HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/05/2016 - RESOLUTION 2016-030 APPROVING AN ART PROJECT FOR TAgenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY April 5, 2016
City Council
STAFF
Ellen Martin, Visual Arts Administrator
SUBJECT
Resolution 2016-030 Approving an Art Project for the Utilities Administration Building and Approving
Expenditures from the Utility Project Account to Commission an Artist to Create an Art Project Pursuant to the
Art in Public Places Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is it to approve expenditures from the Art in Public Places Electric, Water,
Wastewater, and Stormwater Utility Funds to commission an artist to create art for the Utility Administration
Building Project. The expenditures of $145,936 will be for design, materials, fabrication, electrical connections,
installation, and contingency for Andy Dufford of Chevo Studios to create a carved sandstone entryway feature
for the new Utility Administration Building.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Section 23-303 of the City Code, which was added in 1995, established the Art in Public Places 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, in accordance with the Art in
Public Places Guidelines adopted by the Council in Ordinance No. 20, 1995. The Council permanently adopted
the Art in Public Places Program, and reenacted City Code Chapter 23, Article IX, with certain modifications in
2012.
The Utilities Administration Building (UAB) is currently under construction on Block 32 on LaPorte Avenue in
downtown Fort Collins. Artist Andy Dufford of Chevo Studios is one of the artists currently working with the
Project Team to develop concepts for public art at the site. Andy Dufford was selected through an RFQ
process.
Artist Andy Dufford has multiple art projects at this site. This Art in Public Places project is being brought
forward separately to support meeting the contractor’s schedule. This artist and another artist team will
continue to develop indoor and outdoor art elements that will be presented to City Council at a later date. The
art elements will speak to both water and energy elements as they relate to community services provided by
Utilities.
The Poudre watershed is a key source of water for Fort Collins. The proposed artwork in this Resolution
highlights this educational message, by depicting the Poudre River and making connections between the uses
of water in both the natural surroundings and built communities.
Artist Andy Dufford has developed concepts for art that are integrated into the front entryway column of the
UAB. A series of Colorado buff sandstone panels will wrap the column. The buff sandstone is used elsewhere
Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 2
on the building facade and its presence on the column will complement the overall design and materials of the
building.
The stacked stone panels will be split vertically by the path and topography of the river design. The image
represents a section of the Poudre River, just to the west of Fort Collins. The path of the river will create a
dynamic line running from the top to bottom of the column and the topographical contours will create a carved
relief in the stone. The water in the river will be created in bluestone, creating a rich color that runs the length
of the stone.
Narrative carvings will alternate up the panels on the east and west faces of the column. On the western face,
the carvings will trace the journey of water from snowmelt to runoff and river. On the eastern face, patterns of
land use will speak to the human uses of water and include imagery that represents the commercial, industrial,
residential, and agricultural activities that all rely on this precious resource.
At night, the thread of the river will be illuminated by LED lighting running along its length. This introduction of
light will create an iconic feature for the building and visual interest from the street for both pedestrians and
passing motorists.
This design concept was reviewed and recommended by the Project Team and the Art in Public Places Board.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The funds for this item have been appropriated in the Art in Public Places Electric, Water, Wastewater, and
Stormwater Utility Funds. The Art in Public Places program has a maintenance fund for the long-term care of the
Art in Public Place art collection.
The Utility Administration Project art budget is $145,936 to be used for design, materials, fabrication, electrical
connections, installation, and contingency for this artwork. The APP funds are $37,363 from Electric, $58,965
Water, $24,804 Wastewater, and $24,804 Stormwater Utility funds.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The design concept and budget for this project was reviewed and recommended for City Council approval by
the Art in Public Place Board at its March 2, 2016 board meeting.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
General public communication regarding the art components of the Utility Administration Building Project was
integrated into the overall scope of the Project outreach. Development of the art for the Project was specifically
promoted in a national call to artists through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. In the RFQ process,
all submissions were reviewed and the artist selection was based on the artist’s portfolio of work (as opposed
to an RFP process where artist proposals would be evaluated). Artist qualifications were reviewed by the APP
Board, Purchasing representative, and representatives of the project team. The artist selected for the
proposed aspect of the Project was selected from sixty artist submissions.
