Danville Council Puts Public Art Master Plan Before Developer Fees
City Council • DanvilleOctober 13, 2026
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Danville's council spent most of its Oct. 13, 2026, study session on one question: who should pay for public art, and who should decide what gets built. No votes were taken. Instead, council reached consensus to have staff develop a public art master plan and nexus study before choosing a funding source, while an Arts Advisory Board member said her panel has little say in public art decisions.
- Public art master plan comes first, and the developer fee question stays open
- Mayor opposes developer art fees and floats park-and-loop dollars instead
- Arts board member says her panel is sidelined by a staff-appointed curatorial committee
- First personnel policy overhaul since 2018 heads toward adoption
- Town Studio plaque gets a one-sentence message, and three Szymanski Award nominees are picked
Plan First, Pay Later: Public Art Funding
The basics: A nexus study documents the link between new development and the public costs a fee is meant to cover. Cities often use one to defend a development impact fee.
Why it matters: The coming master plan and its cost estimate will decide whether Danville charges developers, uses general or park-and-loop funds, or combines them. Until then, developers and taxpayers won't know their share.
Where things stand: Staff told council that San Ramon moved from an in-lieu fee to a development impact fee backed by a nexus study. Staff linked that trend to concerns about takings litigation. Staff said in-lieu programs "historically do not have a nexus study."
Staff recommended working with the Arts Advisory Board, and possibly a consultant, to update the town's 2018 public art policy and prepare a nexus study before drafting any ordinance. One staff member said the existing policy "is quite outdated."
Council members asked about art in interior courtyards, loaned art, who maintains pieces, and how much revenue Danville could expect. Vice Mayor Robert Storer predicted how developers would respond to a choice between building art and paying a fee: "I just think most developers are probably going to want to pay a fee as opposed to create a public art."
Councilmember Renee Morgan asked, "Would it be beneficial to engage the development community" before the study. Staff agreed, with outreach to follow once the scope is clearer.
The other side: Mayor Newell Arnerich broke with the developer-fee approach. "I don't think we should be collecting this money from other people," he said. He suggested directing a portion of park-and-loop fees to art instead.
Staff said the fees would apply only to new development, noting "these fees have always been structured as it's new development," and that other cities add their own funds.
Storer noted that money is left over from the dogs, hearts and benches art projects. Morgan said those funds are restricted.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Council gave consensus direction that keeps every funding option available. "We've only asked staff to go forward with getting a master plan, help support a nexus study," Arnerich said. Developers face no new fee for now, but the option remains on the table.
What's next: Staff will develop the master plan and support a nexus study, then reach out to developers once the scope is clearer.
Arts Board Member: "Insignificant Role" in Decisions
Why it matters: Council has assumed its appointed Arts Advisory Board shapes public art. Testimony at the session pointed to a gap that could affect how any future program is run and funded.
Where things stand: Kim Bowles, Arts Advisory Board member, supported limiting the ordinance to a fee, citing flexibility and quality. She then challenged how decisions are made today. She said a staff-appointed curatorial committee, not the board, drives most public art choices.
"I feel like we have a very insignificant role in the decisions being made for public art," said Bowles.
She urged a dedicated public art strategic plan. She said it should cover local artists, performing arts, education, locations, a catalog of the collection, and clear roles for the board, the curatorial committee and Parks and Recreation. She also asked that art funds be tracked transparently. "I think it's really, really important that we have separate accounts for this," she said.
The other side: Council members signaled interest in a stronger board role. "I would like the Arts Commission to be involved from inception to completion," said Storer. Morgan asked staff for background on the curatorial group.
Staff said funding and the art selection process are separate questions. Arnerich suggested taking up the process issue separately.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council took no action on governance. Local artists and arts volunteers now have a stated concern on the record that council members appear willing to revisit.
What's next: Council did not set a date to review the curatorial structure.
Personnel Rulebook Gets First Update Since 2018
Why it matters: Danville has no collective bargaining agreements. That makes this manual the only document governing town employment, and it must reflect eight years of state and federal law changes.
Where things stand: "It was last reviewed and amended back in April of 2018, so it's been 8 years," said the town manager. Outside counsel helped with the technical leave changes.
The HR manager walked council through the revisions:
- New pregnancy disability leave, reproductive loss leave and lactation accommodation
- Clarified sick and family care leave
- An updated discipline policy
- ADA-based reasonable accommodation and anti-harassment policies
- A drug and alcohol policy reflecting AB 2188
- Technology use rules
- Updated hiring processes and Employee Committee provisions
The retirement structure puts 10% toward the 401 plan, rising to as much as 15% with 457 contributions. The HR manager said that with the update, "we are definitely in compliance of all of the state and federal laws."
Morgan asked about due process in discipline. The town manager explained that employees can appeal from a supervisor up to the town manager and receive written evaluations twice a year. Arnerich praised the document's thoroughness.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: This was informational, and no vote was taken. Town employees gain a rulebook that matches current law.
What's next: The policies return for adoption at a future regular meeting.
One Sentence for the Town Studio Plaque
Where things stand: Storer brought four options for dedication language on the new Town Studio and Makerspace. "It's got to tell a little story about the arts," he said.
Arnerich urged council to "stay in our lane a little bit" and keep it to one sentence. Morgan leaned toward option 3 and stressed, "This is a council plaque."
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: By consensus, the plaque will carry standard content plus one sentence based on option 3. The town manager's name will appear per policy, and the building's name is Town Studio.
What's next: Staff returns with the rewritten sentence at the next study session.
Szymanski Award Picks and Installation Changes
Where things stand: The clerk asked council to "come to a consensus on 3 names so that I can submit them to Sue Szymanski, and she will make the final decision." Discussing candidates by number, Arnerich proposed, "let's give them 1, 3, and 4." Council agreed, and a remaining candidate will be considered for a Merit Award.
Members suggested Merit Award recipients, including Monte Vista's Acing Autism program and Veterans Memorial Building volunteers. Morgan recommended Councilmember Karen Stepper for the Danville Award.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The draft program for the 45th Annual Mayor's Installation and Community Services Awards moves years-of-service awards first. Employees with 12 or more years of service will receive glass awards.
What's next: Merit Award nominations stay open through Nov. 3.
Looking Ahead
The personnel policies return for adoption at a regular meeting, and the plaque wording returns at the next study session. Staff's public art master plan and nexus study will set up the larger fight over who pays for public art in Danville.