She gave a reminder of the Bayview Artist Registry deadline. She also shared that the Arts Commission is working to promote the citywide effort to encourage residents to complete the US 2020 census. She highlighted our Gallery Director Meg Shiffler, who is deployed to the Joint Information Center as the Arts Recovery Coordinator. She gave an update on Lava Thomas’ requests from the last commission meeting. She said that all parties are working to reach a resolution regarding the issues raised.
   
   President Ordenana thanked Acting Director Krell for her continued leadership. He also thanked Arts Commission staff for working under challenging conditions and gave his appreciation for staff working as disaster service workers. He echoed the importance of filling out the 2020 census.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   Commissioner Walker thanked staff and Acting Director Krell for their work. She said that it is important to help the arts community recover and that having people from the Arts Commission embedded in those conversations is vital.
5. Committee Reports and Committee Matters​
   1. Executive Committee – Roberto Ordeñana, Chair
      1. President Ordeñana reported on the recent Director of Cultural Affairs search. He noted that 79 applications were received from a diverse pool of candidates locally and nationally. He reported voluntary demographic information of the applicants. He thanked Bob Murray and Associates, commissioners, staff, and members of the public for their input during the process. He shared that Bob Murray and Associates is currently reviewing the resumes and conducting an initial screening. He announced that the Executive Committee will be interviewing candidates this week.
         
         There was no public comment.
          
   2. Community Investments Committee – Charles Collins, Chair
      1. Commissioner Collins added thanks to the staff for their outstanding work in addition to playing the added role of being essential workers. He reported on the highlights from the last Community Investments meeting. He noted that Deputy Director Lee provided an overview of the work of the Economic Recovery Task Force, specifically the recommendations from the Arts, Culture, Hospitality and Entertainment Working Group. He shared that there was a motion on the consent calendar regarding FY21 Arts Impact Endowment funding. He asked Commissioner Walker to provide more context on how the funding will support recommendations from the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force for artists and non-profit arts organizations. Commissioner Collins thanked Commissioner Walker for her leadership and thanked staff for their support on this item.
         
         He also reported that the seven cultural centers presented at the last committee meeting focusing on how they are connecting with their communities and supporting artists through online programming and virtual workshops, responding to the health emergency by providing outdoor space for food pantries and COVID testing, and preparing health and safety plans for re-opening. He congratulated Robynn Takayama and the Community Investments team for their work.
         
         There was no public comment
          
   3. Civic Design Review Committee—Kimberlee Stryker, Chair
      1. Commissioner Stryker reported on the following projects that were reviewed: Bay Corridor Transmission and Distribution Project, SVWTP Polymer Feed Facility Project, and the Mission Branch Library Renovation Project.
         
         There was no public comment.
          
   4. Visual Arts Committee—Dorka Keehn, Chair
      1. Commissioner Keehn asked Program Director Susan Pontious to present the Public Art Program Annual Report for FY2019.
         
         Commissioner Beltran noted that program artist Julie Chang won a national award for the Transbay Terminal and that Walter Hood was awarded the MacArthur award.
         
         Program Director Susan Pontious presented the Public Art Program Annual Report for FY2020.
         
         Commissioner Beltran gave further details on the project involving the Emory Douglas artwork.
         
         Commissioner Keehn congratulated Program Director Pontious and the public art staff. She said that the reports show the diversity of the program and how they are supporting bay area artists. She said that the greatest strength of the staff is the ability to help artists translate their works to large scale projects in new materials.
         
         Commissioner Keehn reported that the Committee reviewed the industry wide best practices from the American in the Arts reports that had been previously adopted. She also explained that they adopted the Cultural Equity in the Public Art Field report as part of their commitment to racial equity. She discussed ways in which the public art team is improving their process moving forward. She also clarified that all artists asked to submit a proposal for a RFP are paid an honorarium. She described other projects that are in progress.
         
         Commissioner Stryker congratulated the public art team on how successfully the art integrates with buildings especially noting the airport projects. She added that having Commissioner Keehn on both committees is very effective.
         
         Commissioner Beltran recognized gratitude for Commissioner Keehn’s presence on the VAC Committee which, she noted, has led to tremendous accomplishments for the program. She recognized both Commissioner Keehn and the public art staff for their dedication and time to improving the public art processes.
         
         Commissioner Schnair thanked Commissioner Keehn for her successful involvement in VAC and CDR Committees. She also congratulated staff on their work.
         
         President Ordeñana congratulated the VAC commissioners, Program Director Pontious and the public art staff for their continued hard work.
         
         There was no public comment.
6.  Consent Calendar

   President Ordeñana introduced the consent calendar items.
   
   Commissioner Keehn announced that she would need to recuse herself from item 19. She said that she does not receive any financial benefits but is part of the advisory committee for the project. Commissioner Keenh left the meeting at 3:19 p.m.
   
   President Ordeñana presented item 19 of the consent calendar.
   
   Commissioner Stryker, seconded by Commissioner Walker moved to approve the consent calendar items (item 19) as presented.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:
   Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shiota, Walker, Woolford
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0914-20-136: Motion to approve the temporary installation of an illuminated temple-like sculpture entitled The Shelter in Place Temple in Joseph Alioto Performing Arts Piazza by artists Laurence Renzo Verbeck and Syliva Lisse for a period of six months commencing late fall 2020 which is to be installed at no cost to the City, pending procurement of all necessary approvals and the funding required for the project in addition to arrangements for security night and day. The project team shall be responsible for the performance of maintenance of the sculpture as required for the duration of the installation. This installation may be extended upon approval of the Arts Commission and Recreation and Park Commission.

   President Ordeñana called for a motion on the remaining consent calendar items.
   
   Commissioner Keehn returned to the meeting at 3:23 p.m.
   
