Cultural Arts Commission approves revised bylaws; council reallocates $15,000 for roundabout sculpture

The O'Fallon Cultural Arts Commission on Tuesday approved revisions to its bylaws and received an update from the City Council liaison about the funding for a roundabout sculpture.

Commissioner Fogarty moved to approve the revised bylaws and the motion passed by voice vote; Chair Christine Latimer announced, "The ayes have it." The bylaws change meeting dates and make the timing of chair and vice-chair elections more specific; staff said the revisions must go to City Council for final approval before taking effect.

Council member Amanda Taylor (Ward 4), the council—s liaison to the commission, told the group that the City Council had approved up to $60,000 for the roundabout beautification project at a prior meeting and that councilors decided $15,000 of the cost will come from the commission—s art-purchase budget rather than from general road funds. "Moving forward, whenever art is considered to be purchased for the roundabout or any other public areas in O'Fallon, the Cultural Arts Commission must be part of that conversation from the beginning," Taylor said.

Taylor said the council chose $15,000 specifically to avoid encroaching on a previously approved $10,000 bench purchase; she said the $15,000 represents leftover funds from the commission—s art-purchase allocation. Commission staff and a member present at the meeting said they had been informed of the council—s decision and that the purchase aligns with the commission—s mission to acquire civic artwork.

No formal vote by the City Council was presented at the meeting; the commission—s approval at Tuesday—s meeting was limited to the bylaws revisions. Staff said the bylaws packet includes a redline copy of edits and that the revised text will be forwarded to council for placement on an upcoming agenda.