Please do not put murals along Huron Parkway. Do not do something that distracts from the serene natural beauty of the valley, the river and the trees. The few pedestrians and cyclsist who pass by might enjoy it, but the key word is “few”. It’s bad enough the the Driesetl fountain is located on the busiest street in the city where drivers should not be distracted and pedestrians will feel constrained by having to cross Huron St to see it. Like I’ve said before, it was an incredibly un-creative idea to put yet another (expensive) fountain in front of yet another (ugly) municipal building.

Discussing art for the FRS makes it seem like the parking structure for UM hospital on public land is already a done deal. Aren’t they putting the (c)art before the horse?

Two years ago Council member Taylor attempted to draft such a policy, first for the Council and then, perhaps, one that could apply to appointed members of boards and commissions.

Council members currently need to request permission from the Council-as-a-whole in order to recuse themselves for conflicts, and then can only request such recusal if they could benefit materially (financially) and directly from an action Council is about to take.

Many on and off Council would like to implement a better ethics policy, but have not been able to create one that is clear, succinct, and meets the types of situations that cause concern (beyond direct financial benefit, that is).

I can’t remember if it speaks to the idea of public art.

1:836. – Ownership and maintenance of work.

(1) No work of art shall be considered for acquisition under this chapter without an estimate for future maintenance costs.

(2) Routine maintenance of public art shall be provided for and funded by the service area responsible for maintenance of the facility or space where the art is located. Routine maintenance shall include periodic cleaning, regular mechanical maintenance, operational costs and other necessary upkeep resulting from normal use. Funds for extraordinary maintenance or refurbishment, including structural reconstruction, shall be drawn from the public art funds. No extraordinary maintenance, repair, relocation or alteration of public art shall be undertaken without prior written consent of the oversight body.

(3) All art acquired pursuant to this chapter shall be the sole property of the city unless an alternative arrangement is recommended by the Oversight Body and approved by city council.

No, I really want to pay for my own sidewalk repairs and not be refunded the cost, vote to increase my taxes for sidewalk repair with no guarantee the money will be dedicated solely to that purposes AND have art money taken off the top for brilliantly ugly future projects like ‘art’ along the river, murals along Huron Parkway and more parks, if the West Park model is followed, turned into cartoon-like jokes. But if AAPAC and City Council needs to ‘bask in some glory’ then I guess it’s ok.