Reno Fine Arts and Culture Commission members on Dec. 18 were briefed on a council‑tabled proposal to add a new mural to a city water tower and on how the commission would participate in future artist selection.

Staff said the water‑tower item, which appeared before city council on Dec. 1, was tabled and that the existing 2023 contract covered repainting the current logo only. "If they do want to do another design on it, it would be outside of the contracts that they already approved in 2023," staff said, adding that any change would require a council member to reintroduce the item to the council.

On cost, staff reported contractors from the 2023 engagement provided updated estimates. "They informed him it would be around 40 k if it's around the same size," staff said; on subsequent clarifying remarks staff identified a likely range for similarly sized towers of about $30,000 to $40,000, with higher costs for more detailed, full‑tower designs.

Staff told the commission that which funding source to use — the public‑art fund or utilities funds — is a decision for city council. The utilities director (named in the transcript as Tarek Alphabet) told the commission that using utilities money would likely require pausing an existing fiscal‑year 2026 utilities project.

Commissioners raised concerns about how artists would be compensated if a large, city‑funded project is produced. The meeting packet notes a local artist might be awarded a maximum of $750 for a design under the current approach; several commissioners questioned whether that amount "shows the respect that artists deserve," and urged staff and council to consider higher pay. Staff said ordinance provisions allow for percentage‑based adjustments and that compensation can be revisited depending on project complexity.

Staff detailed how selection would proceed: post RFQs to identify a pool of qualified contractors and artists, then use RFPs and evaluation committees (including staff and, where appropriate, commission and district representatives) to select designs. Staff also said city purchasing rules require city staff to be involved in the formal contracting/evaluation of contractors.

The item remains at the council level for funding decisions; the commission discussed panel composition and possible mentorship and payment structures while awaiting any council directive to advance the project.