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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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