Middleton arts committee approves RFQ draft for Pheasant Branch Trailhead sculpture, adds warranty and permit guidance

The Middleton Arts Committee voted unanimously on March 19 to accept a draft request for qualifications (RFQ) for a sculpture at the Pheasant Branch Trailhead, approving staff-suggested edits that add permit expectations, align travel reimbursements with city policy and introduce a negotiable warranty for the work.

Committee member Sebastian introduced the draft and said the group sought additional stakeholder and staff input before publishing. "Done is sometimes an illusion," he said, urging the committee to gather comments before final release. City-staff feedback added language to require the artist to include any permits in their budget and to link to the historic-district design guidelines; the RFQ lists a target completion year of 2027, with the month to be finalized as design proceeds.

JoLynn summarized the committee's edits and read proposed warranty language into the record: "providing a warranty not to be less than 2 years and not to exceed 5 years against defects in design, materials and workmanship, ensuring that the work can withstand reasonable environmental conditions without deterioration." Sebastian said a two-year warranty was his "best recommendation" given the committee's budget and typical variability in materials and fabrication.

Members also discussed site constraints that will be noted for proposers: a retaining wall and an electrical cabinet for future lighting may affect the final placement of the artwork. JoLynn said the Conservancy Lands Committee will review the RFP/RFQ at its next meeting; the Arts Committee agreed to share the draft with Conservancy members for comment but not to delay publication pending that review.

Elizabeth moved to accept the draft RFQ as amended; the chair seconded the motion and the committee voted unanimously to approve it. The committee instructed staff to update the RFQ materials for proposers with the latest site constraints and to include the warranty and permit language discussed.

Next steps: staff will publish the RFQ as approved, provide proposers an updated site information sheet as designs for the trail and retaining wall are finalized, and coordinate any comments from the Conservancy Lands Committee.