Memorandum 14-140 Donation of Fanciful Loon Sculpture for Bishop's Beach

Memorandum 14-140

TO:                        MAYOR WYTHE AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                  PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE

THROUGH:         RENEE KRAUSE, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

DATE:                   AUGUST 18, 2014

SUBJECT:           RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF A FANCIFUL LOON SCULPTURE                                        FOR THE MUNICIPAL ART COLLECTION AND SUPPORT PLACEMENT IN BISHOP’S                                            BEACH PARK

BACKGROUND

At the June 23, 2014 City Council was presented with Resolution 14-075 to Approve and Accept the Donation from the Bunnell Street Arts Center of a Fanciful Loon Windsock Sculpture by Alaskan Artist Rachelle Dowdy to be placed in Bishop’s Beach Park.

This issue was remanded back to the Public Arts Committee to define the maintenance and address safety concerns expressed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

Following is the excerpts from the August 14, 2014 regular meeting minutes regarding the Public Comments on Items on the Agenda and ensuing recommendation from the committee.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

Michael Walsh and Asia Freeman, Bunnell Street Arts Center (The Bunnell), commented on the proposed donation of the Fanciful Loon Sculpture by Rachelle Dowdy. The Bunnell has found $1000 to provide to the City to assist with future maintenance costs of the sculpture. They stated that the artist has assured them on the integrity and longevity of the sculpture and the beak was the weakest point but believed that it was out of reach from the public. The artist has further stated that she will be creating and installing the pedestal that the sculpture will be placed upon. There is no site preparation required from the city. The paint used may fade over time but is expected to last several years before this happens.

Mr. Walsh stated that the artist has agreed to be responsible for any damage to the sculpture that is not vandal related such as graffiti or physical damage. She will take care of repairs that are the result of nature or materials. The most maintenance will be the replacement of the windsock.

Mr. Walsh stated that all parties are open to the City’s preferred location. The artist actually prefers location 1 next to the Boardwalk. Mr. Walsh stated that his opinion site 1 closest to the boardwalk offered the safest location in regards to vandalism. These sites were suggested by Mr. Meyer.

Vice Chair Miller that they can discuss location when they come to the item on the agenda.

Ms. Freeman commented on the selection process that was conducted and apologized that they did not follow the approved process since it was destined ultimately for a city park. She noted that they had Adele Persons, Marianne Aplin, Paul Duncan, Angie Newby, Deb Lowney, and Carey Meyer. She hoped that it is realized to be placed in the intended location of Bishop’s Beach.

Vice Chair Miller suggested that Mr. Walsh and Ms. Freeman have those members of the selection committee attend the Council meeting to testify in favor of the placement of this sculpture since they are involved in the city and their testimony would provide weight. She further advocated that the committee should attend the Council meeting and testify in favor of the donation.

Ms. Aplin stated that they originally did not consider placement in the park but within Old Town and then it was decided to place it within Bishop’s Beach Park.

NEW BUSINESS

B. Remand and Reconsideration of the Donation and Acceptance of Sculptures for Placement in or on City Owned Property.

                    1. Donation of the Fanciful Loon Sculpture

                    2. Administrative Guidelines – Donation Policy

Ms. Krause reported that the Silver Salmon was pulled by Alaskan Coastal Studies due to a decision to place in another location plus the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission did not really think that having trash from the beach placed in a net on the windscreen. Ms. Persons also commented that they wanted to keep the marine debris in one location instead of being spread out.

Ms. Krause then explained the objections from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission regarding placement of the sculpture within the park. She related the reasons expressed by the commissioners for not wanting the sculpture placed as safety, vandalism, maintenance and placement concerns.

The City Council does consider the recommendations from the Committee and the Commissions before making the decisions on items that come before them. The Committee can go before Commission to explain the situation however their agenda is closed for the next meeting and unless this committee recommends to council that the commission reconsiders they will not hear the item again.

City Council remanded this item back to this committee to address these concerns.

There was a long discussion regarding the location and placement of the sculpture in the park. The intent was to exert positive influences into the various areas throughout Old Town but especially Bishops Beach where a lot of vandalism and negative behavior occurs.

Vice Chair Miller stated that it is not the committee’s responsibility to recommend placement. They are responsible for recommending accepting the donation. It was noted that the committee can submit a recommendation stating placement and can educate the commission if necessary after comments from the committee regarding not understanding the opposition the commission offered.

It was further noted that the members of the committee have not heard widespread dislike for this sculpture, the concern expressed on the soil conditions is a legitimate one and the committee could leave the decision for placement up to Public Works or a person experienced in soils.

The Bunnell has come up with $1000 and the question was asked regarding acceptance by the city but it is not the purview of this committee. It was noted that the donated work if accepted by the City would be undertaken by the city as outlined in the Administrative Guidelines under Donations. The committee pointed out that the windsock was really the only annual requirement and the cost should be minimal since the statue was made out of concrete. Further discussion entertained locations and Ms. Aplin opined that she did not approve of the location nearest to the boardwalk since it would encroach upon the serenity and atmosphere encouraged by the boardwalk. She further commented that there should be a suitable location that did not encourage or lent itself to vandalism and did not take up the only grassy area for children to play within the park.

PERSONS/HOLLOWELL - MOVED TO RECOMMEND COUNCIL ACCEPT THE DONATION OF THE FANCIFUL LOON SCULPTURE BY RACHELLE DOWDY INTO THE CITY OF HOMER MUNICIPAL ART COLLECTION WHEREAS THE ARTIST WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF PLACEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE NOT RELATED TO VANDALISM OR DELIBERATE ACTS, AND WHEREAS THE BUNNELL STREET ARTS CENTER HAS PLEDGED $1000.00 TOWARDS THE POTENTIAL MAINTENANCE COSTS OF THIS DONATION, AND THE  PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE FURTHER SUPPORTS PLACEMENT WITHIN BISHOP’S BEACH PARK BE DETERMINED BY THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL AND THE ARTIST.

There was no further discussion.

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

                    Recommendation: Approve the Recommendation to Accept the Donation of the Fanciful Loon Windsock                Sculpture into the City of Homer Municipal Art Collection and the best placement within Bishop’s Beach Park   be made between the artist and appropriate personnel.