AgdaPkt 2014-05-12 Joint with Planning

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7.1.C. - Page 3 ANALYSIS A critical feature of the Public Arts Master Plan is the review and approval process for accepting public art. Page 10 and 11 in the Plan defines the roles of the City Council, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the Civic Cultural Commission and the Public Art Task Force; while the flow chart provides a visual description for each step of the process. From the initial intake of a public art proposal to the Civic Cultural Commission (CCC), to the review of the CCC Public Art Subcommittee, to the feedback and advice of the Public Art Task Force, to the formal review and adoption by the City Council. The Utility Box Mural Program is commonly used in other cities in the Bay Area, and has proven to be an effective means to both improve aesthetics and act as an anti- graffiti measure that saves City resources. The Public Works Department estimates that crews are deployed to the ten locations mentioned in this report four to five times each year with an estimated savings of $2,000 per year if it was not necessary for them to respond and repaint the boxes. We have developed supporting documents to initiate the program, including the artists agreement, sponsorship forms, artist registration application, FAQ's, and guidelines, which are attached to this report. ALTERNATIVES The Council could ask the Public Arts Task Force to amend the program elements, and to have the Civic Cultural Commission return with a new proposal for possible approval. FISCAL IMPACT The Civic Cultural Commission recommends an artist stipend of $500 per box which includes the requirement of the artist to provide their own supplies. The City would provide the guidelines along with anti-graffiti coating after the box is completed. We already have verbal commitments for funding the first ten boxes from the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, the Art Center, and the Peninsula Arts Council. Additionally, the CCC will pursue corporate sponsors once the review of the pilot program has concluded and accepted by City Council ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW As the lead agency, the City of Redwood City has determined that the Utility Box Mural Program is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Class 1, Existing Facilities, allows minor alterations of existing public facilities, which includes, but is not limited to, existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities. Modifications to and management of the City's utility boxes is consistent with the CEQA Guidelines reference to "similar facilities".