Title
Dept/ Agency: Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services
Action: (X) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Accepting a Gift
Gift: Bronze Monumental Statue of George P. Floyd, Jr.
Purpose: To gift the City of Newark with a statue of George P. Floyd, Jr.
Entity Name: Stanley J. Watts
Entity Address: 4850 S. Warehouse Road, Kearns, Utah 84118
Gift Value: $3,000,000.00
City Contribution: No municipal funds required
Other Funding Source/Amount: $0.00
Contract Period: December 21, 2022
Additional Information:
The Memorandum of Understanding for loan of the bronze monumental statute of George P. Floyd, Jr. was adopted by the Municipal Council as Resolution 7R1-a(S) on June 15, 2021.
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WHEREAS, Stanley J. Watts (the “Artist”) is a renowned sculptor 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 (the “City”) was hailed as one (1) 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 lb. Bronze Monumental Statue in Mr. Floyd’s likeness; and
WHEREAS, the Artist and the City of Newark (“the City”) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding approved by the Municipal Council on June 6, 2021 under Resolution 7R1-a(S), in which the Artist agreed to allow the City to loan and display the Statue for a year; and
WHEREAS, the Artist would like to allow the City to retain the statue despite the original loan agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Artist is gifting the City, the 700 lb. Bronze Monumental Statue of George P. Floyd, Jr. valued by the Artist at Three Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($3,000,000.00) with an all in cost to design, develop, and make of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000.00); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29, a local unit is authorized and empowered to accept bequests, legacies and gifts made to it and is empowered to utilize such bequests, legacies and gifts in the manner set forth in the conditions of the bequest, legacy or gift provided, however, that such bequest, legacy, or gift shall not be put to any use which is inconsistent with the laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, the Artist fully understands and agrees that he is not entitled to receive any direct benefit from the City in exchange for its gift; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to accept the gift of the 700 lb. Bronze Monumental Statue of George P. Floyd, Jr., pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29.
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 accept the gift of the 700 lb. Bronze Monumental Statue of George P. Floyd, Jr. from Stanley J. Watts, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29, with a value of $3,000,000.00 to be displayed within the City of Newark.
2. The Artist relinquishes all ownership rights to the City and the statute shall remain in the possession of the City until it deems fit.
3. No municipal funds will be expended for the acceptance of this gift.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator to accept the gift of a 700 lb. Bronze Monumental Statue of George P. Floyd, Jr. from Stanley J. Watts, 4850 S. Warehouse Road, Kearns, Utah 84118, valued at $3,000,000.00 with no municipal funds to be expended.