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Oak Harbor arts commission rejects costly electrical-box wrap bid, will pursue school painting and other options
Summary
The Oak Harbor Arts Commission voted to reject a single high bid to wrap utility boxes and directed staff and commissioners to pursue alternative approaches, including school-led painting, calls for artists, and seeking grant or utility partner funding.
The Oak Harbor Arts Commission voted June 12 to reject a single bid to wrap electrical (utility) boxes after members said the proposal was far costlier than expected, and directed staff and commissioners to restart planning and pursue alternatives.
Commission members said the original plan — to apply vinyl wraps to multiple electrical boxes — came apart after only one vendor bid and that bid would have covered just four boxes at a price members called excessive. "Plan A is gonna fail," Chair JR Russell said during the discussion, and commissioners voted to reject the bid and return to "ground zero" to explore other approaches.
The commission framed the issue as three paths forward: (1) ask local schools if students will paint boxes (shorter lifespan, lower cost), (2) issue a call for artists and pay modest stipends (commissioners suggested an example stipend of about $300 per box), or (3) continue seeking professional wrappers and external funding, including potential utility company or grant support. Commissioner Tracy and other members urged documenting how the original cost estimate rose so future projects avoid similar surprises.
Staff said the budget line to wrap boxes already exists in the city budget, but members and staff agreed the scope would change if the boxes are painted rather than wrapped and that the commission should notify council of the revised approach. Chair JR Russell said he will take the lead on moving the project forward and that staff (Parks & Recreation) and commissioners would re-engage schools and other partners.
Action taken: the commission moved and seconded a motion to formally reject the single wrap bid; the voice vote carried and the bid was rejected. Commissioners agreed to reconvene project planning in a future workshop and to seek grant or partner funding opportunities.
Why it matters: the commission has been pursuing this public-art project for some time as part of a broader effort to enliven streetscapes; members said a workable, lower-cost approach would allow the program to reach more sites and involve community partners such as schools.
What happens next: staff and commissioners will re-evaluate options (school painting, call for artists, protective overlays for painted work, and renewed outreach to wrapper contractors and funders). The commission also recommended tracking procurement and scope decisions so future bids more closely match expectations.
