A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLORE LINCOLN ROAD AND WASHINGTON AVENUE AS POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR AN ART INSTALLATION THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS REQUESTED BY THE LGBTQ ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND, REFERRING A DISCUSSION OF THE POTENTIAL FUNDING AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR SUCH ART INSTALLATION TO THE FINANCE AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE.

Accept the recommendation of the Neighborhood Community Affairs Committee (NCAC) authorizing City administration to explore Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue as potential locations for an art installation that celebrates diversity subject to the discussion of potential funding sources and budget which is scheduled to be heard at the  Finance and Citywide Projects Committee. 

BACKGROUND

On May 17, 2017, a discussion item was placed on the City Commission meeting agenda regarding a public art installation that celebrates diversity in our community, as requested by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee. The item was referred to the Art in Public Places Committee.

On November 21, 2017, the Art in Public Places Committee met and reviewed the request, per referral from the City Commission, to discuss a public art installation that celebrates diversity in our community as requested by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee. The Art in Public Places Committee made a unanimous motion to defer the item until a funding source and funding amount is identified and provided to the Art in Public Places Committee.

At the April 11, 2018 City Commission meeting, a dual referral was placed by Commissioner  Steinberg to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee and the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee to discuss moving forward with an art installation that celebrates diversity in our community, as requested by the LGBTQ Advisory Committee.

At the September 26, 2018 NCAC meeting, Gayle Durham, a member of the LGBTQ Advisory, stated the creation of an art installation should celebrate the past, present and future diversity in the City of Miami Beach. Ms. Durham recommended that the art installed be located on Lincoln Road and Convention Center Park as a secondary preferred location. Ocean Drive would not be a desirable location because of the “heavy party scene” it would not be dignified for such an important symbol. Ms. Durham also stated that the art installation could be anything from a light show, street furniture or interactive video.

THE NCAC did not recommend the Convention Center Park as a location given that a public art piece "Melting Pool" by is already programmed for Convention Center Park.

The Committee recommended City administration explore Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue as potential locations for the art installation, subject to the discussion of potential funding sources (including future capital projects that generate Art in Public Places funding) and budget which is scheduled to be heard at the  Finance and Citywide Projects Committee.