Following a presentation at the Oct. 15 City Council meeting outlining costs to implement
phases 2 and 3 of the Main Street Art Park, the council decided to continue the matter for 60
days to await any final invoices for the construction of the Community Response and Resource
Center (CRRC) before reallocating CRRC funds for another purpose.
City staff was seeking authorization to spend $268,374 of about $700,000 remaining in the
CRRC budget on phases 2 and 3 of the Art Park to keep momentum going at the park, and to
order equipment to ensure it is all in place for the city’s 25th anniversary celebration next
summer, said Development Services Coordinator Jessica Murdock,.
The goal is to complete phases 2 and 3 of the art park by June 2026 and complete phases 4 and 5
of the Art Park in 2027, she said.
Councilwoman Felicity Zoberski said that although she loves art and supports the Art Park’s
development, she thought the price tag for phases 2 and 3 was “terrifying,” and she felt more
comfortable having a financial cushion for the CRRC to accommodate any contingencies that
may arise at the center.
Other council members expressed the same concerns, with Councilman Joe Mendoza pointing
out there are other city priorities that need funding, such as the roundabout, so maybe the council
should consider having a council meeting to list and rank priorities.
City Treasurer Robert Carson told the council there was about $11 million in the city’s
unallocated fund balance at the end of the last fiscal year that could be reallocated for any
purpose the council decides.
A motion made by Councilman Stan Lau and seconded by Councilman Ryan Hanan to approve
the requested Art Park funding failed, with only Lau and Hanan voting to approve the motion.
The council then took a 10-minute recess and voted on another motion to delay the matter for 60
days, which passed with unanimous approval.
Improvements to the Art Park contained in phases 2 and 3 include an artistic gazebo with a
possible water fountain, two polygon (looks leaf-like) shade structures, a community brick wall
alongside the walking path displaying brick donations and a repainting of the tortoise. One of the
proposed polygon shade structures would measure 8 feet by 14 feet and the other would measure
12 feet by 23 feet.
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