Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Report on a Proposed Art Maintenance Plan
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff to provide a report on a proposed City of Merced sponsored public art maintenance fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
Body
DISCUSSION
City staff continues to research a maintenance plan to preserve public art projects on city property. Staff is coordinating with the Public Works Department to establish clear expectations for installation and upkeep. Additionally, staff is collaborating with the City’s graffiti abatement vendor to address graffiti removal on public art.
Consultations with other arts councils have shared best practices, including creating a maintenance fund for graffiti abatement and sealant reapplication by the artist within 6-12 months of installation. The City would need to include these terms in detail in future artist contracts.
The City’s current arts policy does not include a detailed maintenance plan and timeframe. Staff is working with the City Attorney to include maintenance requirements and funding mechanisms in the updated policy. Staff plans to present these updates at the March meeting for the Commission’s review and vote, with the goal of submitting the policy to the City Council for approval.
Staff will keep the Commission updated as we move forward.
ATTACHMENTS
None.