PALO ALTO — The Public Art Commission discussed planning and timing for its annual retreat and work plan at the Jan. 15 meeting, and staff urged commissioners to review the draft in advance because of a tight turnaround.

Staff told commissioners the retreat (scheduled for Feb. 10) will be a chance to revisit adopted priorities, roll over multiyear projects, and examine how public art integrates with capital improvement projects and private development. Staff said many projects are multi-year and timelines can shift with budgetary cycles.

A council liaison updated the commission on a recommendation from the Policy and Services Committee that each board or commission be offered one opportunity per year to present a work plan to either the committee or to council, depending on timing and docket fit. Staff asked the chair and vice chair to work closely with staff to prepare a draft for the retreat so it can be finalized quickly for the council packet.

Commissioners discussed revisiting the master plan later in the year and suggested subcommittees or small working groups to prepare draft language. Staff noted maintenance of the collection, artist residencies and integration with CIP funding as standing items that may roll over into the next work plan.

The commission did not take action on the work plan at the meeting; staff asked commissioners to bring ideas to the retreat and identified follow-up steps for preparing the draft.