West Covina Municipal Code § 17-31 Purpose

The city council finds and declares:

(a) Cultural and artistic resources enhance the quality of life for persons who live, work, and visit the city.

(b) Balanced development of cultural and artistic resources preserves and improves the quality of the urban environment and increases real property values.

(c) As development and revitalization of real property within the city continues, the opportunity for creation of cultural and artistic resources is diminished. As this development and revitalization continues as a result of market forces, urbanization of the community results. As these opportunities are diminished and this urbanization occurs, the need to develop alternative sources for cultural and artistic outlets to improve the environment, image, and character of the community is increased.

(d) Development of cultural and artistic assets should be financed by those whose development and revitalization diminishes the availability of the community's resources for those opportunities and contributes to community urbanization.

(e) Establishment of the art in public places program will promote the general welfare through balancing the community's physical growth and revitalization and its cultural and artistic resources.

(Ord. No. 2117, § 1, 8-17-04)

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Applicant. The owner of the property or the tenant utilizing the property and seeking required permits.

Artwork. Original works of art, including, but not limited to, the following categories: sculpture, mural or portable painting, mosaic, fountains, earthwork, firework, neon glass mosaic, photograph, print, calligraphy, or other forms of physical hard media. These categories may be realized through such mediums as steel, bronze, stained glass, concrete, wood, ceramic tile and stone, as well as other suitable materials.

City manager. The City Manager of the City of West Covina or his/her designee.

Eligible fund. A source fund for construction projects construction cost) from which art is not precluded as an object of expenditure. Construction cost excludes costs of real property acquisition, demolition, equipment, normal major maintenance, financing, advertising and legal fees, and costs paid from contingency reserve funds, capital reserve or interest earnings on city bond proceeds.

Performing arts. Performances presented by professional or amateur performers, including theater performance (any form of dramatic presentation, spoken or silent); musical theater/opera (any dramatic performances of which music is an integral part; dance (any form of rhythmical movement); music/concert (any musical form whether classical or popular); and children's theater (any theater for young audiences, for or by children).

Planning commission. The Planning Commission of the City of West Covina.

Planning director. The planning director of the City of West Covina or his/her designee.

Project cost. The total value of the improvements for a project, excluding land value, as determined by the Public works Director, and indicated on the building permit(s) that are issued for that project.

Public place. Any exterior area on public or private property which is easily accessible and clearly visible to the general public, such as a street or other public thoroughfare, sidewalk, parks, and plazas.

Public works director. The Public Works Director of the City of West Covina or his/her designee.

(Ord. No. 2117, § 1, 8-17-04; Ord. No. 2174, § 1, 4-15-08; Ord. No. 2229, § 2(Exh. B), 3-20-12)