Forest Park council approves ordinance to create Public Arts Review Board with ward-appointed members

Forest Park's City Council on Feb. 3 approved a text amendment to the city's zoning code to create a Public Arts Review Board that will review and promote public art in the city.

The council voted to amend Title 8, Planning and Development, Chapter 8 (Zoning), Article F to add Section 8-8-169 establishing the board. City Manager Clark and Planning and Community Development Director Nicole Dossier presented the item and described the board's duties and membership during a public hearing. "We are looking to establish this particular program so that we can select different items or variety of public art to distribute throughout the city," Dossier said during her presentation.

The amendment was revised in response to council direction during the hearing. Council members asked that the board mirror the city's approach used for other commissions by providing ward representation. Clark summarized the agreed changes on the record: "The board shall consist of 7 total members. The main street manager shall serve as an ex officio member of the board. The 6 remaining members shall be . . . appointed by ward by the mayor and city council," he said. Council members clarified that the six appointees would be representatives ratified by the governing body; they need not all be city employees or nonresidents, but the text will mirror the city's beautification commission language with added ex officio arts partners.

Council members debated community representation and the application process. Councilman Hector Gutierrez urged greater resident participation, saying, "I would like at least 3 community members, at least." Councilwoman Latressa Akins Wells and others said they preferred a transparent application process so the governing body could review candidates' backgrounds before appointments. City Attorney Matricardi advised that there is no legal requirement setting a minimum age but noted practical considerations about meeting schedules for minors.

During the public hearing, a resident who identified herself in favor of the amendment urged that appointments give priority to people who live, work and play in Forest Park and asked that the board respect local applicants. No speaker registered formal opposition.

Councilwoman Akins Wells moved approval of the text amendment as revised; Councilman Mears seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

What the ordinance does and next steps

The adopted amendment adds a Public Arts Review Board with seven seats, a Main Street program representative as an ex officio member, and six ward-appointed representatives ratified by the governing body; the final ordinance text will mirror the beautification commission format with the ex officio arts partners included. Staff said they will finalize the language and return the ordinance for the regular meeting as edited. The city will use an application process for applicants to be considered for appointment; staff stated they will provide the application materials to the governing body.

The council did not adopt implementation timelines or specific budget allocations during the meeting; staff said they would prepare the final ordinance and related administrative materials for the next regular meeting.