Orange gets a unique smell when a north wind blows and now City Manager Mike Kunst wants to add some artsy to the fartsy.
Kunst has been working with the council and city staff to develop an ordinance “to allow the people of Orange to showcase their creative talents” by painting designs on streets, sidewalks, and sides of buildings.
The Orange City Council will discuss the proposition and rules to govern the artwork during a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The council has been conducting meetings since March through the GoToMeeting program since the covid pandemic.
Since Kunst became city manager less than a ye har ago, he has hired artists to paint designs on the interior windows of the new city hall, plus paint a fresco of books on the north wall of the Orange Public Library.
Before the pandemic, he went to the city’s Historical Preservation Commission to ask permission to install artwork on a vacant lot across from the Boat Ramp that is owned by the city. The site is within the designated Old Orange Historic District and the artwork needed the commission’s approval.
Kunst described artwork as “the icing on the cake. The spice of life.”
City Planning Director Kelvin Knauf at the time said paintings of historic bud ildings from Orange could be painted.
The commission took no action on his proposal.
Kunst’s proposals for artwork include getting a permit from the city manager or staff member 30 days before the painting is to begin. The designs and paints cannot interfere with safe driving. Plus, the city will retain the right to paint over or remove a design.
Painting will not be allowed on roadways maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The public is invited to participate in the meeting through three ways.
(1) Join the Meeting from your computer or tablet hosted through GoToMeeting (video)
(2) Join the Meeting from your smartphone hosted through GoToMeeting (video): Install the GoToMeeting Business App and the Meeting ID Number is: 683-441-189
(3) Join the Meeting from your phone hosted through GoToMeeting (telephonic): Public Toll-Free Dial-In-Number is : 1-866-899-4679 and the Access Code Number is: 683-441-189
The public will be permitted to offer public comments as provided by the agenda and as permitted by the presiding officer during the meeting.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Above is one of the many murals in Lampasas, Texas.
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