SEAL BEACH : City Denies Support of Freeway Art Project

Angry council members said this week that they do not support a $1.3-million freeway art project proposed by the California Department of Transportation, despite claims to the contrary made by the state transportation agency.

Council members fumed at their Monday night meeting after a published report listed Seal Beach among cities that support the “scenic beautification project.”

“We think it is an inappropriate use of taxpayers’ funds, and we object to it,” City Manager Jerry L. Bankston said.

But council members previously agreed that as long as the project was going forward, the city would not refuse to participate.

Caltrans spokesman Albert Miranda said Seal Beach was listed as a supporter of the project after city officials sent a letter accepting participation, although under protest.

“They’re still accepting it,” Miranda said. “Because they’re accepting it, we put them on the list.”

The council unanimously condemned the project in February and subsequently sent a letter of protest to state and federal lawmakers. Caltrans plans to install nine-square-foot art panels along freeway walls to discourage graffiti.

“It’s disgusting to think they would take money out of people’s wallets and spend it on something as ridiculous as this,” said Councilwoman Marilyn Bruce Hastings. “It will become a platform for every tagger in Southern California to come and desecrate this freeway art.”

The San Clemente City Council voted last week not to participate in the project.