Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arts And Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sunnyside Arts Commission advances artist registry, discusses mural rules and adds youth seat to agenda; excuses absent member
Summary
The Sunnyside Arts Commission approved minutes, agreed to publish an artist/musician registry with minor edits, discussed adopting mural program rules (including a $5,000 city contribution and a five‑year display commitment), debated adding a junior/senior youth seat and voted 3–2 to excuse an absent commissioner.
The Sunnyside Arts Commission met and approved its minutes before moving into updates on outreach, programming and rules for public art projects.
Julia Hart, city councilwoman, proposed holding a public forum in mid‑March or April to gather community ideas and to enlist local schools and the museum for a planned museum day. "I think we should probably figure out a day, maybe in mid‑March," Hart said, outlining a timeline to solicit participation from the Christian High and Harrison Middle School art teachers.
Staff updated the commission on a draft artist and musician registry hosted on the city's website. Jackie, the city clerk and staff liaison, said the registry allows artists to upload samples and link to social media; the commission asked the form language be changed from "Facebook" to a neutral "socials" field and to allow multiple links. "The only thing that would cost us would be to advertise in the paper," Jackie said when members asked about outreach expenses.
Commissioners reviewed lessons from a Pasco mural program the group researched. Members reported that the Pasco program requires the applicant be the property owner (or have owner consent), requires Arts Commission approval of mural designs, includes a five‑year commitment to keep murals in place and typically provides about $5,000 in city support per mural. Commissioners discussed anti‑graffiti coatings and cautioned against design restrictions that would exclude graffiti‑style work; one member said the upkeep requirement could be inequitable for already‑strained downtown businesses.
The commission also discussed existing public‑art displays of farm implements along Yakima Valley Highway, noting the need for cataloging, interpretive plaques and insurance/maintenance coordination with city staff and the museum.
On youth engagement, members debated adding a junior or senior high school student to the commission and raised logistical questions about attendance, release from class and whether the city code would need amending. Staff said an ordinance to change the city code will be introduced to the City Council on the 12th as a first reading, with a subsequent reading planned later in the month. Commissioners agreed to draft expectations for a youth member and consider selection methods with school administrators.
The commission set meeting dates for January and discussed postponing some January meetings because of holiday schedules. Members agreed to publish the artist/musician registry (but not the mural registry) after the requested edits are made.
On motions and votes, the commission recorded two formal actions: approval of the meeting minutes (motion declared passed) and a later motion to excuse an absent member, Trace. Jesse Mendoza moved to excuse the member and Chelsea Dean seconded; the roll call produced a 3–2 vote in favor and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned with holiday well wishes.
The commission planned follow‑up steps including publishing the edited artist/musician registry, drafting a public‑forum plan for spring and preparing the ordinance language for City Council consideration.
