Council greenlights moving forward on proposed downtown postcard mural; staff to solicit artists

A council member (Speaker 10) proposed a postcard‑style mural on a building wall across from HEB to encourage visitors to stop and walk the downtown area.

Speaker 10 said property owners have given permission and that the mural design would be chosen via artist submissions; staff said the project would likely require an RFP and that HOT fund rules (arts category cap) could fund the work — the arts allocation cited in discussion was about $42,000 in the current budget. Council members generally supported moving forward to obtain quotes and start the procurement process.

Staff will prepare an RFP and cost estimates and identify an appropriate funding source under the tourist‑oriented HOT fund rules for council consideration.