The City of Merritt wants to see a new mural painted on the side of the food bank in Merritt — but only if they can get an agreement in writing.

“Staff would like to proceed with creating a new mural at 2026 Quilchena Avenue,” a report to council from the city’s manager of economic development and tourism Will George reads. “However, given the ongoing issue around ownership of murals in our city, staff only makes this recommendation if it can be done with the written agreement of all parties involved which include [mural artist] Michelle Loughery, the Canadian Country Music Heritage Society, and [building owner] MAC-DEM Management Ltd.”

“The city would retain ownership and rights over the mural unless an alternate agreement that would satisfy all parties can be reached.” – Will George

If an agreement cannot be reached, George suggests using the $10,000 grant the city received in 2017 — which needs to be used in 2019 — to create a sports and recreation mural at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

Council will be tasked with deciding where to paint the mural at a regular meeting tonight, May 28.

The location for a new mural on Quilchena Avenue was selected following a review of existing murals in town with Loughery, as well as community feedback.

The side of the food bank was determined to be the best spot to replace an existing mural with a new one.

“The Bluebird Label Record mural was identified as a top priority for a new mural to be created, as the current mural hasn’t received proper upkeep,” George wrote, noting the building owners and tenants (the Nicola Valley Food Bank) have completed a mural permit application and would like to proceed with the proposal.

To allow the mural to be moved in the future if necessary, George recommends it be painted on a backed frame.

“The city would retain ownership and rights over the mural unless an alternate agreement that would satisfy all parties can be reached,” he wrote.

George opened up ideas for who the next country music artist to be featured in Merritt should be to the community via social media last year, and the most popular picks were Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brett Kissel, Kenny Hess and Jason Aldean.

While council may have some influence as to which artist is selected, Smith said the decision will likely be a “collective effort with everyone involved.”

Staff seek plan for ongoing upkeep of public  art in Merritt

City staff also plan to develop a long-term strategy for taking care of public art in Merritt, as there is no overarching plan for maintenance and upkeep for these pieces currently.

“A plan is needed now instead of before it gets too late” – Will George

“Historically community groups who own the public art came forward during the City of Merritt grant in aid period requesting funding to host their event, create new public art or keep their existing public art pieces maintained,” George wrote in a report to council.

This practice has become unsustainable, said Mayor Linda Brown.

“Some of these individual groups come to council requesting taxpayer dollars to maintain their own private assets,” she said, noting other municipal governments may have an easier time supporting maintenance of public art pieces because they are owned by the city. “A lot of ours are not, and it does create issues.”

Council unanimously voted in favour of staff looking at options for a long-term maintenance plan for existing and future pieces of public art in the city at a regular meeting on May 14.

Council also directed staff to explore options for the development a Logger’s Trail to showcase chainsaw carvings produced each year by the Merritt Logger Sports Show. Options for ongoing maintenance of public art pieces could include a designation in the city’s yearly budget, an annual grant or a new City of Merritt committee to review these community assets.

“All of these options would require ownership discussions with the artists, property owners, relevant societies and an implementation team,” wrote George.

“There are communities that are really leading the way for this and I think we are just on the cusp of having these pieces in our communities and a plan is needed now instead of before it gets too late and we have these sprawled out,” George said.