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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-05-12_10a Public Art 227 East Branch StreetItem 10.a. MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Andrew Perez, Interim Director of Community Development BY: Shayna Sutherland, Assistant Planner SUBJECT: Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street DATE: May 12, 2026 RECOMMENDATION: 1) Adopt a Resolution approving Architectural Review 25-004 for a proposed mural at 227 East Branch Street; and 2) Find that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 for minor alterations to existing structures. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: No financial impact is projected. BACKGROUND: The applicant, Village Creative, proposes to paint a mural on the painted brick façade along the east side of the building located at 227 E. Branch St, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of E. Branch Street and Mason Street (Attachment 2). The proposed mural meets the definition of public art and is subject to the City’s Public Art Guidelines and Public Art Donation Program1 (“the Guidelines”). The Guidelines were most recently updated on May 14th2, 2024, when the City Council adopted Resolution 5358. The stated purpose of the Guidelines is to establish a framework to facilitate and encourage property owners to provide outdoor public art. The Guidelines define "Public Art" as art located either: 1. On private property with a non-residential land use that is visible from a public right-of-way or public property; or 2. In the adjacent public right of way; or 1 https://arroyogrande.org/documentcenter/view/1690 2 https://pub-arroyogrande.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=10890 Page 202 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 2 3. On property owned or managed by the City of Arroyo Grande (City), that is openly displayed to the public without charge. The Guidelines establish the City's goals regarding art that is publicly displayed and accessible to the public. The City recognizes that art and artistic expression are protected activities, and these Guidelines are not intended to unduly restrict creative expression or limit the types of public art possible. Rather, they are intended to facilitate and encourage the best possible combination of sites and artwork and help to guide what is essentially a form of communication between the artist and the community. The Guidelines also describe the approval process and selection criteria for public art proposals. Under the amended guidelines, all public art projects require review by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), which makes a recommendation to the City Council. Decisions by the City Council shall be based on compliance with the selection criteria. ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: Project Description The project proposes the installation of a mural on the painted brick façade along the east side of the building at 227 East Branch Street. The artwork would extend across the full length of the complex, which consists of two structures connected by a private courtyard, and would cover approximately 760 square feet. The artwork features seven figures engaged in various creative activities, including playing musical instruments, sewing, painting, and photography. The composition is unified by a continuous linework element that symbolizes the shared connection and community inspired by creativity. The mural is composed of simple black linework against the existing painted brick building façade, which is currently teal on the northern portion of the structure and an off-white on the section closest to the intersection. If the mural is approved, the teal portion will be repainted to match the off-white color prior to painting the mural. A rendering of the proposed mural can be viewed below, and as Attachment 3. Page 203 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 3 Figure 1: Rendering of Proposed Mural Review Process Under Public Art Guidelines Following an initial determination on the completeness of the application by the Community Development Department, the ARC reviews all public art applications and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The Selection Criteria, which both ARC and the City Council use to review applications, are discussed below. Architectural Review Committee (ARC) The ARC reviewed the proposal at the regular meeting on December 15, 20253. The Committee was supportive of the prominent location and the intent to create public art that reflects the community’s tradition of live music and the arts. The ARC commented4 that the family-friendly art style is approachable and appropriate for a highly visible area frequented by children, young families, and the broader community. 3https://pub-arroyogrande.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=c1ca4f99-c942-4ff7-844e- 15033902e140&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=14&Tab=attachments 4 https://pub-arroyogrande.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=16697 Page 204 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 4 During its review, concerns were expressed regarding imagery that may relate to services offered by the business. Based on a prior interpretation of Selection Criterion 7.e of the Guidelines, the Committee concurred with staff’s analysis that such imagery could be construed as referencing on-site services and therefore conflict with the prohibition on signage. Based on these findings, the ARC recommended denial of the proposal as presented at the meeting. Selection Criteria The Guidelines state that certain selection criteria (the “Selection Criteria”) shall be the basis for all decisions on public art applications. The first seven criteria apply to all public art applications, and the final criterion is specific to proposals in the D -2.4 Historic Character Overlay District. The Selection Criteria are as follows: 1. Evaluation of artistic excellence, examining: a. The artist’s qualifications, including education, training, experience, body of work, recognition of the artist, and the consistency of the artist’s qualifications with