HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Salmon_Mural_Coalition_PAE_260616DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Salmon_Mural_Coalition_PAE_260616_MS
PLANNING DIVISION
PUBLIC ART EXEMPTION
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: June 17, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000197, PAE
PROJECT NAME: Salmon Mural Coalition
PROJECT MANAGER: Valerie Porter, Senior Planner
OWNER/CONTACT: BNSF Railway Company
Kyle Leatham
PO Box 961089
Fort Worth, TX 76161
APPLICANT: Renton Art Oasis
Jake Heare
16020 1/2 114th Ave SE
Renton, WA 98055
PROJECT LOCATION: Cedar River Park Drive (between Houser Way S and Renton Community
Center) (APN 1723059033)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a public art exemption for one (1) mural on the
north wall of the train trestle located at Houser Way N and Cedar River Park Dr (APN 1723059033) in the
City Center Community Planning Area. The proposed salmon mural will face south towards Cedar River
Park Dr with visibility from Houser Way N (Attachment A). Salmon have shaped the Cedar River
ecosystem and Renton’s culture for thousands of years. The mural is a vibrant celebration of salmon,
past and present, in the very place they return to year after year. The mural is being facilitated by the
City’s Paint with Purpose program, in association with the property owner. Grants are being provided by
the Arts Commission, and the Port of Seattle in partnership with the Renton Arts Oasis. The mural is a
design by Thomas Segundo, a Renton-based artist. The concept rendering was proposed to the Renton
Municipal Arts Commission on June 2, 2026 (Attachment B) and a motion was passed to accept the
design.
CODE AUTHORITY: Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-9-160F gives the Department of
Community and Economic Development authority to grant exemptions from the 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Sign Code for an Object of Art
Salmon Mural Coalition LUA26-000197, PAE
Permit Date: June 17, 2026 Page 2 of 2
D_Salmon_Mural_Coalition_PAE_260616_MS
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;
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 Comments: Staff finds the proposed exemption meets all seven (7) of the evaluation criteria.
DECISION: An exemption from the 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 July 1, 2026.
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 Mural
Attachment B: Arts Commission Meeting Minutes dated June 2, 2026
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
for
6/17/2026 | 10:51 AM PDT
Renton Municipal Arts Commission
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
City Hall, Council Conference Room 726 or Zoom
Commissioners Present:
Alycia Ruiz
Emma Foster
Evelyn Reingold
Jake Heare
Melanie Cates
Sara Palmer
Scott Douwes
Susan Jessick
Renton Staff (RMAC liaison):
• Jessie Kotarski
Guests:
• Xandra Buenbrazo, City of Renton intern
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Correspondence & Announcements:
• Legacy Square schedule of events – full calendar available at
rentonwa.gov/LegacySquareEvents
• Legacy Square grand opening scheduled for Saturday, June 6.
Review of Minutes from May Meeting:
• Minutes were reviewed and approved. MSC: Sara/Emma
Budget Update:
• No budget updates currently.
• 4Culture Support: The Commission is awaiting approval of the 4Culture contract,
anticipated on June 8.
Committee Updates:
Grants Committee
RECEIVED
06/12/2026 vporter
PLANNING DIVISIONDocusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
• Emma moved to accept the Grants Committee recommendation to award $12,600
in grant funding. (See page 3) Brooke seconded. Motion passed.
Promotions Committee
• Chalk Art Contest at Renton River Days scheduled for Saturday, July 25 near the
Community Center with support from Allied Arts
• Legacy Square volunteer opportunities, particularly on game days; commissioners
encouraged to review the volunteer sign-up sheet.
• Studio Tour planning underway for August; applications remain open to artists.
• Discussion regarding the City of Renton business license process for artists and
interest in coordinating an educational seminar with Art Oasis.
• Art Lounge: Drum Roll event scheduled for June 17.
• Promotions Committee meeting scheduled for June 8.
Old Business:
• Arts & Culture Master Plan Update - The Master Plan will move forward to City
Council on June 15 with a recommendation for referral to Planning & Development.
• Mural Review and Approval
o Renton Art Oasis Salmon Coalition Mural (BNSF Trestle Bridge Mural on
Cedar River Park Dr)
Artist: Tommy Segundo in partnership with Renton Art Oasis
o Funded by a grant from the Port of Seattle.
o Susan moved to approve the Salmon mural design. Evelyn seconded. Jake
abstained. Motion passed.
• Paint with Purpose Mural – Renton Highlands Neighborhood Center
o Artist: Shelly Metzger, Acorn Murals
Commission discussion included:
• Extending the mural upward to align with the lighting fixtures.
• Using black paint at the lower portion where landscaping will
partially obscure the wall.
• Softening the hard visual line while maintaining full visibility of
the dog walker figure and baseball element.
• Adjusting placement to elevate the bird element above the
dividing line, similar to the Tenino example.
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
• Consideration of graffiti abatement concerns, including
whether protective coating would reduce risks associated with
large black painted areas.
Emma moved to approve the mural design. Brooke seconded. Motion
passed.
