DATE: September 21, 2026
TO: Patterson City Council & City Administration
City of Patterson
119 S. 3rd Street
Patterson, CA 95363
FROM: VIP Downtown Mural Steering Committee (Shivaugn Alves, Erlinda Mendoza, Tom Helme, & Copacali Representative)
SUBJECT: Formal Summary of Downtown Mural Project History, Current Progress, and Request for Equitable Allocation of Dedicated Mural Funding Dear Honorable Members of the Patterson City Council and City Administration, We are writing to formally present the history, progress, and current standing of the Downtown Mural Project, while addressing immediate concerns regarding the allocation of public funds designated for public art in Patterson. For over four years, community advocates have dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to bring a meaningful, community-driven mural to our downtown corridor. As we stand on the threshold of launching our public engagement phase, recent administrative oversights threaten to delay this critical cultural initiative.
We submit this comprehensive timeline and request for formal review and resolution by the City Council and Administrative Team. We are requesting that the funds be allocated from the original $20,000 dedicated to mural development if possible.
1. Alves origination, advocation, and city securement for original monies since 2021-22.
2. VIP MOU only one to be presented and approved to Parks and Recreation Committee, no other mural project MOU approved by either Parks and Recreation or City Council.
3. The time limit of any prior informal agreement with any other organization is outside of the 18 month timeline, the first one being over 36 months ago.
Timeline of Mural Project Development (2022–2026)
● 2022 — Initial Grant Seeking & Advocacy: Shivaugn Alves, in collaboration with Johanna Ferriera, devoted extensive time to prepare and submit an application for a California Arts Council Grant on behalf of the City of Patterson to fund a downtown mural. While this specific competitive grant was ultimately not awarded, it established the foundational framework, vision, and momentum for public art investment in our city. ● 2023 — Securing ARPA Funding Support: Recognizing the value of public art for community revitalization, Alves actively advocated for local funding allocation. Following numerous discussions with then-City Manager Ken Irwin regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Mr. Irwin formally approved the dedication of funds specifically earmarked for a community mural prior to his departure from City Hall. ● 2024 — Department Engagement & Shifting Directives: The Department of Parks and Recreation became involved in administering the mural funds. At that time, department direction shifted toward directing the monies toward a community mural project led by the committee. However, that initiative did not come to fruition, leaving the dedicated funds unspent and the project unexecuted, somehow, these funds transitioned to Love Patterson. (Additional historical information attached at the end of this document.)
● 2026 — Steering Committee Formation & Community Engagement Readiness:
With no mural yet produced from the dedicated funds, Alves resumed advocacy efforts, communicating with key city leaders and receiving clear encouragement to move forward. A formal steering committee was established, partnering with registered non-profit Valley Improvement Projects as the acting administrative entity. The steering committee comprises Shivaugn Alves of WeCAN, Erlinda Mendoza - a local business owner, Tom Helme of VIP, and a representative from Copacali. ● July 2026 — Parks and Recreation Department Approval: At its regular meeting in July 2026, the Parks and Recreation Commission officially approved the VIP Downtown Mural Project concept and MOU, passing a motion in a 3-0 vote to proceed with implementation.
● September 2026 — Project Progress Update: During the public comment segment of the September 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, a representative from the VIP Downtown Mural Steering Committee provided a formal progress update regarding community outreach preparations and project timelines.
Current Project Status & Recent Hindrances
By July 2026, after receiving approval from the Parks and Recreation Department, the steering committee had completed all preparations to launch a robust, multi-phase community outreach program, including:
1. Bilingual Community Feedback Form: An online survey available in both English and Spanish to gather direct input from residents regarding themes and concepts.
2. Formal Call for Artists: A comprehensive application process for lead artists evaluating local ties, technical experience, portfolio quality, and artistic philosophy. Crucially, the plan mandates including up to five local assistant/apprentice artists, creating direct professional development opportunities for Patterson youth and local talent.
3. Public Listening Sessions: Planning for two in-person listening sessions, allowing community members to share their visions directly with organizers and lead artist.
Regrettably, the committee was forced to pause public launch activities after being informed that another organization, Love Patterson, is seeking access to a second $10,000 allocation of mural funding. Upon thorough review of past City Council and Parks and Recreation agendas, it remains unclear when or through what formal public process this second $10,000 funding stream was authorized. Furthermore, Love Patterson previously received an initial $10,000 allocation years ago (the original Parks and Recreation mural monies) for which an original mural project has yet to be produced, or an MOU provided to council to vote on.
Proposal & Request to City Council
Our intent is not to diminish or impede other community endeavors. The extensive work Love Patterson performs throughout our community is both respected and deeply appreciated.
However, public funds dedicated to community art must be administered transparently, equitably, and with due regard to documented project groundwork.
To foster unity, transparency, and the maximum aesthetic benefit for our city, we respectfully propose that the City Administration and City Council adopt the following resolution:
● Equitable Funding Split: Evenly divide the total remaining $20,000 in dedicated mural funds ($10,000 to the Valley Improvement Projects / Steering Committee initiative and $10,000 to Love Patterson).
