At its meeting, the Syracuse City Public Arts Commission spent substantial time on governance matters and outreach: commissioners discussed upcoming mayoral appointments, how vacant seats will be filled, and plans to hold onboarding and public information sessions for artists and new commissioners.

Saisha Berg, who identified herself as commissioner of parks, urged patience until the incoming mayor issues appointment letters in January and said the commission will wait to finalize some terms until then. Commissioners proposed an "Art Commission 101" workshop to explain the application process, roles and the public art coordinator position; the group also agreed to test scheduling via Doodle polls and tentatively set the next meeting for Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

The commission raised procedural questions about virtual attendance and open meeting law; one participant recalled that Webex had been used during COVID-era exceptions but cautioned that those allowances may no longer apply and that the group should review statutory requirements before planning remote meetings.

Commissioners also discussed the NYDOT highway artwork project and whether local artists can be included. Members said NYDOT presented in-house graphic designer samples and that some community comment opportunities exist; commissioners agreed to continue outreach and to press for local-artist involvement where possible. Joe Driscoll was named as a DOT contact to follow up with. Commissioners emphasized that large state- or federally controlled boulevards may remain under NYDOT jurisdiction even if the city can influence certain municipal installations.

Rebecca Patterson, who introduced herself as a middle-school art teacher and local business owner, said she has worked with many young artists and expressed interest in serving. The commission did not adopt new membership decisions during the meeting; members committed to follow up with the mayor’s office and HR to identify which seats are mayoral appointments versus council appointments and to circulate information about the public art coordinator when available.

Next procedural steps: staff will check appointment records with the mayor's office, the commission expects to revisit vacancies and onboarding in January, and members will continue outreach to DOT regarding highway art selection and inclusion of local artists.