HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2023-120 N.C.S. 08/07/2023
Resolution No. 2023-120 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2023-120 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
APPROVING EXPENDITURE FROM THE PUBLIC ART FUND FOR ACQUISITION,
INSTALLATION, AND CONSERVATION OF SELECTED ARTWORKS FROM THE MARY
FULLER MCCHESNEY ESTATE
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2013, the City Council of the City of Petaluma adopted the Petaluma Public Art
Master Plan (Resolution 2013-064 N.C.S.), created by the Petaluma Public Art Committee with consultant
Chandra Cerrito/Art Advisors LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Public Art Master Plan includes detailed recommendations for enhancing
Petaluma’s public art program, including the commission and acquisition of public artworks using the Public Art
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Public Art Master Plan states that artwork commissions and acquisition by the
City should be compatible with the goals of the Public Art Program and should be evaluated by the Petaluma
Public Art Committee to allocate funding from the Public Art Fund on the basis of the criteria specific in section
18.120 of the Public Art Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Public Art Master Plan outlines 65% of the annual use of the Public Art Fund should be
used for the purposes of, “Artwork acquisitions and commissions for public property”; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2022, local and acclaimed Petaluma artist Mary Fuller McChesney passed away,
leaving a large volume of her created sculptures and other artworks with her estate executors Dennis Calabi and
Jean Sinella; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma Public Art Committee directed staff to inquire with the McChesney Estate
executors about possible acquisition of available works to add to the City of Petaluma Public Art Program’s
collection; and
WHEREAS, staff and ad hoc subcommittees of the Petaluma Public Art Committee coordinated site visits to
view available artworks from the McChesney Estate at the estate executors residences, the former residence of
Mary Fuller McChesney, and a public exhibition of available artworks by McChesney at the Astro Motel located
in Santa Rosa, CA; and
WHEREAS, at subsequent Petaluma Public Art Committee meetings in 2022 and 2023, the Committee
discussed various combinations of potential McChesney artworks for acquisition, including themes of different
artworks as well as their appropriateness in a permanent public display and ongoing maintenance, and provided
input to staff about public locations for possible installation of selected sculptures; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2023, Mary Fuller McChesney Estate executors Dennis Calabi and Jean Sinella
joined the Petaluma Public Art Committee for a discussion about available artworks and the process for
acquisition, including confirming the pricing and condition of selected artworks; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2023, the Petaluma Public Art Committee unanimously recommended that the
Petaluma City Council approve a $100,000 expenditure from the Public Art Fund for the purposes of purchase,
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Resolution No. 2023-120 N.C.S. Page 2
installation, conservation, and other related project expenses required for the acquisition of selected works from
the Mary Fuller McChesney Estate; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2023, the Petaluma Public Art Committee created an ad hoc subcommittee to work
with staff and the McChesney Estate executors to finalize the selected artworks for acquisition and recommend
site locations for their curation and installation on public, city-controlled property; and
WHEREAS, this action of approving a $100,000 expenditure of the Public Art Fund for the purposes of
acquiring selected artworks from the Mary Fuller McChesney estate is categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) which
includes minor alterations to existing facilities that will involve negligible or no expansion of use, 15303 (New
Construction) which includes installation of new small structures, and 15311 (Accessory Structures) which
includes construction or placement of minor structures which are appurtenant to existing commercial, industrial,
and institutional facilities; and
WHEREAS, on August 7, 2023, the Petaluma City Council approved this Resolution after reviewing and
considering the staff report and comments from the public, staff, and applicants, approving the
recommendation by the Petaluma Public Art Committee of a $100,000 expenditure from the Public Art
Funds for the purposes of acquiring selected artworks from the Mary Fuller McChesney Estate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference as findings of the Petaluma
City Council.
2. The Petaluma City Council approves the recommended amount of $100,000 by the Petaluma Public Art
Committee to acquire selected artworks from the Mary Fuller McChesney Estate to add to the City of
Petaluma Public Art Program’s collection and directs City staff to execute required contracting and logistics
for installation, transportation, and conservation of the selected works in coordination with the Petaluma
Public Art Committee.
3. Based on its review of the entire record herein, including the August 7, 2023 Petaluma City Council staff
report, all supporting, referenced, and incorporated documents and all comments received and foregoing
findings, the City Council hereby authorizes the Petaluma Public Art Committee to commit public art funds
to the acquisition of selected Mary Fuller McChesney artworks and the necessary contracting and logistics
needed for their transportation, installation, and conservation as described in the submitted project proposal
and other required documentation acceptable to the City Attorney and City Risk Manager.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 7th day of August 2023,
by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: McDonnell, Barnacle, Cader Thompson, Healy, Nau, Pocekay, Shribbs
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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