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Monmouth council directs fundraising for new Public Square centerpiece, votes to remove fountain
Summary
Council voted to direct resident proponent Sarah Walters to pursue fundraising and development for a privately funded metal centerpiece to replace the downtown fountain; Walters estimated a $30,000 manufacturing bid and said installation and conversion of the pool would be included in fundraising.
Council members on Nov. 4 voted to direct Sarah Walters to move forward with fundraising and development of a proposed metal centerpiece that would replace the fountain in Monmouth’s Public Square.
Walters, who previously presented the concept to the council, told members the proposal would convert the fountain pool into a flower bed and install a motorized maple-leaf sculpture illuminated at night. Walters said the vendor’s bid to manufacture and install the centerpiece, including lighting and moving parts, was about $30,000 and that she intended to seek donations from civic groups, foundations, businesses and residents so the city would incur no cost.
Council members asked about the Rotary Club’s role and whether previously donated commemorative bricks would be repurposed. Walters said she had met Rotary representatives and that the club had not taken a formal position; she proposed repurposing donor bricks in another downtown feature.
After brief discussion and acknowledgment that the fountain base would remain while the water feature would be removed for the sculpture, the council took a roll-call vote and approved the motion to allow Walters to proceed with fundraising and further development. The motion carried with one council member recorded as voting no.
The council did not commit city funds; Walters said the project would move forward only if sufficient private donations were raised. Next steps discussed included gathering detailed cost estimates and coordinating installation plans if fundraising succeeds.