● Dual Project Realization: Allow both groups to move forward independently with their respective proposals, resulting in two distinct, high-quality public murals for Patterson's downtown district.
Allowing both projects to proceed demonstrates a spirit of collaboration, grace, and mutual support—embodying what it truly means to "love" our fellow residents, volunteers, and community partners. We thank you for your time, leadership, and continued dedication to the cultural vitality of Patterson.
Respectfully submitted,
Downtown Mural Steering Committee
Shivaugn Alves, Westside Community Action Network
Erlinda Mendoza, Sweet Escape Spa (owner operator)
Tom Helme, Valley Improvement Projects
Representative, Copacali
Additional Information from Council and Park and Recreation Meetings City Council Agenda Minutes (5.7.2024)
(7.1) Presentation - Mural Proposal Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission Chair Virgen reviewed his presentation. City Council addressed the following: - When selecting the muralist, did they provide sample artwork? - Who is responsible of coming up with the conceptual drawing before going to Planning Commission for approval? No MOU was voted on by either Parks & Recreation nor City Council, just a presentation.
City Council Agenda Minutes (12.3.2024)
(6.5) Public Works Department - Approve $10,000 grant to the nonprofit organization Love Patterson to fund a mural project on Las Palmas Avenue. This funding would supplement an existing allocation of $10,000 in ARPA funds for a mural on El Circulo Circle, which was previously approved by Council.
No MOU was voted on by the Council or the Parks & Recreation in consideration of the first mural using ARPA funds.
Council Member Alves voted on the second grant amount of $10,000 after discussions with Love Patterson members - it was to become the project she had initially wrote the California grant for, on the Frozen Foods building (Las Palmas). Therefore, not only the first monies, but the second as well, were due to the advocation of Ms. Alves.
Park and Recreation Agenda (7.18.2024)
7.b Wall Mural Project (Chairperson Virgen) Deputy Director Guluarte confirmed that the ARPA 10K was for the mural projects. The process was sent to former Secretary Callum with how to request the funding. Vice-Chairperson Weyhrauch clarified that the mural project started 2 years ago for the site at Greg Nunes Reality. It was open to the public to submit their bids. PRBC, Invest In Me, and Love Patterson representatives got a vote to all the submissions, with one being selected.
Per Weyhrauch’s statement the project funding was well out of any MOU, although none was ever provided or voted on by either Parks and Rec or City Council for the original mural.
This went from being a Park and Recreation project to a non-profit project around this time with no MOU formalized.
Park and Recreation Agenda (9.18.2024)
7.c Exploration of 2nd Mural Vice-Chairperson Weyhrauch stated that the 1st mural should be accomplished before the 2nd mural at Patterson Frozen Food or the water tower.
The funds must be dedicated by December of 2024, this will be the time to ask for the fund to be allocated between now to December. If the commission wants the city to assist with the 2nd mural funding. Action: Vice-Chair, Weyhrauch motioned to request additional funds from ARPA for the 2nd mural if available; Commissioner Blanco 2nd and Commissioner Marci 3rd . Motion carries with absent Chair Virgena and Commissioner Roman Vote: 3-0-2 Yes: K. Weyhrauch, M.
Blanco, J. Marci No: None Abstain: A. Virgen, O. Roman Action: Vice-Chairperson Weyhrauch or Chair Virgen to contact the Mayor and Council for additional funding if not allocated or funds available.
Two Love Patterson members voted on obtaining an additional $10,000 for their non-profit Park & Recreation Agenda (11.20.2024)
Deputy Director Guluarte, with ARPA fund transfer would be a check request with Finance to generate a check to donate to the nonprofit organization (Love Patterson). A contract agreement is needed to ensure funds are used as intended. Deputy Director Guluarte will confirm with the contract agreement writing since its city’s funds. - Vice-Chair Weyhrauch asked to know who to follow up with regarding the extra funds, so the money is allowed by December.
Deputy Director Guluarte comment to request the extra funds with City Council by the next two City Council meetings. Chair Virgen confirmed for Vice Chair Weyhrauch to send requesting extra funds by email. Action: Vice Chair Weyhrauch will update with any response or communication regarding email request for extra funds from City Council.
Statements of Conflict : None (Both Kandace and Adolfo were on Love Patterson at the time.) Park & Recreation Agenda (5.21.2025)
8.d. Other Matters: Chair Virgen spoke with Kendra Mora from LOVE Patterson that the MOU for the mural has been signed and ready to move forward.
No MOU for a Love Patterson mural has ever been presented to Parks and Recreation Committee or City Council, nor voted on.
Park & Recreation Agenda (7.22.2026)
7.d Interim Director Guluarte, Mural Project: review second mural for recommendations.
Shivaugn Alves represents MOU Valley Improvement Project requesting to vote for the project to move forward. Approved by a 3-0 roll call vote.
Notice the agenda states this is monies referring to a SECOND mural, therefore, it was approved with an MOU for half of the original $20,000, not an additional $10,000.