Title
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CITY ADMINISTRATION DRAFTING AN AGREEMENT WITH ARTIST FELIX GONZALEZ TO CONSTRUCT A POLICE OFFICER, A POLICE DOG, AND RUBBLE OF BENT AND CRUSHED STEEL GIRDERS TO COMPLETE THE 9-11 MEMORIAL AT A COST OF $150,000 TO BE BROUGHT BACK BEFORE CITY COMMISSION FOR FINAL APPROVAL
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. On September 11, 2011 the City unveiled the 9-11 Memorial at City Center. The memorial was created by artists Felix Gonzalez and Ben Menasche. The memorial includes a four-sided marble sculpture by Ben Menasche with each side focusing on the themes of shock, grieving, acceptance, and rebuilding. Felix Gonzalez created two towers, a fireman, and a little girl sitting on the ruins of a tower.
2. Recently the City Commission discussed completing the Memorial by adding a piece to represent the Police First Responders from September 11, 2001.
3. Artist Felix Gonzalez provided a proposal to City Administration to complete the Police Officer piece. Details of his proposal are as follows:
- The piece will include three parts: a police officer, a search and rescue dog, and rubble of bent and crushed steel girders.
- The piece will be in scale with the existing firefighter and little girl sculptures.
- Artist requires the use of the Holly Lake Old Fire Station to complete the work
- Artist requires the City to provide all the tools necessary to complete piece
- Artist requests a payment of $150,000 to complete the work
- Artist will take 17 - 24 months to complete the project
4. The garage bay where Felix Gonzalez previously worked to create the 9-11 pieces is currently being used for Special Event Storage. If this proposal is approved, the Recreation and Cultural Arts Director will move Special Events storage to other storage locations in the City.
5. Public Services still has the tools on hand that are being requested in Felix's prop...
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