Backup — original pdf

Backup

EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Wednesday, July 8, 2020 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Advisory Board convened in a special called meeting via video conferencing. Board Members in Attendance: Tomas Salas, Chair Aida Cerda-Prazak, Vice Chair Olga Campos-Benz, Member Gerardo Gandy, Member David Goujon, Member Wayne Lopes, Member Ricardo Maga Rojas, Member Art Navarro, Member Claudia Massey, Member Endi Silva, Member Staff in Attendance: Laura Esparza, PARD Division Manager Lucas Massie, PARD Assistant Director Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Manager Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Supervisor CALL TO ORDER: Chair Salas called the Board Meeting to order at 1pm. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Goujon motioned to approve the minutes. Member Gandy seconded. Vote Passed. (7.0) Members Campos-Benz, Maga Rojas, and Lopes Abstained. B. PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation by Parks and Recreation staff on FY21 Budget.  Nicholas Johnson, Financial Analyst with the Finance division presented a report  outlining the FY20 and FY21 Budgets. Johnson explained the impacts COVID-19 has had on the budget. He explained that the city is currently in a hiring freeze and that funding has been used to offset the general revenue projection loss. For FY21 the department is projecting and evaluating what future fiscal years by projecting figures at five instead of three years out to prepare for tax shortfalls.  Member Goujon asked how boards could support cultural centers’ future budgets. Johnson expressed that advisory boards could assist to push for advocacy with establishing equity and efficiency. To provide recommendations of how to better manage funds. 1     Member Goujon asked when the ideal time to provide recommendations would be. Johnson responded that the time to make recommendations for FY21 is now and December 2020 or January 2021 for FY22. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion and possible action to nominate the ESB-MACC as a National Historic Landmark and Texas Historic Landmark (Goujon, Navarro)  Braulio Hurtado from Mark Odom Studios and Chair of the Latinos in Architecture Austin Chapter spoke in support of the nomination even though it does not qualify at this time. He discussed the architectural and cultural center significance and what it will represent in the post-pandemic era.  Member Massey asked about the process to receive the designation.  Member Campos-Benz also inquired on how long the process takes.  Division Manager Esparza discussed information provided by Kim McKnight, manager over the Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism division. She noted that the building has to be at least 50 years old to qualify as a historic landmark. The parks department would complete the nomination with the board’s support. She mentioned that McKnight suggested looking for other recognitions or designations outside of historical designations that could be sought out for now. Esparza also mentioned she spoke with Ingrid Spencer from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and she recommended that once Phase II was complete, the building could be nominated for a Texas Design award.  Member Goujon spoke with regards to how to preserve the existing building for future historical landmark status. He mentioned the intent was on how to preserve the existing conditions in the event of a remodel or addition.  Member Campos-Benz noted that the bond was passed 25 years ago and that time should be accounted for.  Member Gandy mentioned that the Phase II working group could work on what preservation or recommendations could be made to design team.  Member Goujon mentioned that Latinos in Architecture could work on the documentation.  Member Goujon motioned to audit archives of historical drawings. Member Gandy seconded. Unanimous vote. (10.0) Motion passed.  Chair Salas opened the nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Salas nominated Vice  Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak accepted the nomination. She mentioned the efficiency that Chair Cerda-Prazak for Chair. the present board had established.  Member Gandy nominated Member Goujon as Chair and Member Navarro as Vice  Member Goujon accepted nomination.  Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak nominated Chair Salas as Vice Chair to keep momentum Chair. going.  Chair Salas accepted but did not receive a second.  Chair Salas called for second of Aida as chair. There was no response.  Member Massey nominated Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak to continue as Vice Chair. She also seconded Member Goujon for Chair.  Board Members took a vote to elect Member Goujon as Chair. Vote passed (7.1) Chair Salas voted against. Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak abstained. Member Lopes was absent. 2. ACTION ITEM: Officer Elections   2   Chair Goujon thanked the board for their support. He also thanked previous Chair Salas and Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak for their service and accomplishments. He reiterated the importance of the working groups and the collaborative spirit. He talked about exploring what a cultural center means post-pandemic but also to never forget how far the MACC has come.  Vice Chair Cerda-Prazak declined the Vice Chair nomination.  Board Members took a vote to elect Member Navarro as Vice Chair. Vote passed (6.1) Member Massey voted against. Members Cerda-Prazak and Salas abstained. Member Lopes was absent.  Vice Chair Navarro stated that he looks forward to working with everyone on the board. He thanked Members Salas and Cerda-Prazak. 3. Discussion and possible action on all working groups.  Chair Salas opened the floor for discussion. LAAP  Member Goujon mentioned that he was the only member currently in the working group. He stated that he met with Manager Rojas. Commended staff for resiliency and creativity for shifting in person programs to creating online content. He encouraged everyone to promote LAAP artists on their own platforms. He mentioned that the annual evaluation was coming up in October. He asked that other members join the working group.  Member Maga Rojas said he would like to join and talked about his experience. Member Campos-Benz also asked to join and also discussed her experience working with arts community. Budget  Member Goujon discussed minor changes of FY21 Budget. He complimented staff for being able to preserve employees. He mentioned that the City Auditor was close to present their findings and that one of the recommendations was longer working hours for ESB MACC. He recommended that City Auditor be invited to the next meeting. Esparza mentioned that she had emailed the City Auditor’s office and had not received a response. Member Goujon reminded the board that recommendations need to be submitted for FY21 as soon as possible. He also recommended setting a goal to set recommendations for the FY22 budget in December 2020.  Has not met. Esparza update project managers on transportation projects and said Transportation there was currently no action. Phase II  Member Goujon shared that he had met with Project Managers Tse and Bies and were informed that the City was recommending to proceed with contract negotiations with the firm of Miro Rivera and Tatiana Bilbao architects. He provided information on the experience of the architects. He expressed being excited about the potential to bring international attention to the MACC. He looked forward to the joint venture providing opportunities to inspire the youth of Austin to be interested in architecture.  Chair Salas stated that he was happy with the selection and looks forward to the project that they come up with. Member Gandy also expressed excitement for architects and educational opportunities. Member Goujon recommended action item to write a letter of support for the evaluation process for the ESB-MACC Phase 2’s Professional Design Services. Member Gandy seconded. Unanimous vote Motion passed. (10.0) Ethnographic Research – Tabled   3   D. STAFF BRIEFINGS  Olivia Tamzarian, Program Supervisor presented the programming updates. She discussed the process that was implemented while the MACC was open to the public. She discussed the shift from in person programming to online programming and gave updates on all of the current programming that the MACC is providing.  Member Gandy commended staff for successfully implementing digital programming and happy to see collaborations with other organizations also suggested that for metrics he recommended use of the program Iconisquare for metrics. Thanked staff for all their work. E. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Invite City Auditor to present their report.   Member Silva asked about Awards of Excellence for next year. Manager Rojas informed the board that the 2020 Awards of Excellence was postponed due to the pandemic but that it would be doubled up for 2022.  Discussion and possible action on all working groups. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Salas dedicated meeting to the memory of Manuel “Cowboy” Donley. Motioned to adjourn with a second by Member Massey. Unanimous vote. Motion passed. (10.0) Meeting adjourned at 2:26 pm.     4