City staff described a proposed two-year pilot to permit a limited number of illuminated digital media installations and to direct a portion of operator revenue toward arts and city messaging. Mike Shannon, the director identified in the meeting materials as leading the presentation, said the program would require text-amendment changes to Chapter 28 (the city's sign code), include processes for historic-review approvals and cap the number of permitted installations.

Shannon said the draft program would cap permits to roughly 10 installations citywide during a two-year pilot, set operator contribution thresholds (examples discussed included $100,000 or smaller tiers), and propose revenue-sharing where 20 percent of operator revenue would support arts or other city uses, with 5 percent of time reserved for city public messaging.

Why it matters: The pilot would allow digital art activations and controlled advertising in limited locations, creating a new revenue stream and new public-art opportunities while raising concerns about visual character, bird safety and proliferation of commercial advertising in public spaces.

Public comment divided sharply

More than a dozen speakers addressed the committee. Several arts and preservation groups asked for firm guarantees that revenues would fund arts programming and that installations avoid historic districts. Louis Better of the San Antonio Conservation Society said the proposal "no va a resolver este problema" of visual clutter and raised concerns about granting advertising space without traditional competitive processes. Mary Kidman and other arts leaders asked that arts funds generated go to the Office of Arts & Culture and that artist fees and long-term maintenance be funded rather than one-time honoraria.

Speakers supportive of the pilot said it could be done tastefully, generate new funding for arts, and activate underused spaces in the downtown core. One commenter urged the committee to keep limits that prevent the cityscape from becoming like Times Square or Las Vegas.

Board deliberations

Councilmember Villagran moved the option described as "Option A" with a $100,000 contribution threshold and a 10 to 15 percent initial revenue share for arts and city messaging, arguing the program could provide much-needed funds for the city's arts sector. Other councilmembers pressed staff to exclude King William historic district from eligible locations and to require robust content controls mirroring the kiosk program's advertising standards (for example, prohibiting vaping or tobacco advertising). Several members emphasized the need for a final report at one and two years and the ability to revoke permits for long-term maintenance failures.

Action and next steps

The committee voted to forward the pilot program, as amended in committee discussion, to the full City Council for consideration. The motion was put to a voice vote and the presiding officer announced the motion passed; no final numeric tally was recorded in the committee transcript. Staff will prepare an RFP (request for proposals), a refined map of eligible locations and updated content-control language for Council review.

Ending

The committee agreed the pilot will proceed to Council with guidance to protect historic areas, require clear content controls, and prioritize arts funding and maintenance in any operator agreements.