HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/07/1998 - RESOLUTION 98-61 APPROVING EXPENDITURES FROM THE A AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 23
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: April 7, 1998
•
STAFF: Ellen Martin
SUBJECT:
Resolution 98-61 Approving Expenditures from the Art in Public Places Wastewater Fund and Light
and Power Fund for the Commission of an Artist Designed Landscape Art Installation, Including
Land Forms, Energy Rods and Sound.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Light and Power Utility is using $33,250 of its APP project funds along with the Wastewater
Utility $33,250 for a combined art project budget of $66,500. The City is in the process of
expanding its Utility Service Center. The Wastewater Utility and Light and Power have combined
additional money from APP project funds that are generated from sites which are inappropriate for
• public art for a combined budget of$66,500 for art to be placed at the Utility Service Center at 700
Wood Street. $66,500 will be used for commission of the artist, contingency and artist fees. The
funds for this item have been appropriated in the Art in Public Places reserve accounts in each of the
Wastewater Fund and the Light and Power Fund in 1998.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In connection with the Utility Service Center project, staff and the APP Board have proposed to use
$58,443 to commission the artist team of Jan Longwell and Kim Steele to create a landscape art
installation comprised of land forms, energy rods and sound.
The Selection Committee comprised of APP Board members,two members from the Utility Service
Center, a City Purchasing Department representative. and a neighborhood representative reviewed
final proposals for this project at the Board meeting on December 18, 1997. Included in the selection
discussions were the project manager and a representative from Lee Martinez neighborhood. The
APP Board voted unanimously to select the team of Jan Longwell and Kim Steele for the Utility
Service Center project.
Ms. Longwell's and Ms. Steele's proposed landscape art installation is inspired by a wave pattern
that the artists believed was inherent to the structure of water and electricity. The landscape art
installation includes land forms that are entwined with the sidewalk, undulating, kinetic rods that
• glisten and sway, and sound that softly resonates within the various fields of energy rods. The piece
will be located along Wood Street from the intersection of Elm Street, near the entrance into the
facility.
DATE: April 7, 1998 2 ITEM NUMBER: 23
The written description of the proposed work of art is attached. The model will be placed in Council
Chambers prior to the Council meeting. The final piece may vary from this description.
energy fields: Jan Longwell & Kim Steele
utility: something useful to the public.
energy fields: potential forces; inherent power, capacity for vigorous action (energy) -within a
piece of land used for a particular reason (fields).
energy fields translates the abstract concept of public utilities into a physical, experiential landscape art
installation. Predicated on the wave pattern inherent to the structure of water and electricity, this artwork
adapts this fundamental aspect into a formal aestheric vocabulary that offers each viewer the potential to
interact with the work in an exciting manner. Both pedestrians and drivers will appreciate the visual
stimulation offered in the energy fields.
Tall, undulating rods sway as wind whistles by them or hands gently tap them. The sun dances on the
velveteen surface of the rods suggesting the facets of a jewel. Light sounds whisper tones both natural and
mechanical urging the pedestrian visitor to take note of the special circumstances of their environment.
The earth rolls, pulling the eyes of all viewers over the waves of the site. The streetscape is suddenly
alive with energy.
Land Forms:
Each wave emerges from the flat plane, suggesting no beginning or terminus, rather indicating an
infinite pattern that continues beyond ics visual occurrence. As one experiences the wave—either
by car or on foot—the sense of movement is immediate. The sidewalk intertwines with the earth-
waves, repeating their form in plan thus reinforcing the experience.
Energy Rods:
Poles of energy that one can see and touch,thereby participating in the instigation of energy.
Their limber form waves with wind or touch, softly undulating to and fro. The shimmery surface
of each energy rod catches and plays with the light, causing the viewer never to be quite sure of
the true nature of their color or texture. The formal arrangement of the rods on the earth-waves
accentuates the wave pattern in both plan and elevation.
Sound:
Kinetic, electric, atmospheric, and natural. Each sound softly resonates within the various fields
of energy rods. Restricted to the immediate vicinity,the unexpecting pedestrian is invited to
experience the site aurally. The chosen sounds speak to waveforms, articulating what their
audibie wave might be. Curious visitors will delight in the unanticipated presence of the different
tones and will visit again and again.
enerw fields will appeal to all viewers because it is about experiencing the senses. It will serve as an
educational tool for children, an exciting outing for families in the neighborhood, and a place for
relaxation for Utility Service Center employees. The community as a whole will find this art installation
to be a true enhancement to public space.
Having been trained m Architecture and Landscape Architeczure, we are capable of implementing
complex projects with success. Our experience working with municipalities, neighborhoods, contractors
and other interested parties is significant and we have enjoyed excellent working relationships throughout
our careers. We anticipate complete satisfaction with and immense enjoyment from the energy fields art
• installation.
