CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 13 Section Name: NEW BUSINESS Account Number: 10-3159 File ID: 25-10232 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Community Development Department
MEETING DATE: October 20, 2025
SUBJECT:
Establish the Civic Arts Committee as a Standing Commission – Ordinance Introduction RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce an Ordinance to amend the San Mateo Municipal Code to add Chapter 2.22 and amend Chapter 23.60 to change the “Civic Arts Committee” to the “Civic Arts Commission,” establish its powers and duties, implement term limits and update the appointment process to align with other City boards and commissions.
BACKGROUND:
On March 3, 2025, the City Council directed staff to bring the Civic Arts Committee appointment process and term limits into alignment with other boards and commissions. The Committee was formed in 2008 as a special advisory committee, subject to the provisions of section 6.09 of the San Mateo City Charter, which includes renewal every two years. Since the Civic Arts Committee has now existed for over 17 years and serves an ongoing function to support the Art in Public Places Program, it is recommended that the code be updated to establish the Committee as a standing commission. This would bring the Civic Arts Committee into alignment with other City boards and commissions and establish a new chapter (2.22) in Title 2 of the Municipal Code.
Within this new chapter, Section 2.22.010 (Organization) sets the body’s size, makeup, and appointment process. Section
2.22.020, (Meetings,) sets the criteria for scheduling and running meetings, and Section 2.22.030 (Powers-Duties) sets the roles and responsibilities of the Commission. Chapter 23.60 (Art in Public Places) has been amended to remove the establishment of the Civic Arts Committee, which has been moved to Chapter 2.22, and update references from “Civic Arts Committee” to “Civic Arts Commission.” Section 23.60.100 currently requires the Committee to submit an annual plan to City Council on the status of the Art in Public Places Program; this section proposes to have the Commission provide a report every two years, which aligns with current practices.
Per Section 6.05 of the San Mateo City Charter, members of “boards and commissions shall be appointed for terms of four years, except that if the ordinance provides, initial terms may be pared by lot as necessary so that each year one or more terms will expire.” The proposed Ordinance includes language that the first members appointed to the Commission shall be determined by lot at their first meeting so that each year at least one term will expire in order to align with the City Charter.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The administration of the Art in Public Places Program and the preparation of this ordinance is funded in the Community Development Department’s annual operating budget and does not impact the City’s General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This Ordinance introduction is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
CITY OF SAN MATEO
NOTICE PROVIDED:
All meeting noticing requirements were met and further included the publishing of a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation at least 10 days in advance of the public meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Ordinance
Att 2 – Proposed Ordinance (Track Changes)
STAFF CONTACT
Jennifer Rosas, Business Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7164