AgdaPkt 2008-07-28 Clsd and Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT 6.1A Page 1 July 28, 2008 SUBJECT Approval of the "Ray of Light Birdbath" Public Art for installation adjacent to the new Redwood Shores Library RECOMMENDATION Approve by motion, "Ray of Light" Birdbath for installation adjacent to the new Redwood Shores Library; and authorize staff to use an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the GR Cress Birdbath fund for its acquisition and installation. BACKGROUND On Apri/12, 2004, Council accepted the final distribution of the proceeds of the estate of Gene Robert Cress, which named the Redwood City Park System as sole beneficiary. Subject to the terms of his bequest, the Council also established the GR Cress Birdbath Fund with just over one million dollars in proceeds from the estate. In 2006, the Civic Cultural Commission (CCC) decided to explore the possibility of using some of the fund proceeds to add public art in Redwood City and at the same time meet the estate's direction to provide bird watering and feeding stations. The CCC established a subcommittee to more fully investigate the idea. The Subcommittee visited various City-owned locations to identify possible sites for the birdbaths and made a presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission to get a sense of whether they would consider installations in public parks. Subsequently, the Subcommittee issued a "Call for Artists" and was thrilled to receive more than 150 responses from artists across the globe. After a lengthy review process by the CCC subcommittee, a member of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission and an outside art expert, five submissions were selected for presentation to the full Commission. As this process was moving forward, the Commission saw an opportunity to place a "'public art" birdbath at the new Redwood Shores Library. After a meeting with the City Engineer, the Project Architect, Civic Cultural Commissioners, Library staff, members of the Library Foundation, and Parks and Recreation staff, the public art birdbath "Ray of Light" was chosen. Staff and the Commission then began an outreach effort to put their proposal before as many groups as possible. We received approval from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, (BCDC), praise from the Redwood Shores Community Association, sent letters to the Redwood Shores Owners Association and the Redwood Shores Business Association (no comments have been received from these two associations), and received a positive recommendation from the City's own Architectural Review Committee. Details on the size and materials for the "Ray of Light" Birdbath along with pictures are included as Attachment 1 of this report.