title
1) Review the Proposed FY 2015-16 Cultural Trust Fund Budget for Cultural Affairs; 2) Review of Commissioner Comments and Recommendations; and, 3) Make Summary Recommendations to City Manager for Preparation of the FY 2015-16 Cultural Affairs Budget.
body
Contact Person/Dept: Christine Byers / City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (04/10/15)
Department Approval: Martin R Cole (04/10/15)
____________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) review the proposed FY 2015-16 Cultural Trust Fund (CTF) budget for Cultural Affairs, written comments provided by individual Commissioners, and make recommendations to the City Manager with regard to Cultural Affairs for the FY 2015-16 proposed budget.
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to the direction of the City Council, the City Manager implemented an enhanced budget process for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget. As was the case last year, in calendar year 2015, each of the City’s Commissions/Committees/Boards have a specific opportunity (in some cases several opportunities) to provide staff, the City Manager, and City Council with input and comment related to the proposed budget for FY 2015-16.
On March 10, 2015, the CAC considered an agenda item as the first of three opportunities for the CAC to provide input on the FY 2015-16 budget prior to the final budget Public Hearing and adoption by the City Council on June 22, 2015. At the conclusion of the March 10th meeting, the CAC agreed that commissioners would forward written summary comments for inclusion into the April 14, 2015 CAC meeting packet so that a consolidated list of recommendations could be forwarded to the City Manager, together with staff’s proposed FY 2015-16 CTF budget.
DISCUSSION:
While there has been much progress on many fronts in the current fiscal year, the general CAC consensus at the March 10 meeting was that the current Cultural Affairs work load and staffing ratio was untenable and that we could not afford to fall further behind on certain projects, including development of a Creative Economy Report and updating the City’s Historic Preservation Program.
Attached are written comments submitted by Commissioners Dickter, Klein, Koosed and Williams. A summary of comments and recommendations included in Commissioner comments is provided below:
Summary Comments and Recommendations:
1. Provide adequate level of staffing to support the varied functions and goals of the Commission and the Foundation. Contract staff and/or graduate student interns are options.
2. Full-time staffing/work load ratio should allow for more time to be devoted to project-related work than to administrative tasks.
3. As a result of the backlog of projects (relating primarily to the historic preservation and public art programs) and the workload burden, some subcommittee work and projects continue to be tabled.
4. The Creative Economy Report, Cultural Plan update and the annual Town Hall, are key elements in creating a strategic plan which is essential for successful fundraising, increasing revenues and recognition for the City.
5. The Commission could function as a creative think tank. Subsequently, the City Council could become a partner in that think tank by finding creative ways to increase funding for Cultural Affairs.
For purposes of next steps, staff recommends that the CAC review these and, pending CAC approval, this summary list of comments and recommendations be forwarded to the City Manager together with the written comments and the proposed FY 2015-16 CTF budget.
Upcoming Steps in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget Process
As mentioned above, the City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16 is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on May 11, 2015. There will also be budget study sessions scheduled for May 18-19-20 along with the City Council’s consideration of adoption of the budget at a Public Hearing to be held on June 22, 2015. CAC members are welcome to attend any/all of these meetings.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2015-16 Proposed CTF Cultural Affairs Budget Appropriations
2. Written Commissioner Comments
MOTION:
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
Request the City Manager consider the following comments and recommendations when preparing his FY 2015-16 proposed budget for Cultural Affairs:
1. Provide adequate level of staffing to support the varied functions and goals of the Commission and the Foundation. Contract staff and/or graduate student interns are options.
2. Full-time staffing/work load ratio should allow for more time to be devoted to project-related work than to administrative tasks.
3. As a result of the backlog of projects (relating primarily to the historic preservation and public art programs) and the workload burden, some subcommittee work and projects continue to be tabled.
4. The Creative Economy Report, Cultural Plan update and the annual Town Hall, are key elements in creating a strategic plan which is essential for successful fundraising, increasing revenues and recognition for the City.
5. The Commission could function as a creative think tank. Subsequently, the City Council could become a partner in that think tank by finding creative ways to increase funding for Cultural Affairs.