the stated goals of the project; b. The artist’s record of previous collaboration with other agencies, organizations, artists, fabricators, or installers to achieve a successful result in implementing the proposed project; c. The artist’s experience working in the public realm; d. To the extent applicable, the artist’s previous proven successful experience in creating, producing or otherwise implementing projects similar to the one proposed; e. The original nature of the proposed concept; f. The inherent artistic quality and aesthetic merit of the work; 2. Appropriateness of scale, form, material, content and design relative to the immediate neighborhood and environment; no mural shall be approved if the mural, as proposed, would create an objective risk to public health, safety, or welfare (e.g. a mural near a roadway would be rejected for the use of reflective materials, like mirrors, which could cause a distraction to drivers). Scale is defined as the relative size of a building element in relation to other forms and the human body. Form is the shape or configuration of the artwork; 3. Appropriateness of proposed materials in regard to structural and surface integrity. Materials should be considered in the context of ability to deter against vandalism, withstand weathering, and maintain the intended design; 4. Ease of maintenance and longevity of the proposed materials; 5. Appropriateness of the proposed method of installation of the artwork with consideration given to the safety and structural factors involved in installation; 6. Location, considering the intended audience for the proposal, whether the public will be a captive audience or whether a person would need to take affirmative steps to view the project. Consideration shall be given to whether the mural would be in an area typically accessed or viewable by m inors; 7. A mural shall not be approved if it includes: Page 205 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 5 a. Copyrighted work without permission of the holder of the copyright. b. Obscene materials. c. Defamatory content. d. Fighting words or advocates imminent lawless action. e. Content, including but not limited to, words, symbols, signs, trademarks, or references to products or services provided on the premises. Such content meets the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) definition for signage, as regulated by AGMC Chapter 16.60; 8. Public Art proposed in the D-2.4 Historic Character Overlay District is also subject to the following criteria: a. An identified relationship to the social, cultural, and historical identity of the area; b. An identified relationship to the site's existing architectural features; c. The nature of the site's surrounding neighborhood and potential impact of the public art project on residents, businesses, and existing works of art or design elements within the site's vicinity. Findings Staff is able to make the required findings that the mural is consistent with the Selection Criteria described by the Guidelines. Staff’s analysis of the findings is as follows: 1. The artwork was designed by Canned Pineapple Co., a studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, that specializes in murals and large-scale artwork. The artist has completed multiple installations within the Central Coast region, including in public and high-visibility settings at Cal Poly and Duncan Alley. The studio has an established portfolio of large-scale mural projects comparable in scope and method to the proposed installation. Their previous work demonstrates experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing public -realm projects, including collaborations with property owners, agencies, and installation teams. The submitted materials indicate a history of producing original designs and concepts tailored to specific sites. 2. The mural would not create a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public. The mural does not include reflective or hazardous materials. In terms of scale, the mural is proportionate to both the building façade and the surrounding environment. The proposal is sized to be clearly visible and engaging for both pedestrians and vehicles, including those idling at the prominent intersection of E. Branch and Mason Streets. The dimensions are appropriate for the viewing distance and speed of passersby, ensuring visibility without overwhelming the architectural setting. 3. The mural is proposed to be hand-painted using durable exterior latex paint, a material commonly used in public art installations due to its long-term performance and relatively low maintenance needs. 4. The artist and property owner propose the use of durable exterior latex paint based on the artist’s proven success with these materials in completing similar projects. Exterior latex paint is suitable for outdoor murals due to its resistance to Page 206 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 6 weathering. Additionally, the selected materials can be easily cleaned, touched up, or refreshed if needed. 5. The proposed use of paint on the painted-brick exterior of the building is appropriate and would not negatively impact the structural integrity of the building. Installation of the proposed mural would likely require a temporary sidewalk closure and rerouting of pedestrians, which would be assessed through an encroachment permit. 6. The proposed location is situated at a highly visible intersection along Mason Street at Branch Street, making it readily viewable to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The intended audience includes members of the public who encounter the mural in the course of their daily activities, rather than individuals who must take affirmative steps to seek it out. Given that the site is an area commonly accessed by a broad cross-section of the community, including minors, the content of the mural was intentionally designed to be appropriate for all ages. 7. The mural does not include words, logos, symbols, or direct references to products or services offered on the premises. While the image ry depicts general creative activities such as music, visual art, and photography, these themes are broadly interpretive and are not unique to the services offered by the business. The intent and composition of the artwork are community-oriented and symbolic in nature, and the imagery is not presented in a manner that functions as advertising or signage, as defined by the Municipal Code. The mural is designed to be viewed as public art independent of the continued presence of the business and is not dependent on the identification of any specific service or program. 