Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – December 12, 2022
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Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission Meeting – December 12, 2022
The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission met via teleconference on December 12, 2022, in compliance with AB361 and COVID-19 social distancing protocols. The meeting was called to order at 2:06 p.m. and adjourned at 3:05 p.m. Chair Dr. L. Steven Winlock presided. Commissioners present: Blair, Blumenstock, Hastings, Lepore, Mehta (arriving at 2:25 p.m.), Perez, Enriquez (until 3:00 p.m.), and Winlock. Absent: Gott, Lavulo, Naranjo, and Wilson Ramey.
Consent Calendar
- The commission unanimously approved the November 14, 2022 meeting minutes. Motion by Commissioner Hastings, second by Commissioner Blumenstock. Vote: 7 yes (Blair, Blumenstock, Hastings, Lepore, Perez, Enriquez, Winlock); 4 absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On the Director’s Report: Halima asked where to find the job posting for the Cultural and Creative Economy Manager position; Megan Van Voorhis directed her to the city employment page and @SACCityArts social media. Colin User One praised Van Voorhis and staff, and urged outreach to community figure Al Wilson.
- On the ARPA Nonprofit Recovery Program: Mr. Davis praised Program Manager Melissa Cirone, requested that Al Wilson be included in outreach, and expressed hope that people like Cirone can counteract systemic racism in the arts.
- On matters not on the agenda: Mr. Davis congratulated Grant High School’s football team on winning the state title and thanked Commissioner Cecily Hastings and Inside Sacramento magazine for coverage that went viral in Del Paso Heights.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Director’s Report: Megan Van Voorhis, Cultural and Creative Economy Manager, reported that she had become head of the Department of Convention and Cultural Services effective December 4 or 5, 2022. She outlined the transition and hiring process for her successor, with a target of posting the position in January 2023. She provided updates: the Sacramento Music Census closed December 5 with nearly 1,400 responses; Sound Music Cities is working with city departments to streamline special events and entertainment licensing; Creative Startups is partnering with Unseen Heroes to create an entrepreneurial training lab and is undertaking a six-month equity-focused project on creative business capital access. Commissioners congratulated her, praising her leadership and data-driven approach. The report was received and filed.
- Item 3 – Arts & Culture (ARPA) Nonprofit Recovery Program: Melissa Cirone presented a recommendation to approve up to $2,700,000 for 2023-24 ARPA Arts and Culture Nonprofit Recovery Program grants to Cultural Arts Award (CAA)-funded organizations. The program uses $2 million in city ARPA funds matched by $2 million from Sacramento County to support 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits. Grants are distributed over two years for operating expenses, salaries, rents, utilities, and COVID-19 protocols. Of 58 eligible organizations, 56 applied and 53 are recommended for funding; 3 were disqualified for not meeting current nonprofit status. Funding is weighted toward smaller organizations: $2 million for budgets under $1.5 million and $700,000 for larger organizations. Maximum grants are $75,000 per year or 45% of operating revenue, with no award exceeding $150,000 total. Cirone cited reported pandemic impacts: season ticket holders down 31% in one case, utility costs up 35%, insurance costs doubled, and staff costs up 50-100%. Commissioner Blumenstock urged staff to specifically encourage indigenous arts organizations to apply for upcoming funding. Motion by Blumenstock, second by Lepore. Vote: 6 yes (Blumenstock, Hastings, Lepore, Mehta, Perez, Winlock); 2 abstentions (Blair, Enriquez, who recused themselves); 4 absent. City Attorney Michael Fry confirmed six commissioners constitute a quorum. The motion passed.
- Item 4 – Chairperson’s Report: Chair Winlock reported attending the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert and emphasized the importance of public recognition of city/commission support. He announced that elections for chair and vice chair will be held in January 2023 and requested a fiscal update from staff at the next meeting. The report was received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the November 14, 2022 meeting minutes.
- Received and filed the Director’s Report and Chairperson’s Report.
- Approved the allocation of up to $2,700,000 in ARPA funds for 53 CAA-funded arts nonprofits (6 yes, 2 abstentions, 4 absent).
- Director Van Voorhis will continue to serve as Cultural and Creative Economy Manager until a successor is hired; recruitment is expected to open in January 2023.
- The next meeting will include a fiscal update and elections for chair and vice chair.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Staff is ready when you are thank you. Good afternoon. And welcome to Monday. Good afternoon and welcome to the Monday, December 12th, 2022 Sacramento Arts Culture and Creative Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please take uh will call the roll to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, Chair. Commissioners, please I need and turn on your video for roll call. Commissioner Blair. Here Commissioner Blumenstock. Commissioner Gott appears to be absent. Commissioner Hastings. Here Commissioner Lavolu appears to be absent. Commissioner Lupore. Here Commissioner Meta is also absent. Commissioner Naranjo. Appears to be absent. Commissioner Perez. Commissioner Wilson Ramey. Also absent. Vice Chair Enriquez. Here. And Chair Winlock. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. This meeting is virtually virtual via Zoom for members of the public who wish to join. Please refer to the agenda on the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. Online, if you're online, click on the raise hand on the bottom of your screen. Mobile app in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. Telephone, if you are calling in via telephone to raise your hand, dial nine, star nine, then to unmute or mute dial six, star six. Speakers will be called on by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. We'll now proceed with today's agenda. Land acknowledgement. Please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of the Sacramento's Indigenous people and the tribal lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, the Valley and the Plains Miwa, the Peewin Wenton people, and the people of the Wilton Ranchiera, Sacramento's only federal funded recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on this ancestral land by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation of Sacramento's Indigenous People's histories, contribution, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the business justice for all. Our first business today is the approval of the consent agenda. Madam Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent item? Thank you, Chair. There are no members with their hands up. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who would like to speak on the item? Seeing no hands. Is there a motion and a second for the consent agenda?
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