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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-05 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development Art in Public Places Subcommittee - Minutes - February 5, 2008, 8am, Council Chambers Commissioners in Attendance: Steve Ribble, Subcommittee Chair; John Rohman, Commission Chair; Councilor Geoffrey Gratwick; Sandra Blake-Leonard City Staff in Attendance: Sally Bilancia, Business & Economic Development Officer; Jim Ring, Director of Infrastructure & Development Support; and Norman Heitmann, City Solicitor Others in Attendance: Daniel Williams, Howard Foundation Ribble began by explaining that this is a preliminary meeting to discuss the Howard Foundation’s (hereafter referred to as HF) proposal. The proposal, in summary, is to sell memorial bricks for a fee of $100-$150 and then use those bricks to replace the concrete sidewalk on either side of the Kenduskeag Stream. (Please note that the bricks in question are actually colored concrete pavers, made to look like bricks, and the terms will be used interchangeably in this document.) They propose to do the project in stages, as the bricks are sold. The fee for the bricks will cover the cost of the brick, installation, and a trust fund for maintenance, with any remaining funds going to a scholarship fund run by HF. HF hopes to include a floodlight or other lighting, since that walkway is quite dark. Sally Bates had advised HF to wait until the Charles O. Howard Foundation received an answer on their memorial project before submitting this proposal, which they have done. Discussions focused on the following areas: 1. Cost  Ring had indicated to Williams in previous conversations that the construction/look should be similar to what the City has been doing at the waterfront. The City currently uses a solid base beneath with brick-like pavers on top and granite curbing. It costs more, but has more longevity than the old method of putting brick on a sand base.  Williams had spoken to a company from Massachusetts, which does have a product very similar to the type of paver the City has been using and which offers free shipping. Ring confirmed that these pavers were not an exact match, but close. Williams did not have a solid estimate on maintenance costs. - 1 -  Ring indicated that the cost of the full project would run roughly $30-$35 per square foot at current costs. (It was estimated that one square foot would have 5-6 bricks and not all those bricks would be engraved and therefore sold.) However, if the project were done in phases, the cost could easily double ($60-$70/sq ft), given the inefficiencies of bringing the installing company in several times instead of once, as well as the rising cost of materials. Ribble agreed that if done in phases, it would no doubt cost more.  Ring elaborated that other costs associated with the project that should be factored in are demolition costs for the current sidewalk, any work that needed to be done to make the walk flush with curbing and consideration of the life span of the bricks (and ultimately replacement costs). 2. Legal/Practical Concerns Heitmann raised the following legal and practical concerns with the proposal:  We can start with the fundamental question of if the City wants to have bricks with people’s names on them. It starts a precedent that we may be unhappy with later. What happens when another non-profit wants to do the same thing as a fundraiser in front of their downtown building? Do we allow it in some places and not others?  Private installation / public maintenance creates issues. Liability issues of allowing a private contractor to do such a project – both during the project implementation and after the fact. Who is found liable if one of the bricks is not installed properly and someone trips? What if an engraved brick is cracked during routine plowing? HF would have to have general liability insurance to cover themselves in these cases.  Who replaces the bricks when they have worn out? Could the person who bought the paver (or even one of their heirs) come after the City to replace a brick that is still ok, but a little scratched?  What happens if the Foundation dissolves?  Buyers would have to sign some type of document, indicating that they understand what they are getting for their money – replacement policies, likely lifespan of the brick, etc. 3. Scholarship  Williams described the scholarship part of the proposal as a scholarship fund open to all high school seniors and post-secondary non-traditional students. He said that colleges have little to offer non-traditional students by way of scholarships, because you often have to be a full-time student to be eligible. When asked what the ultimate purpose of creating this memorial brick campaign was, Williams responded that it was a way to feed the scholarship fund and enhance the area.  Heitmann indicated that while the scholarship issue may not be against the law, the City does have to be careful about using its resources for the benefit of private individuals or organizations. Changing public property in a permanent way for one organization would have to be looked at very closely. There could be long-term ramifications for doing so. - 2 - 4. Affect on Charlie Howard Memorial  Because this proposal is for walkways around the Kenduskeag, its approval could have an affect on the Charlie Howard Memorial proposed by the Charles O. Howard Foundation.  Ribble pointed out that line 3.6 of the City’s Policy on Art in Public Places indicates that “If the subject is portrayed elsewhere in a public space, the proposal will present a different facet of the subject and/or not detract from the existing monument.” There would be concern about this project detracting from the Charlie Howard Memorial that was already approved by the Commission. Mr. Williams indicated that he would go to his board with our concerns and let Sally Bilancia know of the outcome. He thanked the Commissioners and staff for their time and added that he was not necessarily aware of some of the issues that the project would create. Minutes respectfully submitted by Sally Bilancia, Business & Economic Development Officer, City of Bangor - 3 -