25-1383 : Halton-Pope - Resolution Reaffirming and Enforcing the City of Buffalo’s 1% for Public Art Requirement

This resolution, initiated by Finance Committee Member Leah Halton-Pope, reaffirms and enforces the City of Buffalo's 1% for Public Art Requirement (Chapter 409 of the City Code). This requirement mandates that capital improvement projects with construction and design costs of $1,000,000 or more allocate 1% of the total project cost for public art. The Buffalo Arts Commission is authorized to request annual funding for public art. The resolution outlines specific implementation policies:

• Permanent Compliance: All applicable projects must include a 1% budget line for public art. The Department of Public Works will notify the Arts Commission of new projects.
• Waiver Procedure: Waivers require a separate resolution, a written justification for why the project is "not appropriate" for public art, and must be subject to public review.
• Annual Arts Allocation: The Arts Commission can request funding exceeding 1% of the projected capital improvement budget for citywide public art initiatives.
• Reporting and Oversight: The City Comptroller is requested to instruct Audit and Control to provide quarterly reports on projects subject to the 1% requirement, amounts allocated/expended for art, and any waivers granted. The Arts Commission will submit an annual report on its activities and goals.