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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2005, C6 - REQUEST FOR USE OF PUBLIC ART IN-LIEU FUNDS FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC ART PROJECTS council j agenda REpoRt Im.NumM+ ' b CITY O F SAN LUI S OBI SPO FROM: Wendy George,ACAO Prepared By: Betsy Kiser,Principal Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR USE OF PUBLIC ART IN-LIEU FUNDS FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC ART PROJECTS CAO RECOMMENDATION 1. Allocate Public Art In-Lieu funds for the following public art projects: (a) As requested by the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, up to $10,000 to match the Bill Beeson Memorial Fund to commission a piece of public art in honor of Mr. Beeson's contributions to public art in our community; (b) As requested by the Chamber of Commerce and the Reception Committee for Ken Schwartz Appreciation Day, $1,780 to complete the purchase of a bronze steelhead trout for the Mission Plaza fountain; (c) $7,000 for maintenance costs associated with the City's public art piece "Community Bridge", normally located on Higuera Street in front of the Court Street Project. 2. Approve a resolution adding language to the City's Public Art Policies and Procedures Manual that permits, with Council approval, public art in-lieu funds to be used as matching funds for the purchase of public art for the City's public art program. DISCUSSION Matching Funds for the Bill Beeson Memorial Fund In January 2004, Mr. Bill Beeson, a"pillar of the local arts community"passed away after a brief illness. Mr. Beeson was a highly respected art critic who tirelessly supported public art and served for years on the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council's Art in Public Places Committee. Upon his passing, Mr. Beeson's family requested that all donations in his memory be sent to the Arts Council to be used in some manner to honor his work and his passion for the arts. The Arts Council, in tum, established the Bill Beeson Memorial fund and directed the funds to be used for public art. To date, the community has donated more than $6,000 to the fund, and the Arts Council will continue to solicit funds to reach their goal of$10,000. In January 2005, the City received a letter from the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council indicating that they would like to 1) donate the money from the Bill Beeson Memorial fund to the City of San Luis Obispo for the selection, acquisition and installation of a piece of public art. honoring Mr. Beeson; and 2) request up to $10,000 from the City's public art in-lieu funds to Cb - I Request for Public Art In-lieu Funds for Various PA Projects Page 2 match the Bill Beeson Memorial fund so a more substantial piece of art ($20,000) can be realized. (See Attachment 1) Although a formal matching grant program does not exist in the public art program, staff sees significant value in leveraging private and public hinds to expand public art within our community and recommends the match. If the Council approves the match, the project will be managed by City staff according to the City's approved public art policies and procedures. Matching Funds for Steelhead Trout.Sculpture for Mission Plaza Fountain On January 14, 2005, the City celebrated Ken Schwartz Appreciation Day, honoring Mr. Schwartz for his over 50 years of service to the community. The day culminated in an informal reception at the Monday Club, coordinated by a committee comprised of members of the City staff, including Ken Hampian, the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Association and the community at large. Recognizing Mr. Schwartz's devotion to the development of Mission Plaza and to public art in general, the committee commissioned artist Paula Zima to create a bronze steelhead trout for placement in the Mission Plaza fountain. The piece has been designed to compliment "Bear and Child" and "gigsmu" and complete the fountain art. Funds for the piece were included in the price of the ticket to the reception and donations were solicited via the Chamber's website and the evening of the reception. In the end, $3,320 was raised. The price of the piece is $5,100 and therefore, the Chamber, on behalf of the reception committee is asking the City to match the donations with $1,780 from the City's public art in-lieu fund to complete the purchase and installation of the piece. (Attachment 2) Maintenance of Public Art Piece "Community's Bridge" As part of the City's Visual Arts in Public Places program, in 2000, the City commissioned artist Allen Root to create a piece of public art that related to the underground construction project on the Higuera Street Bridge. Root's piece, entitled"Community's Bridge"was a set of three artistic benches representing the creek meandering between the mountains and the City. Constructed of steel, they are painted