Council approves (3–2) a city letter supporting Harmony Project concept; language will say no city financial obligation

The City Council voted 3–2 on April 2 to authorize the mayor to sign a revised letter of support for the Harmony Project, a nonprofit arts proposal centered on a downtown performance and arts space. The vote followed a lengthy public presentation and council discussion about process, community collaboration and whether a city endorsement could be construed as a financial commitment.

James Lantyne, the project founder, described the Harmony Project as a community arts initiative that would host music, musical theater, film and other arts programming, and said he and partners have a purchase agreement under investigation. He said the project aims to expand arts access and support collaborative programming with existing local partners.

City staff explained the council’s legislative platform provides a process for mayoral letters of support when a project aligns with city policy, and the original draft circulated earlier in the process had been reviewed by the mayor’s office and shared with the requester. Several councilmembers expressed concern that distribution of an unsigned draft had created the appearance of city support before council review.

During the debate councilmembers requested clarifying language be added to the letter to make clear it was not a commitment of financial support and to encourage broader community endorsements. Councilmembers asked the presenter to secure endorsements from the school district and other local arts organizations; the presenter said he was in discussions with several partners and intended to pursue them.

A motion to approve issuance of the revised draft letter (Exhibit B) with added language that the letter does not commit city funding passed by a 3–2 voice vote. The roll call recorded: Crosswhite — yes; Cornejo — yes; Ornelas — no; Vice Mayor (Morris) — yes; Mayor Chavez — no. The council did not pledge any city funds and directed no additional action at the time beyond issuance of the letter.

Councilmembers who opposed the letter cited process concerns and asked that future requests include clear evidence of community and partner endorsements before the city’s name is used in grant-seeking materials. Supporters said endorsing the concept helps small local nonprofits seek grants and that the letter can aid downtown arts development without obligating the city to provide funding.

The approved motion and the revised letter will be included in the city record; staff confirmed the letter’s language will be explicit that it conveys alignment with the city’s legislative platform and does not guarantee any financial support from the city.