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Council OKs utility‑box beautification map; will review artist renderings before final approval
Summary
Council received a map and theme plan from REACH for eight utility‑box murals (military, Chumash, port, nature) and approved proceeding with locations; staff asked REACH to return with final renderings for a one‑time council approval to avoid repeated revisions.
The City Council received and approved a proposed map and themes for a utility‑box art project from the community organization REACH. The group proposed beautifying eight utility boxes citywide with four themes — military, Chumash, port and nature — and tied each theme to box locations (for example, a box honoring the Bard family near Bard Road and a Seabees theme adjacent to the CB Museum).
Staff said the council had previously approved REACH’s request to use up to 25 hours of staff time and to waive permit fees, and the presentation returned with the requested site map and theme descriptions. City Manager staff recommended that REACH present final artist renderings for council review before installation. The recommended approach aims to balance REACH’s limited budget for revisions and the council’s interest in reviewing final artwork, and staff suggested the organization submit all eight renderings at once to simplify agenda management and public review.
Council members asked that REACH consult subject‑matter stakeholders as designs are developed — for example, Chumash tribal representatives on cultural depictions and the Seabee community or port museum on military or port themes. REACH representatives on hand said they planned to involve local schools, colleges and local cultural groups and anticipated working with multiple artists and community participants; they noted seasonal timing considerations for paint curing and artist availability.
Council motioned to approve the locations and themes and to direct REACH to return with the finished renderings for a single council review, which will be a thumbs‑up/thumbs‑down decision rather than an open revision cycle.
