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File Number: 22-613 Analysis Since its formation in 2015, the City of San Leandro Arts Commission has completed significant work. Examples of its work include: ·Development of a Public Arts Master Plan (presented to City Council in 2017) ·Commissioning of the “Curiosity” Sculpture by Mildred Howard (authorized by City Council in 2020 and installed at Main Library in 2021) ·Installation of rotating temporary sculptures at the Hesperian Triangle ·Issuance of 2 rounds of public arts grants with over $50,000 distributed out to over a dozen local artists and arts-serving local non-profits organizations that serve San Leandro ·Facilitated installation of various murals, public art installations, mosaic tiles, speakers, & live events, including two productions of the Comedy in the Plaza event at the Main Library ·Development of new street banners for Bancroft Ave & Wicks Blvd Similarly, the Library-Historical commission has completed significant work. Examples of its work include: ·Advocated for robust artistic, cultural, educational, and community-oriented programming. ·Reviewed and recommended equity and inclusion actions taken by City Council in 2021 that eliminated overdue fines, which removed barriers to service for low-income individuals and families. ·Reviewed and recommended equity and inclusion actions taken by City Council in 2021 that eliminated Non-Resident Fee Cards, which removed barriers to service for students and allowed the Library to acquire additional state grant funding, join BALIS and the LINK+ regional library cooperatives, and connect to the statewide CENIC broadband network. ·Advocated for funding the replacement of the Mulford-Marina Branch Library facility; in October 2022 sufficient funding was acquired to commence the project. In spite of all the important work that both commissions have diligently guided, both commissions continue to face a number of challenges. Examples include: ·Significant quorum, attendance, and appointment issues ·Lack of agenda items ·Commission staffing capacity issues ·Expertise Gaps: o Library-Historical Commissioners and Library staff do not have the expertise to conduct landmark and architectural historical preservation review for permitting o The Arts Commission Secretary assignment (currently staffed by the City Manager’s Office) was meant to be temporary and lacks arts expertise ·Inefficient use of resources: o The Library Department has more FTEs to dedicate staff to the Commission, and experience with art issues and projects. o The Community Development Department has more access to expertise in historic preservation, and architecture. o Community Development staff work with architecture, buildings, developers, Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 11/17/2022