TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Jeff Oris, CEcD, Assistant City Manager/PAAB Staff Liaison
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: August 5, 2024
Title
PRESENTATION OF THE 2023-24 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC ART ADVISORY BOARD
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
The City Commission is asked to receive the presentation and to consider the Public Art Advisory Board's recommendations.
Body
Background:
The Public Art Advisory Board has prepared a presentation to give a quick glimpse of what they have done over the last 12 months. Additionally, the PAAB has two key recommendations regarding the future of public art in the City that they will present and ask for the City Commission to consider.
Having recognized that art is an economic drive and it is used by both the City and the DDA as an amenity to attract visitors and their spending to the City, the PAAB has the following recommendations to the City Commission:
Recommendation #1 - To consider engaging a professional consultant to prepare a Public Art Master Plan so that the City can formulated a comprehensive Public Art program to guide the City's into the future. $40,000 was included in the FY 2023-24 budget to undertake such an effort but it was not specifically allocated in the budget document for this project, thus, commission approval required to initiate.
The PAAB has identified a Public Art Master Plan as a way to identify existing public art, provide locations and type of art the City and its residents and businesses would like to see in the future, and it can guide the City in future decisions related to public art. It is further believed that such a plan will help the City to have a rational plan for its public art (where and what is should be) and help avoid the problem of "plop" art that the City has experienced in the recent past and the plan will give the PAAB a roadmap on which to focus their efforts so their time will be productive and lead to enhancement of public art in the City. To summarize, the members of the PAAB believe that a quality master plan will work to keep public art as a valuable amenity in the City that both beautifies the community and attracts visitors that are a key driver in the City's economy.
Recommendation # 2 - To consider utilizing funds from the Public Art Trust Fund to undertake a pilot project to wrap utility boxes in the downtown area. The Board recommends an artist(s) be engaged to design wraps and they have seven (7) utility boxes in the downtown area they suggest be considered for the pilot project.
The PAAB believes the Utility Box project is a positive way to introduce art into the downtown in a way that is highly visible, while simultaneously eliminating the unsightly look of some of the weathered boxes. Additionally, this project would be able to be done within the funding that is currently available via the Public Art Trust Fund.
The PAAB will have additional information in the presentation they will share at the City Commission meeting.
City Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Should the Commission consider the requests
Acct# 001.90-900-519.31-90 - General Fund Miscellaneous - Professional Services has $40,000 available for a Public Art Master Plan.
Acct# - 115-79-791-579-31.90 - Public Art Trust Fund - There is currently $34,546 available from which costs of a Utility Box Wrap Pilot Project can be allocated.
Timing of Request:
N/A