Council assured statue is not a risk

Following a number of questions about city liability, the City Council approved a contract Monday for creation of a bronze statue to go downtown on Fourth Street.

The $34,000 contract is actually between the Orland Arts Commission and Napa sculptor Carl Ciliax, who plans to make a 6-foot bronze of a cowboy sitting on a stock horse for the commission.

Once the bronze is finished and installed near the intersection with Walker Street, the city will assume ownership, officials said.

Arts Commissioner Rae Turnbull said fundraising for the project is under way and it is to be paid for strictly by donations from local citizens, businesses and civic groups.

The project is to be done in three stages with $14,000 for materials due before the bronze is started and $10,000 due at the beginning of casting.

A final payment of $10,000 will be paid when the patina or exterior finish is put on at the completion of the project, the contract states.

Turnbull said the artist is taking a risk if the donations do not come in since the project cannot move forward without them.

She assured council members the city would not be held liable if the money is not raised and added Ciliax would simply stop work and wait until funds were available before he continued.

City Attorney Greg Einhorn said the contract expressly states the city will not be liable for the costs.

Her husband, George Turnbull, will coordinate the project and sign the contract, she said.

Councilman Dennis Hoffman asked about the liability if someone were to run into it with a car.

Turnbull said the commission has insurance and would pick up a $1,000 deductible on it.

However, the statue should be as safe in the middle of Fourth Street as it would be at any other location, she said.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.