RESOLUTION 98-61
• OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING EXPENDITURES FROM THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES RESERVE
ACCOUNTS IN THE WASTEWATER FUND AND IN THE LIGHT AND POWER FUND
FOR THE COMMISSION OF LANDSCAPE ART AT 700 WOOD STREET
WHEREAS, Section 23-303 of the City Code, established the Art in Public Places reserve
accounts in the Wastewater Fund and the Light and Power Fund,for use in the acquisition or leasing
of works of art,maintenance, repair or display of works of art, and administrative expenses related
to the Art in Public Places Program,in accordance with the Art in Public Places Guidelines adopted
by Council in Ordinance No. 20, 1995 (the "Guidelines"); and
WHEREAS,the City is currently proceeding with the construction of additional facilities at
the Utility Service Center at 700 Wood Street (the "Project"), funded jointly by the Wastewater
Utility and Light and Power Utility of the City; and
WHEREAS, one percent(1%) of the funds appropriated for the Project in the Wastewater
Fund and m the Light and Power Fund was set aside in the Art in Public Places reserve account for
each of those Funds, for public art; and
WHEREAS,the Art in Public Places Board(the`Board") evaluated proposed works of art
for the Project in a competitive proposal process based on the Guidelines; and
WHEREAS,based on that evaluation,the Board selected the proposal of the artist team of
Jan Longwell and Kim Steele,to create a landscape art installation comprised of land forms, energy
rods, and sound, at its December 18, 1997 meeting; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost to create the proposed landscape art, including
administration commission of the artists,contingency and maintenance of the pieces is $66,500;and
WHEREAS,adequate funds are available in the Art in Public Places reserve account in the
Wastewater Fund and the Art in Public Places reserve account in the Light and Power Fund, and are
appropriated in the 1998 budget,to together provide for the commission of Jan Longwell and Kim
Steele,to create a landscape art installation comprised of land forms, energy rods, and sound at the
Utility Service Center at 700 Wood Street; and
WHEREAS,the Guidelines require that the Council approve the Board's selection of public
art.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the expenditure of up to THIRTY THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFTY DOLLARS ($33,250) from each of the Art in Public Places reserve account in the
Wasterwater Fund and the Art in Public Places reserve account in the Light and Power Fund, for
. landscape art proposed by artists Jan Longwell and Kim Steele,the conceptual design of which was
selected and approved by the Art in Public Places Board on December 18, 1997, is hereby
authorized.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 7th day of April A.D.
1998.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Cultural, Library and Recreational Services
Lincoln Center
City of Fort Collins
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES MINUTES
Regular Meeting-Thursday, December 18, 1997
Lincoln Center
Council Liaison: Will Smith Staff Liaison: Ellen Martin
CRB Liaison: Fran Johnson
Chairperson: Libby Dale
Vice Chair: Susan Sternlieb
MEMBERS PRESENT: Libby Dale,Deanna Gram,Jim Lynxwiler,Roger Sherman, Susan
Sternlieb, Joe Vansant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jane Liska-Smith
STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Martin,Mark Breimhorst,Mike Powers, Clark Mapes, Ellen
Alward, Wendy Williams,Jim O'Neill, Jack Gianola
I. Call to order 4:03 p.m. -Ms. Dale
H. Consideration of the agenda-No changes
III. Approval of minutes from the meeting of November 20, 1997
Mr. Lynxwiler moved to approve the minutes, as amended
Mr. Vansant seconded
Approved unanimously
IV. Citizen Participation
None
417 West Magnolia • For, Collins,CC) 805'_1-2646 • (970) 21-1-6735 • FAN (970) 484-0421
V. Utility Service Center Presentations
Artists Bruce Taylor, the team of Jan Longwell and Kimberly Steel, and David Griggs
made presentations to the selection committee. In addition to Art in Public Places board members,
the selection committee consisted of. Gail Marie Kimmel, Capital Hill Neighborhood Association;
Jim O'Neill, Purchasing Director; Ellen Alward, Light and Power; and Wendy Williams, Water
Utilities. Linda Nerger from the Lee Martinez Neighborhood Association and Jack Gianola, City
project manager were also present for input. The artists presented slides, drawings and models of
their proposed artwork. The board asked questions of the artists and rated the proposals on
evaluation forms. The scoring from the committee members was tabulated and presented. The
board then discussed the three proposals and their reasons for voting for a particular proposal.
Ms. Sternlieb moved to recommend Jan Longwell and Kimberly Steel's proposal to City
Council for approval.
Mr. Sherman seconded
Approved unanimously
VI. Art Plan
Clark Mapes of the City's Advanced Planning department presented ideas and concepts that
are in the process of being implemented in the downtown area. He outlined plans for the upgrades
to the intersections of College and Oak and College and LaPorte. Mr. Mapes discussed the needs
for trash containers and benches in the area. Ms. Stemlieb discussed the fact that she felt
uncomfortable with the College Avenue Art Plan. She would like the board to reconsider the use of
all of the undesignated funds for the downtown area. The board decided to discuss the
undesignated funds and the art plan at its January meeting.
VII. APP Reauthorization Process
Mr. Breimhorst distributed the Art in Public Places ordinance and the changes to the
ordinance that staff is proposing. The board reviewed and briefly discussed them.
Ms. Sternlieb moved to accept the ordinance as amended
Mr. Sherman seconded
Approved Unanimously
VIII. Staff Reports
Ms. Martin updated the board regarding the Open House scheduled for January 15. She
also distributed copies of an article from the Coloradoan on the Timberline Road Project.
IX. Other business
None
X. Adjournment 8:12 p.m.
Ms. Sternlieb moved to adjourn
Mr.Vansant seconded
Approved unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
VJ Jam.
Mark Breimhorst
Associate Director