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Monroe Council approves up to $40,000 for painted crosswalk public-art project
Summary
The Monroe City Council authorized contracting with local artist Presley Bergmoser to install six painted crosswalk murals, contingent on a matching grant application to the Michigan Fitness Foundation for an additional $20,000.
The Monroe City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a proposal to paint six crosswalks as public art and pedestrian-safety features, authorizing up to $40,000 for the project and directing staff to execute the agreement.
City Manager David Robinson told the council the project would use the city's annual $20,000 public-art allocation from the capital improvement program and a pending $20,000 grant from the Michigan Fitness Foundation. “We are looking basically today for you to approve, us being authorized not to exceed $40,000 to do this in order to contract with [the] proposal from Presley Bergmuller Moser for the 6 crosswalks,” Robinson said.
The council packet included six proposed crosswalk locations. Robinson said one proposed site is the crosswalk at Saint Mary's Park between Saint Mary Catholic Central High School and the park, and that the plan would include a community “paint-by-numbers” event in May or June if the grant is secured. Director Egan of communications said the city received 19 proposed crosswalk designs and is planning community engagement around the installations; she described the program as expanding an existing pedestrian-safety partnership and public-art effort.
Councilwoman Jermaine moved to accept the artist proposal; Councilwoman Stilgrave seconded. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from all members present: Hader, Stilgrave, Vining, Jermaine, Felder and Mayor Clark.
Robinson said the Michigan Fitness Foundation grant is not yet final and the budget amendment to allocate the full $40,000 would be completed if and when the grant is awarded. The motion authorized the city manager to execute the artist agreement and authorized the assistant city manager and finance director to amend the budget upon grant approval and 2025–26 CIP adoption.
The project blends the city's public-art appropriation with a potential outside grant to both create public art and reinforce pedestrian-safety messages developed under the city's 2022 memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Fitness Foundation. Council members did not amend the proposed locations or scope during the vote.
If the grant is approved and the budget amended, the administration said it plans a community painting event timed before one of the city's summer concerts.
Votes at a glance: Motion to accept Presley Bergmoser's proposal for six crosswalk public-art installations, not to exceed $40,000 — mover: Councilwoman Jermaine; seconder: Councilwoman Stilgrave; outcome: approved (6–0).
