SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
STREET ARTISTS COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 20, 2017
10:00 a.m.

401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 125
San Francisco, CA 94102

Special Meeting

Amended Minutes

Commissioner Sklar called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and welcomed Commissioner Jung to the Committee. 

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair

Simon Frankel
Mary Jung
Marcus Shelby
Janine Shiota

Commissioners Absent:
None

Staff present: Deputy Director Rebekah Krell, Street Artists Program Director Howard Lazar, Street Artists Market Manager Anne Trickey
 

2.   General Public Comment.
Brian Hopper made public comment regarding lottery supplies and Jefferson Street spaces.

Abby Ellis made public comment regarding the effect of the economy on the program.

Ann Treboux submitted the following written public comment.

“General Public comment:

“Howard Lazar can not even revoke a street artist permit right. Many complaints were logged over 10 years concerning him. Lazar never bothered to investigate the complaints and continued to pass his stand at least once a week without looking. All it took as some time on the Internet and a few photos of his stand. Lazar probably spent less 1 hour doing research before the hearing.

“Additionally, Lazar has a long standing bad habit of gossiping to other street artists during his so­called inspections. He claimed that, "his research" lead him to believe that his lawyer-Jordina Thingpin was Pogni's girlfriend. It was not his research. William Thomas Meyer, was the homeless worker for Pogni. I did not know him but he made false claims against me; forged a proof of service and I am still cleaning up that mess. If Lazar has done his job, this would not have happened.”

Tad Sky made public comment on frequency of the Street Artist Committee meetings, membership and Work Plan.

Commissioner Sklar and Deputy Director Krell responded.

There was no further public comment.

3.   Street Artists Program Director’s Report.
Program Director Lazar gave the Director’s Report and announced that after 45 years of service he was retiring. He gave a brief list of his major accomplishments on behalf of the artists.

Commissioner Sklar responded and expressed gratitude for Mr. Lazar’s dedication to the Program.

Public Comment:
Ann Treboux submitted the following written comment.

“Public comment:

“Howard Lazar has a 45 year history of lying to street artists of San Francisco. I do not see any supporting documents or evidence to support his claims. I know there was a Board of Permits and Appeals hearing in March 2017. Lazar refused to process a street artist application for a year. He did not give a reason and all he had to do was ask what my home address was. The response brief was entirely slander with no evidence to support his claims.

“Howard Lazar is the main reason why this program is failing and should be forced to retire.”

Michael Addario spoke about the history of the program.

Abby Ellis requested programmatic changes be implemented slowly.

Steve Kogan made public comment in favor of love.

Howard Lazar clarified an historic reference.

There was no further public comment.

4.   Hearing and possible motion to recommend to the Mayor five (5) candidates to fill one (1) vacant position and four (4) expired terms on the Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners:

(A) Sandy Barnes
(B) Carolyn Kualii
(C) Sean Nash
(D) Heather Ussery
(E) Jon Winge

Ms. Krell explained the purpose of the Advisory Committee and applicant process.

Commissioner Shiota asked if a Street Artist could both retain a license and be an Advisory Committee member. Ms. Krell clarified that would be a conflict of interest.


Public Comment:
Tad Sky commented on the application process for the Advisory Committee and the importance of monitoring.

Ms. Krell noted that the Arts Commission sought City Attorney advice on the current procedure.

Commissioner Sklar asked about the applicant pool. Ms. Krell noted that the recommended candidates are the strongest.

Ann Treboux submitted the following written comment.

“Public comment:

“Once again, Howard Lazar has failed to do his homework and street artists will suffer for it.

“Heather Ussery/ Heather Jacks was a street artist in San Francisco-for 3 years. She made handbags from record covers. Her Facebook page lists many active street artists as friends. She was a friend of John Tunui, that very strange market manager who stalked me thought-out San Francisco for 3 years. He would jump out from behind obstructions to blow kisses or steal artwork.

“Heather Jacks should not be voted onto the advisory committee. It is a conflict of interest.

“Howard Lazar has not proposed alternates.

“Additionally, Lazar snuck onto the last executive meeting agenda a street artist matter.

“This matter should have been put on today's agenda.”

Drew Flores made public comment regarding spaces at the Wharf.

There was no further public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.

Motion to recommend to the Mayor five (5) candidates to fill one (1) vacant position and four (4) expired terms on the Advisory Committee of Street Artists and Crafts Examiners:
(A) Sandy Barnes
(B) Carolyn Kualii
(C) Sean Nash
(D) Heather Ussery
(E) Jon Winge

 

5. Project Update: Implementation of Workplan to Modernize the Street Artists Licensing Program.

Market Manager Anne Trickey gave the following report.

Proposed Work Plan to Modernize the Street Artist Licensing Program

1.   Community engagement

1.1. Hold a special meeting on the evaluation and feasibility reports

• Reviewed both reports at the Street Artists Committee on May 13, 2015 and November 4, 2015.

1.2. Develop and distribute messaging about implementation of reports on regular basis

• Staff have engaged in regular ad hoc communication to the full artist roster. The Working Group artists have also distributed information about soliciting ideas for improving the screening process, implementation of the online payment portal, the hiring of the Market Manager, and more efficient monitoring and disciplinary procedures. The Working Group was asked to take these different ideas to the artists after each Working Group meeting.

1.3. Establish ad-hoc community working group

• The Working Group was established and met five times between September 2016 and March 2017.

• A lot of great suggestions came out of that group which staff are using to help implement improvements.

• Mr. William Clark filed a Sunshine complaint regarding the procedural format of this group, which was upheld by the Sunshine Task Force on June 7, 2017: because the Task Force determined the group was created by the Arts Commission (as opposed to by staff), the group is considered an official policy body and public noticing requirements apply.

