Commission approves art for small utility box and plans three more 'It's a Wrap' projects

Daphne reported progress on the It's a Wrap utility-box program: six boxes have been wrapped so far, and the commission aims to wrap three more by the end of the fiscal year. She said wrap funds have paid 25 percent of the box costs (with the garden box funded by the city), and the commission has begun outreach to subdivisions and HOAs for sponsorship.

An artist who was in the recent art exhibit submitted a design for a small box in the Vermillion Cliffs neighborhood. Daphne asked the commission whether it would approve the artwork, subject to subdivision and City Council approvals. A commissioner moved and the commission approved the art for submission to council for final approval.

Daphne said she will confirm the price with the subdivision and coordinate next steps; the commission noted one small outstanding invoice of about $300 related to an earlier wrap. Liz and Daphne discussed establishing a formal call-for-art process for boxes and possibly collecting designs that neighborhood groups can choose from. Commissioners also discussed neighborhood-paid wraps and rotating options.

The commission recorded the approval of the small-box design as a recommendation to City Council; the city will consider final approval and any budget commitments at a subsequent council meeting.