____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Agenda Item No: 2.b
Meeting Date: October 19, 2026
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: City Clerk
Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk City Manager Approval: ______________ TOPIC: PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION REPEALING AND REPLACING THE PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD
BYLAWS TO REMOVE THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REPRESENTATIVE AND REPLACE IT WITH AN AT-LARGE MEMBER SEAT; AND
APPOINT ALEXA APALLAS TO THE PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER 2030
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution repealing and replacing the Public Art Review Board Bylaws to remove the Park and Recreation Commission representative and replace it with an atlarge member seat; and appoint Alexa Apallas to the Public Art Review Board through the end of October 2030.
BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS:
At the May 16, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council established the Public Art Review Board consisting of three community members, one representative from the Park and Recreation Commission, and one representative from the Design Review Board. On June 17, 2024, the City Council approved an amendment to the Public Art Review Board Bylaws to include a stipend for serving on the Board. On July 15, 2024, the City Council adopted an ordinance dissolving the Design Review Board and consolidating it with the Planning Commission. At the September 3, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council approved an amendment changing the Design Review Board Liaison to the Planning Commission Liaison. On December 2, 2024, the City Council approved an amendment to the Bylaws removing the Planning Commission Representative.
On October 5, 2026, the City Council held interviews for the Public Art Review Board and recommended staff return with an action to amend the Public Art Review Bylaws to remove the Park and Recreation Commission Representative, replace it with an at-large seat to be filled by a community member, and to appoint Alexa Apallas to that seat.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
OPTIONS:
1. Adopt the resolution and make the appointment.
2. Adopt the resolution with modifications and determine the appointment.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
3. Do not adopt the resolution or make the appointment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution repealing and replacing the Public Art Review Board Bylaws to remove the Park and Recreation Commission representative and replace it with an atlarge member seat; and appoint Alexa Apallas to the Public Art Review Board through the end of October 2030.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution, including Exhibit A: Bylaws of the Public Art Review Board
2. Alexa Apallas Application
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL REPEALING AND REPLACING THE
PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD BYLAWS TO REMOVE THE PARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE AND REPLACE IT WITH AN AT-LARGE MEMBER SEAT WHEREAS, the Bylaws of the Public Art Review Board shall be updated to remove the Park and Recreation Commission Representative and to add an at-large member seat on the Public Art Review Board to be filled by a community member; and
WHEREAS, the bylaws in Exhibit A attached hereto are recommended by staff.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby repeals and replaces the City of San Rafael Bylaws of the Public Art Review Board with the version of the Bylaws attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 19th day of October 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
______________________
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
EXHIBIT A: PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD BYLAWS
PUBLIC ART REVIEW BOARD BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.1. Name. The name of this body shall be the City of San Rafael Public Art Review Board, hereinafter referred to as the "Public Art Review Board," or the “Board.” Section 1.2. Purpose. The Public Art Review Board’s purpose is to help administer the public art review process and to advise the City Council on public art installations.
Section 1.3. Committee Responsibility. The Public Art Review Board’s authority over long-term art proposals (greater than one year) is advisory only and the Board will issue a recommendation to City Council to approve or reject a proposal. For shortterm art proposals, the Public Art Review Board has the authority to approve exhibitions. At staff’s discretion, certain short-term projects may be required to obtain City Council approval, depending on project impact.
The Public Art Advisory Committee’s responsibilities shall be in accord with these Bylaws, as amended from time-to-time by the City Council.
The responsibilities and duties of the Public Art Review Board shall be as follows:
1. Work with Staff in the review and approval of public art projects.
2. Review all proposals for public art and recommend select projects to City Council for approval.
3. Monitor the overall development of public art projects, encouraging balance over time with respect to background, gender, and other identities of artists selected and also with respect to styles of expression, media, and genre.
4. Provide opportunities for community input and resident participation.
5. To use the following Public Art Review Criteria in evaluating all public art proposals:
a. Project Readiness: Projects can demonstrate readiness through completeness of design, skill/experience of the artist(s) or project manager(s), secured funding for art piece and cost of installation, successful community engagement, identification of an appropriate site, and proposed schedule. The Public Art Review Board may encourage an applicant to reapply, if they deny a proposal as not sufficiently ready but with specific promise to demonstrate future readiness. b. Qualifications: Artists, artist teams, or project manager must be able to demonstrate, through past work – as evidenced in a resume, portfolio, and reference – their ability to create quality artwork and act with the utmost professionalism. In most cases, artists have considerable training and experience working professionally at and have been compensated for their art. For certain projects, the City will consider emerging or non-professional artists, who are working under the guidance of a professional mentor or art teacher.
c. Funding: Projects should have a funding source identified and project implementation will be contingent upon receipt of full funding for the project. The City does not provide project funding for public art. d. Community Engagement: Proposed projects that have completed their own public engagement process will be prioritized.
i. For long-term projects (installation planned for more than one (1) year): A minimum of one (1) public meeting and three (3) letters of support are recommended. Successful public meetings might involve the local homeowner’s association (HOA), neighborhood associations, or business owners. The Public Art Review Board must be informed of these meetings ahead of time and allowed to opportunity to attend.
