Title
Approval of Expenditure of Art in Public Places Funds in an amount to not exceed $5,863 to acquire an engineering report from FBT architects to include assessment of mounting the “Sunflower” by Ed Grothus onto the West side of the Eco Station Building.
Recommended Action
I move that the Council approve that we initiate an engineering report from FBT Architects that will assess both the refurbishment of the Sunflower designed by former Los Alamos resident Ed Grothus and mounting the artwork on the west facing wall of the Eco Station for an expenditure of Art in Public Places funds in an amount to not exceed $5,863.00.
Board Recommendation
The Board took action at the September 26, 2019 meeting to recommend the approval of this expenditure to Council.
Body
The estate of the famous recycler and peace activist, Ed Grothus has offered up a metal structure of a Sunflower that he created. It is 14 feet in diameter and made of recycled metal. The following pages contain an image of the art that would be refurbished and mounted on the proposed location at the Los Alamos County Eco Station Building on the west facing wall. This location was presented to the Environmental Board and accepted. Public input was gathered on accepting the piece of artwork and the proposed location. The feedback was very positive overall to the artwork and the proposed location. This is an opportunity to honor a Los Alamos community legend, artist and peace activist. The eco station auctions were events that Ed Grothus attended on a regular basis. It is possible that Ed acquired the materials at one of those auctions to create the Sunflower.
The report will include refurbishment of the Sunflower and preparing the Eco Station wall to ensure it will be safe to mount the artwork (i.e. structural integrity, weather elements, welds to withstand 90mph wind gusts, etc.). They will also provide a very high level estimate of total cost to complete the project.
Engineering Report $5,435.00
Sales Tax Rate (ABQ) 7.875%
Total $5,863.00
Alternatives
The Council can reject the APPB recommendation
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The funds for the recommended expenditures will come from the Art in Public Places Fund. There are sufficient funds in that account to cover the recommended expenditure. Any unspent APP money will remain in the APP Fund. The APPB staff liaison in partnership with Steven Huebner, Project Manager, will work with FBT on the assessment.
Attachments
A - Art Image
B - Location Image