Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Arts And Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge preservation of existing arts process, question painted intersection and online access
Summary
Multiple public speakers criticized proposed changes to the city's arts ordinance and master‑plan process, urged keeping existing arts board authority, questioned the painted Ocean Avenue intersection and raised complaints about the city's online public‑comment system.
During public comment May 6 residents urged the commission to preserve the existing arts ordinance and questioned recent public‑art expenses, raised objections to a painted intersection on Ocean Avenue, and asked for easier online access to participate in meetings.
Susan Oyer, speaking from abroad, urged commissioners to reject the proposed arts ordinance changes and to keep the current arts fund and board authority. "You don't need to change the ordinance. You don't need to take power away from your city boards," Oyer said, arguing the existing ordinance already covers many projects and warning the change could divert arts funds to other city beautification programs.
Barbara Riddey also criticized the consent agenda item related to a new public‑art master plan and questioned a contract to hire a consultant who, in her view, described redevelopment scenarios that could affect single‑family neighborhoods. "We already have a master plan for the art…we're getting the cart before the horse," Riddey told the commission.
During public comment, David Katz spoke specifically about the painted intersection on Ocean Avenue, saying the artwork "isn't about inclusion, it's about division" and urging the city to replace it with the city logo. Katz said the painted intersection had been repainted several times at public expense and called for a single citywide symbol instead of a community‑specific treatment.
Several speakers also raised problems with online meeting access. Ramona Young and another caller described the remote participation flow as cumbersome and asked for a more user‑friendly platform and clearer instructions for older residents and those unfamiliar with multiple login steps. Commissioners and staff said they would pursue tutorials and additional outreach; the mayor asked IT and staff to improve user support and help residents troubleshoot ahead of meetings.
Speakers requesting changes were part of the public‑comment portion of the meeting; the commission did not take formal action on the arts ordinance during public comment but later considered a second‑reading ordinance on arts matters on the agenda.
