El Mirage council approves West Valley Arts Council mural program and site installation

The El Mirage City Council on Feb. 18 authorized a two‑part mural program using funds from the city's 75th anniversary allocation: a management agreement with the West Valley Arts Council for up to $25,000 and a separate installation agreement not to exceed $5,000 for painting and façade work at a preferred private building at 12013 West Thunderbird Ave.

Kathy Knecht, executive director of the West Valley Arts Council, described a digitized vinyl mural approach: artists paint full‑scale canvases, a high‑resolution photo is printed on vinyl and applied to the wall (estimated vinyl life ~3 years), and finalists would receive $400 with an $8,000 award for the selected artist. Staff presented estimated printing costs (about $10,000 for a roughly 12x40–12x44 foot wall) and said painting quotes for façade improvements were under $5,000, putting total project costs at about $30,000.

Council discussed selection criteria favoring artistic quality and potential bonus points for local El Mirage artists, the timeline (call for artists in March, unveiling in October before the fall fiesta), durability concerns in Arizona monsoon conditions, and the need for a formal owner agreement with the private business hosting the mural. The city attorney noted the building owner would not charge a fee; the façade paint job is in lieu of a lease/license fee.

Vice Mayor Parsons moved to authorize the management agreement; Councilmember Winston seconded. The motion carried with one recorded nay from Councilmember Gentry, who said the funds could be better spent on street and infrastructure repairs. The subsequent motion to authorize the installation agreement (up to $5,000) passed with the same single recorded nay.

Staff said they would execute owner agreements with the business, request additional painting quotes before proceeding with façade work and maintain the mural while it remains in good condition.