The City Council adopted a Public Art Policy Handbook (Resolution No. 7956) on Nov. 19 that formalizes roles, selection processes and review procedures for the city’s public‑art program. Community Development staff said the handbook was developed by an ad‑hoc public art commission committee and refined after public and commission input.

The document organizes guidance into five sections (roles/responsibilities, public art criteria, public art on public property, optional review for voluntary private‑property art, and the municipal art collection). Commissioners sought clarification that voluntary private‑property art would not require commission review and that a subcommittee could conduct artist selection for particular projects; the handbook incorporates both clarifications.

Speakers at the meeting (including the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation) commended the handbook and proposed early projects such as site‑specific work at Adobe Flores and a Solis Pocket Park fence mural. Council members noted that the public‑art account currently holds minimal funds and that future budget allocations or developer contributions would be needed to advance projects.

The council adopted the handbook to provide consistent policy and asked staff to update application materials and post guidance online; staff will return to council with prioritization and budget proposals for projects recommended by the Public Art Commission.