HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Art Review Board 2024-07-17 Agenda Packet1
Attachment A
PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD
JULY 17TH, 2024 AT 6:00PM
In-Person:
SAN RAFAEL COMMUNITY CENTER LOUNGE
618 B STREET, SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
AGENDA
Participate Virtually:
Watch on Zoom Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/PARB-07-17-2024
Listen by phone: (669) 444-9171
ID: 814 5896 7407#
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
1.
a. Approve regular meeting minutes of November 15, 2023
Recommended Action – Approve as submitted
b. Approve regular meeting minutes of April 17, 2024
Recommended Action – Approve as submitted
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
The public is welcome to address the Commission at this time on matters not on the agenda that are
within its jurisdiction. Comments may be no longer than three minutes and should be respectful to
the community.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2. Special Presentations: None
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
If necessary to ensure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits for
the presentations by individual speakers.
3. Other Agenda Items:
a. Approval of Universe of Imagination temporary mural exhibit at 1009 4th St.
Recommended Action: Approve Temporary Exhibit
b. Approval of Our Resilient Community temporary exhibit at City Hall Lobby
Recommended Action: Approve Temporary Exhibit
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
4. Staff Liaison Report
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
5. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the Commission
members
ADJOURNMENT
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Commission less than 72 hours before the meeting,
2
Attachment A
shall be available for inspection online and in the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B St., San Rafael, CA 94901 placed with other
agenda-related materials on the table in front of the San Rafael Community Center prior to the meeting. Sign Language interpreters
may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing city.clerk@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California
Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in
accessible formats upon request. To request Spanish language interpretation, please submit an online form at
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-interpretation/.
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PUBLIC ART ADVISORY BOARD
November 15, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES
__________________________________________________________________
Watch on Zoom:
https://tinyurl.com/PARB-11-15-2023
Telephone: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 814 5896 7407
CALL TO ORDER
Craig Veramay called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Member Merritt
Member Sandoval
Chair Schauffler
Member Zhao
Absent: Member Kovalsky
Also Present: Craig Veramay, Assistant Library & Recreation Director
Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant
Debbie Younkin, Senior Recreation Supervisor
Patty McCulley, Interim Program Coordinator
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
None.
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of July 12, 2023.
Member Merritt moved, and Member Sandoval seconded, to approve the meetings
minutes of July 12, 2023.
AYES: Members: Merritt, Sandoval, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Kovalsky
ABSTAINED: Members: None
2
Minutes approved as submitted.
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2. Special Presentations: None
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
3. Other Agenda Items:
a. Review and Selection of the 2024 Falkirk Cultural Center Art Exhibitions
Craig Veramay introduced Senior Recreation Supervisor Debbie Younkin, and Interim
Program Coordinator Patty McCulley.
Ms. Younkin gave an overview of the process of the Falkirk Cultural Center and the
current Art Exhibition process.
The Board Members reviewed the artists and voted for the July, September, and
November Exhibits.
Staff responded to questions from the Board.
Public Comment: None
Member Sandoval moved to approve Sue Sommer, Catherine Lee, and Noah
Gottesman for the July exhibit, and Member Merritt seconded the motion.
AYES: Members: Merritt, Sandoval, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Kovalsky
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Motion passes.
3
Member Sandoval moved to approve Cindy Ostroff & Susan Tureck, Renne Kelly, Scott
Meadows, Scott Hewitt & David Ryan for the August exhibit , and Member Merritt
seconded the motion.
AYES: Members: Merritt, Sandoval, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Kovalsky
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Motion passes.
Member Merritt moved to approve Craig Cross, Marie Krajan, and Dana Christensen for
the September exhibit, and Member Sandoval seconded the motion.
AYES: Members: Merritt, Sandoval, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Kovalsky
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Motion passes.
b. Review 2024 Meeting Schedule
Craig Veramay gave an overview of the 2024 Meeting Schedule.
Staff responded to questions from the Board.
Public Comment: None
Member Sandoval moved, and Member Merritt seconded to approve the 2024 Meeting
Schedule.
AYES: Members: Merritt, Sandoval, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Kovalsky
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Motion passes.
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
4. Mr. Veramay went through the upcoming meetings and events of interest.
Mr. Veramay shared the upcoming January meeting there will be an agenda item for the Chair
and Vice Chair positions.
4
Public Comment: None
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
5. Chair Schauffler shared the Downtown Arts district is continuing to establish a strategic
plan process.
