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BACKGROUND Gary and Nancy Harrington, who have previously donated funds to acquire the "Poppies" bronze sculpture by Stanley Proctor, and the Firehouse Arts Center glass marquee designed by British Artist Martin Donlin, have recently donated $49,000 to the City's Public art Acquisition fund so that the City may now purchase a third artwork, "Moneys Bench" by artist Gary Lee Price, which will be placed in Lions Wayside Park in the future. The City of Pleasanton's Public Art Ordinance requires that the Civic Arts Commission review any public art gift proposals and provide a recommendation prior to review and acceptance by the City Council. The proposal to donate "Moneys Bench" to the City was reviewed and approved by the Civic Arts Commission at its March 2, 2009 meeting, which requested staff to obtain input regarding the sculpture from the public and appropriate commissions. The sculpture was reviewed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at its March 12, 2009 meeting. The sculpture was viewed personally by staff at the New Masters Gallery in Carmel, where it is currently on exhibit, and public comments about the proposal were taken at both the Farmers' Market on Saturday, March 14, and at the Civic Arts Table at 200 Old Bernal for two months. With one exception to date, public comments about the sculpture have been positive. The Civic Arts Commission, at its April 6, 2009 meeting, reviewed all comments from the public and the Parks and Recreation Commission and voted to give final approval and to recommend to the City Council that it accept the sculpture. DISCUSSION Staff finds that the sculpture is of very high quality. With its theme of art and artist and its practical functionality as a bench, the sculpture would be appropriate for placement at the park side entrance of the Firehouse Arts Center in one of several locations: as a featured piece in a future sculpture garden at Lions Wayside Park, as the center piece complementing a proposed arts garden amenity for Lions Wayside Park, or at another location as determined by the forthcoming Lions Wayside Park Master Plan. As the Master Plan is developed, a location for the sculpture will be identified so that it blends with and complements its surroundings. Upon acceptance by the City Council of this generous gift from the Harrington's, the art piece will be stored in City facilities at the Operations Service Center until an appropriate permanent location is selected and prepared. Submitted by: Susan Andrade-Wax Director, Parks and Community Services Fiscal Review: ~ --~ ~ ~ ~. David P. Culver Finance Director Approved by: Nelson Fialho City Manager Attachments: 1. Image of sculpture Page 2 of 2