Title
Solar Walk Project Update (B)
Explanation
Funding for an Art in Public Places Trust (APPT) Solar Walk Project was allocated at the November 23, 1998, City Commission meeting. The Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc. (AAC) agreed to match or exceed the City's funding. A project update by the APPT Chair and an Artists Ranking was heard by the Commission at the May 24, 1999 City Commission meeting, at which time artist Elizabeth Indianos was selected. Approval was given to go ahead based on the Artist's conceptual drawings of the project.
Since that time, significant increases in the project cost were tentatively discussed by the Artist and the AAC. However fundraising to that extent was not deemed realistic, and changes were not brought before the Commission. The budget for the Solar Walk Project is now set at $30,000 due to an increased fundraising commitment from the AAC.
A draft of the first of two contracts has been sent out to the Artist and to the AAC for review. The first contract is written in two phases, designed to determine feasibility before proceeding with a second contract with the Artist for purchase of materials, construction and installation. The City Cultural Affairs Manager, liaison to the APPT, and the Solar Walk Artist met with the City's First Step Committee June 30, 2000. A project update, including the outcome of this meeting, and future plans for the project will be presented to the City Commission.
Fiscal Note
$5,000 was allocated by the City at the November 23, 1998 City Commission meeting. $25.50 was spent on postage for the call to artists, and the $4,974.50 balance of this allocation remains in the Solar System account.
The design portion of the contract with the Artist is for a total of $6,500, set in two phases. $1,000 is due to the Artist upon signing of the contract, and $5,500 is due in the second phase for technical drawings and preparation of a site plan by a qualified engineer. The AAC has commit...
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