Member Merritt shared the Ground Floor is doing a holiday marketplace and they have
art in the space as well.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Veramay adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
___________________________________________
BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2023
___________________________________________
CATHERINE QUFFA, Library & Recreation Director
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PUBLIC ART ADVISORY BOARD
April 17, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES
__________________________________________________________________
Watch on Zoom:
https://tinyurl.com/PARB-04-17-2024
Telephone: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 814 5896 7407
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Schauffler called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Member Kovalsky
Chair Schauffler
Member Zhao
Absent: Member Merritt
Member Sandoval
Also Present: Craig Veramay, Assistant Library & Recreation Director
Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant
Cecilia Zamora, Chari of the San Rafael Leadership Institute
Magda Loczi, Marin Sanitary
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
None.
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of November 15, 2023.
Member Kovalsky motioned to approve the minutes and Member Zhao seconded the
approval of the regular meeting minutes of November 15, 2023.
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
2
ABSTAINED: Members: Kovalsky
Member Kovalsky abstained, and we do not have enough votes for approval. This item
will carry over to July.
Minutes not approved as submitted.
OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2. Special Presentations: None
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
3. Other Agenda Items:
a. San Rafael Leadership Institute Utility Box Painting Proposal
Craig Veramay gave an overview of the public art review process, and then introduced
Cecilia Zamora and Magda Loczi who presented the Utility Box Painting Proposal
report.
Staff responded to questions from the Board.
Public Comment: None
Member Kovalsky moved to approve the Utility Box Painting Proposal with their
comments, and Member Zhao seconded the motion.
AYES: Members: Kovalsky, Schauffler, Zhao
NOES: Members: None
ABSENT: Members: Merritt, Sandoval
ABSTAINED: Members: None
Motion passes.
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
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4. Mr. Veramay shared that on Monday night the City Council approved the Canal Arts at the
Albert J Boro Community Center mural.
Mr. Veramay also shared that the City of San Rafael has received many inquiries on private
property. The City currently is trying to figure out a process on this topic.
Mr. Veramay also noted the Chair and Vice Chair nominations will be carried over to the next
meeting in July.
Public Comment: None
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
5. None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Veramay adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
___________________________________________
BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2024
___________________________________________
CATHERINE QUFFA, Library & Recreation Director
PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD
AGENDA REPORT
July 17, 2024
Item #3a
TITLE: Proposal to install a temporary mural titled Universe of
Imagination at 1009 4th St.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Public Art Review Board approves the City enter an Art License Agreement
with Youth In Arts to install a temporary art mural titled Universe of Imagination at 1009
4th St.
BACKGROUND
The City of San Rafael welcomes proposals for the creation and display of public
artworks and exhibitions on property that is owned, occupied, or managed by the City.
In 2022, the San Rafael City Council approved the formation of the Public Art Review
Board (Board). The Board’s responsibilities include providing recommendations to the
City Council regarding long-term (greater than one year) public art installations and for
approving applications for temporary (one year or less) public art exhibitions.
The Public Art Review Board is responsible for reviewing proposals in alignment with
the City’s Public Art Review Guidelines, which were established as part of the Public Art
Review Process.
The Public Art Review Board guidelines include:
• Project Readiness
• Qualifications
• Funding
• Community Engagement
• Maintenance
• Design
• Diversity
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If the Public Art Review Board approves this proposal, the City will enter an Art License
Agreement with Youth In Arts for use of public property to display their artwork.
DISCUSSION
Youth In Arts (YIA) mission is to build visual and performing arts skills through
innovative and in-depth programs that foster confidence, compassion and resilience in
students of all abilities. They strive to develop capacity among educators and teaching
artists, advocate for equitable access to arts education, and offer opportunities for youth
to share their creative voices. Youth In Arts was founded in 1970 by local arts
advocates and is a 501(c)3 organization.
YIA, in partnership with San Rafael City Schools Extended Learning Opportunity
Program (ELOP), dedicated a new public mural titled Universe of Imagination at Bahia
Vista Elementary School on February 29, 2024. The mural, based on the artwork shown
in image 1, showcased a collaboration between 20 emerging youth artists, aged 16 –
20, recruited from Marin County’s most racially marginalized and underserved
neighborhoods, and professional BIPOC artists and educators, Fred Alvarado and
Keena Azania Ramano. Additional information about the original mural can be viewed in
this short film titled Splash of Color, developed in partnership with the California Film
Institute (CFI). The short film interviews the lead artists and painters, who speak about
their motivation and the development process.
