HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Public_Art_Exemption_Benson Bruins Mural (with attachments)_v2DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Public_Art_Exemption_Benson Bruins Mural_v1
PLANNING DIVISION
PUBLIC ART EXEMPTION
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: September 22, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000304, AE
PROJECT NAME: Paint With Purpose Benson Bruins Mural
PROJECT MANAGER: Ian Harris, Associate Planner
OWNER/APPLICANT: Thomas Wray, Benson Jr Football Association
PO Box 60241, Renton, WA 98058
CONTACT: Thomas Wray
PO Box 60241, Renton, WA 98058
PROJECT LOCATION: 116th Ave SE & SE 168th St (APN 0088000934)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a public art exemption for two (2) murals on
two existing shipping containers located at the northwest corner of 116th Ave SE & SE 168th St (APN
0088000934). The property currently contains three (3) shipping containers; one is not legal and will be
removed prior to the beginning of painting. The proposed murals face a vacant lot with visibility from SE
168th St. The mural is being facilitated by the city’s Paint with Purpose program, in association with the
Benson Jr Football Association. This group is a nonprofit youth football league and cheerleading
association catering to children aged 7 to 14. The concept drawings (Attachment A) were proposed to the
Renton Municipal Arts Commission on September 2, 2025 (Attachment B) and a motion was passed to
accept the concept drawings. The mural design will be completed by Rick Moreno of Wow Murals, a
Renton-based artist. This community mural is intended to highlight and celebrate the sports of football
and cheer.
CODE AUTHORITY: Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-9-160F gives the Department of
Community and Economic Development authority to grant exemptions from the City’s Sign Code for
'objects of art' provided an Exemption Certificate for Public Art is issued. The code defines 'objects of art'
as sculptures, wall paintings, murals, collages or banners by artists recognized by the Renton Municipal
Arts commission.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Per RMC 4-9-160C, the Department of Community and Economic
Development may determine that ‘objects of art’ are exempt from the requirements of the City's Sign
Code when:
a. Sited in a manner as to be readily accessible to pedestrians for passive viewing;
b. Sited in a manner so as not to unduly divert the attention of motorists from the roadway;
c. Stationary and do not revolve or otherwise move;
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Sign Code for an Object of Art
Paint with Purpose Benson Bruins Mural LUA25-000304, AE
Permit Date: September 22, 2025 Page 2 of 2
D_Public_Art_Exemption_Benson Bruins Mural_v2
d. Not illuminated;
e. In good taste and reasonably reflect acceptable community values;
f. Of sufficient durability so as to have a life expectancy of at least ten (10) years;
g. Not used or referred to in the media or by the owners of the premises or operators of
businesses contained thereon for business advertising purposes.
Staff finds the proposed exemption meets all seven (7) of the evaluation criteria.
DECISION: An exemption from the City’s Sign Code regulations for an ‘object of art’ is hereby
Approved for the proposed art project.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
APPEAL: Appeals of permit issuance must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on October 6,
2025. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC
197-11-680). Appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or
delivered to City Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the
time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically.
The appeal submitted in person may be paid on the first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to the
Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and additional information regarding the appeal process
may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Concept Drawings
Attachment B: Renton Municipal Arts Commission Meeting Minutes dated September 2, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
9/22/2025 | 10:50 AM PDT
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RECEIVED
09/18/2025 IHarris
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
Renton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present: Alycia Ruiz, Brooke Ciquera, Evelyn Reingold, Jake Heare, Nadya
Helt, Susan Jessick, Sujata Acharya, Sara Palmer.
Renton Staff (RMAC liaison): Jessie Kotarski
Call to order: 6:00 pm
Introduction of Guests: No guests present
Correspondence & Announcements:
• J.R. Learning Labs Mobile Mural:
o Event scheduled for Oct 11 and 25 at 12pm at the Renton Library.
o Renton Library to host the mural for six months after completion.
o Potential transfer to Renton Rowing Club afterward.]
• SoCo Culture Member Meeting
o Scheduled for September 17 at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center.
o SoCo Culture is now fiscally sponsored by Shunpike and entirely volunteer-
led.
Review of minutes from August meeting:
• Brooke moved to accept the August 5th meeting minutes. Seconded by Sujata.
Motion passed.
Budget update:
• $27,603.09 spent to date from the Arts & Culture Project account.
• $86,275 awarded to date in the 2025 Art Grant Program.
