Council dissolves Streetscapes art committee, moves to form citywide public art ad hoc committee

The City Council voted to dissolve the downtown Streetscapes public art ad hoc committee and directed staff to form and advertise membership for a new citywide public art ad hoc committee to oversee remaining Streetscapes duties (including plinths) and to develop a broader citywide public art plan.

Councilor Andrade moved to dissolve the current committee and direct staff to form and advertise membership for a new public art ad hoc committee; Councilor Nielsen seconded the motion. Councilors voted in favor and the motion passed 6–0. Council members and staff described the committee as part of the council’s strategic-plan priorities for the fiscal year and said the ad hoc structure would allow the council to begin work now while a planned, broader overhaul of all city boards and committees is completed later this year or next.

Staff member Chelsea and other speakers described the committee’s duties and suggested membership guidelines. The agenda summary includes suggested duties and a recommended membership structure that would include up to two members with professional art experience “preferably in public art procurement, creation, installation, or maintenance.” Council and staff said the new ad hoc committee would inherit duties around plinths installed as part of the Streetscapes project and also develop a longer-term citywide public art strategy. The council instructed staff to invite current members of the former ad hoc committee to apply and to advertise the openings publicly; staff indicated they would aim to advertise immediately and return with appointments at the October council meeting.

Council discussion referenced an earlier public art plan from 2013 developed with the downtown association and chamber; staff said they would review that plan as part of the new committee’s work. No budget figures or specific public-art purchases were adopted during the meeting; the council directed staff to begin outreach and committee formation. The decision was recorded as a formal motion and vote; the motion dissolving the Streetscapes public art ad hoc committee and forming a citywide ad hoc public art committee passed with all members present voting aye.