ii. For short-term projects that are viewable within the public rightof-way: A minimum of two (2) letters of support is recommended. iii. In both instances, it is recommended that one of the letters of support be from the local homeowners’ association (HOA) or neighborhood association, if applicable.
iv. Short-term projects inside a public facility are not required to conduct community engagement, outside of that undertaken through the Public Art Review Board process.
e. Maintenance: Works of art will have reasonable maintenance requirements and these requirements shall be compatible with routine City maintenance procedures. For projects that require more maintenance than current City budgets and staffing allow or a specific expertise, the project must set aside sufficient maintenance funding for the duration of the project and must develop an agreement for maintenance to be performed by private parties, as approved by City staff.
f. Design: Works of art will be designed in consideration of the relevance and appropriateness of the work to the context of the site and in alignment with public safety and decency.
i. The artwork will not portray themes that may be interpreted as derogatory as to race, religion, sexual orientation, natural origin, or physical or mental disability. The artwork will not contain content, signage, names, logos, or subject matter that could be construed as advertising or as religious or sexual in nature nor will it promote a political candidate or include political text. Any content considered obscene or indecent by community
standards will be denied.
ii. The design of the artworks will take into consideration issues associated with public spaces such as security, theft, vandalism, etc.
iii. The design of the artworks will consider the specific needs and use patterns of the public space in which they will be located. For example, in parks, works of art will not block critical view corridors or impede public usage of key open space.
g. Diversity: Artists and the City's public art collection should reflect the diversity of San Rafael’s community. The Public Art Review Board shall monitor the overall development of public art projects, encouraging balance in the City’s collection over time with respect to background, gender, and other identities of artists selected and also with respect to styles of expression, media, and genre.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.1. Number of Members. The Public Art Review Board shall consist of five (5) voting members. The Councilmember in whose district the public art is proposed will participate as a non-voting liaison to the City Council as part of the selection process.
Section 2.2. Eligibility. Members of the Committee shall be at least 18 years of age and reside within the City limits. The members shall reflect the diversity of San Rafael, with professional qualifications in the visual arts and/or civic design, such as artists, architects, landscape architects, arts educators, arts administrators, urban designers, urban planners, or owners/managers of a creative business.
Section 2.3. Compensation. Committee Members may apply for stipends through the Stipend Program at $50 per month, not to exceed $600 per year per member.
Section 2.4. Appointment of Committee Members. The at-large members will be selected by the City Council.
Section 2.5. Terms of Appointment. The at-large Board members will serve a maximum of two (2) four (4) year terms. Board Members serve at will and are subject to appointment and/or removal at the discretion of City Council.
Section 2.6. Absence and Removal. An unexcused absence from two (2) consecutive Committee meetings without notification to the Staff Liaison, or six absences (whether excused or unexcused) in any term, shall be considered a voluntary resignation from the Committee. Committee members who had previously resigned may be eligible for reappointment to the Committee.
Section 2.7. Conflict of Interest. A member of the Board who has a financial, business, familial or romantic relationship regarding a matter coming before the Board shall disqualify themself from all participation in that matter.
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
Section 3.1. Time and date of Regular Meeting. Notification of meeting place, date, and time shall be rendered to the public through posting on the City of San Rafael website. Public meetings shall be held a minimum of four (4) times per year but may meet more frequently or on an ad hoc basis, as needed. Quarterly meetings shall be scheduled annually with the quarterly meeting schedule for the upcoming year will be set by November of the previous year.
Revised October 19, 2026
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
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Q1
Contact Information / Información del contacto
First and Last Name / Nombre y Apellido Alexa Apallas
Address / Dirección
City / Ciudad San Rafael
State / estado CA
ZIP/Postal Code / Código postal 94901
Email Address / Dirección de correo electrónico
Phone Number / Número de teléfono
Q2
What district do you currently live in?¿En qué distrito vive actualmente?
District 3/Eastern / Distrito 3/Este
Q3
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
1 year
Q4
Business Information
Company Google
Address 345 Spear Street
City/Town San Francisco
ZIP/Postal Code 94105
#16
COMPLETE
Collector: o o W Web Link 1 (W Web Link)
SStarted: Monday, September 14, 2026 8:12:27 AM d y 8 A Last Modified: Mo Monday, September 14, 2026 8:20:51 AM d y 8 A Time Spent: 00:08:24
IP Address: P A 146.75.154.1733
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
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Q5
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Social Media
Q6
What Board would you like to apply to?¿A cuál te gustaría aplicar?
Public Art Review Board
Q17
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they? I am a member of the Elks Lodge
Q18
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
Elks Lodge
Q19
Education:
UCLA, BA in English
Northwestern, MS in Journalism
Q20
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission? As a content designer and potential business owner in San Rafael, I am deeply committed to making San Rafael an inviting and beautiful place for residents and visitors. While I have only lived here for a year, I grew up in Novato, so my Marin roots run deep! Q21
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q22
Upload your resume.
