00:00 Introduction
1:00 Mayor Kevin McDonnell
4:51 Councilwoman Janet Cader-Thompson
6:02 Poem by Jueletta, lifelong friend of Brian
7:20 Accordion fun sing-a-long "Alice taking a bath"
8:55 Brian's friend, Radio Host Josh Lande with (not so short) dedication
15:27 Brian Goggin shares his journey, views and thoughts
26:51 Mayor Kevin McDonnell formally cuts the red ribbon grand opening dedication for "Fine Balance"
27:44 Brian leads count-down illuminating the bathtub nightlights
At long last on September 8, 2024, the "Fine Balance" was completed, with the grand opening at the foot of H Street in Petaluma
28:25 Mingling with the crowd, thanking Mayor Kevin and Petaluma City Art Council chair Melissa Abercrombie
Installation of Fine Balance at the H Street Pocket Park started July 23, 2024.
The Water Street Public Art project began in December 2014 when City staff, at the direction of the Petaluma Public Art Committee (PPAC), issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ)/Request for Proposals (RFP), for the identified Water Street site.
PPAC assembled a selection panel containing community stakeholders to aid in incorporating revisions to the project’s call for artists and selection process. The call for artists was reopened in December 2016 with approximately 65 completed applications submitted during the second RFQ/RFP. The project's panel recommended two artists to the PPAC including David Best from Petaluma, CA and Brian Goggin from San Francisco, CA. Following interviews with the two selected artists, the PPAC ultimately selected Brian Goggin for the project. David Best was later commissioned by the PPAC to create an artwork for another site. More information about David Best's River Arch artwork commission on the Lynch Creek Trail can be found at the following link: cityofpetaluma.org/river-arch.
On August 7, 2017, Staff presented Brian Goggin as the selected artist for the Water Street Public Art project on behalf of the PPAC before City Council and recommended that they approve the Personal Service Agreement (PSA) to hire Goggin for the project. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the project's contract and process.
While Goggin developed his design proposal, community meetings were held to provide an opportunity for the public to interact with the artist and provide feedback on the community desires for Water Street, learn more about the goals and intent of the project, and provide comments on the role of public art in Petaluma. On February 22, 2018, Goggin presented his draft proposal of Fine Balance to the PPAC, which was unanimously approved by the Committee.
The approved Water Street Public Art project final site-specific concept was appealed by members of the public on March 12, 13, and 14 of 2019 via three appeal applications. The primary points cited in the appeals noted that the project is inconsistent with preserving Petaluma's Historic Downtown buildings and streetscapes and must be compatible with the historic character of the downtown. One appeal called for additional review and approval from other committees, including the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.
Fine Balance was presented before Petaluma City Council on September 16, 2019, where appellants presented their comments to the Council during the meeting. The Council carried out a 6-1 vote denying the three appeals filed and upholding the PPAC's approval of final design for Fine Balance in its proposed location. The Council determined that a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review would be required to move forward with the proposed project in the original Water Street location.
Fine Balance's location was considered at the PPAC on April 22, 2021, where subcommittee members, the PPAC, and Staff reviewed alternate sites for the proposed artwork at other locations provided by members of the public and Committee members. With a 4-3 vote, the PPAC approved moving forward with the EIR bid for the Water Street Public Art project with Goggin's approved concept in its original proposed location. This action was approved using the Public Art Fund for costs associated with the EIR process, which required review and approval by City Council.
At the December 5th, 2021 PPAC meeting, staff presented the findings from the project subcommittee and artist's site identification efforts, proposing new project sites of Water Street North and pocket parks located at the terminus of G Street and the terminus of H Street along the Petaluma River. The Committee approving the artist moving forward to develop a proposal for one or both of these sites for the project.