   Commissioner Schnair, seconded by Commissioner Stryker moved to approve the consent calendar items (1 – 18, 20 – 22), as presented.
   
   There was no public comment.
   
   The motion carried unanimously by the following vote:
   Ayes: Ordeñana, Stryker, Askew, Beltran, Collins, Ferras, Jung, Keehn, Musleh, Parker Pennington, Schnair, Shiota, Walker, Woolford
   
   RESOLUTION NO. 0914-20-117:
   Approval: RESOLVED, that this Commission does hereby adopt the following items on the Consent Calendar and their related Resolutions:

   1.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-118: Motion to approve the Civic Design Review Committee Meeting Minutes of August 17, 2020.

   2.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-119: Motion to approve the Community Investments Committee Meeting Minutes of August 11, 2020.

   3.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-120: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2020.

   4.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-121: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2020

   5.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-122: Motion to approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of September 4, 2020
   
   Civic Design Review Committee Recommendations (August 17, 2020)

   6.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-123: Motion to approve Phase 1 and 2 of the Bay Corridor Transmission and Distribution Project.

   7.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-124: Motion to approve Phase 1 of the SVWTP Polymer Feed Facility Project with the following contingencies 1) to explore the possibility of reducing the door and moving it to the other side, 2) to soften the burn to match the existing topography to the area, 3) to add one live oak tree (at least a five gallon box size tree), 4) to investigate the proposed native grasses to ensure that they are native, 5) to carefully position the venting of the facade, 6) to explore the stacking effect  and make sure that the pitch of the roofs are performative, and 7) to explore the possibility of rainwater drainage and where it might go.

   8.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-125: Motion to approve Phase 2 and 3 of the Mission Branch Library Renovation Project with the following contingencies 1) that it maintain the planting design as is except for that it be pulled back from the doors so that there is more space and 2) that the planting be more of a single, or monolithic, plant choice so that it is consistent with a single type of vegetation gesture.
   
   Community Investments Committee Recommendations (August 11, 2020)

   9.      RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-126: Motion to approve up to $2,000,000 of FY21 Arts Impact Endowment funds in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Community Services Allocation Plan to support recommendations from the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force for artists and non-profit arts organizations.
   
   Visual Arts Committee Recommendations (August 19, 2020)

   10.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-127: Motion to approve Ingleside Wildflowers, a mural design by artist Antoine Marnata, 1AM (First Amendment). The mural will be installed on the PG&E substation located at the 1100 block of Ocean Ave. between Brighton Ave. and Lee Ave. The painted mural will measure approximately 12 ft. by 22 ft. The project is funded by the Ocean Avenue Association and a District 7 Participatory Budgeting Grant. The painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.

   11.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-128: Motion to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0304-19-076: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase the Agreement for Services between Mosaika and Emily Fromm from $230,000 to an amount not to exceed $258,534 (an increase of $28,534) for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Center AC-06 Public Art Project.

   12.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-129: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase Emily Fromm’s contract (DBA Rancho Art Productions) from $305,000 to an amount not to exceed $333,534 (an increase of $28,534) to allow for expedited fabrication for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Center AC-06 Public Art Project.

   13.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-130: Motion to approve the Construction Document Phase deliverables (Structural Engineering Drawings) for Hood Design Studio’s artwork for Fire Station 35.

   14.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-131: Motion to adopt the best practice industry wide practices covered in the Americans for the Arts’ report Cultural Equity in the Public Art Field as part of the Arts Commission’s commitment to affirming racial equity in its programs, policies and practices.

   15.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-132: Motion to approve the temporary installation of Voice, a two year fully reversible low resolution light wall framed in stainless steel to be installed at no cost to the City, on the south facade Bayview Opera House, a City owned building under the jurisdiction of the Arts Commission, which will serve as a platform to present art projects in support of Black Lives Matter, the first week of which is a memorial portrait series by Radha Mehta, pending approval from the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission.

   16.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-133: Motion to authorize the Arts Commission to enter into a MOU with artist Joana Vasconcelos for an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the development of a unique site specific proposal for the Waterfront Plaza site.

   17.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-134: Motion to authorize the Arts Commission to enter into a MOU with artist Yinka Shonibare for an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the development of a unique site specific proposal for the Waterfront Plaza site.

   18.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-135: Motion to approve the Project Plan for the Natoma Art Corridor as descried in the Curatorial Framework prepared for the program.

   20.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-137: Motion to approve Design Development Phase deliverables (final artwork design, material sample) by Ramekon O’Arwisters for the Southeast Health Center Expansion Project.

   21.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-138: Motion to approve the selected finalists Nina Chanel Abney, Math Bass, Craig Calderwood, Jeffrey Cheung, and Chelsea Wong the SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Atrium Project as recommended by the artist review panel.

   22.   RESOLUTION NO 0914-20-139: Motion to approve revised design development documents for Jesse Schlesinger’s sculptures for the Judah Streetscape Public Art Project.
    

7. New Business and Announcements
   Commissioner Schnair shared information about online live performances through American Conservatory Theater (ACT). She also noted that ACT and Berkeley Rep productions are being streamed through  Broadway HD.
   
   Commissioner Ferras announced that a survey for the Richmond District residents received 500 responses. She shared the survey findings related to the arts and cultural portion.
   
   There was no public comment.
    

8. Adjournment

   There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m.
    

posted 9/28/2020, 9:46 a.m. adv
approved 10/5/2020

Archives Available
A recording of this meeting will be available online after the meeting at the following address: https://sfgov.org/arts/audio-archive-8.

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@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 Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@sfgov.org

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Commission Secretary Alyssa Ventre, 415-252-2255, Alyssa.ventre@sfgov.org