CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: March 3, 2026
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Victoria Henkel, Permit Technician
Subject: Public Arts Committee Appointments
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Council consider appointments to the three open positions on the Public Arts Committee based on the five interviews conducted earlier in the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Council has interviewed the five applicants for the three vacancies on the Public Arts Committee. The five applicants – Robert Brent, Jeff Stucker, Barbara Harris, Kierston Aiello, and Nicole Letaw – fit the vacant positions that are currently open.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The Public Arts Committee meets on the second Tuesday every other month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. in the Sebastopol City Hall Conference Room on 7120 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA. Terms of office are four-yearstaggered terms, and the opening term will last until December 31st, 2029.
Preference will be shown to City residents and persons who own a business or work in the City; however, qualified candidates from the greater Sebastopol and Sonoma County area will be considered. The City Council will consider the following categories:
1. Active members of a City-based, art-focused, registered nonprofit organization, entity, or facility
2. Persons with experience in the public art field as either an artist, installer, or designer
3. Members of the general public
4. A member of the Design Review Board
Current Public Arts Committee terms/categories are listed below (vacancies are highlighted)
MEMBERS CATEGORY TERM ENDING DATE
Robert Brent Category 2 12/31/2025
Jeff Stucker Category 3 12/31/2025
Barbara Harris Category 1 12/31/2025
Gavin Waters Category 2 12/31/2028
Lynn Deedler (DRB) Category 4 Upon expiration of DRB term The City Council received applications from the following individuals for the three openings on the Public Arts Committee:
APPLICANTS CATEGORY
Robert Brent Category 2
Jeff Stucker Category 3
Barbara Harris Category 1
Kierston Aiello Category 3
Nicole Letaw Category 2/3
Agenda Item Number: 2 Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet of: March 3, 2026
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STAFF ANALYSIS:
Staff recommends that Council appoint the applicants to the Public Arts Committee, dependent on the interviews that occurred previously on the agenda, and fill the vacancies.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS / PRIORITIES / GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
Goal 4: High-Performance Organization
Restoring public trust through transparent and inclusive processes Improving public communications and community engagement General Plan Goal CD 4: Support Art of All Types Throughout the Community Policy CD 4-5: Utilize the Public Arts Committee to provide leadership in the arts community to:
• Implement the City’s public art goals
• Establish cooperative partnerships with private, public, and educational agencies • Increase art awareness throughout the city
• Develop funding opportunities for public art
• Explore opportunities to expand community arts participation • Explore opportunities to promote arts education and participation in local schools COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action tonight.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the Council consider appointments to the three vacancies on the Public Arts Committee based on the five interviews conducted earlier in the agenda. The opening terms will last until December 31st, 2029.
OPTIONS:
If the Council chooses not to make an appointment from the interviews conducted earlier in the agenda, the Council can direct staff to reopen the application period for the three openings on the Public Arts Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: ___2/17/2026____ CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: ____1/5/2026____ The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date:___ _N/A__________ Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (if applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: ___N/A_________
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: ___2/17/2026____
Agenda Item Number: 2 Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet of: March 3, 2026
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