University Place council permits up to two nonresident seats on new arts and culture commission

The University Place City Council voted unanimously Aug. 3 to amend the municipal code governing the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission to allow up to two nonresident seats intended to bring specialized expertise to the new commission.

City Attorney Matt Kaser presented a draft ordinance that would permit one seat designated for a culturalist and another for a nonprofit professional with fundraising, marketing or major event production experience. Kaser said the draft is silent about defining "culturalist" in code and recommended that the mayor expressly identify nominees’ roles at the time of nomination so future vacancies are clear. "Those individuals would be known in the arts community and have established credible influence in arts and culture," Kaser said.

During discussion, council members emphasized prioritizing University Place residents for initial recruitment and suggested procedural safeguards: either make the first recruitment resident‑only, amend the effective date to allow a first round of interviews before nonresident appointments are permitted, or retain council discretion when filling seats. Several council members favored letting the appointment committee and the mayor continue to vet candidates while allowing limited exceptions if local expertise cannot be found.

Mayor Pro Tem McCluskey moved the ordinance, noting the goal is to recruit expertise that can help develop a cultural plan and strengthen arts engagement; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. The amendment keeps a majority of seats reserved for city residents while allowing the council to pursue outside expertise where needed.