Title
Approval of the Expenditure of the Art in Public Places Fund, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $75,000 plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax, for Commissioning Artist Daniel Borup to Create a Lion Sculpture for the Police Station, as Recommended by the Art in Public Places Board
Recommended Action
I move that the Council approve the expenditure of the Art in Public Places Fund, in an amount not-to-exceed $75,000 plus applicable gross receipts tax, for commissioning artist Daniel Borup to create a lion sculpture for the Police Station, as recommended by the Art in Public Places Board.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Art in Public Places Board voted at its July 23, 2026, regular meeting to recommend that the County Council select the revised lion sculpture design #1 by artist Daniel Borup and authorize commissioning Borup to design, fabricate, deliver, and install the sculpture for the Police Station public art project, with a not-to-exceed project budget of $75,000, plus applicable gross receipts tax, inclusive of installation, contingency, plaque, and ribbon-cutting ceremony expenses.
Body
On October 7, 2025, Council approved stipends for four artists to develop design proposals for a lion sculpture at the Los Alamos Police Station. This action represented one step in the project plan established by the Art in Public Places Board (APPB), which includes development of conceptual designs, community engagement, and coordination with the Police Department to identify a sculpture that reflects the symbolic goals of the project (Attachment A).
Since that time, the Police Station Art Working Group, consisting of two APPB members and Deputy Police Chief James Rodriguez, has overseen the next steps of the project which included public engagement, artist communication, and coordination with the Police Department on site-related considerations.
Four semifinalist artists were originally selected to receive stipends and develop lion sculpture designs. Prior to contracting, one local artist withdrew due to workload and budget constraints, and before the design deadline, the second local artist withdrew after determining that fabrication of his proposed concept would exceed the allowable project budget. As a result, only the designs submitted by Borup and Russell remained available for public consideration, forming the basis of the survey.
A public survey, open March 20 through April 5, 2026, gathered more than 400 responses (Attachment B). While Russell’s design received 58% numerical support, the Working Group review of the results determined that many respondents selected her concept because Borup’s initial lion appeared overly aggressive, not because of a strong preference for Russell’s sculpture itself. Written comments consistently reflected that concern. Deputy Chief Rodriguez also acknowledged that neither he nor Chief Sgambellone preferred Russell’s design.
Based on the community feedback, both artists were asked whether they were willing to revise their submissions. Russell indicated she was open to revising her concept; however, because her original submission was already a completed sculpture, she explained that creating a new design and fabrication would cost approximately $95,000, which is far beyond the project’s scope. Borup agreed to revise his design and submitted four sketches: two less-aggressive African lion poses-one in a sphinx-like position (Attachment C) and one sitting (Attachment D) and two mountain lion concepts based on public suggestions to use a local species. After review, the Working Group determined that a mountain lion would not be appropriate for this project. The Police Department specifically selected the African lion because it is a longstanding national symbol in law enforcement, representing strength, courage, vigilance, and protection. The goal of the artwork is to embody these qualities, not to depict a local animal.
Because community concerns centered on Borup’s initial “roaring” posture, not on his selection as the artist, and because a revised design from Russell was not feasible, the Working Group determined that Borup’s revised African lion concepts best addressed public feedback while maintaining the symbolic intent of the project. The revised posture presents a calmer, less aggressive lion that better reflects the Police Department’s goals.
Throughout the process, the Working Group emphasized that while public input is essential, it is equally important that the artwork meaningfully support the Police Department, who will interact with the sculpture daily and whose memorial the artwork will accompany. Borup’s revised concept most effectively honors both the Department’s mission and addresses the themes identified through public comment.
The Working Group also continued coordinating with the Police Department on related site considerations. Earlier planning assumed the Police Memorial Wall might require relocation due to drainage issues; however, those issues were resolved, and the memorial will remain in place (Attachment E). The Police Department is separately planning and funding updates to the memorial itself; these improvements are outside the scope of APPB’s role. APPB will remain closely coordinated to ensure the sculpture appropriately integrates with the overall site. If approved, the sculpture will be installed on a concrete base, designed and funded by the Police Department, that ideally will emulate a natural rock formation.
At its July 23, 2026 meeting, the Working Group recommended that APPB move forward with Borup’s revised African lion (revised design #1). After a brief discussion, APPB voted 4-0 to recommend that Council commission Daniel Borup for final design, fabrication, delivery, and installation of the sculpture, with a not-to-exceed project budget of $75,000, inclusive of installation, contingency, plaque, and ribbon-cutting ceremony expenses.
Alternatives
Council could choose not to approve this commission and either cancel the project or request the APP Board revise the project plan.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Approval authorizes expenditures not-to-exceed $75,000 and applicable GRT from the Art in Public Places Fund. There are sufficient funds in that account to cover this expense. The APPB staff liaison will oversee the commissioning process.
Attachments
A - Lion Design Survey Results
B - Borup Redesign #1- Sphinx Pose
C - Borup Redesign #2- Sitting Pose
D - Image of Proposed Location
E - Borup initial RFQ proposal submission