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Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.A
Meeting Date: March 13, 2024
From: Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Follow Up Discussion on Public Art Funding
City Council
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for information and discussion only.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 10, 2024 City Council meeting, staff presented a study session on the use of Art in Public Places funds for arts education programs. The study session was requested by the City Council following a November 29, 2023 request for funding approval for a series of chamber music concerts raised the question again as to whether the program had a nexus to “art education” and ultimately, whether the Art in Public Places funds should be used for initiatives other than acquisition of public art, including maintenance of the City’s collection.
During the study session, staff presented the history of the Art in Public Places fund and the non-acquisition projects that have received funding. The City Attorney advised the City Council that the most defensible use of the Art in Public Places fund was for acquisition rather than programming and maintenance. As it seemed clear that the City Council wished to support a variety of arts initiatives beyond acquisition, staff prepared five policy options for the City Council to consider which were:
Option 1 Continue to utilize up to 30% of the annual available Art in Public Places funds for educational programming in accordance with the currently adopted ordinance. Staff seeks direction from the City Council as to what type of educational programming has the highest priority for the Council.
Option 2 Continue to utilize Art in Public Places funds for educational programming but at a lower percentage (10% or 20%) of the total available funds to provide more funding available for acquisition.
Option 3 Stop all use of Art in Public Places funds for education and direct that funds only be utilized for acquisition and maintenance of the collection.
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Option 4 Create an arts education program, funded annually by the general fund ($10- $20,000). The PAC could create an application process and assign a subcommittee to review and select applications to be proposed for approval by the City Council. This process would be similar to the process the City Council adopted for the community grants program.
Option 5 Consider application of development fee to a broader array of projects to increase the funds available. Currently the ordinance only applies to new commercial or industrial construction over 15,000 square feet; however, the majority of new construction falls below that threshold, ranging from 2,000 to 6,650. Staff would need to conduct an analysis of the Cathedral City’s fee compared to area cities and report back to the City Council with recommendations.
DISCUSSION:
From the previous study session, the City Council provided direction to staff to establish an arts education program, funded by the general fund instead of the Art in Public places fund. Funding would be provided under two programs:
•A grant program, similar to the City Council community grants program (see attached application). An application process will be developed, the Public Arts Commission will review and present to the City Council the applications they recommend to be awarded grants, and the City Council will consider and approve the final grant awards.
•A general fund budget will be provided to the Public Arts Commission, similar to the budget provided to the Parks and Community Events Commission to conduct commission-directed activities or recommendations for event sponsorships.
At the last Public Arts Commission meeting on February 13, 2024, the Commission was briefed on the Council’s direction and expressed support. The Commission had some initial conversation on ideas for how a grant program would run and staff will bring a discussion item back to the next commission meeting to further explore a process and criteria for consideration for grant applications.
The Commission also liked the idea of having a budget that would allow the Commission to initiate self-directed ideas, similar to the Parks and Community Events Commission. This would give the Commission flexibility to recommend events such as a talent show, or art exhibit, or a staged reading to site a few examples discussed. The Commission did discuss and request that the City Council provide clearer direction as to what types of events or programs the Council would like the Commission to bring forward.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this discussion item. Staff recommends that a general fund budget of $60,000 be created in the FY 2024-25 budget:
•$20,000 for a Public Arts Grant Program
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•$10,000 for a Public Art Commission budget and
•$30,000 for maintenance of the City’s public art collection.
Staff will bring this funding request forward separately for budget authorization.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal C: Fiscal Stability and Sustainability
Objective: Cathedral City has economically prospered by facilitating the investment of private dollars in high quality development which benefits the community. We remain financially solvent by instituting prudent fiscal policies and transparent financial practices.
Attachment:
Copy of City Council Public Service Grant Application
ATTACHMENTS:
Public Service Grant Application