Council approves mural festival permit amid liability concerns; mayor votes no

National City’s council voted to approve a temporary use permit for the Vision Culture Foundation’s international mural festival, allowing a tightly scoped artist access to a construction‑area wall while reserving authority for the city manager to cancel the event if safety or permit conditions are unmet. The motion passed 3–1, with Mayor Morrison casting the lone dissent.

The item prompted an extended public and staff discussion about outstanding requirements: Caltrans sign‑off for art on the overpass, final renderings/mock‑ups to avoid profanity or copyright conflict, proof of insurance, signed waivers for volunteers, security plans and the legal question of releasing a construction contractor from liability for a limited period. “Let’s not just look at the liability and be fearful,” Councilmember Bush said, urging the council to weigh the economic and community benefits of the event. He added that Vision Culture had worked with city staff and partners and that many issues could be mitigated.

City Attorney counsel and staff, however, highlighted legal exposures for the city because the overpass area remains an active construction site. The city attorney advised that volunteers and artists working within the contractor’s control would require indemnities and hold‑harmless agreements, and that certain liability could shift to the city absent thorough protections. Several council members said they were comfortable giving the city manager discretion to cancel the event if final conditions were not satisfied.

Vision Culture representatives said they had engaged Caltrans and planned to control access with wristbands, vetted artist lists and private security, and that the artist mock‑ups would avoid words or trademarked imagery. “We would control the access point and have the artists sign waivers,” a Vision Culture representative said, asking the council to approve the permit to allow the project—featuring international artists and on‑site painting—to proceed on a rapid timeline.

Mayor Morrison said the permit remained risky given unresolved issues and voted against the approval, citing public safety and legal exposure. After the vote, the council directed staff and the city manager to continue working with Vision Culture and Caltrans to wrap up the remaining items before the event date.

The council’s action authorizes the city manager to move forward only if staff confirms the outstanding conditions are met; if they are not, staff retains authority to cancel the event. The TUP approval was the last of several items the council addressed at the special meeting.