An Artsy Agenda

WAITSBURG - The City of Waits­burg is working hard to make their little burg even more appealing. The addition of art pieces to Main Street and at the site of the former Wait's Mill were among the more enjoyable topics of last week's City Council Meeting.

The Council approved entering into an Independent Consultant Agreement with former ArtWalla Executive Director Jeana Garske who will serve as a profes­sional consultant, working with Sher­wood Trust to secure funds for public art to adorn Main Street.

The City first approached Sherwood Trust for public art funds last year, hop­ing to add grant money to the funds left over from the 2008-09 Main Street streetscape. City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe said that Sherwood Trust was supportive but was concerned that the City did not have enough experience with public art. Realizing that they were short on time to meet the required deadlines, they withdrew their request.

Hinchliffe explained that the Trust has funds available each year and the City would like to try again under the experienced lead of Garske. "We greatly underestimated the cost of public art," said Hinchliffe. "Last time we asked for $50,000, this time we'll ask for $150,000."

Garske anticipates spending 10-15 hours on the application process, which will be paid from the General Fund if the grant is not approved. If funding is secured, Garske's fees will be paid from the grant and she will receive 10% as a contractor fee to oversee the project.

The council voted to approve the agreement with Garske, setting a gen­eral fund payment cap at $750. Deadline for the application process is March 1. "Hopefully this is a case where we spend some money to get some money," said councilman Kuykendall.

Another artsy item on Wednesday's agenda was an update on the Wait's Mill site. Original plans for a steel covered in­formational kiosk surrounding the mill's brick vault were scrapped in August when bids came in at over four times the initial estimate. Instead of a steel covering, the City is now considering a wooden enclo­sure consisting of four posts and a roof as well as a walkway. "The wood will tie in better with the mill," said City Clerk Hinchliffe. Informational panels will be attached to the sides of the vault. Hinchliffe said there are currently three contractors preparing bids on the structure.

Preparations are also un­der way to install the mill's water turbine - warped and bent in the fire that destroyed the mill - as the cornerstone of a new art piece at the site. McGregor Company has donated time to clean up the turbine which will stand on a concrete base. The Waitsburg High School metal class has volunteered to weld together the pieces that will highlight the many shafts and pulleys used to run the old mill. "The piece will bear a placard dedicating the art to the thou­sands of citizens who worked at the mill," said Hinchliffe.