The Public Art Ordinance, as currently constructed, sets forth notable requirements, including:
Notable Requirements of the Public Art Ordinance
· 27-3(c) Monies on deposit in the public art fund shall be budgeted and appropriated by city council solely to pay the cost of…works of art installed in public places [emphasis added]. Monies derived from a municipal building project may be utilized for the installation of works of art on the project site or on such other city owned property as the city council may designate.
· 25-5 (a) Ownership of all works of art paid for with monies from the public art fund shall be vested in the city which shall obtain title to each such work of art.
A narrow reading of these requirements would inhibit the City from engaging with stakeholders like New Port Richey Main Street, Inc., and our downtown building owners on the proposed “Tides of Time” public art project and other innovative and beneficial public art projects that leverage our Public Art Fund dollars. As a result, our Administrative Team has worked with the City Attorney to propose a corresponding amendment to the Public Art Ordinance:
(c) Monies on deposit in the public art fund shall be budgeted and appropriated by city council solely to pay the cost of selection, commissioning, acquisition, installation, maintenance, administration and insurance of works of art installed in public places, and such other places generally available to the public and approved by the City Council upon the execution of an appropriate agreement with the private property owner. Monies derived from a municipal building project may be utilized for the installation of works of art on the project site or on such other city owned property as the city council may designate.
The proposed amendment has the effect of broadening the definition of public places, enabling the City Council to make a determination as to suitable locations for public art projects. In addition to the “Tides of Time” project, in which bronze sculptures would be affixed to the front of many of Downtown’s historic buildings, it is easy to imagine how this change would allow the City Council, if it saw fit, to authorize future public art projects in public areas of technically private properties, such as public-facing plazas at Keiser University, a redeveloped River Side Inn, or Aqua Harbor Hotel, where the City and private developer might be able to collaborate on something greater than either could accomplish on their own. Staff believes that the proposed amendment would enhance the City's ability to implement its public art program while continuing to safeguard public funds.