in muted green; blue, cream and brown. Although the benches were designed to require a minimum amount of maintenance throughout their service life, several maintenance issues have arisen. Foremost, the benches were brush painted rather than powder coated and the colors have faded significantly. Additionally, skate boarders have managed to "ride the edges" and chip the surfaces of the bench seats. The benches are currently being stored at the City's corporation yard while the Court Street project is being constructed and while they are out of commission, staff would like to complete the necessary maintenance on them. Therefore, staff is requesting an allocation of$7,000 from the City's public art-in lieu fund to 1) install more aggressive skater deterrents on the bench faces, and 2) powder coat the benches. When the Court Street project is complete, the developer will be responsible for the reinstallation. i Request for Public Art In-lieu Funds for Various PA Projects Page 3 Addition o Matching Funds Component to the Public Art Policy When the Visual Arts in Public Places program was adopted in 1990, it included a section which established a matching grant fund to encourage the inclusion of public art in private construction projects. The program was seldom used and in 2000, with the passage of Ordinance No.1372 requiring public art in privately-funded,non-residential projects, the matching grant program was rescinded. With receipt of the two requests for matching funds discussed above, and recognizing the benefits of leveraging public and private dollars, staff felt a matching fund component to the public art program might be an excellent way to expand public art opportunities within the City, especially during a time of limited fiscal resources. Therefore staff is recommending the addition of language to the public art policies and procedures to: 1) provide the Council with a policy for handling requests for matching funds in the future; 2) provide the public with an avenue for making requests for matching funds; and 3) encourage private/public collaborations in the future. The language shall become a part of the public art policies and procedures and shall read as follows: The City has established a matching grant program to encourage public art. Projects seeking matching grant funds will require City Council approval, consistent with the City's Donation Acceptance Policy. Public art projects receiving matching funds should provide a clear public benefit and advance the City's public art goals. For every request, the Council will determine an appropriate level of match,not to exceed 50% of the cost of the project. CONCURRENCES The San Luis Obispo County Arts Council concurs with the request for funds to match the Bill Beeson Memorial fund and with the addition of a matching fund policy to the public art program. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, representing the reception committee for Ken Schwartz Appreciation Day, concurs with the request for matching funds for a bronze steelhead trout for Mission Plaza fountain honoring Mr. Schwartz.. FISCAL IMPACT The City's Public Art In-Lieu funds do not come from the General Fund. They come from a required .5% contribution from private developers who choose to pay the in-lieu fee rather than incorporate public art into their development projects. Currently, the City's Public Art In-Lieu fund has $96,000 available for public art. A matching grant program could theoretically double this amount. Matching funds would only be available as long as funds remain in the Public Art In-Lieu account. Request for Public Art In-lieu Funds for Various PA Projects Page 4 ALTERNATIVES 1. Deny or reduce the matching fund support requested by the organizations. This is not recommended because it could discourage private/public partnerships of this kind in the future. 2. Do not approve the matching fund program. This is not recommended because a matching fund component to the public art program might be an excellent way to expand public art opportunities within the City, especially during a time of limited fiscal resources. ATTACHMENTS 1. Letter from the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council 2. Letter from the Chamber of Commerce 3. Bid for maintenance of"Community's Bridge" 4. Resolution ATTACHMENT 1 San Luis Obispo County Arts Council`a f 0 r n 1 P.O. Box 1710 570 Higuera St., Ste. 175 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: 805-544-9251 Email: ipslocac@slonet.org . Fax: 805-544-1522 Web: www.sloartscouncil.org Arts Council Building Community Through the Arts! TO: SLO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL January. 