AlexaKApallasResume 2025Q2.pdf (148.3KB)
Boards, Commissions & Committees Application
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Q23
Ethnicity / Raza/etnia:
Q24
To which gender do you most identify?¿Con qué género se identifica más?
Q25
How old are you?¿Cuántos años tienes?
Alexa K. Apallas
San Diego, CA •
Professional Experience
Content Design Consultant, Eventbrite
January 2025—present
Collaborated with UX designers and project managers on key company initiatives to extend and enhance the recent Eventbrite rebrand.
• Developed content guidelines used to train AI to create high-quality listings as a tool for event creators • Created content for a new advertising offering, allowing creators to target their ads to likely attendees • Built a content style guide to improve clarity, consistency, and accessibility of product content Director, Content Design, PayPal
April 2023—September 2024
Set the overarching content strategy for PayPal’s merchant experiences while leading a team of 7 content designers, including 2 managers. Collaborated effectively with design, research, and product counterparts to ensure that my team created cohesive, compelling experiences for merchants and developers. Strengths:
Problem discovery, content strategy, storytelling, coaching, people management, and process management. • Guided improvements to onboarding flows to increase sign-up completion rates by 9.5% and account activation rates by 31%
• Developed key merchant-facing messaging for Fastlane, PayPal’s one-click guest checkout experience, leading to adoption of Fastlane by 800+ merchants during the pilot • Oversaw revision of presentment of checkout options, which increased uptake of no-code solutions such as invoicing and QR codes by 35%
• Applied to and was chosen to participate in an intensive product masterclass led by chief product officer John Kim, improving my data-driven decision-making and critical thinking skills • Led voice and tone workshops to improve consistency and quality of content
Senior Manager, Content Design, PayPal
April 2022—April 2023
Manager, Content Design, PayPal
November 2018—April 2022
Led a team of 6 content designers who worked on experiences that allow merchants to accept payments, streamline operations, and strengthen and grow their businesses. • Conducted discovery work with small and medium-sized businesses to identify pain points and find areas of opportunity for PayPal
• Consulted with UX design leads and product owners to create an effective content strategy • Coached my team to develop engaging customer experiences for critical touchpoints, such as account creation, invoicing, and checkout
Senior Content Designer, PayPal
September 2016—November 2018
Partnered closely with UX designers and product managers to create seamless, easy-to-use experiences for PayPal customers. Strengths include strong communication skills and the ability to clearly communicate my content strategy and rationale in a diplomatic, influential way. Selected projects:
• GDPR compliance: Led content strategy and development, working closely with product, marketing, and legal stakeholders
• Instant Transfer: Led content strategy and development for a new feature that allows customers to transfer money to their bank within minutes using an eligible debit card for a fee, which led to a significant increase in revenue for PayPal
• Choice: Developed content for an initiative that gives customers the ability to set any of their payment methods as their preferred way to pay
Content Strategist/Copywriter, Aisios Inc. (self-employed) April 2014—May 2017
Planned and wrote clear, concise, creative content for web and print. Created compelling brand stories that led to increased consumer interest and higher revenues. Collaborated with designers to develop a consistent and compelling user experience. Defined and developed brand voice. Selected clients:
• Secret Sushi, a digital marketing agency
• Beacons Point, a marketing and design agency
• Francis Parker School, an independent day school
• RC Energy Solutions, a solar power and energy efficiency firm Copywriter and Editor, The Doctors Company, Napa, CA
September 2011—April 2014
Wrote and edited ads, brochures, direct mail letters, press releases, and sales sheets aimed at prospects and existing customers. Developed a unique voice for agent communications. Ensured brand consistency across multiple channels.
• Assisted with social media launch, with an emphasis on Twitter and YouTube content • Worked collaboratively with project managers, designers, and public relations manager • Served as project manager for The Agent’s Advocate, an e-mail newsletter for insurance agents, wrote and edited all content, and increased readership by 5 percent in 1 year • Wrote direct mail pieces responsible for bringing in more than $100,000 in new business Managing Editor, IMARC, Santa Ana, CA
May 2010—August 2011
Promoted to management position eight months after initial hire and received three merit-based raises.
Responsible for guiding a team of seven employees to meet metrics for productivity and precision. • Trained employees to effectively fact-check files for accuracy and completeness • Boosted department productivity without increasing staffing levels • Streamlined the writing and editing process while maintaining a high level of accuracy • Provided company-wide training on effective writing skills • Wrote and edited new content for re-launch of company website Report Editor, IMARC, Santa Ana, CA
August 2009—May 2010
Took a leadership role in the newly created editing department to ensure quality control in conducting loan audits for private mortgage insurers.
• Fact-checked business reports and edited for proper grammar, style and usage • Met stringent deadlines without sacrificing quality or accuracy • Led effort to train staff on methods to create clearer and more precise reports • Spearheaded development of in-house style guide
Skills
People management and development Content design
Content strategy UX writing
Business strategy Figma, Jira, Confluence, Miro
Education
Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, M.S.—Journalism Winner—Bernard Gordon Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
University of California, Los Angeles, B.A.—English
Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, College Honors