McCall council approves Legacy Park stair art commission, two light-box wraps and advisory appointments

The McCall City Council on an evening motion authorized a $20,000 artwork commission for art integrated into the Legacy Park stair replacement project and approved two additional vinyl light-box wraps funded by the McCall Redevelopment Agency. The council also appointed Neli Bowman and Katerina (Katarina/Katharita in filings) Roth to three-year terms on the McCall Public Art Advisory Committee.

The artwork commission will fund artist design and fabrication work to place powder-coated steel panels along the Legacy Park stair railings. Delta James, the city’s economic development planner, told the council the $20,000 was allocated as part of the parks capital improvement budget and that the project followed the city’s public-art RFQ and selection process, which narrowed six applicants to three finalists and included community feedback. “For this project, the artists were only artists living within Idaho,” James said, describing the selection process and public input favoring the finalist identified for council action.

Councilors raised safety and maintenance questions about the proposed metal panels. Kurt Wolf, parks and recreation director, said final designs must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and be reviewed for life-safety and maintenance concerns before fabrication. Delta James said the artist will work with the Public Art Advisory Committee on final details and that staff would emphasize safety and durability in the contract.

Separately the council approved two additional city-owned light-box wraps in the Downtown West urban renewal district. The McCall Redevelopment Agency will fund the fabrication and installation; each selected artist will receive $1,000 for design work. The council approved awards to Jane Croft for the box near the Chamber of Commerce and Rachel Morton for a box in the First Street parking lot.

The council also approved two appointments to the Public Art Advisory Committee. Delta James said the committee recommended reappointing Neli Bowman (who has just completed a first term and serves as committee chair) and appointing Katerina Roth, who had attended meetings as a citizen since applying in March.

Roll-call votes on the public-art items were unanimous. Council members voting in favor were Council member Nielsen, Council member Machesek, Mayor Giles, Council member Nelson and Council member Thrower.

The council left the final design approval role with the Public Art Advisory Committee as proposed in the agreement, though members discussed the option of requiring the council to review the final design before fabrication. James said staff will provide the advisory committee’s feedback and will require the contractor to meet safety and maintenance standards in the contract.

The city clerk will finalize contract documents and the mayor was authorized to sign the agreements.