Title
Artist Design Contract for Community Well Site #225 Public Art Project (Ordinance S-45256)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Arizona artist Mary Shindell, or her City-approved designee, for an amount not to exceed $35,000 to work with a landscape architect to design enhancements for Community Well Site #225 Public Art Project. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year 2018-23 Public Art Project Plan includes a project to commission artists to work with landscape architects and other design professionals to enhance the security and appearance of community well sites and other water facilities Citywide. The well sites are an essential part of the City's water delivery system, and are often located in residential neighborhoods.
On Sept. 26, 2018, a six-person artist selection panel recommended Mary Shindell and five other finalists after reviewing a pool of 88 artists who had responded to a City-issued Request for Qualifications. In addition to Mary Shindell, the finalists included Jeff Zischke (AZ), Suikang Zhao (NY), Joseph O'Connell (AZ), Pete Goldlust (OR), and Volkan Alkanoglu (OR). Mr. O'Connell subsequently withdrew himself from consideration for the project due to scheduling conflicts.
On Oct. 30, 2018, the panel interviewed the five finalists before recommending that Mary Shindell be contracted for the Community Well Site #225. The panel based its decision on Ms. Shindell's ability to work well with the community and design teams, her experience in creating vibrantly-colored works of public art with highly durable materials, and her potential to create enhancements that suit the needs of the community and site.
The selection panel included Dianne Cripe, public art specialist; Jacob Meders, artist; Abraham James, architect; Christina Dubois, Phoenix Water Services Department representative; Kathy Matlock, District 2 community representative; and Sophia Garza, District 7 community representative.
Financial Impact
The Community Well Site Enhancement Public Art Project is part of the Community Beautification and Greenspace Program, which is one of 31 projects in the Fiscal Year 2018-23 Public Art Project Plan that City Council approved on June 28, 2018. The Art Plan includes $1,000,000 in this fiscal year for this and two other community well site enhancement projects. The proposed $35,000 design contract will cover all costs related to the artist's working with City staff and a landscape architect to develop the design concept and construction documents for this project. The funds for this project come from the Water Services Department Capital Improvement Program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended this item for approval at its Nov. 20, 2018, meeting. The Parks, Arts, Libraries and Education Subcommittee recommended this item for City Council approval on Nov. 28, 2018, by a vote of 3-0.
Location
The project will be located 4411 E. Beverly Lane.
Council District: 2
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Arts and Culture.