First Meeting of the Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission – June 15, 2020

The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission was held virtually on June 15, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting included a legal presentation on the Brown Act and California Public Records Act, introductions of commissioners, election of officers, adoption of a cultural equity statement, and an overview of staff and programs. The commission also received updates on CARES Act funding for the creative economy.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Regular Calendar for 2020: The commission unanimously approved the proposed regular meeting calendar for the remainder of 2020, with meetings scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. The motion passed on a roll call vote with 9 in favor, 1 absent, and 1 not present.

Discussion Items

• Special Presentation – Brown Act and Public Records Act: Michael Fry, Senior Deputy City Attorney, provided a detailed overview of the Ralph M. Brown Act (open meeting requirements) and the California Public Records Act. He covered definitions of legislative bodies, prohibited serial meetings, teleconferencing rules, and the obligations of commissioners to retain records of commission-related communications (including personal emails and texts) for at least two years. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about outreach and conflict of interest.
• Introduction of Commission Members: Each commissioner introduced themselves, noting their district, background, and hopes for the commission. The 11 members appointed include representatives from all eight city districts and mayor appointees. Commissioners expressed commitments to equity, arts education, and community engagement.
• Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair: Dr. Stephen Winlock was nominated and elected as Chair for the remainder of 2020. Maya Wallace was nominated and elected as Vice-Chair. Both votes were unanimous.
• Cultural Equity Statement: The commission discussed and adopted the Cultural Equity Statement, originally developed by the former Metropolitan Arts Commission over a six-to-eight-month process with a 20-member task force. The statement defines cultural equity, diversity, access, and community, and commits the commission to racial and cultural equity in all policies. A motion to adopt with modifications (updating jurisdiction and commission name) passed unanimously. Commissioners also requested that the statement remain a standing agenda item and that a process be initiated to expand the advisory task force and revisit the statement within six months.
• Director’s Report: Jody Ulich, Director of Convention and Cultural Services, provided updates: (1) the search for a new Cultural Services and Creative Economy Manager is down to two finalists; (2) the commission was convened early to address CARES Act funding – the City Council set aside $5 million for the creative economy, tourism, and the arts, with up to $20 million possible; a framework for disbursement is being developed with equity and transparency principles; (3) staff introductions including Ray Gargano (grants), Melissa Cerone (arts education), Lynne Eller (public art), Jennifer West (film and media), and Manny Lynn (administrative support) highlighted current programs such as Any Given Child, the Art Look Mapping project, community artist residencies, public art management, and film permitting.
• Commission Member Comments, Ideas, and Questions: Commissioners suggested creating a public art heat map for the city, requested that standing committees be discussed at the next meeting, and shared announcements about the Sacramento Creative Economy Meetings and the Black Artists Fund.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the 2020 regular meeting calendar.
• Election of Dr. Stephen Winlock as Chair and Maya Wallace as Vice-Chair for calendar year 2020.
• Adoption of the Cultural Equity Statement with amendments to reflect the commission’s new name and citywide jurisdiction, with a commitment to revisit the statement and expand its advisory task force.
• Acknowledgement of CARES Act funding – the commission will hold a special meeting to develop a framework for distributing $5 million (and potentially up to $20 million) for the creative economy, tourism, and the arts.
• Staff to place standing committees and a follow-up log item on public art mapping on the next regular meeting agenda.
• Next regular meeting scheduled for July 13, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.