The selected artist then collaborated with the project team and together they developed concepts for the
artwork based on the goals of the Project and input from the team. The final design and budget was reviewed
and approved by the project team, and submitted for approved at a regular public meeting of the APP Board
on March 2, 2016. The Board at that meeting voted to recommend the project to City Council for approval as
an integrated part of the Utilities Administration Building Project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. APP Board minutes, March 2, 2016 (draft) (PDF)
2. Images of Proposed Artwork (PDF)
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES MINUTES
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Lincoln Center Columbine Room
Council Liaison: Kristin Stephens Staff Liaison: Ellen Martin
Chairperson: Jill Kreutzer Vice Chair: Renee Sherman
Cultural Resource Board Liaison: Tedi Cox
MEMBERS PRESENT: Miriam Chase, Gwen Hatchette, Jill Kreutzer, Renee Sherman, Shelby Sommer,
and Sabrina Zimmerman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carol Ann Hixon
STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Martin, Liz Good, Susie Gordon, John Phelan, Brian Hergott, MJ Upham; Lou
Cordova; Jill Wilson
CULTURAL RESOURCE BOARD LIAISON: Tedi Cox
I. Call to order: 3:31 p.m. by Ms. Kreutzer
II. Consideration of tonight’s agenda
III. Citizen Participation
IV. Community Recycling Center Design Review
Artists Tim Upham and Todd Kundla and Susie Gordon from Environmental Services
presented the proposed design to the board. Ms. Gordon gave an overview of the project
and site. The project team requested that the art would serve as wayfinding piece, as the
site is set back from the street. The design is for a large sculpture made from recycled
light poles, and clear, blue, and green glass bottles to create shapes inspired by the
recycling logo. The structure holding the beer bottles will have mesh over the top and
prongs that will open once inside the bottles to hold them in place. Concerns were
brought up concerning climbing, wind, and vandalism. The artists assured the board that
the bottles will be securely attached and able to be replaced if they get broken.
Ms. Sommer moved to approve.
Ms. Hatchette seconded
Unanimously approved
V. Downtown Plan
Ms. Martin reviewed the handout provided by City Planner Seth Lorson after his
presentation at the January meeting. What needs to be included to be successful? Board
members and staff shared discussions from the various open houses and workshops.
VI. Utility Administration Building Design Review
Artist Andy Dufford along with John Phelan from Utilities and Brian Hergott from
Operation Services presented the design of the entryway column. The concept is to show
the topography of a section of the Poudre River west of town. This will be created through
stacked contours of sandstone in panels. The river will be bluestone with concealed LED
lighting to illuminate the river at night. Carved along the river will be its natural cycle on
the side that faces east and the human uses of the water on the side that faces west. The
board discussed educational signage about the art and the relationships with the river it
illustrates.
ATTACHMENT 1
Ms. Sommer moved to jump up and down and approve this one
Ms. Sherman seconded
Unanimously approved
VII. Transformer Cabinet Submission Review
Jill Wilson from Purchasing, Lou Cordova from Utilities, and Mary-Jo Upham Graffiti
Abatement Office, joined to help with selection of artists. Ms. Martin reviewed the
selection process. It was discussed to select artists that scored 70 and higher. After the
vote, the board discussed ways to encourage new artists to submit.
Ms. Sommer moved to accept 70 and above and 64 as alternates with the Center for Family
Outreach as first
Ms. Sherman seconded
Unanimously approved
VIII. 20th Anniversary Celebration
Ms. Martin shared the materials, combined meeting notes and invite drafts. Suggestions
were made to update the invitation design and contact information for past board
members were reviewed.
