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[UPDATE] Save Rainmaker
After discussion over the merits of the Rainmaker fountain the council unanimously voted to instruct the city staff to proceed with the appropriate procurement process to complete the Rainmaker Fountain.
Palm Springs City Council Agenda November 7, 2007
4.A. RAINMAKER FOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED IN FRANCES STEVENS PARK:
RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to proceed with the appropriate procurement process to complete Rainmaker Fountain repairs identified in the Waterline Studios assessment, and return to the City Council for funding and contract approval.
Ron Oden (Mayor), Steve Pougnet (Mayor Pro Tem), Ginny Foat (Councilmember), Mike McCulloch (Councilmember), Chris Mills (Councilmember), David Ready (City Manager)
We wish to thank David Ready, Mayor Ron Oden, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Pougnet, Councilmembers Ginny Foat, Chris Mills and Mike McCullochfor taking a positive step towards the Rainmaker Fountain. We understand that there are more hurdles ahead to bringing this Public Art piece back to it’s proper functionality and Friends of Public Art is committed to helping the City of Palm Springs make the repairs to the Rainmaker Fountain at Frances Stevens park at Alejo and Palm Canyon Drives in Palm Springs, CA.
David Aiken announces formation of 501c3 Friends of Public Art during public comments at Palm Springs City Council Meeting November 7, 2007 - pledging to help the city with repair costs. Friends of Public Art has already been able to raise pledges of up to $6,500 and we are gearing up for major fund raising.
Dear Friends of Public Art:
In the past 10 years Palm Springs has seen tremendous growth in the Public Arts, but circumstances have changed recently.
The Palm Springs Arts Commission has recently voted to decommission the Rainmaker Fountain; the gateway project unveiled in 2001 at Francis Steven Park. The Rainmaker Fountain with its two wands, four pour spouts, amphitheater, arroyo and pond have been in operation for the past 6 years.
The Palm Springs Arts Commission is charged with the responsibility of bringing art to public places and maintaing the art purchased by the city - for the use and pleasure of the citizens of Palm Springs.
The reason for the decommissioning? A lack of follow through in maintenance has caused problems in the mechanics that can be fixed - and the Commission - charged with making sure that the art pieces owned by the city are maintained does not want to pay for the maintenance.
An independent consultant, Dominic Shaw with Waterline Studies, hired by the city to evaluate the status of the fountain states, "The Fountain can be placed back in operation".
At this point City Manager David Ready will present to council a proposal in the next few days that the Rainmaker be repaired. The Palm Springs City Council meets on 11/7/07 and they need to hear your voice. Call or write the City of Palm Springs and Tell Them "You Like The Rainmaker!"
The Commission's action questions their commitment to Art in Public Places tenants.
Are they maintaining the other pieces in our collection? Will they decide to decommission other artwork because "they don't like it" or they "don't see the benefit".
Make your voice heard before it's to late!
Help us Save Rainmaker: Fill Out The Form Below
David Aiken
Friend of Public Art