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Yakima Arts Commission to explore Chalk Art Festival sponsorship and schedules special budget meeting
Summary
The commission voted to pursue using its remaining 2024 funds to sponsor the Chalk Art Festival (pending approvals) and set a special budget meeting for Jan. 15, 2025 to plan 2025 spending and review the Windows Alive contract and priorities.
The Yakima Arts Commission voted on Dec. 18 to pursue spending its remaining 2024 allocation to sponsor the downtown Chalk Art Festival and scheduled a special budget meeting for Jan. 15, 2025 to establish priorities for the commission’s $10,000 annual budget.
Commissioners raised concern that the commission’s unspent $3,000 will not roll over into the next fiscal year. Staff and commissioners explained year‑end procurement constraints and that purchases close near fiscal year end unless they qualify as monthly bills or catastrophic needs. With quorum present, the commission moved to inquire about and then to allocate the remaining funds as a sponsorship for the Chalk Art Festival pending any necessary city approvals; the motion was seconded and the vote carried.
Members also discussed Windows Alive, the city‑contracted program that has historically consumed the bulk of the commission’s budget. Staff said Jane Cooper is contracted to run Windows Alive and that contract terms and past budget documents are available through city council records. Commissioners asked for data and historical context to evaluate whether Windows Alive should continue in its current form or be modified; the commission asked staff to invite Jane Cooper or provide contract details at the Jan. 15 special meeting.
The commission set Jan. 15, 2025 at 3 p.m. for a special budget meeting (to precede the regular March quarterly meeting) and asked members to bring ideas and data to shape 2025 allocations. Commissioners discussed outreach strategies to recruit new applicants for future public‑art calls and agreed to coordinate with city communications staff on any public announcements after procurement steps are complete.
What happens next: staff will check procurement timelines, follow up on Chalk Art Festival sponsorship logistics, invite the Windows Alive contractor or produce contract documentation for the Jan. 15 budget meeting, and prepare a draft budget agenda for the commission.