• Legacy Square Public Art Discussion
o Continued discussion regarding paused mural installations and
development of a path forward for public art at Legacy Square.
o Staff shared plans for an interactive community mural experience featuring
an artist and recurring participation opportunities during movie nights until
completion.
o Jake recommended digitally scanning the completed work for future
installation opportunities, such as utility box wraps or construction barrier
covers.
Adjournment: 7:57 pm
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
Applicant Contact Project Project Start date Project Description Requested amount
Recommended
funding amount Notes
Renton Art Oasis Cathy Gonzales - President RAO Art for All 6/1/2026
Two free, one hour adult art classes per month
for Renton residents of all skill levels. Led by a
professional instructor, these sessions focus on
accessible creative practices like painting,
drawing, and mixed media, with all materials
provided to remove financial barriers and
encourage community connection.$3,300.00
Capoeira Life fiscally sponsored
by Shunpike Emily Chao, Admin Coordinator Capoeira Workshops for Renton Youth 9/1/2026
A series of 14–16 free, one-hour youth workshops
introducing Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian cultural art
form rooted in resistance and resilience. Students
(20–25 per session) learn movement, music, and
cultural history while building rhythm, confidence, and
connection through collaborative practice. $10,000.00 $300
$2400/10,000 is admin costs; $300 for
instruments; $7300 for staff wages; no
dates or specific Renton schools
mentioned
Tomato Tomato Creative Kelly Affleck, owner Teen Studio Arts 6/17/2026
A free summer open-studio program for ages 12–17,
meeting twice weekly. Teens explore process-based
art with minimal instruction, using materials like paint,
textiles, and mixed media. $10,000.00 $9600 or $8000
Less the $100 social media and $300
administrative; how do we feel about the
$1600 venue rental cost?
Key to Change Seattle Summer Community Concert 6/13/2026
A free public concert on June 13, 2026 featuring South
King County youth musicians, a Grammy-winning
guest artist, and works by composers-in-residence.
The event highlights student achievement, expands
access to high-quality music education, and includes
outreach, documentation, and community $10,000.00 $1,000
$1000 for student instrument supplies;
TBD $1500 A/V tech and $4k (2)
accompanists; the remaining monetary
requests are travel and admin/printing
TOTALS $33,300.00 $1,300
Rainier Breakers LLC krubel Amare Renton Youth Breakin Lab 6/16/2026
A 9-week youth program introducing breaking
(breakdance) through movement and hip-hop culture.
Students learn foundational techniques like toprock,
footwork, freezes, and power moves while exploring
hip-hop history. $7,000.00 $0
This program is not eligible for funding
consideration at this time, as it has already
received a grant award in 2026.
Maplewood Glen Recognized
Neighborhood Sandra Brooks, President Mural at the Park Summer 2026
A public art mural featuring Erasmus the Renton
dragon installed on a park structure overlooking
the Cedar River. Moved to 'paint with purpose'
program.$5,000.00 0
Recommended for Paint with Purpose
program
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
1
Valerie Porter
From:Clark Close
Sent:Wednesday, June 10, 2026 4:21 PM
To:Jessie Kotarski
Cc:Matthew Herrera; Valerie Porter
Subject:RE: Art Exemption Permit: Salmon Coalition Mural (BNSF train trestle)
Attachments:BF-20602570_Renton Mural.pdf; June 2026 Minutes_DRAFT.pdf
Jessie,
Thanks for submitting an art exemption request for the Renton Art Oasis Salmon Coalition Mural (BNSF Trestle
Bridge Mural on Cedar River Park Drive). Valerie is excited to get started on this right away based on your tight
timeline.
Regards,
CLARK CLOSE, Current Planning Manager
City of Renton // Planning
Virtual Permit Center // Online Applications and Inspections
office 425-430-7289
From: Jessie Kotarski <JKotarski@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 3:16 PM
To: Clark Close <CClose@Rentonwa.gov>; Matthew Herrera <MHerrera@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: Art Exemption Permit: Salmon Coalition Mural (BNSF train trestle)
Hi Matt and Clark,
I’m requesting an art exemption for a mural project downtown, located on Cedar River Park Drive
between Houser Way S and the Renton Community Center.
Here’s the information for the proposed
mural:
• Artist Information:
o Thomas Segundo, a Renton-based artist. His portfolio is available here:
https://www.instagram.com/crenativedesignz/
o The project is being funded by a grant from the Arts Commission.
o The project is funded with a grant from the Port of Seattle and in partnership with the
Renton Arts Oasis.
• Design:
o The selected and RMAC-approved design is below. Minutes from the June meeting are
attached.
RECEIVED
06/12/2026 vporter
PLANNING DIVISIONDocusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50
2
o
• Location:
o Cedar River Park Drive (between Houser Way S and Renton Community Center). North
wall of the train trestle.
Attached is the Right of Entry form completed by BNSF in support of the project.
The project is scheduled to begin before the end of the month and anticipated to be completed before
Renton River Days.
~Jessie
JESSIE KOTARSKI, Economic Development Manager
City of Renton // Community and Economic Development
Virtual Permit Center // Online Applications and Inspections
o?ice 425-430-7271
Docusign Envelope ID: 17AA128D-4DF3-8730-819D-DE2E16330F50