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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-21-2020 MINUTES OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Thursday, May 21, 2020 Teleconference Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Boldenweck, Campagna, Hobson-Coard, Foley, Fornaciari, DeNatale, Looper, Madrid-Nickle, Ventura Absent: Commissioners: Avelar, Bowen Staff Present: Sharon Ranals, ACM/Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Ercie Santos, Cultural Arts Specialist Susan Filereto, Administrative Assistant III. WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONER SARAH KYONG-JU LEE BOWEN Commissioner Bowen was absent. Specialist Santos reported later in the meeting that Commissioner Bowen had emailed her stating that she had an appointment that ran later than expected and sends her apologies. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from February 20, 2020 stand as sent. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: N/A Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 2 VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No unfinished business. VIII. NEW BUSINESS: 1. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update Specialist Santos gave an update on recreation programs that have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic to date. Specialist Santos reported that at the mid-March start of the pandemic, recreation buildings had to close and several special events were canceled. With respect to Cultural Arts Commission programs, the Youth Art Show had to be canceled as well as the March and April Cultural Arts meetings. Specialist Santos stated that the Parks and Recreation Department closures are in place through May 31, but that date may change. 2. Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget Considerations ACM/Director Ranals presented information about the impact of the COVID-19 ctions being considered for fiscal year 2020-2021 in order to address a projected budget shortfall of $4 million, and a $16 million reduction in revenue. ACM/Director Ranals explained that the potential budget reductions that had been identified were from a recession planning budget exercise staff completed months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Departments were asked to prepare budget plans reflecting a 5% and 10% budget reduction. ACM/Director Ranals added that the City has committed to not laying off any full- time employees; 300 part-time workers could be furloughed. ACM/Director Ranals explained that the budget reduction list is not a staff recommendation, but rather a list of departmental functions to be considered by City Council. ACM/Director Ranals reported that the staff report presented to the City Council Budget Subcommittee on May 18 is available online. She further explained that the full City Council would review the budget on Tuesday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m. and that the staff report would be posted prior to the meeting. ACM/Director Ranals reviewed the list of Parks and Recreation budget reductions that had been presented to the Budget Subcommittee. ACM/Director Ranals reviewed several items on the budget reduction list that are anticipated because they are not allowed by the public health orders. This includes special events such as Concert in Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 3 the Park, Halloween Extravaganza, and the Senior Health Fair. In addition, the budget reductions identify activities in July, August, and September assuming that programs will not be able to open. ACM/Director Ranals further reviewed budget reductions that are not tied to COVID- 19. This includes eliminating the middle school sports program, closing Magnolia Center on the weekends, and eliminating the citywide cleanup event. With respect to public art, ACM/Director Ranals identified the potential elimination of $50,000 for public art purchases next fiscal year. In addition, there is a freeze in discretionary expenditures for the current fiscal year and staff will not be able to move forward with the art purchases recommended by the Commission. ACM/Director Ranals described another reduction line item to cut the Cultural Arts budget in half, assuming that the two art shows for the first half of the year would not be able to take place. ACM/Director Ranals stated that it may be possible to host two art shows in the second half of the year. Noting that the Commission of the year and considering that the Commission would be unable to purchase art, ACM/Director Ranals described the budget reduction line item making the Commission meetings quarterly instead of monthly. ACM/Director Ranals pointed out that the public as well as the Commission is encouraged to go to the June 9 budget meeting to give their input and concerns regarding the budget cuts. ACM/Director Ranals suggested that the Commission review the May 18 staff report. ACM/Director Ranals suggested that the Commission might want to reconsider their work for the next year and consider alternative programs such as a virtual art show. Commissioner Campagna thanked ACM/Director Ranals for her transparent communication of the budget situation. He added that he does not agree with holding the regular meetings on a quarterly basis, and asked how he could communicate this to the City Council. He also commented that he would be willing to give up the stipend. ACM/Director Ranals responded that the best way to communicate to City Council would be by attending a budget meeting. She sending a spokesperson to speak on behalf of the Commission when presenting to Council or for individuals to represent their own