24, 2005 RE: BEESON PUBLIC ART PROPOSAL FROM: COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL CC Betsy Kiser HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Many of you will recall,that Mr. Bill Beeson,.a pillar of the•local:arts community, passed away last January.. His family'asked that donations in his memory be sent to the County Arts Council for use; in some form, in remembrance`of him.. To date, some $6;000.has been collected. It would seem appropriate that this $6,000, plus any additional funds yet-to be collected,.be . . donated to the City for the selection, acquisition and installation of a work of public art for the community, which he loved so deeply. In accord with your 1999 Resolution Adopting a City Donation Acceptance Policy, the Arts Council is submitting the following proposal for your review and acceptance: The City currently has approximately $80.000 in existing, but as yet uncommitted, public art funds. We propose that the City now commit a portion of these funds to match the Beeson donations to a maximum of$10,000.This will allow us to accelerate our fundraising effort, provide a beneficial use of public funds for their intended purpose. and result in a more substantial piece of public art for the,community to enjoy. Naturally, the program,would be subject to,the existing rules contained in your!1999.Resolution. In addition,we.would proposethat'the_following conditions be applied to this proposal: a. The City will be involved in,the.selection of the art and artist: b. The City will have the veto power over the art and its location. c. The art becomes City property. d. Our donation is not in any way related to a required contribution resulting from a local building project. ATTACHMENT 1 We respectfully request that you place this proposal on the agenda and notify us of the hearing date. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, County Arts Coun I Art 2Public Places Committee Kate Stu berg. Executive Director Ann Ream, Chairperson Cc: Betsy Kiser 1 Board of Directors Shelley McConnell-President, Hoyt Fields-Vice-President,Alissa Maddren-Secretary, Clive Fairchild-Treasurer, John Barnhart, Steve Bland,Toni Bouman,Allan Cooper, Carrie Head, Jack Mothershed,Ann Ream r n ATTACHMENT 2 San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce 1039 Chorro Street•San Luis Obispo, California 93401-3278 (805) 781-2777• FAX (805) 543-1255 •TDD (805) 541-8416 David E. Garth, PresidentICEO February 17, 2005 Mayor Dave Romero and Members of the City Council City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Dear Mayor Romero and Council Members, Our Chamber supports the use of$1,780 in Public Art funds to be applied to the Ken Schwartz commemorative steelhead trout sculpture planned for installation at the Mission Plaza Fountain. This amount, added to the $3,320 raised by the Ken Schwartz Appreciation Day Committee,will complete the funds needed for the sculpture. We believe that this is a fitting tribute to Ken as well as a significant asset to public art in San Luis Obispo. Thank you for considering our recommendation in this matter. Sincerely, va �i ob Wacker Chairperson of the Board cc: Ken Hampian, CAO Betsy Kiser, Chief Administrative Analyst email: slochamber@slochamber.org • websites: www.slochamber.org www.visitsio.com MACHMENT3 .. . PAX COVER SHEET :.r SEfL FromTo /319 IT y ` Y PaisJ 1 v Papas: F ' Pf'fones � �' �'1•�S 'p""call 806444IM N you do not r melve this entire transmission. COMMENTS. ; N ^V TAPIOLAI � M= eA3XV064 :&6 PAQ!I 302CAC -J0PkJAa e ti ti :. {[ A�JaE to /th• r A,/ C aa : tNE s/red. Ptice_ ti AW 800.. ! ro.ll{ F Yi.w• N � � �/ N t i l' ° An, C iiit/tib p,o. box 288 san luis obispo, ca ; phone/fax: 805.544.7960 93408 www.ferromobiu Wtl TT = LO S0-8T—S3d TB 'd &IJAENT 4 RESOLUTION NO. (2005 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADDING A MATCHING FUND COMPONENT TO THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART PROGRAM WHEREAS,the City has had a Public Art Program in place since 1990; and WHEREAS, the Program currently consists of three components, including Visual Arts in Public Places;Privately Funded Art in Public Places and Public Art in Private Development; and WHEREAS, the City realizes that a matching fund component to the public art program is an excellent way to expand public art opportunities within the City beyond the three existing components. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that a matching fund component is hereby added to the City's Public Art.Program and shall read as follows: The City has established a matching grant program to encourage public art. Projects seeking matching grant funds will require City Council approval, consistent with the City's Donation Acceptance Policy. Public art projects receiving matching funds should provide a clear public benefit and advance the City's public art goals. For every request, the Council will determine an appropriate level of match, up to a dollar-for-dollar level. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 2005. David F. Romero, Mayor ATTEST: Audrey Hooper City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Jo ath P. Lowell, City Attorney C R