The Middleton Arts Committee discussed the scope and limits of fundraising for the city’s percent-for-art program and early planning for a proposed site at the Pheasant Branch Trailhead.

Sebastian raised whether the committee could run outside fundraising campaigns to supplement percent-for-art revenue, asking why the committee could not pursue additional community fundraising if the dedicated percent amount proved insufficient. Committee members said past fundraising for art projects had occurred but that the city typically requires review by the city attorney and city manager before permitting active fundraising under a municipal program.

One committee member summarized the compliance path: “That is something I think is that we're we would have to run past the city's attorney and, the the, the city manager.” Members asked staff to re-check prior guidance and to consult the finance director and Abby (who had previously handled grant inquiries) about what fundraising approaches the city has allowed.

Committee members recalled previous private fundraising tied to a proposed Parmenter Street roundabout installation; donors later allowed the committee to decide how to reallocate funds when the roundabout installation did not proceed because the Department of Transportation declined permission. The group asked staff to confirm whether existing fundraising or donor funds remain available and to report back on legal or policy constraints for soliciting business sponsorships for percent-for-art projects.

On project siting, committee members reported early coordination with the parks director about an art installation at the Pheasant Branch Trailhead and said they would continue monthly updates while timelines and installation details are developed.

A later planning figure was discussed for budgeting purposes: one member said a working planning figure of $30,000 per year could serve as an average bankable amount for multi-year planning, though members did not adopt a formal budget change at the meeting.