HomeMy WebLinkAbout17. Receive & File Informational Presentation of Stay Gallery's OperationsAPPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
TOCITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DATE: MAY 28, 2019
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION REGARDING STAY GALLERY OPERATIONS
That the City Council receive and file an informational presentation regarding Stay Gallery's
operations.
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In March of 2012, the City Council amended the Art in Public Places Guidelines to expand the
availability of art to the general public. This amendment allowed for the use of Public Arts funds
to pay for art venues within the boundaries of the Downtown Specific Plan area (the City Council
could authorize a venue outside of this area if deemed appropriate). Art venues that are
subsidized by Public Arts funds must display physical art such as paintings, sculptures, and the
like. A minimum of 90 percent of the art displayed must be from Downey -based artists.
Subsequently, in May of 2012, the Council approved an Operating Agreement with the Downey
Art Vibe (DAV) in the amount of $48,000. The agreement prescribed the services to be
performed by DAV at their art gallery located at 11140 Downey Avenue, also known as Stay
Gallery. It also went on to address their responsibilities under the terms of the agreement and
the lease, which was to be paid by the City of Downey for two (2) years.
At their August 12, 2014 meeting the City Council approved a not to exceed amount of $75,000
for an additional three (3) years of lease payments, expiring in June 2017, as well as an
amendment to the Operating Agreement to run concurrently with the new lease of Stay Gallery.
Subsequently, at the May 23, 2017 City Council meeting, the Council approved additional lease
payments for Stay Gallery, for an additional three (3) year lease term ending in May of 2020,
and authorized the execution of a new Operating Agreement, in the amount of $150,000.
Staff has continued to work with DAV on an on-call basis. In addition to working with City Staff,
DAV has continued to operate the Stay Gallery and provides various art -based services to the
community, including: organizing monthly gallery exhibitions, providing educational
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT — STAY GALLERY OPERATIONS
MAY 28, 2019
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programming, allowing for rental of the facilities by community organizations, and allowing for
special events at the gallery.
In addition, pursuant to the current Operating Agreement, DAV staff has continued to provide
city staff with Quarterly Operating Reports and Bi -Annual Financial Statements. The Quarterly
reports chronicle DAV's services, description and frequency of events, operating costs, income,
and fees collected from DAV partner organizations and how they were used to offset the art
gallery's operating costs. _Additionally, the Bi -Annual Financial Statements reflect DAV's
financial activities in the preceding six month time period, specifically: revenue, scholarships,
fundraising, expenditures, gross and net profits.
Pursuant to Councilmember Saab's request, City Council will receive a presentation by Stay
Gallery's Executive Director, regarding their programming and activity. This presentation is for
informational purposes, and staff requests the Council receive and file the data.
Fiscal Responsibility
Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Parks
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.