ITEM TITLE:
Work Session: Review of Draft 2026 Beautification Matching Grant Program Criteria
SUBMITTED BY: Elise Sorum-Birk, Deputy City Clerk
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: n/a
Unencumbered Balance: n/a
Funding Source: n/a
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Based on feedback from the commission during their August 2025 work session, staff amended the Beautification Matching Grant packet to reflect the following changes:
• Clarifying that improvements should be permanent in nature and that seasonal or temporary improvements would not be considered
• Adjusting the timeline to have applications open much earlier, in November 2025 rather than March 2026
• Prioritizing mural and art specific projects for funding in 2026
This program has been active for ten years, and small adjustments have been made to the application and judging criteria over time. The last major review of criteria took place with the creation of the 2023 application packet.
Attached is a copy of the draft 2026 application packet for review.
The goal of the work session is to look at the draft matching grant program packet for 2026 and see if there is consensus to move forward.
While art/ mural specific projects have always been eligible under the grant, there have been many questions and concerns on the topic discussed by the commission over the years.
Questions that the commission may consider include:
• Is support for public art projects best captured within this grant program or would a separate program be more appropriate?
• Should there be set standards for mural or public art?
• How would inappropriate subject matter be dealt with or determined?
• Would it be beneficial create a sub-committee of commissioners and interested residents to act as advisors for those kinds of projects?
• Should the match be greater for these projects?