Paramount staff seeks council approval for public‑art advisory committee and ordinance timeline

City planning staff presented an update on the Public Art Master Plan and recommended creating a standing Public Art Advisory Committee to guide selection, maintenance and programming.

Planning Director John King, presenting for management analyst Solbe Harano, said staff recommends removing the Development Review Board from the approval process for public art and instead using a Public Art Advisory Committee to provide expert review and community input before council decisions. King described the proposed committee as a five‑to‑seven member advisory body that would include a minimum of two council members and two arts professionals; staff would screen candidates and the mayor would appoint council members.

King said the committee’s duties would include setting goals and guidelines, reviewing artist selections, advising on public‑space programming and recommending conservation and maintenance plans. The plan timeline presented to council calls for the draft Public Art Master Plan to be returned to council in March for review, an ordinance that implements the plan to be presented in April, council appointment of advisory committee members in April, and the committee to begin work in July.

King noted existing expedited, interdepartmental review procedures would remain for small or urgent projects that need a faster turnaround. The council did not vote on the ordinance or on committee appointments at this meeting; staff will return with the draft plan and ordinance in the months ahead.