Image 1: Concept Art – Universe of Imagination
The Universe of Imagination mural project was created as part of Youth in Arts’
Intensive Arts Mentorship (I AM) and Job Skills Training program, which aims to center
and amplify youth voice while providing job training and arts education opportunities.
The program equips participants with foundational skills such as personal presentation,
collaboration, communication, timeliness, and effort while encouraging a deep
exploration of social justice themes through artistic practice.
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The I AM program provides early on-ramps to economic opportunity for marginalized
youth, opening doors to the creative sector and contributing to community development
initiatives. By addressing issues of racial disparity, the program seeks to create a more
equitable future for Marin County’s most underserved neighborhoods and communities.
The Universe of Imagination mural seeks to exemplify the power of partnership,
empowering and inspiring students and their community. It is a reminder of the
importance of arts education and the transformative power of creativity in San Rafael.
Image 2: I AM: Bahia Vista – Universe of Imagination Mural painting in progress at
Bahia Vista School
About the Proposal
YIA is proposing recreation the Universe of Imagination mural as a window-cling
temporary art mural at 1009 4th St., San Rafael CA.
Image 3: Street View of 1009 4th St. (Former Beauty Expo Building)
This building is the former ‘Beauty Expo’ building, which is currently a vacant storefront
situated in downtown San Rafael along the 4th St. business corridor. This fall, the
building will be leased by the City of San Rafael to temporarily relocate Downtown
Carnegie Library services. This relocation will accommodate an interior renovation of
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the Downtown Main Library, and is anticipated to last approximately 6-8 months,
beginning in Fall 2024.
The proposed mural is an outcropping of the City of San Rafael’s Economic
Development Division call for artists to activate vacant storefronts to improve economic
vitality and the pedestrian environment on 4th St. The proposed mural at 1009 4th St.
would utilize a temporary window-cling that would wrap around the front doorway and
entrance of the building, as shown in Image 2 below:
Image 4: Universe of Imagination Temporary Window Cling Proof – 1009 4th St.
The window-cling mural would wrap around the front doorway and entrance, which is
indicated by the pink solid block in the graphic. Those windows would be left uncovered,
or for use by the Library staff for notifications and other information. The proposed
window cling would recreate the mural painted at Bahia Vista Elementary School on a
smaller scale and would be placed in the front display windows of the temporary library
building.
About the Artists
The I AM program aims to amplify the power of young artists to make important change
happen in their communities. I AM: Bahia Vista Elementary School brought together
a group of you emerging artists to create a public art piece in San Rafael centering the
voices of local youth. Each emerging artist was paid a $15/hr. stipend for their selection
and participation.
The project received mentorship from Fredericko Alvarado, and Keena Azania Romano:
Fredericko Alvarado, a project-based artist working through drawing, painting, public
art, video, and curatorial practices. Their work revolves around building collaboratively
with communities in the creations of site-specific works. Alvarado engages sites through
observation, research, and connection to local centers, organizations, and individuals
who negotiate given spaces. This allows them the ability to experience, learn, and
decipher differences and commonalities between the diverse personalities and cultures
of this beautiful world.
Keena Azania Romano, an artist that exercises her creative mind through the
exploration of diverse artistic mediums to engage and understand individual and
collective purpose. Romano received her BFA from Pomona College then returned to
her native Bay Area to pursue a career in the Arts. Her Murals can be spotted from
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Sacramento, California, to Richmond, Virginia to Oaxaca, Mexico. Inspired by cultural
practices, Romano combines spirituality with urban experience to produce work that
draws upon the quest for a greater understanding of intersectional beauty in this world.
She fuses traditional native arts with contemporary inner-city techniques to reflect a new
language that encourages the healing and empowerment process between community
members and their environments. Her style is described as “vibrant and insightful”. She
aspires to travel and create a colorful trail of art by exploring the modern Diaspora
based on her multi-ethnic experience.
Project Readiness: This project would be a recreation of an existing mural already
installed at Bahia Vista School. If this installation is approved by the Public Art Review
Board, Youth In Arts is prepared to work with their fabricator, Davis Sign, to produce the
window cling art, which would be ready for installation within 1 -2 weeks after approval.
The project would be installed as soon as possible after fabrication, likely sometime in
early August 2024.
Project Timeline: If approved, the window clings would be installed in early August
2024, and remain in place through the duration of the temporary library services
relocation, which is anticipated for approximately 6-8 months. This means the project
would be installed through Spring 2025.