IX. Other business
X. Adjournment at 5:53 p.m. by Ms. Kreutzer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Liz Good
"SUJO1VCMJD1MBDFT1SPHSBN
Utilities Administration Building
"SUJTU"OEZ%VGGPSE
$IFWP4UVEJPT
1
ATTACHMENT 2
2
Utilities Administration Building
EntryXBZ Column
Carving/Artwork on both sides
Nighttime Illumination
3
Utilities Administration Building
EntryXBZ Column
Ecosystems
• Alpine
• Sub Alpine
•Montane
•Foothills
• Plains
•Riparian
Water & the Natural World:
A web of interdependence from
Alpine Tundra to Eastern Plains
4
Utilities Administration Building
EntryXBZ Column (East face)
Human uses of water
• Residential
•Commercial
•Industrial
• Agricultural
• Return to the river
5
Utilities Administration Building
EntryXBZ Column (West face)
6
• Stone veneer on concrete
column
• Concealed LED Lighting
for river
• Narrative carvings
6UJMJUJFTAdministration Building
EntryXBZ Column
-1-
RESOLUTION 2016-030
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING AN ART PROJECT FOR THE UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION
BUILDING AND APPROVING EXPENDITURES FROM THE UTILITY PROJECT
ACCOUNT TO COMMISSION AN ARTIST TO CREATE THE ART
PROJECT PURSUANT TO THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City is in the process of constructing the Utilities Administration
Building Project on Block 32 of LaPorte Avenue in downtown Fort Collins (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 23-303 and 23-304 of the City Code, one percent of the
funds appropriated for the Project has been set aside for use in the acquisition, installation and
maintenance of works of art in accordance with the Art in Public Places Guidelines adopted by
the City Council in Ordinance No. 047, 1998 (the “Guidelines”); and
WHEREAS, the Art in Public Places Board (the “Board”) and members of the Project
team selected artist Andy Dufford of Chevo Studios (the “Artist”) to develop design concepts
appropriate to the Project site; and
WHEREAS, the City entered into a design contract with the Artist dated October 25,
2015, to develop designs for art for the Project to be submitted for Board approval; and
WHEREAS, based on recommendations by the Board at its regular meeting on
November 18, 2015, City Council adopted Resolution 2015-111, approving expenditures from
the Art in Public Places Electric Utility account for a portion of the Artist’s designs; and
WHEREAS, it was anticipated when Resolution 2015-111 was adopted that additional
expenditures for public art for the Project would be brought for City Council approval separate
from the art described in that Resolution, including designs for indoor and outdoor art elements
to be integrated into the Project later; and
WHEREAS, the Board evaluated additional designs prepared by the Artist at its regular
meeting on March 2, 2016, and made further recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the Board has recommended approval of the use of project funds for
additional artwork at the Project site consisting of carved sandstone panel reliefs depicting the
Cache la Poudre River with elements in the progression from snowmelt-run off to human
commercial, industrial, and residential application of water resources (the “Art Project”); and
WHEREAS, the budget for the Art Project, including design, materials, fabrication,
installation, and contingency, is $145,936, of which $37,363 is proposed to come from funds
contributed by the Electric Utility, $58,965 contributed by the Water Utility, $24,804 contributed
by the Wastewater Utility, and $24,804 contributed by the Stormwater Utility; and
-2-
WHEREAS, the Art Project funds will be drawn from the amount appropriated in
Ordinance No. 137, 2014, and unencumbered funds appropriated in the Art in Public Places
Electric, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Utility accounts transferred to the Project for the
Artist’s design fees, materials, fabrication, installation and contingency; and
WHEREAS, Section 23-308 of the City Code requires that the Board’s recommendation
concerning the use of funds for the Art Project be presented for Council review and approval as
the cost of the art exceeds $30,000; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guidelines, a priority in selecting works of art to be acquired
with restricted Art in Public Places Utility account funds is that the art relate to and logically
connect with the source of the funds used to acquire the artworks; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that expending Art in Public Places Electric, Water,
Wastewater, and Stormwater Utility account funds for the selected Art Project relates to,
logically connects with, and benefits the utility rate payers by enhancing the administration
facilities necessary to deliver electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater utility services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals above.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby approves the use of previously appropriated
funds in the amount not to exceed ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE THOUSAND NINE
HUNDRED THIRTY SIX DOLLARS ($145,936) from the Art in Public Places Electric, Water,
Wastewater, and Stormwater Utility accounts for the Art Project described herein for inclusion in
the Utilities Administration Building Project, the conceptual design for which was reviewed and
approved by the Art in Public Places Board on March 2, 2016.
Section 3. That the sum approved in Section 2 shall be comprised of the following
already appropriated Art in Public Places funds contributed by the respective Utilities:
• $37,363 Electric Utility
• $58,965 Water Utility
• $24,804 Wastewater Utility
• $24,804 Stormwater Utility
-3-
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 5th
day of April, A.D. 2016.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk