Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration
Action: (X) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Memorandum of Understanding/Public Arts Loan Agreement
Gift: Bronze Monumental Statute of George P. Floyd, Jr.
Purpose: To provide the City of Newark with the Public Arts Loan of the Statute of George P. Floyd, Jr.
Entity Name: Stanley J. Watts
Entity Address: 4850 S. Warehouse Road, Kearns, Utah 84118
Gift Value: $0.00
City Contribution: $0.00
Other Funding Source/Amount: $0.00
Contract Period: June 14, 2021 through June 13, 2022
Additional Information:
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Whereas, Stanley J. Watts (the “Artist”) is a renowned sculptor and sole owner of the monumental statue of George Perry Floyd, Jr. (hereinafter “the Statue”); and
WHEREAS, George P. Floyd, Jr. was a forty-six (46) year-old African-American man who on May 25, 2020, to the great horror and sadness of the African-American community, the nation and the world, was needlessly murdered at the hands of the police in Minneapolis, Minnesota during an arrest after one (1) of the four (4) police officers knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck and back for a period of 9 minutes and 29 seconds; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Floyd’s unwarranted death at the hands of police sparked a worldwide protest of Black Lives Matter and protests against the use of excessive force by police and police brutality; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark was hailed as one of the few cities in the nation where protests following Mr. Floyd’s death did not result in significant property destruction and/or personal injury; the police and the community worked together; and
WHEREAS, to remember and honor the memory of George P. Floyd, Jr. and for the sole purpose of bringing healing and peace to our nation, the Artist sculpted a 700 pound bronze statue in Mr. Floyd’s likeness; and
WHEREAS, the Artist would like to loan the City of Newark this Statue for a period of one (1) year from its arrival, as this item is on loan to the City, and N.J.S.A. 40:10-1 is not applicable in regards to the Statue becoming property to the municipality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, are authorized on behalf of the City, to enter into and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Stanley J. Watts (the “Artist”), and the City of Newark (the “City”); for the Artist to loan the City his 700 pound bronze statue of George P. Floyd, Jr. (the “Statue”) to be displayed in a mutually agreed upon place within the City of Newark.
2. This MOU shall remain in force and effect from June 14, 2021 through June 13, 2022, unless terminated earlier.
3. The Statue will be on loan to the City for a period not to exceed one (1) year.
4. The Municipal Council ratifies its authorization from June 14, 2021 to the date of adoption of this authorizing resolution.
5. No municipal funds will be expended to enter into this MOU.
6. A copy of the fully executed MOU and all attachments shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator.
STATEMENT
This resolution ratifies and authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator to enter into and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Stanley J. Watts, sculptor, for the loan of Mr. Watts’s 700 pound bronze monumental statute of George P. Floyd, Jr., to commence on June 14, 2021 until June 13, 2022 and shall not exceed one (1) year, unless terminated earlier.