8. The proposed mural reflects themes of artistic expression, including music, visual arts, and craftsmanship. These themes are consistent with the Village’s identity as a pedestrian-oriented district with an established history of creative and cultural activity. The artwork reinforces, rather than conflicts with, the area’s cultural character by depicting community-based creative engagement. The use of painted brick as a canvas is consistent with historic precedent for painted wall graphics within commercial and mixed-use buildings in the area and maintains the underlying architectural form and materials of the structure. The mural is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to surrounding uses, existing artwork, or design elements in the vicinity. The scale, composition, and subject matter are compatible with the pedestrian character of the area and are expected to enhance visual interest within the public realm without introducing visual clutter or inconsistency with nearby development. The ARC had originally recommended denial at its December 15, 2025, meeting on the basis of Criterion 7.e. On April 14, 2026, the City Council reviewed Architectural Review 25-005 for a separate mural proposal and had a robust discussion regarding the interpretation of Selection Criterion 7.e. Although the ARC’s recommendation was based on a strict interpretation of Criterion 7.e, staff ha ve reexamined the proposal in Page 207 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 7 consideration of recent City Council action on Architectural Review 25-005 involving the same criterion. In that case, the City Council approved the mural despite a recommendation that the mural’s imagery could be interpreted as referencing products sold on-site. The imagery, which is interpretive and reflects general activities, such as music, art, and photography, does not constitute signage, consistent with the Council discussion on April 14, 2026. While staff initially recommended denial during the ARC review process based on a strict reading of Criterion 7.e, the City Council’s prior action provides relevant direction supporting a more contextual interpretation. The proposed mural is community- oriented and symbolic in nature and is not presented in a manner that promotes a specific product or service. In its review of the application, City Council shall consider any material submitted by the applicant, city staff, the administrative record of the decision on the application, and evidence presented at the hearing. The applicant shall be given a reasonable time to present their case. Using the Selection Criteria as the basis for its decision, the City Council may: 1. Request that the applicant clarify its proposal or redesign and resubmit its proposal to ARC or City Council. If the City Council requests that the applicant resubmit the proposal to ARC, the resubmitted proposal shall be reviewed as a new application; or 2. Approve the proposal, providing a written explanation of the basis for approval through the Selection Criteria; or 3. Deny the proposal, providing a written explanation of the basis for denial through the Selection Criteria. All decisions of the City Council are final and conclusive. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the project; 2. Direct the applicant to redesign and resubmit the project; 3. Do not adopt the prepared Resolution; or 4. Provide other direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: Approval of the application would result in the addition of public art at a highly visible intersection within the Village, contributing to the visual character of the area and reinforcing a sense of community identity. The mural would also activate an otherwise blank façade and support the City’s goal of encouraging publicly accessible art. Page 208 of 335 Item 10.a. City Council Architectural Review 25-004; Public Art on Private Property; Location – 227 East Branch Street May 12, 2026 Page 8 DISADVANTAGES: As with any exterior mural, there is a risk of weathering, fading, or vandalism over time, which could affect visual quality and necessitate ongoing maintenance coordination between the property owner and the City. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed mural is categorically exempt from t he California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301.) The City further finds that no exceptions to the Class 1 exemption apply. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Exhibit A – Rendering 2. Project Location Page 209 of 335 ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 25-004 FOR A PROPOSED MURAL AT 227 EAST BRANCH STREET WHEREAS, the Architectural Review Committee reviewed the proposed mural at 201 East Branch Street (the “Project”) at its meeting on December 15, 2025, and recommended denial of the Project in accordance with the City’s Public Art Guidelines and Public Art Donation Program (“Guidelines”); and WHEREAS, the applicant for the proposed mural is Village Creative, which operates as a business that offers lessons in music, art, sewing, and photography; and WHEREAS, on May 12, 2026, the City Council considered approval of Architectural Review 25-005 at a duly noticed public hearing; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Project and the applicable environmental determination under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines, and has determined that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 for minor alterations to existing structures; and WHEREAS, all prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande that: 1. Recitals. All recitals above are true and correct and hereby incorporated into reference. 