National City committee hears mural plan for Public Works building; members ask for budget and council referral

Ryan “RJ” Johnson of Vision Culture Foundation presented a mural concept for the National City Public Works building along the trolley tracks on 24th Street, saying the project would hire local artists and use imagery tied to the community’s sunsets, parks and workers.

The presentation drew support from committee members, city staff and community volunteers, who said the mural could both beautify the site and reduce recurring graffiti‑abatement costs. Committee members asked Johnson and project partners to prepare a formal budget and a council package so the council could consider funding or in‑kind support.

RJ Johnson, who said he works with the Vision Culture Foundation in National City, told the committee that the team has collaborated with the city and neighborhood writers and that “all our artists are local” and would help maintain the work. Artist David Castillo showed color and narrative choices intended to reflect local landmarks, youth sports and municipal crews, and read a short poem titled “We Are Here” that the team plans to display alongside the mural.

James Kim, who said he handles graffiti removal and related documentation for National City, explained the project’s anti‑graffiti rationale and maintenance approach. “We put next amount of money and removing and paying flyers to be out there...and then the next day, it’s like you never did anything,” Kim said, describing frequent repainting at the trolley wall. RJ added that the city spends roughly “$30,000 every…2 to 3 months in graffiti abatement,” framing the mural as a possible cost‑saving alternative through community stewardship and rapid touch‑ups by participating artists.

City staff and committee members urged the presenters to formalize cost estimates and explain funding sources. Sarah Pudalo, recreation supervisor with the Community Services Department, praised the project details and asked how the work would be funded and permitted. A staff member noted the city is planning a 10% budget reduction and recommended the presenters develop a data‑driven package for the registrar and the council, including equipment, fencing and paint costs as well as any in‑kind Public Works contributions.

Committee members and volunteers also recommended documenting the mural process as an educational tool for youth programs and schools; several speakers stressed featuring real, local role models on the mural and preserving the project through coordinated maintenance.

Separately, Reason to Survive provided program updates during the meeting: a youth water‑source beautification project called Ripple Effect, an open youth arts festival “In Bloom” on May 3 and a Bright Lights fundraising event on May 15. A community member also noted an upcoming Port/ Skycharger presentation on May 1 about a proposed EV truck charging station with a community benefits discussion.

The committee moved and seconded approval of the meeting agenda and prior minutes during the session; the transcript records the voice vote as approved but does not include a roll‑call tally. The meeting adjourned after members moved to close the meeting; the transcript records a motion, a second and the adjournment.

Next steps: the committee and staff asked RJ, James Kim and city staff to prepare a formal budget, maintenance plan and council package so the project can be brought to the City Council for formal consideration.