City recreation staff and the Art and Cultural Commission outlined a slate of lower‑cost, family‑oriented events for The Wharf and continued public‑art work tied to the draft budget.

Nikki, community services director, presented a package that reduces the scale and cost of Wharf programming while preserving community activation. The centerpiece is a proposed three‑event Boogie on the Wharf dance series (DJ and dance instructor) with an estimated total expense of $6,000 for the series. Staff said the reduced format is intended to limit staffing, supply and vendor costs while offering a visible village amenity.

The Art and Cultural Commission recommended rebranding a vendor series as a Maker’s Market (previously Art of the Beach), holding two youth‑band music Sundays timed with the Maker’s Market, and running two dueling‑piano shows on Saturdays. Staff said vendor fees and event design should help offset costs for some of these programs; the Maker’s Market generates vendor revenue and requires fewer contracted services than larger festivals.

The commission also requested a small professional cleaning and maintenance program for the 40 First Avenue median sculptures and reported the Begonia Festival public art installation and signal‑box mural work are complete. Staff said public‑art maintenance costs will come from the public works maintenance budget rather than the public‑art fund.

Council members asked staff to incorporate BIA and chamber feedback; staff said they had met with both groups and will refine logistics and promotions once council signals a go‑ahead. Staff requested council guidance to begin promotions for the summer series.