MARTINEZ, Calif. – Martinez Park, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission will begin Tuesday to look at its role in developing a public art policy as well as in such projects as artistically painting utility boxes, which the panel has been has been encouraging since 2015.
In his report to the Commission, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Michael Chandler wrote that the Community and Economic Development Department would take the lead on cultural and arts programs, policies and projects. The commission would play a complementary and supporting role, he wrote.
Concern had been raised that the Commission had been omitted from the Cultural and Arts element of a draft of the General Plan, and Chandler’s report assured that would be corrected before the final plan is adopted.
“The Cultural and Arts Element of the draft General Plan is intended to focus on vision, goals and policy objectives instead of specific projects,” he wrote, so such undertakings as decorated utility boxes would be undertaken once the General Plan is adopted in 2019.
He wrote that Benicia, Dublin, Emeryville, Livermore and Walnut Creek also have decorated utility boxes, and city staff has been looking at those programs to see how they might apply to Martinez.
The Commission also will consider adopting its 2019-20 work plan items for submission to the City Council.
Under discussion since Aug. 21, the work plan list been refined periodically since then, Chandler wrote.
The version proposed for adoption Tuesday begins with an update and consolidation of the Municipal Code’s portions related to the Commission’s roles, responsibilities and bylaws.
Other tasks are updating the Municipal Code in areas concerning administration of special events, revising outdated provisions related to the Commission and addressing the relation between that panel and the Planning Commission.
The list also has the beginning of an update of the Parks System Master Plan and the Commission’s assistance to the Community and Economic Development Department’s marketing of Martinez.
The Park, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of Martinez City Hall, 525 Henrietta St.
