Council forms ad hoc committee to complete utility box public art; three council members volunteer

Summary

The Duarte City Council established an ad hoc committee to oversee the next round of utility box public art along Huntington Drive, with up to six community members and three councilmembers (Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo, Councilmember Calderon and Councilmember Finley) appointed; the FY25–26 budget includes $30,000 for the project.

Staff recommended formation of a new ad hoc committee to continue the city’s public art efforts specifically for utility box art along Huntington Drive; the FY25–26 budget includes $30,000 to complete the remaining boxes ahead of the Route 66 centennial. The committee would mirror the previous freeway walls and utility box ad hoc committee and include up to three council members and six to nine community members drawn from the prior committee and recent commissioner interviewees.

Mister Nunez (staff) said staff contacted former committee members and that six expressed interest in serving again; one more candidate might be available depending on scheduling. Councilmembers volunteered for the three council seats and, by voice vote, appointed Mayor Pro Tem Martin Del Campo, Councilmember Calderon and Councilmember Finley to the ad hoc.

Council also directed staff to reach out to applicants who were not appointed to commissions to gauge interest in serving on the ad hoc. The council then adopted the resolution to formally establish the ad hoc committee and direct staff to proceed with recruitment and appointments.