Resolution 2023-32506 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32506
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE
AND THE CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL TO PURCHASE THE
STARCHILD SCULPTURE FROM FWY STUDIOS, INC., IN A TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $170,000.00, WITH THE INTENT THAT
THE WORK WILL REMAIN PERMANENTLY INSTALLED AT ITS
CURRENT LOCATION AT HENRY LIEBMAN SQUARE (WEST 41sT
STREET AND PINE TREE DRIVE); AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY
TO REMOVE AND RELOCATE THE 5G UTILITY POLE LOCATED IN
THE VICINITY OF "STARCHILD" SCULPTURE (IF POSSIBLE), SO AS
TO NOT OBSTRUCT THE VIEWS OF THE SCULPTURE.
WHEREAS, FriendsWithYou, an art collaboration of Samuel Borkson and Arturo
Sandoval III, produced StarChild (2022), the "Sculpture") as a temporary public art
installation for Miami Beach OnStage! arts and culture program; and
WHEREAS, Starchild is a 50-foot tall bright orange metal sculpture depicting the
main character in FriendsWithYou's newest body of work, a longform conceptual project
in which the artists are renaming the Earth to "Ocean" as a means to unify the planet;
and
WHEREAS, the City installed the Sculpture at Henry Liebman Square, 41st Street
and Pine Drive, where it has since remained; and
WHEREAS, following discussion by the Art in Public Places Committee and
Cultural Affairs Council (the "Committees"), the Committees recommended that the City
acquire the Sculpture as part of the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places Collection
in a not-to-exceed amount of$170,000; and
WHEREAS, there is $170,000 available in the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts
Council fund to finance the purchase of StarChild; and
WHEREAS, furthermore, there is a 5G utility pole in the vicinity of the Sculpture,
which poses an aesthetic threat to the artwork and may obstruct view of the Sculpture
from certain viewpoints; and
WHEREAS, if technically feasible, the 5G utility pole should be relocated to a
nearby location that will not compromise the public's ability to view the artwork; and
WHEREAS, initial estimates from the City's Public Works department suggest
that removing and relocating the 5G utility pole is a 6-9 month-long project, that will cost
between $50,000-$60,000; and
WHEREAS, in an event that the removal and relocation of the 5G utility pole
exceeds $75,000, the Mayor and City Commission authorize the City Administration to
place this item directly on the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee's agenda
for discussion and further action.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and
City Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Art in Public Places
Committee and the Cultural Arts Council to purchase the "StarChild" sculpture from
FWY Studios, Inc., in a total amount not-to-exceed $170,000.00, with the intent that
the work will remain permanently installed at its current location at Henry Liebman
Square (West 41st Street and Pine Tree Drive); and further, direct the Public.Works
Department to take the steps necessary to remove and relocate the 5G utility pole
located in the vicinity of "Star Child" sculpture (if possible), so as to not obstruct the
views of the sculpture.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this �a' day of brk��y 2023.
ATTEST:
?023 Dan Gelber, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
APPROVED AS TO
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
DATE: February 22, 2023
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE AND THE CULTURAL ARTS
COUNCIL TO PURCHASE THE STARCHILD SCULPTURE FROM FWY
STUDIOS, INC., IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $170,000.00, WITH
THE INTENT THAT THE WORK WILL REMAIN PERMANENTLY
INSTALLED AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION AT HENRY LIEBMAN SQUARE,
41ST STREET AND PINE TREE DRIVE, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140;
AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO
TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO REMOVE AND RELOCATE THE 5G
UTILITY POLE LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF "STARCHILD"
SCULPTURE, IF POSSIBLE, SO AS TO NOT OBSTRUCT THE VIEWS OF
THE SCULPTURE.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the February 22, 2023
Commission meeting.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The fiscal impact of this measure is $170,000.
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know"item, pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Page 363 of 1109
Sponsor
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
Page 364 of 1109