Project Funding: This project is estimated to cost $2,200 for fabrication and
installation. This does not include past expenses and artist stipends that were part of
the original Bahia Vista painting project. Funding would be provided by YIA, who would
be the subrecipient of a Downtown San Rafael Art District (DSRAD) grant through the
California Arts Council Cultural Art District Program. As one of fourteen State certified
Cultural Arts Districts, the DSRAD received a California Arts Council grant that is being
used to support San Rafael arts, culture, programs, and strategic planning.
Community Engagement: This project is the culmination of a collaborative partnership
between Youth In Arts, the San Rafael City School District, the Downtown San Rafael
Art District, and the City of San Rafael Economic Development Division.
Maintenance: No maintenance needs or expenses are anticipated during the expected
duration of the exhibit.
Design: The mural design includes several meaningful references for the emerging
artists. For example, the dragon is representative of the Bahia Vista school mascot.
Images of nature, sports, creative play, and imagination are represented throughout.
Additionally, several books are highlighted in the mural that are reflective of books that
hold relevance to newcomer students in the community. These titles were selected
specifically by emerging artists participating in the development of the mural because of
their significance and symbolism for their community.
The City’s Public Art Review Guidelines require that “artwork will not contain content,
signage, names, logos, or subject matter that could be construed as advertising or as
religious or sexual in nature nor will it promote a political candidate or include political
text”. Because the Author names and book titles are included in the mural as symbolic
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representations of books that are significant to newcomers to the San Rafael
Community staff interpret that this inclusion is not considered advertising. As is the case
with all Library materials, the views in these books don’t necessarily represent the views
of the City of San Rafael.
Diversity: This project appears to have incorporated a wide variety of San Rafael artists
and groups that reflect the diversity of San Rafael values and community.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. The Board may request modifications or changes to the proposal.
2. The Board may recommend that the proposal not be approved.
Submitted by:
Craig Veramay
Assistant Library and Recreation Director
Attachments:
1. Draft – Youth In Arts – Art License Agreement - Universe of Imagination
June 3,2024
Dear California Arts Council,
Please accept this letter of support from the Expanded Learning Opportunities Programs
(ELOP)at San Rafael City Schools as further evidence of the impactful work that Youth in Arts
has done with our Summer and After School programs.Expanded Learning works to create new
opportunities during after school,summer and intersession times for students who might not
have access to this type of programming.The goal of ELOP is to support underserved students
gain access to safe,healthy and high-quality programs when not in school.Youth in Arts has
been providing arts programming during our summer programs for several years,and during the
2023 -2024 school year,we collaborated on two exciting programs to bring something new to
schools.
Working closely with school sites,district teams and YIA,we aimed to create an arts experience
for our aspiring student artists attending high school and at other elementary school sites.The
goal was always to create murals at two elementary schools,but the YIA team had a more
robust program to offer,in their Intensive Arts Mentorship (I AM).This became a cohesive arts
program for students,where the creative process was just as wonderful,and meaningful as the
two amazing murals that were created.During the spring of 2023 Youth in Arts recruited 20 high
school artists,and two professional muralists for the I AM Program.The muralists mentored the
high school students in many ways,from the initial ‘how to create a mural?’to ‘how does one
make a living as an artist?.’These high school students in turn mentored the elementary age
students in our summer program,who showed an interest in the arts.Through the summer of
2023,the I AM group went from interviewing students and stakeholders in the school community
to understand their wishes,to sketching designs on scratch paper,to detailed scale drawings,
and finally to painting days,and the finished product.One key takeaway was that the muralists
and high schools were all paid for their work.We collectively felt this was a crucial element to
the program’s success,as we wanted our high school artists to see the value in helping to
create public art.Another highlight was the community engagement.The community paint days
at both schools were a success and yielded support,but more importantly they connected the
families and school community to the greater project.
The results are inspiring.Seeing the murals at Bahia Vista and Venetia Valley is wonderful
evidence of the partnership between SRCS and YIA,and also the positive and lasting impact
that the arts have on children.
Sincerely,
Michael Taylor
Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs Coordinator
PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD
AGENDA REPORT
July 17, 2024
Item #3b
TITLE: Proposal to install a temporary children’s Art Exhibit at City Hall
titled Our Resilient Community
RECOMMENDATION
That the Public Art Review Board approves the City enter an Art License Agreement
with UC Berkeley Y-Plan to install a temporary children’s art exhibit titled Our Resilient
Community in the City Hall lobby.
