ACE recommends it be primary approver for privately funded public art applications

Olivia Gosta, assistant to the city manager, presented a memo proposing five operational changes to how the city handles public‑art applications and asked the Arts & Culture & Events (ACE) Committee to make a recommendation on who should have final approval.

Gosta summarized the proposed changes as modernizing the application form, aligning selection criteria with the city's 1% for art program, removing the requirement that applicants name a final installation location until the city adopts an updated public art master plan, adding an additional public‑comment period after applicant presentations at ACE, and eliminating a separate formal public hearing requirement. "There is one main decision point for you tonight," she told the committee, framing the options as (1) retain city council as final approver, (2) make ACE the primary final approver, or (3) delegate final approval to staff or the city manager with ACE recommendation.

Committee members pressed for safeguards on controversial or high‑cost pieces and asked that applicants still be permitted to suggest locations even after a master plan exists. After discussion, ACE reached consensus in support of Option 2 — ACE serving as the primary final approval body for privately funded applications that have been vetted by staff — while instructing staff to add a clear deferral path so ACE can refer complex or high‑impact proposals to city council. Gosta said she would include the committee's recommendation in the redlined ordinance submitted to counsel for review.

Next steps: staff will update the draft redlines to reflect ACE’s recommendation and the committee’s requested clarifications on location suggestions and deferral language before forwarding the ordinance amendments to city council for consideration.