opinions. ACM/Director Ranals added that the other component to moving to quarterly meetings is that meetings be held during the day. She stated that the suggestion of changing the meeting day and Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 4 time for Commission meetings is related to administrative costs, not necessarily to their stipend. She stated a survey would be sent to Commissioners requesting meeting day and time alternatives. Vice Chair DeNatale noted the challenge the budget reductions will have on the Cultural Arts community. He stated the importance for the Commission to step up whether it is by donations, fundraisers or personal commitment. He also suggested keeping the meeting on the third Thursday of the month and having it at 1:00 p.m. He stated he is busy right now, but is willing to work with whatever is decided. ACM/Director Ranals suggested that teleconferencing might continue to be an option. Commissioner Campagna stated he could prioritize a new date and time. Commissioner Boldenweck suggested limiting date and time selections on the survey otherwise it would be harder to come to a consensus. Commissioner Madrid-Nickle stated she would be open to new day and time. Commissioner Hobson-Coard stated she would prefer the meetings be in the late afternoon. Commissioner Ventura preferred early morning and late afternoon. It was a consensus of the Commission that the meetings stay monthly, but that they would accommodate whatever is decided. Chair Looper inquired about meeting reductions for the Parks and Recreation and the other Commissions. ACM/Director Ranals responded that the IPP and Beautification meetings would be reduced to quarterly. The Parks and Recreation Commission oversee a lot of impacted programs. Therefore, ACM/Director Ranals stated they are not reducing any of their meetings at this time. In order to set the stage for decision making on the upcoming Subcommittee agenda items, Manager Duldulao stated that many Recreation special events will be cancelled through December. If Cultural Arts events followed, the affected events would be the BBQ Fundraiser and the Dia de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead Show. Specialist Santos added that the Photography Show was also included. ACM/Director Ranals described the opportunity in the budget for an Innovation Fund of $100,000, and that could possibly be used to hold a Dia de los Muertos show even if the budget is reduced. Manager Duldulao suggested that the Commission postpone decisions about how to meeting, anticipating that the Commission may have a better idea about City restrictions may have changed by then. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 5 ACM/Director Ranals commended the creativity and awareness of the Commission, and emphasized that they looking for ideas to bring to the Council. She encouraged them to share any suggestions for art projects with staff. ACM/Director Ranals confirmed that there would be a June meeting. She added that going forward, meetings could be every other month or quarterly. She also stated this would start with the new budget on July 1, but emphasized nothing is decided. IX. SUBCOMMITTEES: 1. Sculpture Commissioner Boldenweck stated she had nothing to report at this time considering the current situation. Chair Looper had a question regarding the sculpture proposals they had submitted and the funding. ACM/Director Ranals stated that the money is frozen at this time. Commissioner Boldenweck suggested that when they are able to move ahead that the same local artists can be used if they are still available. Vice Chair DeNatale inquired about the Orb sculpture that the City already possessed. He realized there could be costs incurred in installing this sculpture. ACM/Director Ranals responded that she was concerned that considering the budget cuts and impact to staff, it would not be appropriate to install the sculpture at this time. Installation could be revisited at a later date. In the meantime, the Commission could consider the type of pedestal they envisioned and location. She added Modern Industrial Erapiece were not appropriate for the Orb sculpture because of its sharp edges. She suggested that the Commission recommend different locations for the Orb sculpture for discussion at the June meeting. ACM/Director Ranals also suggested considering community outreach to inform the public that the Orb sculpture was donated. 2. Utility Box Mural Program Specialist Santos stated the utility box at Sister Cities has been tagged on the Philippine and Japanese side. The Parks Division was able to remove most of the tagging. She also commented that the artist is open to touching up the tagging if needed. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 6 Chair Looper asked if all the funds had been used for the utility boxes. Specialist Santos replied that there were still funds reserved for the Paradise Valley Park utility box. ACM/Director Ranals stated that although the Utility Box program is staff intensive, it is otherwise an inexpensive project which involved safe distancing. Perhaps they might consider the Utility Box Mural program after July. 3. Youth Art Scholarship Commissioner Campagna stated the subcommittee met and made the recommendation to award the scholarship to South San Francisco High School senior, Helen Wilborn. She was the only applicant with a submission that included samples of theater posters, sketches and digital media. Commissioner Campagna moved that the Commission award a $2,000 Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarship to Helen Wilborn. Commissioner Boldenweck seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. 