Sandusky boards elect officers, approve 2026 public-art work plan and repainting of 'Sign of Love'

Robin Lloyd was elected president of the Sandusky Boards & Commissions and commission members approved a draft 2026 public art work plan, including authorization to repaint the Jackson Street Pier "Sign of Love" sculpture.

At the start of the meeting the chair opened nominations for 2026 officers; a member nominated Robin Lloyd for president and the board approved her nomination by roll-call vote. The commission also conducted a vote for vice president and finalized the slate for the year.

The bulk of the meeting was a staff presentation of the commission’s draft 2026 public-art work plan and budget. A staff presenter said the commission has been saving toward a long‑planned Columbus Avenue installation and reported that the Columbus Avenue savings stood at $259,420. The presenter walked members through 2025 carryovers and project-specific earmarks, including an awarded but unfinished mosaic mural ($4,500 awarded in total), artbox awards (individual awards of $1,000 and an $800 outstanding award), and a $15,500 allocation previously set aside for action‑sports/Wheels Park art.

The presenter told the commission the public‑art fund currently showed a balance of $322,524 and said the commission’s revenue source is 1% of the prior year’s admissions tax; the finance director provided a prior‑year figure of $97,750 that the presenter used in the draft to estimate $103,172 available for 2026.

Members debated whether long‑held, project‑specific allocations should remain earmarked or be consolidated into the Columbus Avenue bucket. One commissioner urged retaining earmarks so small projects and previously awarded artists are not left without funding; another questioned whether multi‑year carryovers are permitted without explicit ordinance language and said the commission should confirm the legal basis with city finance or legal staff.

On a separate motion the commission authorized staff to accept a written quote from artist Alex Mendez and to spend the quoted funds to fully repaint the "Sign of Love" sculpture, add a UV clear coat and slightly raise its platform. The presenter said Mendez is available in February–March 2026 and that his quote includes repainting plus a UV clear coat; the motion passed on roll call.

After discussion of donations and a possible separate donor-funded signage project for Wheels Park, a member moved to approve the draft 2026 work plan and budget as presented. The roll-call vote carried and the chair declared the draft approved.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn. Members were told the commission will reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.