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File Number: 22-613 Terms Ending The present timing for a merger of the two Commissions is also optimal. At the end of December 2022, four members from each commission will complete their terms (i.e. eight commissioners in total). Additionally, the Arts Commission presently has four unfilled vacancies. As a result, nearly all presently-serving members of both existing Commissions with an interest in serving on the newly formed Commission would likely have an opportunity to continue their service if they were to apply and were nominated by either the Mayor or a member of the City Council that is seated beginning in January 2023. Lastly, the proposal to transfer historic preservation functions to the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Adjustments (PC/BZA) would generate the following benefits: ·PC/BZA that is already involved with permitting could provide more informed direction regarding landmark and architectural historic preservation with guidance from the Community Development Department ·Owners of Mills Act eligible properties will have a more direct route to pursue Mills Act opportunities and have a direct connection to the Community Development Department to guide and evaluate their efforts due to their staff expertise related to architecture, buildings, developers, design, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) ·In instances where PC/BZA needs further assistance with historic preservation, Community Development staff can more easily identify relevant consultants Bolstering Funding Opportunities for the Arts In addition to the above described benefits, it is also important to note that the proposed merger would result in the ongoing transfer of the remaining balance of the Arts Commission’s existing $75,000 annual budget to the newly formed Arts, Culture and Library Commission. Based on community feedback derived from conversations with relevant stakeholders the past few months, it is staff’s intention to transfer this annual budgetary allocation to the newly formed Commission, along with a commitment that those funds would be exclusively earmarked for arts-related initiatives, similar to how those funds have been used by the Arts Commission in past years. Furthermore, the newly formed Commission would be prohibited from diverting those funds to other non-arts related programming or activities. In addition to the above annual budget allocation that is already dedicated to the arts, staff has also identified an additional source of one-time funds that could be leveraged to further expand arts-related programming or installations throughout the community. More specifically, on December 6, 2021, the City Council appropriated $170,000 to support programming and activities associated with the City’s sesquicentennial celebrations. Thanks to prudent use of those funds coupled with generous donations from the community coordinated by District 1 City Council Member Deborah Cox, staff has verified that approximately $75,000 in excess General Fund appropriations remain available in that account. If the City Council were to authorize the merger of the Commissions, it would facilitate additional staff capacity from the Library department who could assist the newly formed Commission in utilizing these funds exclusively to augment arts-related efforts. Page 5 City of San Leandro Printed on 11/17/2022