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Port Hueneme council approves revised library mural design emphasizing naval and native elements
Summary
Council approved a revised mural design for the Ray D. Pewter Library that adds a nautical compass to represent the Navy, replaces some poppies with native verbena and proposes QR/AR interpretation; installation will be funded with community benefit funds and staff recommended allocations for landscaping and maintenance.
The Port Hueneme City Council authorized the mural committee to proceed with a revised mural design for the Ray D. Pewter Library that incorporates council and subcommittee suggestions.
Tony Surte, presenting the committee’s work, said the artist revised the design to add cranes to represent the port, replace lemon blossoms with California poppies and insert native verbena into the Tomol rendering. On Council member Martinez’s suggestion the artist added a nautical compass to symbolically represent the Navy. The design also includes a QR code or augmented reality option to tell the mural’s story.
Public commenters, including Miguel Rodriguez and Beverly Kelly, expressed support for the design, saying it reflects Chumash roots, the port and local flora. Nancy Schramm, library director, told the council that the library’s reopening timeline has been delayed and is now likely in spring next year; she said staff will coordinate a joint ribbon-cutting when the library is ready.
Funding for installation comes from the Port of Hueneme community benefit fund (CBF): staff reported $35,000 of the $50,000 CBF allocation will pay for installation; staff discussed using remaining funds for landscape replacement and a maintenance reserve. City staff estimated landscaping and irrigation work to frame the mural would cost under $10,000; $5,000 could be set aside for unforeseen maintenance and artist touch-up at approximately $200 per hour.
Council members praised the committee’s multi-year work and voted to approve the design; the motion passed unanimously with Mayor Perez absent. Staff will move forward with the agreement and schedule fabrication and installation.