2. CEQA. The proposed mural is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features where the project involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301.) The City further finds that no exceptions to the Class 1 exemption apply. 3. Architectural Review Findings: 1. The proposal is consistent with the architectural guidelines of the city, or guidelines prepared for the area in which the project is located; The proposal to paint a wall mural on a painted brick wall is consistent with all applicable architectural guidelines for the project. Painted wall murals are appropriate for this location due to the historical use of painted wall signs Page 210 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 2 directly onto brick buildings. The colors and the content of the mural are consistent with all relevant guidelines, including the City’s Design Guidelines and Standards for the Historic Character Overlay District (D-2.4). 2. The proposal is consistent with the text and maps of the Arroyo Grande general plan and this title; The Project as proposed is consistent with the City’s General Plan, specifically the Economic Development Element, which emphasizes the implementation of public art. 3. The proposal will not be detrimental to the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed project; The Project will not be detrimental to the health and safety of the general public due to being designed with materials that are intended for use on outdoor walls. Further, the applicant will be required to implement appropriate safety measures for pedestrians while the work is occurring , which will mitigate any potential safety issues during installation. 4. The general appearance of the proposal is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood; The Project is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to surrounding uses, existing artwork, or design elements in the vicinity. The scale and composition are compatible with the pedestrian-oriented character of the area, and the subject matter is consistent with the broader visual context of the Village. The mural is expected to contribute positively to the visual interest of the public realm without overwhelming or detracting from adjacent development or design features. 5. The proposal is not detrimental to the orderly and harmonious development of the city; The approval of this artwork will not have any detrimental effect on the harmonious development of the City due to being consistent with the adopted guidelines for public art. Further, the installation of public art in the Village supports the City’s Economic Development goals related to public realm enhancements and placemaking. 6. The proposal will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood. The Project will not impair the desirability of the neighborhood due to being consistent with the adopted guidelines for public art. Further, the installation of Page 211 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 3 public art in an area designed for pedestrian activity increases the visual intrigue and creates a sense of community that will promote further investment in the neighborhood. 4. Public Art Selection Criteria Findings: 1. Evaluation of artistic excellence, examining: a. The artist’s qualifications, including: education, training, experience, body of work, recognition of the artist, and the consistency of the artist’s qualifications with the stated goals of the project; b. The artist’s record of previous collaboration with other agencies, organizations, artists, fabricators, or installers to achieve a successful result in implementing the proposed project; c. The artist’s experience working in the public realm; d. To the extent applicable, the artist’s previous proven successful experience in creating, producing or otherwise implementing projects similar to the one proposed; e. The original nature of the proposed concept; f. The inherent artistic quality and aesthetic merit of the work; The submitted artwork was designed by Canned Pineapple Co., a studio based in Nashville, Tennessee, that specializes in murals and large-scale artwork. The artist has completed multiple installations within the Central Coast region, including in public and high-visibility settings at Cal Poly and Duncan Alley. The studio has an established portfolio of large-scale mural projects comparable in scope and method to the proposed installation. Their previous work demonstrates experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing public- realm projects, including collaborations with property owners, agencies, and installation teams. The submitted materials indicate a history of producing original designs and concepts tailored to specific sites. 2. Appropriateness of scale, form, material, content and design relative to the immediate neighborhood and environment; no mural shall be approved if the mural, as proposed, would create an objective risk to public health, safety, or welfare (e.g. a mural near a roadway would be rejected for the use of reflective materials, like mirrors, which could cause a distraction to drivers). Scale is defined as the relative size of a building element in relation to other forms and the human body. Form is the shape or configuration of the artwork; The mural would not create a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public. The mural does not include reflective or hazardous materials. In terms of scale, the mural is proportionate to both the buildi ng façade and the surrounding environment. The proposal is sized to be clearly visible and engaging for both pedestrians and vehicles, including those idling at the prominent intersection of E. Branch and Mason Streets. The dimensions are appropriate for the viewing distance and speed of passersby, ensuring visibility Page 212 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 4 without overwhelming the architectural context. The content is community- oriented, making it suitable for a public-facing location. The simplistic design is legible and avoids creating visual clutter. 