Council declines stained-glass "butterfly" window donation after board and staff concerns

The Pacific Grove City Council on Wednesday voted not to accept a proposed donation of a stained-glass butterfly window offered for installation at the Pacific Grove Museum.

Applicant Susan Golbeck presented the donation application and described outreach showing community support for placement at the museum. "I want to be able to drive by that window when it's shining down on our kids when there's Christmas caroling," Golbeck said in the council chambers. Supporters in the audience said the piece is an iconic symbol that fits the city's identity as "butterfly town."

But the museum director and the Museum Foundation board submitted written comments and opposition, and staff raised multiple implementation concerns. Council members noted the city's donation policy requires unconditional transfers that give the city the right to determine retention and location. Several council members said the process had focused too long on possible siting without first answering whether the city should accept the gift, and that the museum had identified the building's front arch window as a character-defining feature. One commenter who reviewed the proposal said the donor had repeatedly described front-of-building placement, while museum staff and some council members said prior subcommittee work had identified the museum garden or rear location as the only reasonable option.

Council debate emphasized two practical points: (1) the museum and its board did not endorse front-of-building installation and had concerns the proposed change would be "architecturally unrelated" to the historic fabric of the building; and (2) staff resources to manage a potentially conditional donation and perform technical non-destructive testing and installation coordination would take time and carry costs. Staff and several council members also noted the city's broader capacity constraints and competing priorities.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Amelia moved to decline the donation application; Councilmember Raul seconded. The motion passed unanimously by roll call (6-0-1 absent), effectively declining the donation application as submitted.

Ending: The City Council declined to accept the stained-glass butterfly window donation as presented. Supporters said they would pursue other options; staff will not be directed to expend further staff time to accommodate the gift under the conditions in the application.