4. Urban Art Commission Madrid-Nickle had nothing to report at this time. Commissioner Fornaciari reported that she had seen the fabulous work by a group of young artists in Mission District. She would provide more information when the budget crisis was over. 5. Youth Art Show (April 3/4 2020) The event was cancelled. Therefore, Commissioner Campagna had nothing to report. 6. Fundraiser (BBQ) Chair Looper stated that Commissioner Ventura had communicated to her that she would chair the Fundraiser and that Commissioner Hobson-Coard would assist. However, Chair Looper stated that the barbeque would no longer occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Boldenweck suggested coordinating their efforts Commissioner Boldenweck made a motion to cancel the Fundraiser BBQ and Commissioner Ventura seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken and unanimously approved. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 7 Vice Chair DeNatale commented that as a Commission they work together to innovate how they do fundraisers. He suggested looking at a virtual fundraiser. Commissioner Ventura suggested a Happy Hour Fundraiser similar to one she experienced at her workplace. She could provide more information on this type of fundraiser. ACM/Director Ranals mentioned a Calligraphy fundraiser presented by past Cultural Arts Commissioner Nisperos. She stated this kind of fundraiser was feasible because participants could be placed six feet away from each other. 7. Future Public Art Plan Commissioner DeNatale had nothing to report at this time. X. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Commissioner Hobson-Coard mentioned that her band had to cancel a majority of shows. She added that her band will be performing virtually at the San Mateo County Fair, and she will be providing dates when they are available. Vice Chair DeNatale thanked the Park and Recreation Department for holding the virtual Easter Egg Hunt and Earth Day, adding that it was nice to see others thinking of art. Vice Chair DeNatale also stated that the Commission should seek out community art opportunities through social media. He mentioned a San Francisco artist who is holding a The artist creates art installations which he sells at cost and asks local and national communities to purchase art pieces for window display. Vice Chair and would like to do something similar, adding that it was a great way to engage the community. Commissioner Boldenweck stated she was uncle event was being cancelled or postponed. ACM/Director Ranals responded that nothing is officially canceled until the budget is approved. To which, Commissioner Boldenweck then asked the Commissioners to keep this event in mind. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Specialist Santos thanked Vice Chair DeNatale for suggesting a couple of resources for artists and creatives facing financial difficulty to include in the Cultural Arts webpage. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 8 She mentioned that she also added several additional links to the list of resources. The information was also posted to social media and received a lot of activity. Specialist Santos mentioned that she is working on a social media project featuring South San Francisco art installations. The art piece she wants to highlight first is the tiles at Alta Loma Park because they have a very positive message. It could include an interactive community virtual art component. She stated her ultimate goal is to create a video library of the installations and welcomed any suggestions by Commissioners. Specialist Santos informed the Commission that former art Commissioner Elsie Pollestrini had passed away recently. She shared the memory of Commissioner Pollestrini suggestion of having flowers at all the art shows. Chair Looper remembered Commissioner Elsie Pollestrini fondly as a very creative person. ACM/Director Ranals informed the Commissm is up in June, but that she can serve on the Commission until her position is filled. ACM/Director Ranals requested that she remain serving if possible, and Chair Looper accepted. All the Commissioners agreed. Chair Looper asked if the Commission meeting will be done virtually next month. ACM/Director Ranals responded that it would be. Commissioner Looper requested meeting in person if the shelter place were lifted. ACM/Director Ranals replied that if the order was lifted, since the Commission is so large, they would probably have to meet in the Social Hall to maintain safe distancing. Commissioner Fornaciari mentioned that a founding member of the Soroptimist Club and longtime resident of South San Francisco Edna Delario passed away in April. ACM/Director Ranals informed the Commission that a day and time change to the Cultural Arts meetings would be by an ordinance and would need to go to City Council. She also stated that the Department understands if they are uncomfortable with video conferencing. Recreation Manager Duldulao mentioned how impressed she is of Parks and Recreation staff for finding different ways of offering recreation programs. She also thanked commissioners for helping staff think creatively about how to keep arts programs alive. Chair Looper also wanted to thank staff for organizing their meeting through videoconferencing. ACM/Director Ranals thanked the Director of the IT Department Tony Barrera for his assistance during the meeting. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes of May 21, 2020 Page 9 XI. CORRESPONDENCE: N/A XII. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Looper adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Filereto Administrative Assistant Next Meeting: June 18, 2020