San Benito County - Tourism Advisory Committee - Special Meeting - August 26, 2026

The San Benito County Tourism Advisory Committee held a special meeting on August 26, 2026, primarily to discuss options for installing gateway monuments or transportation art in coordination with Caltrans. Staff provided an update on a recent meeting with Caltrans, outlining the requirements and restrictions for gateway monuments, including limitations on locations and the number allowed per highway direction. The committee explored alternatives such as murals integrated into Caltrans transportation infrastructure, specifically a potential mural at the Rocks Road Animal Crossing project. The discussion included considerations of private property partnerships for signage, potential grant funding opportunities, and the need for maintenance agreements with Caltrans. The committee expressed consensus to pursue the mural concept and requested staff to engage with Caltrans and the California Arts Council to explore funding and project details before presenting to the Board of Supervisors. An ad hoc committee was formed to assist with these efforts and to identify potential locations for signage or art installations. No formal votes were taken, but there was clear direction to move forward with the mural initiative and further location analysis.