HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/05/2012 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 049, 2012, APPROPRIDATE: June 5, 2012
STAFF: Ellen Martin
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL 13
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 049, 2012, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the Light & Power Fund and in the
Water Fund for the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Art in Public Places Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance appropriates $590,000 from the Art in Public Places (APP) Reserves in the Water Fund and Light &
Power Fund for APP artist Ned Kahn to create unique educational art experiences as part of the exhibits at the Fort
Collins Museum of Discovery. The artist will begin working with the project team to develop unique, inspiring
educational displays using the themes of water, sustainability and energy. $45,000 was previously appropriated in
2012 towards the design phase of this project. When completed, the final design concepts will be brought to Council
for consideration and approval prior to fabrication and installation.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Section 23-303 of the City Code established the Art in Public Places (APP) Reserve Account, and designated it for
use in acquiring or leasing works of art, maintenance, repair or display of works of art, and administrative expenses
related to the Art in Public Places Program
Through the integration of science, culture, and history, the exhibits at the new Fort Collins Museum of Discovery will
inspire visitors to explore the future in the context of the present and the past. Exhibit themes represent the interests
expressed by the community and those interests include water, energy and sustainability. Utility education staff has
been actively involved in developing the content for the water, energy, and sustainability exhibits. These exhibits
compliment Utility programs designed to educate community members, from school-age children to adults, about
safety, natural resource conservation, water and energy-efficient choices and the importance of clean water and
reliable energy. The Art in Public Places program, along with artist Ned Kahn will work with Utility and Museum staff
to create unique educational art experiences incorporated onto the exhibit floor around themes such as safety,
conservation and wise use of resources.
The APP Guidelines allow for works of art to be located in both interior and exterior spaces. The program works with
the project team to determine the goals and specific location for the artwork(s). Examples of APP interior works are
at EPIC near the second ice rink, the art installation at the main entrance into Council Tree Library, and the recently
placed artwork in the lobby of the newly renovated Lincoln Center. APP artists have previously developed exhibits,
such as the Police Museum display in the main lobby of the Police Facility. City Code allows for Utility APP
contributions to be used at non-Utility sites if the project is for a specific utility purpose that is beneficial to the rate
payers. This project will aid the Utility purpose of educating community members around themes of concern to the
Utility, such as safety, natural resource conservation, water and energy efficiency and the importance of clean water
and reliable energy.
The APP Selection Committee (APP Board and Museum Project team members, and Purchasing Department)
selected Ned Kahn from a national call (RFQ) of 218 submissions. Ned Kahn started his career as an artist at the
Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco in the early 1980s, creating interactive sculptures inspired by everything from
wind and waves to black holes and galaxies. In recent years, he has collaborated with architects and designers on
a number of large-scale public art projects throughout the world. Kahn states, “I am fascinated with the idea of an
artwork becoming a scientific instrument, a detector of phenomena, and blurring the boundaries between art,
architecture, science and nature”. His projects include an ocean wave powered fountain on a pier in the Los Angeles
Harbor and a linear water feature powered by air rising from a parking garage exhaust vent in a park in San Francisco.
He is currently fabricating a large rain-gathering vortex sculpture in Singapore.
June 5, 2012 -2- ITEM 13
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
This Ordinance will appropriate prior year reserves in the amount of $590,000, with $390,000 from the Water Fund
Art in Public Places Reserve and $200,000 from the Light & Power Fund Art in Public Places Reserve. Reserves are
accumulated in these funds for future APP projects. There are sufficient reserves to fund this appropriation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The APP artist will collaborate with the project team on this project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At its May 16, 2012 meeting, the Art in Public Places Board recommended adoption of the Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Art in Public Places Board minutes, May 16, 2012
ORDINANCE NO. 049, 2012
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE LIGHT & POWER
FUND AND IN THE WATER FUND FOR THE FORT COLLINS
MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Project will expand the educational
experience of visitors by providing a broad array of scientific, cultural and historical exhibits in a
single location; and
WHEREAS, the City Council established the Art in Public Places (APP) program in
1995 to encourage and enhance artistic expression and appreciation, and add value to the
community through acquiring, exhibiting and maintaining public art; and
WHEREAS, the APP program is funded by setting aside one percent of all eligible city
construction projects over $250,000, as defined in the APP guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the APP Selection Committee has selected artist Ned Kahn to develop
unique educational art experiences as part of the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery exhibits
using the themes of water, sustainability and energy; and
WHEREAS, the projected cost of the materials, installation, and contingency for this
APP project is $590,000; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the Water Fund - Art in Public Places Reserve
($390,000) and in the Light and Power Fund - Art in Public Places Reserve ($200,000) for this
APP project; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not
previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of the designs for the proposed exhibits, the City Council
will have the opportunity, by separate resolution, to review the designs and approve the
expenditure of the APP funds appropriated by this Ordinance, including determining whether the
proposed project meets the City Charter and Code requirements for expenditure of Utility APP
funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves
in the Water Fund the amount of THREE HUNDRED NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($390,000) for the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Art in Public Places project.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves
in the Light and Power Fund the amount of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($200,000) for the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Art in Public Places project.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 5th day of
June, A.D. 2012, and to be presented for final passage on the 17th day of July, A.D. 2012.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Interim City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 17th day of July, A.D. 2012.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk