Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Commission to Review and Approval of Utility Box Designs and Locations
REPORT IN BRIEF
Reviews and approves designs for utility boxes located at the following intersections: 26th and G Streets, 23rd and M Streets, Bear Creek and G Streets, and Bear Creek and M Streets.
RECOMMENDATION
Arts and Culture Commission - Adopt a motion approving the four designs at the following four locations:
* 26th and G Streets - Landscape with Telephone Poles Design
* 23rd and M Streets - Butterflies and Flowers Design (Note: This utility box is near the courthouse and county administration building. It is recommended that the design exclude any wording or lettering.)
* Bear Creek and G Streets - Raccoon Design
* Bear Creek and M Streets - Fish Design
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Ordinance #2489, Section 2.54.060 Jurisdiction of the Commission
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2024-25 Council Goals and Priorities: Public Works & City Beautification.
DISCUSSION
As part of the 2022/23 Budget, the City Council allocated $100,000 for art installations throughout the City of Merced. From numerous applicants, twelve artists were selected based on their design concepts and proposed locations.
The Urbanists Collective was chosen to install murals on five city-owned utility boxes. Although their initial proposal included five locations in South Merced, those utility boxes were not city owned.
In response, the group has proposed alternative city-owned utility boxes for their artwork:
* 26th and G Streets - Landscape with Telephone Poles Design
* 23rd and M Streets - Butterflies and Flowers Design (Note: This utility box is near the courthouse an...
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