BACKGROUND
The City of San Rafael welcomes proposals for the creation and display of public
artworks and exhibitions on property that is owned, occupied, or managed by the City.
In 2022, the San Rafael City Council approved the formation of the Public Art Review
Board (Board). The Board’s responsibilities include providing recommendations to the
City Council regarding long-term (greater than one year) public art installations and for
approving applications for temporary (one year or less) public art exhibitions.
The Public Art Review Board is responsible for reviewing proposals in alignment with
the City’s Public Art Review Guidelines, which were established as part of the Public Art
Review Process.
The Public Art Review Board guidelines include:
• Project Readiness
• Qualifications
• Funding
• Community Engagement
• Maintenance
• Design
• Diversity
Page 2 of 4
More detail on the guidelines is provided in the Analysis below. If the Public Art Review
Board approves this proposal, the City will enter an Art License Agreement with the
Artists for use of public property to display their artwork.
DISCUSSION
On June 5, 2024, the City received an initial proposal to exhibit a collection of 5th grade
student artwork in the City Hall lobby. The artists submitted a proposal (Attachment 1)
describing the proposed concept, details of the project, and photographs of the artwork
during development.
Our Resilient Community is a youth art exhibit that is the culmination of a collaborative
project with UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN, twenty seven (27) San Rafael City School District
(SRCS) 5th Grade students from Laurel Dell Elementary School, the Union of
Concerned Scientists, Canal Community Resilience Planning Project, 6 students from
Marin School of Environmental Leadership (MSEL) at Terra Linda High School,
KneeDeep Times, the City of San Rafael, Latinas in Architecture, and others.
The exhibit is comprised of two-dimensional posters, three-dimensional models, and
photos of 5th grade students’ collaboration with Union of Concerned Scientists and the
San Rafael Sea Level Rise Collaborative. If approved, the exhibit would be installed in
the City of San Rafael’s City Hall lobby for approximately three (3) months, from
September-November 2024. The project would be installed by UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN,
who successfully led the installation of a previous exhibit in the same location in Fall
2023. The exhibit would occupy a similar location and amount of space in the lobby as
that prior exhibit.
The exhibit materials have previously been on display in other venues, including at
Youth In Arts in downtown San Rafael. The artists have expressed an intent to install
the collection of exhibit materials in a manner that best utilizes the available space , so
the specific placement and materials have not yet been defined. Images in the proposal
are generally representative of the exhibit materials. The exhibit would utilize easels and
wall space for two-dimensional posters and displays, and tabletop displays of the three-
dimensional exhibit materials. The artists estimate the tabletop display will be
approximately two-feet by twelve-feet.
Staff have reviewed the proposal and recommend approval of the temporary exhibit
based on the criteria established in the Public Art Review guidelines.
• Project Readiness: It appears that the artists have a complete collection of
exhibit materials which have successfully been displayed in other venues. The
artists have a clear installation concept, and expressed their willingness to work
with the City to install their exhibit in a way that doesn’t impede public access to
the facility. Further, the artists are willing and ready to sign the City’s art license
agreement.
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• Qualifications: The lead project manager successfully installed prior public art
exhibits for the City of San Rafael. Based on information provided in the
proposal, the artists appear qualified and capable to complete the proposed
scope of work.
• Funding: Full funding for this project is provided by the project partners. The City
will not be responsible for any project expenses associated with this installation.
• Community Engagement: The project engaged a wide variety of community
members of all ages, including UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN, twenty seven (27) San
Rafael City School District (SRCS) 5th Grade students from Laurel Dell
Elementary School, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Canal Community
Resilience Planning Project, 6 students from Marin School of Environmental
Leadership (MSEL) at Terra Linda High School, KneeDeep Times, the City of
San Rafael, Latinas in Architecture, and others.
• Maintenance: Staff do not anticipate any maintenance requirements associated
with this installation. Artists have expressed willingness to coordinate any
required repair or maintenance as needed.
• Design: Staff believe the proposed design is in alignment with Public Art Review
Design guidelines, however, this is an area where staff request the Board’s
perspective and expertise.
• Diversity: Staff believe the proposed design is in alignment with Public Art
Review Diversity guidelines, however, this is an area where staff request the
Board’s perspective and expertise.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. The Board may request modifications or changes to the proposal.
2. The Board may recommend that the proposal not be approved.
Submitted by:
Craig Veramay
Assistant Library and Recreation Director
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Attachments:
1. Our Resilient Community Children’s Art Exhibit Proposal