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RESOLUTION NO. R-1314-128: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, APPROPRIATING $25,000 FROM THE ROOM TAX FUND BALANCE TO BE USED BY THE PUBLIC ARTS BOARD FOR THE PUBLIC PARKS DUCK PROJECT AND FOR PUBLIC ART TO BE PLACED IN DOWNTOWN NORMAN.
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BACKGROUND: Pursuant to the Norman City Code, Section 8-521 (et. Seq.), the City Council has established a policy whereby room tax collections are distributed to three organizations to further the aims of the Transient Guest (Hotel/Motel) Room Tax after retaining 3% for the City's administrative costs: the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau (50%); the Parks Department for parks capital improvement projects (25%); and the Norman Arts Council (25%). The Norman Arts Council (NAC) has used its allocations to fund programs through "sub-grant" organizations and through direct sponsorships to promote the visual and performing arts in Norman.
On August 28, 2007, the Council established the Art in Public Places program as a means to fund the acquisition, maintenance and repair of works of art to be displayed on City property.
It is projected that as of June 30, 2014, the arts and humanities portion of the Room Tax will have an estimated fund balance of $109,408. Assuming that eight percent (8%) of projected allocations are held in reserve (as is the policy for most City funds), approximately $79,309 would be available in excess reserves for arts-related expenditures.
DISCUSSION: As discussed in the attached letter from NAC Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan, The Norman Arts Council Board of Directors has requested an appropriation of $25,000 of available Room Tax Fund balance to be transferred to the Arts in Public Places program for the continuation of the Public Parks Duck Project and for public sculptures to be placed in the 200-300 blocks of West Main Street in downtown Norman. The works of art would be chosen through a Request for Proposal process administered by the City o...
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