• Currently $15K over for programs and grants awarded.
• Discussed improving planning for Q4 grant requests; will add to 2026 planning
retreat agenda.
• Consider creating sub-budgets by category (e.g., school murals).
Committee updates:
Promotions Update:
• Next Promotions Committee Meeting Scheduled: September 8, in recognition of Labor
Day.
RECEIVED
09/18/2025 IHarris
PLANNING DIVISION
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
• Suggested treating future promotions meetings similarly to a planning retreat.
Discussion included logistics around hosting a public meeting such as securing a larger
meeting space if needed, identifying which listservs to use (no dedicated volunteer list),
volunteer management, and opportunities to include those interested in joining the
Commission.
• Halloween Costume Swap: - September 27, 9 AM–12 PM at Highlands Neighborhood
Center (new location)
o Prep: Friday, September 26, 1 PM–6 PM for sorting costumes.
o Volunteers: 3–4 needed on Saturday for setup/tidying.
o Collections: Starting September 2 at Farmer’s Market; all monster collection
boxes in place by September 3.
o Signage & Activities: Sara & Jessie collected signage; Vera Project will be
onsite for shirt screen printing.
• Olde Fashioned Halloween Event: October 25, hosted by RDP in Cugini Florists
parking lot. RMAC is responsible for the costume contest, photo booth and
entertainment.
Grants Update:
• 11 applications to review; the grant review committee met on August 8. A draft of the
2026 grant plan will be needed.
• Evelyn motioned to accept the Grant’s Committee funding recommendations as
presented for $24,900. Jake seconds.
• Approved awards include:
o Dimmit PTSA – Irene Miyamoto: $1,000 for a mural project on Native history and
education (Nov–Dec 2025).
o Pink Llama Drama LLC DBA ConFab Arts – Kathryn Swenson: $1,200 for
storytelling and creative expression events (Nov 15, 2025).
o Jennifer Treese – Jennifer Treese: $1,700 for community textile storytelling
workshops (Nov 1–30, 2025).
o G&O Music (DBA: Bobby Collins) – Bobby Collins: $3,000 for live performance of
BIPOC composers’ works with a brass clinic (Sept 1–Dec 31, 2025).
o Northwest Entertainment Foundation – Brian Morris: $4,500 for monthly open
creative workshops (May 1–Oct 31, 2025).
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
o Encanto Arts – Jose Iniguez: $5,000 for “A Night of Encanto: Holiday Concierto”
event blending Latin and classical music (Nov 29, 2025).
o Evergreen City Ballet – Beth Sanders: $8,500 for The Nutcracker at Renton IKEA
Arts Center with free student performances (Sept 1–Dec 15, 2025).
Metrics
• RMAC Dashboard: Draft debuted. Requests for consideration for inclusion include:
o 2024–2025 volunteer hours
o Event attendees (total and by event type)
o Money spent toward events and public event support
Calculated as money spent per attendee to estimate community impact,
popularity, and funding leverage
• Future Analysis:
o Metrics committee to review 2024–2025 grant approvals for trends,
subcategories, and budget considerations for planning meeting
o Examine legacy grant recipients: frequency, amount, and comparison to
grassroots requests
Old Business Updates
• Paint with Purpose – Bruins Storage Container: Contract and design review. Sara moved
to approve the design for the two storage containers prepared by Wow Murals as
presented; Brooke seconded. Motion passed.
• Paint with Purpose – 231 Main Ave S - 2026 FIFA Building Poster: Jake moved to approve
the design for the south facing wall of the building at 231 Main Ave S as prepared by
artist Shogo Ota; Brianna seconded. Motion passed.
• Wizard’s Mural: Design concepts approved in July. The location has been selected and
the mural will be installed at 231 Wells Ave S. The original design has been adjusted for
a single-story building near Erasmus. Painting to begin in September.
• Vacant Positions: Three positions open. Jake, Sara, and Brooke will meet to discuss the
application process and interview date availability.
• Kennydale Lyon’s Fence Update: Yarn art approved; installation planned for the
weekend of September 6th. Discussion included changes to design and location, and
considerations for flexibility in grant requests.
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA
New Business
• Poet Laureate – Everett, Vashon programs and presentations to consider for 2026
Adjournment 8:03 PM
Docusign Envelope ID: 628725D7-80AD-4582-99B1-8FF8B5836AAA