Submitted By: Emily Parkman
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Adopt Budget Resolution 2025-106 amending Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to appropriate grant funding from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation for a new mural on the downtown water tank in the amount of $15,000
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: In 2016, the downtown storage water tank at SE Watula Avenue and SE Fifth Street was utilized for a mural, "Natural Flow" (PA-MURA-004; 2023.13.1). The mural has been in place for eight years but has experienced significant degradation due to weathering along the southern half of the fa?ade, necessitating its replacement.
On August 7, 2024, the mural was approved for deaccession (removal) by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC), allowing a new mural to be installed while providing additional maintenance for the water tank. Before a new mural can be painted, the existing mural must be removed and the surface primed.
On August 27, 2024, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation awarded the City of Ocala a $15,000 grant for the water tank mural project (GRM/240986). Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO) also awarded the City $15,000 for the new mural. On October 07, 2024, a jury representing each partnering organization participated in the selection of the muralist for the project.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The collaboration between the partners and the City of Ocala highlights the power of public art and promotes continued community collaborations. Staff recommends approval of the grant.
FISCAL IMPACT: The water tank mural cost is $80,000 and will be funded with $50,000 from the General Fund, $15,000 from the FAFO, and $15,000 from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. The $50,000 in the General Fund is being carried forward from Fiscal Year 2023-24 in account 001-016-711-559-55-34010...
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