Arts commission recommends Sonoma Valley Fire District’s 9/11 memorial to council without city funding; forms public art toolkit ad hoc

The Sonoma City Arts Commission unanimously voted to recommend the Sonoma Valley Fire District’s proposed 9/11 memorial for consideration by the City Council, but the commission declined to recommend using money from the city’s public art fund at this time.

Bob Norbaum, presenting for the Sonoma Valley Fire District, said a piece of steel from the World Trade Center was secured by the district and is currently stored at Fire Station 1. "We were notified that there was a salvage company in the East Bay that had pieces of steel left over from the World Trade Center," Norbaum said, and the department proposed installing the steel with a memorial wall, a bell to signal the last alarm tradition, seating and lighting at the station.

Norbaum and the district said the preliminary design work was donated by the artist and that the department’s Volunteer Firefighter Association, a 501(c)(3), is committed to funding much of the project’s cost. Staff and the presenter said additional steps remain before installation, including engineering, building permits, electrical work and final cost estimates. A preliminary estimate discussed in the meeting was roughly $57,000; Norbaum said the figure likely can be reduced and later said he expected final costs to be under $50,000, but he clarified that engineering and other requirements could change the total.

After discussion about process, maintenance and funding, Commissioner [motion-maker not specified in the record] moved to recommend the project to City Council without recommending public art fund support. The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call (yes: Commissioner Kirschner; Commissioner Momson; Vice Chair Knudson; Chair Schilling; Youth Member Brown).

The commission made two additional related decisions: it formed an ad hoc committee to develop a public art toolkit and supplemental resources, and it voted to continue consideration of forming a Fourth of July parade ad hoc committee to the commission’s next meeting. The toolkit ad hoc was approved with three appointed members: Lauren Kershner, Meredith Knudson and Connie Shlailene (motion and roll call passed unanimously). The Fourth of July item was continued to the next meeting by unanimous vote.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the project would sit on city property—Fire Station 1—and that the Sonoma Valley Fire District would accept responsibility for maintenance. Staff said the commission’s recommendation would go to City Council, which has final authority. Commissioners asked staff to return with budget and timing details later if the applicant seeks a public art fund contribution.

The commission’s vote does not itself allocate city funds; it forwards the project to the City Council for its consideration. The presenter said the district intends to proceed with engineering and permitting work while fundraising continues.