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Graffiti Advisory Board
Minutes of August 11, 2005
1. Call to Order: Mohammed Nuru called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. and determined that there was a quorum.
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PRESENT |
ABSENT |
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DPW, Mohammed Nuru DPT-Michael Danich MUNI-Charles Silvera RECPARK-Joe Padilla SFPD – Christopher Putz SHERIFF– Jonathan Gray SFUSD - Peter Schwab Seat 3–Nino Parker Seat 5-Joe Porcoro Seat 6-David Heller Seat 9 – Steven Shinn Seat 10 - Machaela Hoctor Seat 12 - Ken Cleaveland Seat 14- Gideon Kramer |
Seat 7- Paul Guisti Seat 11-Debbie Mansfield Seat (excused) Seat 13-Marc Bruno
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Seat 1-Vacant (Supervisor) Seat 2- Vacant (Youth Court) Seat 4 – Vacant (SF Beautiful) Seat 8-Vacant (Private School) |
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Others present: Merle Goldstone (DPW), Paul Henderson (SFDA), Gregory Bordon (SFDA), Jack Carniglia (MUNI), Rich Newirth (SF Arts Commission), Paul Lanier, Kevin Wong (ABC Parking), Milo F. Hanke (S.F. Beautiful)
Welcome and introductions. Mohammed Nuru welcomed the group and introductions were made.
2. Public Comment –Milo Hanke introduced himself and said that he was SF Beautiful’s nominee to replace Julia Viera (Seat 4). He will apply to the Board of Supervisors to be considered for the appointment.
3. Approval of May, June and July minutes – The May minutes were approved without any changes. The June minutes were approved with one change and the July minutes were approved with two changes.
4. Murals on Utility Boxes – Richard Newirth, SF Arts Commission Director, gave a presentation on the Murals on Utility Boxes Program, which is a pilot project that the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services is developing with Precita Eyes Mural Center. Mohammed Nuru explained that pilot project will involve five DPT and telephone boxes on 24th St and that these agencies have given their permission. Newirth said that the City’s association with Precita Eyes is a good one and that the organization is highly respected in the community. Precita Eyes’ role would be to select five artists or groups to submit designs for approval by the Arts Commission; to pair the artists to the boxes; and to make sure that the boxes are maintained, with the understanding that graffiti would be removed within 24 hours. The Arts Commission’s role would be design review. The cost of the project is being underwritten.
Gideon Kramer and Joe Porcoro voiced opposition to the program because they felt that the boxes would be defaced and that painting on public property should not be permissible. Gideon Kramer said that it is essential that money for maintenance be put in the budget. Michael Danich asked whether a convicted tagger could be selected and Richard Newirth replied that there could be a screening process. Paul Lanier said that Precita Eyes had teachers who were taggers and taught students to spray paint. Christopher Putz said that having taggers put art on the boxes could be an embarrassment to the city. Machaela Hoctor suggested that the Advisory Board talk to the Arts Commission to make sure that protections from taggers participating be put in the agreement. Christopher Putz suggested that Precita Eyes make a commitment to repair historic murals in order to get the contract. Milo Hanke stated that SF Beautiful was on record as being in opposition to the project. Laurel Muniz of the Northwest Bernal Alliance voiced her group’s opposition to having the program in their neighborhood. Officer Putz described the public notification process that property owners have to follow in order to remove a vandalized mural. Mohammed suggested that Precita Eyes be invited to speak to the advisory board and talk about their philosophy.
5. Chair’s Report: Mohammed Nuru gave a progress report on the City’s negotiations with the Postal Service regarding graffiti. He updated the group about the status of DPW’s billings to PUC and MUNI. Nuru announced that second letters have gone out to property owners who did not respond to the graffiti notices of violation, and that hearings are being scheduled for hardship cases. He also reported that the Mayor’s policy director will be turning her attention to graffiti, and announced that he and Machaela Hoctor would be participating in the Commonwealth Club’s panel on graffiti vandalism vs. art on August 16.
6. Standing Committee Reports –
Education – Mohammed Nuru reported that he submitted the letter to school principals and the questionnaire about graffiti education to the Mayor.
Abatement – Ken Cleaveland reported that the abatement committee discussed per diem penalties and recommended that it was too soon to request that the Board of Supervisors impose penalties. The committee wants to see how effective the legislation is first. Mohammed Nuru explained that 28Clean tracks the effectiveness of the enforcement and that DPW is sending letters regarding legal responsibility for graffiti abatement to private property owners in “hot spot” areas.” He also reported that City is providing funding for cameras.
Law Enforcement - Machaela Hoctor presented the recommendations of the Law Enforcement Committee and asked the Board to accept them. A motion was made to accept the Law Enforcement Committee’s report and was passed.
6. Old Business
A motion was made to accept the Graffiti Advisory Board annual report, which had been amended to include Board proceedings for April, May and June 2005. The motion passed. The report will be published and sent to the Board of Supervisors.
7. New Business:
- Susan Cervantes will be invited to speak about the philosophy of the Mayor’s Murals on Utility Box Program at the September Graffiti Advisory Board meeting. The advisory board’s position on the Mayor’s Utility Box Program will be an action item on the September agenda.
- Graffiti on the Central Freeway will be included on the September agenda.
Adjournment –Mohammed Nuru adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: The next Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 8. Standing committees will meet at 5:00 p.m. and the regular meeting will convene at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in Room 348.
Respectfully submitted.
Merle Goldstone
Recording Secretary
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