3. Appropriateness of proposed materials in regards to structural and surface integrity. Materials should be considered in the context of ability to deter against vandalism, withstand weathering, and maintain the intended design; The mural is proposed to be hand-painted using durable exterior latex paint, a material commonly used in public art installations due to its long -term performance and relatively low maintenance needs. 4. Ease of maintenance and longevity of the proposed materials; The artist and property owner proposed the use of durable exterior latex paint based on the artist’s proven success with these materials in completing similar projects. Exterior latex paint is suitable for outdoor murals due to its resistance to weathering. Additionally, the selected materials can be easily cleaned, touched up, or refreshed if needed. 5. Appropriateness of the proposed method of installation of the artwork with consideration given to the safety and structural factors involved in installation; The proposed use of paint on the painted-brick exterior of the building is appropriate and would not negatively impact the structural integrity of the building. Installation of the proposed mural would likely require a temporary sidewalk closure and rerouting of pedestrians, which would be assessed through an encroachment permit. 6. Location, considering the intended audience for the proposal, whether the public will be a captive audience or whether a person would need to take affirmative steps to view the project. Consideration shall be given to whether the mural would be in an area typically accessed or viewable by minors; The proposed location is situated at a highly visible intersection along Mason Street at E. Branch Street, making it readily visible to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The intended audience is members of the general public who encounter the mural in the course of their daily activities, rather than individuals who must take affirmative steps to seek it out. Given that the site is an area commonly accessed by a broad cross-section of the community, including minors, the content of the mural was intentionally designed to be appropriate for all ages. 7. A mural shall not be approved if it includes: a. Copyrighted work without permission of the holder of the copyright. b. Obscene materials. Page 213 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 5 c. Defamatory content. d. Fighting words or advocates imminent lawless action. e. Content, including but not limited to, words, symbols, signs, trademarks, or references to products or services provided on the premises. Such content meets the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) definition for signage, as regulated by AGMC Chapter 16.60; The mural does not include words, logos, symbols, or direct references to products or services offered on the premises. While the imagery depicts general creative activities such as music, visual art, and photography, these themes are broadly interpretive and are not unique to the services offered by the business. The intent and composition of the artwork are community - oriented and symbolic in nature, and the imagery is not presented in a manner that functions as advertising or signage, as defined by the Municipal Code. The mural is designed to be viewed as public art independent of the continued presence of the business and is not dependent on the identification of any specific service or program. 8. Public Art proposed in the D-2.4 Historic Character Overlay District is also subject to the following criteria: a. An identified relationship to the social, cultural and historica l identity of the area; b. An identified relationship to the site's existing architectural features; c. The nature of the site's surrounding neighborhood and potential impact of the public art project on residents, businesses, and existing works of art or design elements within the site's vicinity. The proposed mural reflects themes of artistic expression, including music, visual arts, and craftsmanship. These themes are consistent with the Village’s identity as a pedestrian-oriented district with an established history of creative and cultural activity. The artwork reinforces, rather than conflicts with, the area’s cultural character by depicting community-based creative engagement. The use of painted brick as a canvas is consistent with historic pre cedent for painted wall graphics within commercial and mixed -use buildings in the area and maintains the underlying architectural form and materials of the structure. The mural is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to surrounding uses, existing artwork, or design elements in the vicinity. The scale, composition, and subject matter are compatible with the pedestrian character of the area and are expected to enhance visual interest within the public realm without introducing visual clutter or inconsistency with nearby development. 5. Severability. If any section, division, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this resolution or the document in the record in support of this resolution is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, unconstitutional Page 214 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 6 or otherwise void, that determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, divisions, sentences, clauses, or phrases of this resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Arroyo Grande hereby approves the project as described and shown in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference with the above findings, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. On a motion by Council member _________, seconded by Council member __________, and by the following roll call vote to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 12th day of May 2026. Page 215 of 335 RESOLUTION NO. PAGE 7 _______________________________________ CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR ATTEST: _______________________________________ JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: _______________________________________ MATTHEW DOWNING, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: _______________________________________ ISAAC ROSEN, CITY ATTORNEY Page 216 of 335 VILLAGE CREATIVE Exhibit A Page 217 of 335 VILLAGE CREATIVE OPTION A Page 218 of 335 ATTACHMENT 2 Page 219 of 335