Public Arts Commission approves up to $173,000 for Esperanza Park sculpture, directs RFQ

The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission on June 10 voted to authorize a recommended budget of up to $173,000 for a commissioned sculpture at Esperanza Park and directed staff to pursue a request-for-qualifications (RFQ) process to select artists.

Commission Chair Lee Bell and staff described how the proposed budget breaks down and how the commission would select an artist. "What the not to exceed amount would be is a $173,000," Staff member Anne said, summarizing the recommendation before the vote.

The commission's staff report said the budget package would include a $100,000 allocation for artist fees, fabrication, transportation and related costs; $50,000 for city responsibilities such as installation, concrete work, electrical and a plaque; and a contingency that brings the total recommended authorization to $173,000. Staff also proposed $3,000 in stipends (three $1,000 stipends) to pay three shortlisted artists to produce concept proposals to present to the community.

Anne told commissioners she had researched comparable public-art commissions and consulted the Palm Desert public arts coordinator to better separate artist responsibilities from city responsibilities for installation and capital work. She said the RFQ would identify three finalists, each receiving a stipend, and that the commission, with likely participation from engineering staff and potentially PACE representatives, would involve community review before awarding a contract.

Vice Chair Travis and multiple commissioners voiced support for the revised budget as more realistic given fabrication and installation costs. Commissioners asked about timeline and whether the commission would review the RFQ before it goes out; Anne said she would prepare a proposed schedule for the commission and that the budget request alone would go to City Council for authorization, after which staff would return with timeline details and an RFQ. She said the commission could hold a special meeting to review the RFQ if members wanted to see it before publication.

The motion to accept the recommendation and forward the budget request to City Council was made by Chair Lee Bell, seconded by Vice Chair Travis, and carried on an "all ayes" voice vote.

Planning and next steps: Staff said the commission would request Council authorization and, if approved, would issue the RFQ to recruit artists regionally or nationally (the $100,000 artist budget would need to cover fabrication and transport). Staff plans to advertise using national public-art networks and local artist channels and to align the commission's schedule with an ongoing state grant effort and other park programming.

Votes at a glance: Motion to authorize staff to pursue Council authorization for a not-to-exceed $173,000 budget for a commissioned sculpture at Esperanza Park. Mover: Chair Lee Bell. Second: Vice Chair Travis. Outcome: approved (all ayes).