Submitted By: Beaches, Parks and Recreation
Prepared By: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject:
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CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 26-170, APPROVING THE PUBLIC ART ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY POLICY NO. 304-1-2 FINDING THAT THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15378(b)(5)
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Summary:
Staff is requesting City Council consideration of a proposed Art on Public Property Policy (Attachment 2) developed from the Arts & Culture Committee’s proposed Public Art Framework (Attachment 3). The policy establishes a consistent approach to evaluating, approving, installing, and maintaining artwork on City-owned property while supporting San Clemente’s cultural identity, history, and community character.
The proposed policy draws primarily from Document A of the framework and incorporates selected implementation provisions from Documents B and C. Adoption establishes policy direction and administrative procedures. Specific artwork proposals, project expenditures, and new funding mechanisms would remain subject to applicable City review and approval requirements.
Background:
The Arts & Culture Committee compiled the Public Art Framework (Attachment 2) to guide the City’s approach to public art and support a lasting cultural legacy. The framework consists of three components: Document A establishes the governing policy; Document B provides implementation recommendations; and Document C outlines operational procedures.
The framework emphasizes San Clemente’s natural environment, people and culture, Spanish Village by the Sea character, surf heritage, and visual and performing arts. It also identifies the City’s 2028 centennial and the broader interest associated with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as opportunities to celebrate local identity through public art.
Staff translated the framework into the City’s standard Policy and Procedure format, retaining its principal policy direction and incorporating procedures necessary for consistent administration. The complete Public Art Framework is included as Attachment 3 to provide the City Council with the Arts & Culture Committee’s broader vision and implementation recommendations. The proposed Art on Public Property Policy, included as Attachment 1, is the document presented for approval. Recommendations in the framework that are not incorporated into the policy would require further evaluation and separate authorization, as applicable.
Discussion:
The proposed Art on Public Property Policy provides guidance for permanent and temporary artwork, including City-commissioned projects and privately funded or donated installations. It establishes expectations for proposal review, site suitability, public accessibility, installation, ownership, and long-term stewardship.
The Arts & Culture Committee would serve in an advisory capacity, evaluating proposals for artistic merit, cultural relevance, compatibility with the proposed location, durability, maintenance feasibility, and public accessibility. Staff would coordinate technical review with appropriate City departments to address structural safety, infrastructure compatibility, historic resources, permitting, and operational considerations. Proposals would then proceed to City Council for approval, as required by the policy.
The policy also establishes requirements for project documentation, written agreements, maintenance planning, installation oversight, and final acceptance. These provisions help ensure that artwork accepted by the City can be safely installed and responsibly maintained throughout its anticipated useful life.
Consistent with the framework, the policy identifies Los Molinos, North Beach, and Avenida Del Mar and the Pier Bowl as priority areas for public art consideration. These priorities guide future planning and investment while allowing proposals elsewhere in the City to be evaluated on their merits. The framework recommends several potential funding approaches, including a dedicated Public Art Fund, development-based contributions, transient occupancy tax allocations, grants, sponsorships, donations, and capital project funding. The proposed policy recognizes these opportunities while reserving the establishment of any new fund, fee, contribution requirement, or dedicated revenue allocation for separate City Council consideration.
Considerations Identified by Staff:
A consistent policy will give artists, donors, community partners, and staff clearer expectations and provide the City Council with a common basis for considering public art proposals.
Long-term maintenance is a central consideration. Donated artwork may carry installation, conservation, insurance, and eventual removal costs even when the artwork itself is provided at no charge. Requiring maintenance plans and identifying responsibilities before acceptance will help the City evaluate the full cost of each proposal.
Site selection should account for coastal exposure, historic character, accessibility, existing public uses, and maintenance access. Coordination among Beaches, Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Planning, and other appropriate departments will help identify these considerations early.
Implementation should be paced according to available staffing and approved resources. Adoption provides a foundation for future projects; commitments to individual installations and ongoing expenditures should be evaluated through the applicable approval and budget processes.
Council Options:
• Adopt Resolution No. 26-170, approving Public Art on City-Owned Property Policy No. 304-1-2.
• Provide alternative direction to staff.
• Take no action.
Environmental Review/Analysis:
Approval of the policy is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), as it constitutes an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Adoption establishes procedures for reviewing and managing public art without approving or committing the City to any specific installation or physical project. Future artwork proposals will undergo environmental review, as applicable, before approval.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the proposed policy, and no supplemental appropriation is requested. Initial administration would be performed within existing departmental resources.
Costs associated with future artwork acquisition, fabrication, installation, maintenance, conservation, or removal would be evaluated individually and addressed through approved budgets or subsequent City Council actions. Establishment of a dedicated Public Art Fund or other funding mechanism would require separate authorization.
Potential Action(s):
recommendation
If the City Council concurs with the contents of the staff report, the appropriate action would be to adopt Resolution No. 26-170, which will:
1. Approve the Public Art on City-Owned Property Policy No. 304-1-2 included as Attachment 2; and
2. Direct the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department to administer the policy in coordination with the Arts & Culture Committee and appropriate City departments.
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Attachment:
1. Resolution No. 26-170
2. Proposed Public Art on City-Owned Property Policy No. 304-1-2
3. San Clemente Public Art Framework-Supporting Background Information (Documents A, B, and C)
Notification:
None.