Exhibit 1 - Agenda Information SheetCity of Denton
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Procurement & Compliance
ACM: David Gaines
DATE: December 7, 2020
SUBJECT
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation,
authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Dina L. Fisher for art design and production
services for the Public Art sculpture installation to be located at Industrial Street Park, 108 Industrial Street;
providing for the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (RFQ 7265-001 – awarded
to Dina L. Fisher, in the not-to exceed amount of $80,000).
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
Summary of the history and work of DWIF
The Denton Women’s Interracial Fellowship (DWIF) emerged in the early 1960s in response to the
challenges of strained race relations in Denton, particularly as they related to newly integrated schools. The
shared experience of motherhood strengthened the bond among the group members and propelled them to
act to challenge stereotypes and further interracial cooperation.
The efforts of DWIF members had a significant impact on the lives of black Denton residents. After Denton
High School was integrated and Fred Douglass/Fred Moore High School was closed in 1963, the members
helped transport black children to and from the newly integrated high school, because the high school was
far away from where most black residents lived. The members also held tutoring sessions for black students
who were struggling in the new school. These efforts led to higher enrollments of black students at Denton
High School.
Additionally, the DWIF made it a priority to increase black political participation in all levels of
government. Periodically, they would send black and white pairs of fellowship members door to door to
assist residents in registering to vote. They also volunteered to drive black residents to and from polls to
increase turnout. This commitment to increase black political participation led to more and more black
candidates running for local and state positions and increased the trust that black Dentonites had in the
political system.
Fellowship members also focused on the conditions of daily life that separated black and white Denton
residents. Basic services like paved streets, sidewalks, and water or sewer systems had been long absent in
black areas of the City. Through regular door to door canvassing, exposure of the racist practices of certain
white landlords and the circulation of petitions, the DWIF was able to secure the improvement and
enlargement of existing water and sewer systems and the paving of all streets in predominantly black areas
of the City. Through these concerted efforts, members of the DWIF worked to ensure that black residents
received the same services as white residents.
Prior Review
October 8, 2019 – City Council work session meeting, the pending requests work session item included a
request presented from Council Member Paul Meltzer for a discussion to recognize the DWIF. City Council
requested additional information on the history of the DWIF to determine what would be the best path
forward to engage the public and develop options for recognition.
January 28, 2020 – City Council meeting, Council Member Paul Meltzer presented a request to the full
Council regarding consideration of a monument to the Denton Women’s Interracial Fellowship. Following
discussion, the consensus of the City Council was to refer the item to the Public Art Committee to determine
interest in a memorial.
March 5, 2020 – The Public Art Committee (PAC) provided direction to move forward with this project,
but requested staff follow up on possible locations, including the park being developed at Rayzor Ranch,
Industrial Street Park, and Fred Moore Park/American Legion Hall, and provided direction that the piece
should be realistic representations of the women involved.
June 22, 2020 – PAC appointed Michelle Lynn, Alicia Eggert, and Georgina Ngozi to the project
subcommittee for artist selection.
September 25, 2020 – Subcommittee approves moving forward with the proposal by artist Dina Fisher.
October 20, 2020 – City Council approved an ordinance to execute an agreement with the Texas
Commission on the Arts for an Arts Respond-Cultural District Program Grant in the amount of $28,000 for
the period of September 1, 2020 through August 21, 2021.
October 21, 2020 – Public meeting with members of the Denton Women’s Interracial Fellowship. The
project art proposal and location were discussed. Members present unanimously approved the art concept.
The members considered the Fred Moore Park vs. Industrial Park location options. Members unanimously
chose the Industrial Park location due to higher foot traffic and better parking. There were twelve people in
attendance.
PAC reviewed and approved the project art concept and expense in their meeting held October 22, 2020.
The approval was for the art concept (7-0). The approval for the Industrial Park location was (6-1).
With the desired location from members of the DWIF being Industrial Park, this does increase the site
development costs. Phase 1 of the project will be the construction and installation of the artwork with full
accessibility to the public. This phase is anticipated to cost $100,000 with $80,000 being the art work and
$20,000 estimated for the foundation and miscellaneous site improvements. Phase 2, while no concept has
been finalized, it is anticicpated that this would occur within the next 1-2 years. This phase will consist of
lighting, grading, irrigation, and additional site work. The final cost for this phase is yet to be determined,
but staff is working on this diligently in order to finalize anticipated costs and to secure additional funding.
Request for Qualifications for public art projects was solicited using the City’s formal solicitation process.
City Council approved a pre-qualified list of artist services firms on April 7, 2020 (Ordinance 20-726).
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 7, 2020, Council approved RFQ 7265 for a prequalified list of artists for public art projects
(Ordinance 20-726).
RECOMMENDATION
Award a conract with Dina L Fisher, for art design and production services for the Public Art sculpture
installation to be located in Industrial Park at 108 Industrial Street, in a not-to-exceed amout of $80,000.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS
Dina L. Fisher
Chatsworth, CA
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
This project will be started upon approval with a completion date by June 30, 2021.
FISCAL INFORMATION
The project is funded from Hotel Occupancy Tax funds dedicated to Public Art and a grant from Texas
Commission on the Arts.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Agenda Information Sheet
Exhibit 2: Presentation
Exhibit 3: Ordinance and Contract
Respectfully submitted:
Lori Hewell, 940-349-7100
Purchasing Manager
For information concerning this acquisition, contact: Gary Packan, 940-349-7460.
Legal point of contact: Marcella Lunn at 940-349-8333.