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Committee considers painting storm-drain covers after Caltrans ownership blocks utility-box plan
Summary
The Public Arts Committee discussed a proposal—modeled on Windsor—to paint certain storm-drain covers across Sebastopol after learning most utility boxes are on Caltrans property. The committee asked public works for maps and proposed a small-stipend model and a five‑year refresh schedule.
After follow-up research, committee members concluded that painting utility boxes is impractical because most boxes in town are owned by Caltrans and not the city. Instead the committee discussed a proposal to paint horizontal storm-drain concrete covers in high‑pedestrian areas.
Public works staff said the city’s storm-drain inventory includes roughly 800 covers; however, many are small or textured metal covers unsuitable for painting and many are on Caltrans property. Staff said the number of large, flat concrete covers suitable for artwork is substantially smaller and will require a more precise count. Eric, assistant superintendent for public works, agreed to supply the committee with a map showing likely candidate locations.
The committee examined a model used in Windsor: the city there offers a stipend (about $800) to an artist to paint an inlet cover and plans a five‑year refresh so the art remains maintained and anti‑graffiti coated. Committee members discussed offering stipends similar to existing sculpture-walk stipends (one member cited $1,000 as an example) and running selection as a themed call for submissions. Options discussed included commissioning one artist to design a unified series across multiple drain covers rather than many individual designs.
Public works emphasized that any painting must use a textured base coat or aggregate primer to avoid creating a slippery surface; the final surface would need an anti‑graffiti topcoat. The committee proposed a subcommittee and site visits—Jeff and Robert volunteered to review the public‑works map and take photos of candidate covers before the next committee discussion.
No formal commitment to spend funds was made; committee members said they prefer to develop a clear scope, an accurate count of suitable covers, and a maintenance plan before authorizing stipends.
