Oroville Art Commission approves NOFA for Hewitt Park mural and mural restorations; red‑tailed hawk sculpture deferred

The Oroville Art Commission on Thursday voted to release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for two public‑art projects — a mural for Hewitt Park and a mural‑restoration contract that will include restoration of the Black Bart mural and a square‑foot pricing option for future restorations — while deferring a proposed red‑tailed hawk sculpture until a site is selected.

The vote to release the NOFA, with the changes described by staff, passed unanimously. Commissioners also directed staff to contact the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) about placing a sculpture at the fish hatchery/dam area before pursuing that location; if DWR declines, an ad hoc committee of two commissioners will evaluate alternate city sites.

Why it matters: the NOFA opens publicly funded art opportunities and sets procurement parameters the commission said are needed to ensure competitive bids and compliance with grant requirements. The decision moves two projects with identified locations or procurement approaches forward while pausing the larger sculpture until site and jurisdictional questions are resolved.

What the commission approved and deferred - The commission approved releasing a NOFA that (1) solicits proposals for a mural on a retaining wall at Hewitt Park, and (2) solicits proposals for mural restorations, beginning with the Black Bart mural and establishing a square‑foot price approach for future restorations. Staff will amend the NOFA text to reflect the commission’s direction before release.

- The commission did not release an RFP now for the proposed red‑tailed hawk sculpture. Commissioners and staff agreed the commission should identify and confirm a location before issuing a competitive solicitation for a site‑specific sculpture. Staff will contact the Department of Water Resources to ask whether a sculpture at the hatchery/dam area is permissible; if DWR declines, commissioners Andy (last name not specified in transcript) and Aaron (last name not specified in transcript) — who volunteered to serve on an ad hoc committee — will identify alternate in‑city locations.

Details and procurement notes - Hewitt Park mural: staff described a retaining wall water feature made of five contiguous panels that together total roughly 50 feet in length, with a wall height of about 4 feet. The mural concept was developed as part of the park plan and is expected to reflect Oroville’s mining history and natural surroundings, but the commission asked that proposals be colorful where permitted by grant conditions.

- Budgeting: staff proposed a maximum award amount of $40,000 per individual mural item in the packet’s draft language; commissioners said the final NOFA should reflect whatever limits are required by the grant and the commission’s priorities.

- Mural restorations: staff recommended issuing a solicitation for restoration work that begins with the previously discussed Black Bart mural (to include specified upgrades and preservation coatings) and that also establishes a square‑foot pricing model so staff can contract for additional restorations as needed without returning to the commission for each small maintenance job.

- Competitive process: the city attorney advised that prior work with a single artist requires restarting a competitive process to avoid distorting competition. The commission directed staff to proceed with a publicly advertised NOFA consistent with that advice.

Site selection and DWR jurisdiction Commissioners discussed several possible sites for the sculpture (Centennial Park, Veterans Memorial, Hewitt Park, the fish hatchery near Table Mountain Boulevard, and the Oroville Dam/hatchery parking area). Several commissioners noted the dam and some hatchery land lie outside city jurisdiction and likely require DWR review or a memorandum of understanding. Commissioners agreed staff should contact DWR first to determine whether a sculpture at the hatchery/dam area is permissible and to learn any site size or design limits; if DWR is unwilling or imposes constraints inconsistent with the current red‑tailed hawk concept, the ad hoc committee will evaluate city‑owned alternatives.

Implementation steps and next meetings Staff said it will: (1) update the NOFA language to reflect the commission’s direction (defer the hawk RFP, release Hewitt Park mural and restoration solicitations with clarifying grant and design guidance); (2) check grant requirements for Hewitt Park mural content and allowable themes; and (3) reach out to DWR about the hatchery/dam site. Commissioners named Andy and Aaron as the ad hoc members who would evaluate alternate sites if DWR declines. The commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting is not until December.

Context and background Commissioners said the red‑tailed hawk concept began as a larger “reach to the sky” installation that drew negative reaction from the city council; council then directed the commission toward a red‑tailed hawk concept. Previous submissions to city solicitations produced a mix of wings, a hawk and a mural; the commission and staff said clearer site and design direction is needed so applicants can bid against a defined brief.

What the NOFA vote recorded The motion to release the NOFA with the amendments described by staff passed unanimously at the meeting. The transcript records “Motion passes unanimously.” The commission did not record individual roll‑call tallies in the public portion of the transcript.

Next steps for the public art program Staff will revise the NOFA, confirm grant conditions for Hewitt Park, solicit competitive proposals for the Hewitt Park mural and for mural restorations (beginning with Black Bart and including a square‑foot pricing structure), and report back on DWR’s position regarding a sculpture at the hatchery/dam area.

Ending The commission’s action moves two publicly funded mural efforts into the competitive procurement phase while holding site‑specific sculpture plans until jurisdiction, site and scale questions are resolved.