Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	May 2, 2013
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
RE:	Bowersock Mills & Power Company Sculpture Placement Request

The City is in receipt of a request from the Bowersock Mills & Power Company to place a sculpture on City property on the Kansas River levee near the new Bowersock power house.  The request includes a photograph of the sculpture.  Bowersock officials have indicated that they would pour a permanent pad for the sculpture, and maintain it.  They desire to be able to have it on display in a temporary manner for their upcoming ribbon cutting event on May 10, 2013, but also have it placed more permanently at that location.

The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission reviewed this request at its meeting on May 1, 2013.  At the meeting, the LCAC passed a unanimous motion recommending approval for a temporary display for the grand opening event but expressed concerns related to the preservation and safety of the installation if it were placed more permanently.  Specifically, it was noted that the sculpture would likely deteriorate rather quickly if it were unsealed driftwood and there have been climbing issues with other sculptures placed with the Downtown Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. 

Suggested Action:  Approve the placement of the sculpture in accordance with Bowersock Mills & Power Company’s request and authorize the City Manager to enter into a letter of agreement requiring the future maintenance of the sculpture by Bowersock and the ability of the City to have the sculpture removed in the future, if necessary.  This would enable its removal if safety concerns (such as climbing the sculpture) were noted.