LTC 328-2025 Art in Public Places Committee Motions - July 15 2025.docxOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC # 328-2025 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
DATE: August 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Art in Public Places Committee Motions – July 15, 2025
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide an update regarding (3) three
motions made during the July 15, 2025, Art in Public Places (AiPP) Committee meeting.
Item 1: Flamingo Park:
On October 16, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2019-31038
requesting that the Art in Public Places (AiPP) committee allocate a portion of AiPP funds
appropriated from the Flamingo Park Youth Center (PAL Facility) G.O. Bond Project, or other
G.O. Bond Projects within Flamingo Park for the commission of a flamingo-related work of art to
be incorporated within Flamingo Park. AiPP funds are only available for appropriation once there
are contracts in place for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Subsequently, on September 11,
2024, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2024-33258 directing the
Administration to implement Resolution No. 2019-31038. Once the series of projects in Flamingo
Park led by CIP reached the appropriate development stage to enable access to funds, the
Tourism and Culture Department (TCD) issued a Call to Artists to design a flamingo-inspired work
of art for Flamingo Park. Following an internal staff review of the call for qualifications, the AiPP
Committee reviewed shortlisted applicants and motioned to recommend three (3) artists as semi-
finalist artists and invited them to submit formal proposals. The semi-finalist artists were Koichiro
Azuma, Naomi Fisher, and Atelier van Lieshout. All three (3) artists presented more detailed
proposals at the July 15, 2025, AiPP meeting.
Motion 1: The Art in Public Places Committee motions to approve “The Flamingo
Machine” by artist Koichiro Azuma as the selected public art proposal for Flamingo Park.
The above motion was made by Steve Berke, seconded by Nick D’Annunzio, and passed
by a 5-2 vote.
Subsequently, the Administration presented the AiPP-approved artwork titled "The Flamingo
Machine" for Flamingo Park to the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association (FPNA) during their
meeting on August 4, 2025. The FPNA reviewed the artwork recommended by the AiPP and
provided feedback, which the staff will discuss with the artists as they develop the final piece.
Item 2: Bust at Normandy Fountain:
During the February 3, 2025, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission referred
a discussion item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (“PSNQLC”),
to discuss an installation of a bust of General Don José de San Martin at the Normandy Fountain
Plaza. On June 11, 2025, PSNQLC Committee members deferred a decision on the bust for the
new proposed location at Normandy Fountain Plaza, for three months, pending AiPP feedback.
At the July 15, 2025, AiPP Committee, John Rebar, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented
additional details on the proposed installation of the bust and the proposed location. The AiPP's
recommendation, which shall only be advisory, is being transmitted to the city commission.
Motion 2: The Art in Public Places Committee motions to provide a favorable
recommendation on the appropriateness of the design for the bust of General Don Jose
de San Martin and the proposed location at Normandy Fountain Plaza.
The above motion was made by Nick D’Annunzio, seconded by Sara de los Reyes, and
passed unanimously.
Item 3: Bayshore Park:
During the May 20th, 2025, communicated via LTC#217-2025, the AiPP Committee motioned to
approve “The Bird House” proposal by artist Michele Oka Doner as the selected artwork for the
Bayshore Park project. Following subsequent structural evaluation of the suitability of the entry
plaza as the desired location to locate the work, the artist and her engineering team requested
that the AiPP Committee consider an alternate placement at Fairview Hill, due to the placement
of a signature tree at the original location.
Motion 3: The Art in Public Places Committee motions to approve the alternate site at
Fairview Hill for “The Bird House” public art proposal at Bayshore Park by artist Michele
Oka Doner.
The above motion was made by Nick D’Annunzio, seconded by Colette Mello, and passed
unanimously.
Members in attendance: Chair Nick D’Annunzio, Vice-Chair Steve Berke, Silvia Barisione, Colette
Mello, Direlia Lazo, O. Gustavo Plascencia, and Sara de los Reyes.
For more information, please contact Lissette García Arrogante, Director, Tourism and Culture
Department at lissettearrogante@miamibeachfl.gov or x26597.
cc: MH/LGA/FV/DB