• We do not have the staff capacity to support a third additional public meeting body dedicated to this program, and do not believe doing so is the best use of administrative resources, so we have suspended future Working Group meetings at this time.

• We remain dedicated to soliciting artists’ feedback and incorporating artists' input into our implementation plans for programmatic improvements, and will continue to do so.

1.4. Implement policy for dealing with personal attacks at public meetings

• Standardized language for opening the meetings is being drafted for implementation.

 

2.   Streamline application process

2.1. Implement online application

• Successfully completed! Artists can access online through the Small Business Portal, and the new Arts Commission website. Since February 2017 we’ve received 25 online applications.

2.2. Implement quarterly application schedule

• This is currently on hold pending appointment of new Advisory Committee members.

2.3. Revise grace period

• Completed! There is no longer a fee or grace period. Artists either renew or not and pay the full cost of the quarter at any time during the quarter.

• As recommended by the Working Group, the fee is no longer waived when rescheduling a screening with less than 48 hours’ notice. Artists must pay the $20 screening fee to be agendized for the next month.

 

3.   Streamline screening process

3.1. Implement quarterly screening schedule

• On hold pending appointment of new Advisory Committee members.

3.2. Implement revised screening criteria

• Completed! The new screening criteria have been implemented. Current artists have been asked to include labels and signage at their booths.

3.3. Research and revise panel format for screening

• Currently in process. Staff are reviewing internal methods used by Public Art and Community Investments.

 

4.   Streamline monitoring process

4.1. Establish collaboration with the Police Department and community partners in areas with heavy concentration of program artists.

• On April 20, 2017, Market Manager Anne Trickey met with the SFPD Permits office to discuss partnership.

• On May 8, 2017, Deputy Director Rebekah Krell met with Rec and Park to discuss partnership at the flagship marketplace, Justin Herman Plaza.

• Market Manager Anne Trickey has discussed support with some other community and City partners including, DPW, Boston Properties, MTA, and CitySightseeing at the Wharf.

4.2. Create communication for other City agencies and community partners about the specificity of the Street Artists Licensing Program

• This is in progress. The SFPD Permits office asked for clarification regarding Artist permits, the lottery, and space assignment.

• Market Manager Anne Trickey partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and Rec and Park during the City Hall Popup for activation of Civic Center Plaza through the Street Artists program.

4.3. Streamline lottery process

• In progress. The program is taking advantage of a STIR (Startup In Residence) partnership fostered by City Hall to create a more efficient lottery.

• STIR projects are 16 weeks long. After 4 weeks, the technology partner, Civic Studio, is ready to launch a test product and beta test for iterations with street artists.

 

5.   Develop strategies to recover program cost

5.1. Work with community working group to explore ideas to recover program cost

• The Working Group was still reviewing data regarding cost in order to give recommendations. Now that the Working Group is suspended, staff will have to review options.

5.2. Work with Mayor’s Office to implement ideas to recover program cost

• This item is pending staff review of options.

 

6.   Develop strategies to promote the program

6.1. Develop uniform vendor look

• In progress. Staff are working on technical assistance to help artists set up booths. Many run into logistical issues the first time they sell.

• In addition, staff are working on location branding.

6.2. Develop SFAC Galleries platform

• This item is pending.

6.3. Develop market clusters

• Staff are working on scheduling a follow-up meeting with Rec and Park regarding Justin Herman Plaza.

  • Staff met with SF Travel to discuss pieces marketing Justin Herman Plaza and the Wharf as art and crafts destinations in SF.

Commissioner Sklar responded positively regarding the progress of the work plan.

Public Comment:
Abby Ellis spoke in favor of continuing the working group.

Tad Sky spoke in favor of the working plan update and requested more staff time spent on monitoring.

Ann Treboux submitted the following written comment.

“Public comment:

“I predict that there will be another decline in membership of the street artist program at the end of June 2017. The San Francisco Arts Commission illegally made all permits expire on June 30. Many street artists are not making money and will not renew at the end of June. This was never proposed in the Kate Faust study and done decided behind closed doors.

“This was not an administrative change and a violation of the Sunshine Ordinance. Members of the pubic were not noticed of the meeting and were not given the opportunity for public comment.

“Even if Howard Lazar were to resign today, the damage he had done will continue for many years into the future.”

Michael Addario requested a copy of the work plan update and spoke against quarterly alignment and market clusters.

Maria Sky spoke in support of the program.

Claire Cade spoke in support of the program.

Drew Flores asked for more spaces at the Wharf.

David Campos requested better spaces for the program.

Katie Carrin requested weekend-only Market Street spaces be converted into full-time spaces.

There was no further public comment. 

6. New Business and Announcements.

There was no new business or announcements.

Public Comment:
Ann Treboux made public comment regarding City retirement practices.

Tad Sky requested more programmatic staff support. Commissioner Sklar responded favorably.

Abby Ellis made public comment regarding bicycle racks.

David Campos asked if Street Artists could apply for the open position.

Howard Lazar said he didn’t think there was a conflict.

Anne Trickey clarified that there is no conflict, but all applicants must go through the City hiring process.

There was no further public comment.

7.  Adjournment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

posted 7/5/17, 4:46 p.m. AT

approved 7/10/17, 4:56 p.m. AT
 

Respectfully submitted by:
Anne Trickey, Street Artists Market Manager

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

The schedule of the Street Artists Program Committee is available here: http://sfgov.org/arts/street-artists-committee/meetings

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Anne Trickey, 415-252-2213, anne.trickey@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，Anne Trickey, 415-252-2213, anne.trickey@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Anne Trickey, 415-252-2213, anne.trickey@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 Anne Trickey, 415-252-2213, anne.trickey@sfgov.org.