Bothell Arts Commission to recommend reserving up to $90,000 in 1% public-art funds for Cedar Grove Park and permanent acquisition

The Bothell Arts Commission on Jan. 15 agreed to advance recommendations to the City Council to prioritize public-art spending tied to Cedar Grove Park, a utility-box pilot in Snohomish County and the possible purchase of a temporary installation called "Fishing Frog."

During a public-art update, D McGee, the city’s art liaison and tourism manager, told commissioners that the city’s dedicated 1% for public art account currently holds $177,673. McGee recommended setting aside roughly $80,000 of that funding for a sculpture at Cedar Grove Park and using about $10,000 to acquire Fishing Frog for the permanent collection. McGee said staff would also ask council for up to $50,000 in general-fund dollars to launch a pilot for vinyl-wrapped utility boxes in Snohomish County. "We currently have 177,673 available that is in this savings account," McGee said, describing the account as separate from the city’s general fund.

Why it matters: setting aside funds now lets staff begin conversations with designers and with council while recognizing costs may shift. Commissioners stressed that the dollar figures are preliminary and that more detailed maintenance, insurance and contract terms would be developed before any purchase or long-term commitment. Commissioner Hillary Long said she was hesitant to lock in exact amounts too early, urging staff to collect more detail on construction costs and maintenance before finalizing numbers: "I don't think we need a true dollar amount. We don't know what other monies are coming in or could be at play," Long said.

What the commission recommended: Commissioners signaled support for forwarding the following to council for consideration: reserving up to $80,000 of 1% funds for an art installation at Cedar Grove Park; requesting up to $50,000 in general-fund seed money for a utility-box wrap pilot (estimated wrap cost $6,000–$10,000 per box plus artist stipends); and pursuing formal acquisition of Fishing Frog for about $10,000, contingent on a maintenance and insurance plan. Staff said details such as call-to-artist timing and contract provisions would be finalized later and presented to council with those contingencies.

Background and next steps: McGee presented ordinance-based eligibility rules for the 1% program—city-funded capital projects above $50,000 and above-ground scope typically qualify—and explained nuances such as exclusion of certain grant-funded portions of projects. The commission agreed to send the recommendation to the City Council as part of the commission’s upcoming council update; staff will return with specifics on maintenance plans, insurance responsibilities and an updated cost estimate prior to any purchase or contract execution.

The commission took no binding spending vote at the Jan. 15 meeting; it elected to forward the recommendation to council for formal authorization. The commission adjourned after routine closing business.