by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Want to paint a mural on a building in Thief River Falls? The Thief River Falls City Council encourages building owners and prospective painters to give some thought to it first. At its meeting Tuesday, March 16, the council approved a resource for those individuals.
Initially, the council had considered creating an application and process to paint murals on buildings in Thief River Falls. Given that the council doesn’t have much say as to what may be artistically painted as a mural, the council decided to instead offer the application as a resource for people planning to paint a mural.
After a lengthy debate, by a vote of 6 to 1, the council decided to make the application a resource instead of requiring an application process for building owners and potential artists. Council member Michele McCraw voted in opposition. She didn’t indicate why she chose to vote that way. As of presstime Tuesday, she hadn’t responded to a request for comment from The Times. Council member Rachel Prudhomme was absent from the meeting.
The city’s hands are tied when it comes to regulating murals created for artistic purposes. However, it can regulate murals that advertise a business. Such murals would be considered signage and subject to city code.
Council member Steve Narverud said city leaders have already determined that murals won’t be painted on city buildings. He added that they wanted to provide parameters to others who may be considering painting murals on other buildings in the city. Narverud said they wanted those individuals to think about the ramifications before they paint.
Council member Curt Howe said city leaders wanted building owners to be aware of the maintenance required after a mural has been painted. They also wanted them to think about what would happen if the building were later sold.
A couple murals have already been painted in the city, and a few others have been discussed. Murals have been painted on business buildings, a youth center and some garages. The day of the council meeting, Public Works Director Mark Borseth had received an email from someone who was thinking about painting a mural. He sent the proposed application to the individual, saying that the council was considering creating an application process.
City Attorney Delray Sparby said the proposed application would have made applicants aware of the process, including the potential cost, necessary materials and life expectancy of a mural.
If the process had been approved, the Planning Commission would have reviewed the applications. The Northwest Regional Arts Council would have also looked at the application and determined if the mural had artistic value. From there, the council would have reviewed the application.
Mayor Brian Holmer raised the possibility of a mural featuring “Welcome to Thief River Falls” being painted onto a wall of his business, Michael’s Meats. He added that the application isn’t binding. As a business owner, Holmer questioned why he would fill out the application. He asked what sense it made for him to apply if the city couldn’t regulate the mural.
“I think it’s government overreach,” said council member Anthony Bolduc, who called an application a waste of paperwork and time.
At the suggestion of council member Mike Lorenson, the council then decided to instead offer the application as a resource to individuals planning to paint murals.