Commission debates site for Milking Time cow sculpture; theft, safety concerns slow recommendation

Members of the Cerritos Fine Arts and Historical Commission discussed possible sites and safety considerations for the forthcoming Milking Time bronze sculpture and did not finalize a recommendation.

Kathy, a city staff member, told commissioners the City Council had considered two potential locations — Civic Center plazas and Cerritos Park East — and that council staff expressed a preference for placing the sculpture in one of the raised landscaped areas outside the library. Kathy said council direction favored a prominent site in the civic center but that a final selection had not been made.

Commissioner Cobble said she preferred a location next to the Cerritos city monument sign, describing it as an open, visible space with fewer neighboring sculptures. Several commissioners and staff raised security and safety concerns: Kathy said theft of outdoor art and metal elements has been a growing problem in other areas and that the city is worried about people climbing on the artwork, potential falls and liability. Staff noted the sculpture’s footprint would be roughly 6.5 feet by 8.5 feet and figures would be cast at about 110% life size; the cow itself was described as approximately 5 feet tall and the standing male figure about 6 feet 7 inches if upright.

A motion to recommend a specific location was made and seconded during the discussion, but the motion was withdrawn and no formal recommendation was forwarded to the City Council at this meeting.

Why it matters: site selection will determine public access, supervision and possible security measures; commissioners and staff emphasized visibility for photography and the risk of theft or climbing-related injury.

Staff and commissioners agreed to continue to study locations and to return when the artwork arrives or when the council provides final site direction.