Chamblee commission to tighten mural‑program rules; funding for matching grants remains

Tanisha, the commission liaison, said staff submitted revised application language to the city legal department after problems with the first applicant exposed a gap between mural applications and planning requirements. "We have submitted some language to the legal department to add in because there was a little bit of a learning curve with our first applicant," she said.

A staff member explained the specific shortfalls the commission found: the initial applicant did not yet have a business license and did not have a signed lease or building‑owner agreement confirming maintenance responsibilities. "The challenge with the first applicant specifically was they did not have their business license yet. They did not have their lease, completely locked in yet," said Jeremy, a staff member. He added that city rules require owner buy‑in and a maintenance commitment (described in the meeting as a three‑ or five‑year requirement).

Staff said the program itself is continuing and the commission still has $50,000 budgeted for next year for matching mural grants, though the added application language may affect timing for specific applicants. "The program is still going. We still have the 50 k for next year," Tanisha said. Staff recommended that leased spaces include an affidavit from the building owner confirming they will comply with the city's mural maintenance rules before grant funds are disbursed.

The commission did not vote on a specific ordinance or funding change at the meeting; staff indicated applicants who secure a business license and an agreement with the building owner can reapply under the clarified rules.