HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated May 8, 2018 - #2 ITEM # 53b
DATE: 05-08-18
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: .APPROVAL PROCESS FOR SOUTH DUFF PUBLIC ART
BACKGROUND:
On January 9, 2018, the City Council considered how to facilitate the installation of
public art sculptures within private easements along South Duff between Squaw Creek
and South 16t Street. The Council's discussion centered around two issues: How the
City's Zoning Ordinance might be amended to allow limited public art on private
property, and how the selection of such artwork would be approved.
With regards to the method for selecting artwork, Council directed staff to come back
with a process for approval of the sculptures by the Public Art Commission (PAC). In
contrast to that directive, the City Council's long-standing policy has been for the Public
Art Commission to first review and make recommendations regarding proposed
additions to the City's public art collection, after which the Council itself ultimately
approves or disapproves adding the artwork to the collection. That same format of PAC
recommendations followed by Council approval is followed for sculptures selected for
inclusion in the Ames Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition (AAOSE).
In contrast to AAOSE, where all sculptures are on loan to the City, the proposed public
art sculptures along South Duff could either be owned by the City or could be privately
owned. In both cases, the property owner would have granted the City a public art
easement for the land upon which the sculpture is displayed.
Two possible approaches are available to Council for approval of the sculptures
displayed along this corridor. The first is to follow the Council's past policy, whereby the
Public Art Commission makes a recommendation for Council's approval. The second
would be for Council to delegate approval of these sculptures to the Commission. In
both cases, City staff would be involved to make sure the artwork can be safely
displayed so as to minimize risk to the public.
The Public Art Commission considered these two options at its June 6 meeting. The
Commission expressed a preference to follow the existing policy that is utilized for all
other public art. They saw-approval by the City Council as providing a more public,
visible process for receiving public input on artwork selections. It was ultimately the
PAC's recommendation that the Council use that approach .for approval of artwork along
South Duff Avenue.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Follow the Council's past artwork approval policy for artwork along South Duff
whereby the Public Art Commission would make a recommendation to the City
Council for the Council's ultimate approval or disapproval.
2. Delegate approval of these sculptures to the Public Art Commission.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Public Art Commission has recommended that the Council's existing artwork
approval process be followed for sculptures placed along the South Duff art corridor.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve
Alternative #1 as shown above.
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