Report Prepared by: Jennifer Levesque, Acting Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Recommendation by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission for a Street Mural with the Phrase “Black Lives Matter” on Canal Street (South of Bob Hart Square) and Provide Staff Direction on the Development of a Street Mural Policy
REPORT IN BRIEF
Request made from the NAACP, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, WeCed and the United Way, as the lead applicant, to the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission for a proposed street mural with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on Canal Street. Also seeks direction on developing a policy for future street mural requests.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission’s recommendation to support the proposed street mural of the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on Canal Street, south of Bob Hart Square; or
B. Provide staff direction on developing a policy for future street mural requests for review and recommendation by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission for approval by the City Council which incorporates the government speech doctrine.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications by the City Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in motion).
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2020-21 Adopted Goals & Priorities, City Beautification, Public Art
DISCUSSION
The NAACP, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and WeCed Organizations presented their Black Lives Matter street mural project to the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission. They requested the Commission to give their recommendation to the City Council the location of the project as well as their support for the proposed mural. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission unanimously voted to strongly recommend the support of the City Council for the proposed mural and unanimously voted to place the proposed mural on Canal Street and 16th Street.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The proposed project has received funding from the community, no anticipated impact on city resources. Should the Council request staff to assist, in-kind staff time would be available to support the project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Encroachment Permit Application
2. Summary of project, aerial of proposed project, COVID-19 proposed plan
3. Presentation