To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
Prepared By: Emily Steinly, Office Assistant II
TITLE:
Title
Public Art Steering Committee Membership
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Appoint Clay D. Newton, as Visual Art Professional, to the Public Art Steering Committee for a term beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2028.
Body
DISCUSSION:
COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION:
The Public Art Steering Committee (PASC) is governed by Chapter 15.108 of the City of Napa Municipal Code and is advisory to the City Council and to City staff regarding public art projects funded by the Public Art Fund, and other responsibilities such as reviewing the Public Art Master Plan for potential updates.
Requirements: The Public Art Steering Committee consists of five members appointed by the City Council at the recommendation of the City Manager.
One member must be a visual arts professional, one a practicing professional artist in any medium, one nominated by the Arts Council Napa Valley or other city-recognized arts organization, and the fourth and fifth designated as members at-large.
Membership: Applicants must be City of Napa residents and registered voters. Members will serve four-year terms.
Meetings: The Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of every other month in the City Hall Council Chambers, 955 School Street, Napa.
NUMBER AND TIMING OF VACANCIES INCLUDING SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
There is a total of one seat to be filled due to the resignation of Lissa Gibbs effective September 19, 2025. Lissa’s term was set to expire on June 30, 2028.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The City Clerk accepted applications for the Committee from September 20, 2025 through October 24, 2025. Recruitment announcements were shared on the City’s website and social media platforms, published in the City’s electronic newsletter “Napa News Weekly”, posted at various locations at City Hall, Human Resources, and the Community Services building, and sent to the Napa County Library, Napa Valley College, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Napa County Administration, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Community Housing, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, Leadership Napa Valley, and Neo Gov.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
Three applications were received from Clay D. Newton, David K. Hight, and Betty J. Thrailkill.
Clay D. Newton is a new applicant and has applied as a Visual Arts Professional and Practicing Professional.
David K. Hight is a new applicant.
Betty J. Thrailkill is a new applicant and has applied as a Visual Arts Professional.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Per delegation of authority by the City Manager, Breyana Brandt, Parks and Recreation Director, and Katrina Gregory, Recreation and Public Art Manager, interviewed the applicants. On December 4, 2025 they provided their recommendation for appointment to City Clerk Tiffany Carranza who provided it to City Manager Steve Potter.
City Manager Steve Potter supports the recommended appointment of Clay D. Newton as a Visual Arts Professional.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None.
CEQA:
The City Clerk has determined that the recommended action in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(C).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Applications
NOTIFICATION:
Applicants