The Port Townsend City Council gave its initial OK to a proposed ordinance that would set out a process for permitting art on city streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks.

The ordinance, city officials said, was needed following the council’s approval of the temporary “Black Lives Matter” mural that was painted on Water Street as part of this year’s Juneteenth Freedom March.

Under the new rules, the city manager could approve street paintings, intersection murals, and community-designated crosswalks after consultation with the city’s arts commission.

The rules note that the city “does not intend public art to be a ‘public forum’ and therefore reserves the right to control the art displayed on all city property.”

The ordinance also bans murals that contain violent images; sexually graphic images; nudity; religious symbols or desecration of such images; hatred of persons or groups of people; support for or opposition to a candidate or initiative on the ballot; as well as imagery that may be inappropriate to maintain in or upon public property.

Councilman Owen Rowe suggested a change to the proposed ordinance that would remove the restriction against nudity.

Rowe noted the Haller Fountain, or Galatea, the bronze statue that sits at Washington and Taylor streets.

The original 7-foot-tall bronze casting, which dates to 1893 when it was showcased at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, was installed by the city in 1906 but removed and reconstructed after it was damaged by children climbing on it in the early 1990s.

Others on the council agreed that the restrictions on street art should not include nudity, but should ban sexually graphic images.

Since the Black Lives Matter mural was painted on Water Street in June, other groups have sought city permission for public artworks.

Jefferson County Pride has asked for permission to paint a crosswalk in Port Townsend in rainbow colors, similar to one in Seattle.

Others are hoping for city support for a “plankton mural project,” which would see a public mural to raise awareness of healthy kelp forests and the ecosystems they support.

Before Monday’s meeting, the council received numerous emails in support of a permanent mural that would say “Blue Lives Matter.”

Many said that since the city OK’d a mural for Black Lives Matter, it should allow other street messages in town.

“I am writing to voice my request for a Back the Blue or a We Support our Law Enforcement mural on a city street or wall,” wrote Leanne Dotson. “The ever persistent grudge that is being taken out on our law enforcement here and nationwide needs to be addressed and we as a community need to show our very small agency that we stand with them.”

“I respectfully request that the Port Townsend city council allow and approve a ‘Back the Blue Law Enforcement’ Mural and a ‘Make America Great Again’ Mural be permanently painted on Water street between city hall and Pope marine skating park,” added Ken Przygocki.

Other requests for street art were overtly political.

Wrote Jim Scarantino: “Accordingly, to ensure freedom of expression on equal terms on city streets, on behalf of myself and others I request permission to use a block length of Water Street to display in large letters the message: ‘We Don’t Support Black Lives Matter Group.’ Please let me know the procedure for moving forward with this proposal and whether the city will pay for the paint as it did for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural.

“As you know, many cities are now defending civil rights lawsuits in federal courts for denying equal protection of the law to those whose requests to paint messages about current affairs have been denied,” he added. “The city cannot censor political speech or prohibit something it deems ‘offensive’ to one group when it has permitted its public space to be used for a message offensive to others. By allowing something as controversial and incendiary as the political speech already on Water Street, it has opened the door to opposing points of view.”

Wrote Gene Farr: “Since the Black Lives Matter organization (a political organization) has gotten permission to have their name painted on a Port Townsend street, I expect the same consideration for other organizations and parties. Please provide me permission for a ‘Trump 2020’ sign with information on how to get this done.”

Before the council’s discussion on the proposed ordinance, Mayor Michelle Sandoval said talk should center on the process needed to approve street art, and not the content of the artwork itself.

“That was not part of the discussion this evening. This was simply about having a process in place for any type of public art mural,” Sandoval said.

Councilmembers did just that.

“I like the process as it’s laid out. I’m glad that we’re going to have a process,” said Councilmember Ariel Speser.

Councilmember David Faber, who was wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt during the council meeting on Zoom, also agreed with the basics of the ordinance.

“I think this looks good,” Faber said.

The ordinance was unanimously approved in a 5-0 vote.

It will return to the council for a final approval in September, after feedback from the city’s arts commission.