Civic Arts Commission Meeting Agenda Packet 030325 FINAL

Page 2 of 6 Piece for You), as follows: • $40,000 annually from the General Fund for conservation and maintenance (provided as part of the Library and Recreation Department budget) • $20,000 annually from an Internal Service Fund — the Public Art Acquisition and Maintenance Fund (provided as part of the Public Works Department budget) — $10,000 for art installations, which includes lighting, concrete bases, and plaques, and $10,000 for art acquisition • Another H.A.P.P.Y. is a donor-advised fund established by George Gary Harrington and Nancy R. Harrington and held by the City. The Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council has been assigned the Harringtons’ limited control over the fund. As of July 2024, the balance of the H.A.P.P.Y. fund was $121,511.87. These funds can only be used for public art acquisition, not maintenance. Two existing, though dated, City plans 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. On August 20, 2024, City Council provided direction to staff to further explore a public art contribution and alternative in-lieu fee for the City of Pleasanton. 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 and offer 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. It can serve as an educational tool, offering opportunities for learning about different artistic styles, cultural histories, and social issues. Engaging with art can positively impact 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 have researched “percent for art” 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 the staff’s recommendation for adopting a similar program in Pleasanton. While any public art contribution will ideally be structured in a manner that is financially feasible for projects to implement, per guidance from economic and financial consulting firm Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), there is no nexus study requirement for a public art contribution or related in-lieu fee, and the contribution can be adopted by ordinance, with In-Lieu fees adopted through a resolution to update the City’s Master Fee Schedule. 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 program slightly differently, common elements include the collection of an in-lieu fee for public art based on a Page 7 of 116