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the H.A.P.P.Y. fund is $121,511.87. These funds can only be used for public art acquisition, not for maintenance. Currently, the City's Master Fee Schedule VIII. Recreation lists Public Art in the “Mostly Community Benefit” category, with a 0-25% cost recovery goal. There are two existing, though dated, City plans that identify public art priorities: the 2014 Cultural Plan and the 2007 Downtown Public Art Master Plan. Of the many goals outlined in these plans, evolving the City’s “public art program to better serve the needs of the entire community, match the aesthetic standard of the City, and enhance its artistic reach and scope” remains relevant today. DISCUSSION Public art amplifies the cultural landscape of a community, offering residents and visitors access to artistic expressions that reflect local values, history, and identity as well as offering notable community benefits. It contributes to the visual appeal of a city, transforming ordinary spaces into visually engaging, shared spaces where people can interact. Public art can also boost local businesses by drawing tourists and encouraging people to spend more time in the area and can serve as an educational tool, offering opportunities for learning about different artistic styles, cultural histories, and social issues. Engaging with art can have a positive impact on mental well-being, providing inspiration, relaxation, and a sense of connection to something greater. Based on interest from the Civic Arts Commission and the City Council, staff has researched “percent for art” development fee programs in Dubin, Livermore, and San Ramon as a tool to fund and expand public art in Pleasanton. The information gathered is presented below, along with staff’s recommendation for adopting a similar program in Pleasanton. While any public art program fee will ideally be structured in a manner that is financially feasible for projects to implement, per economic and financial consulting firm Economic and Planning Systems’ (EPS) input, there is no nexus requirement for a percent for public art program or related in-lieu fee, and the fee could be adopted by ordinance. Review of Comparison Cities In conversations with staff from the Cities of Dublin, Livermore, and San Ramon, all three spoke positively about their programs. Though each City structures and runs its programs slightly differently, common elements include: the collection of a fee for public art based on a percentage of construction valuation; the option to provide on-site public art, subject to specified criteria, to meet the program's requirements; and exemptions for certain types of projects. Dublin charges a 0.5% fee for non-residential buildings over 50,000 square feet and residential projects more than 20 units, and 0.45% for non-residential buildings less than 50,000 square feet. Exemptions include low-income housing, non-profits, and residential projects less than 20 units. Funds can be used for acquisition, installation, Page 32 of 40