Item #05
Date: December 6, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Mayor Chris Branscum
Councilmember Stuart Gilchrist
Through: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Sponsorship of Cotton Rosser Bronze Statue Project Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) appropriate funds in the amount of $5,000 to sponsor a bronze Statue of Cotton Rosser in recognition of his contributions to the Marysville Community and the greater Yuba/Sutter region and 2) authorize the Finance Department to make a supplemental appropriation of $5,000 to 10-190-5270 (Sponsorships to Outside NGO’s).
Background:
Cotton Rosser was legendary in the professional rodeo world as the owner of the Flying U rodeo livestock contracting firm and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1995. He is equally legendary in his hometown of Marysville as an entrepreneur and owner of Flying U and Cotton’s Cowboy Corral western wear store. In 2021, a group of community leaders formed a committee led by the Yuba/Sutter Arts Council to develop designs and raise funds for the Cotton Rosser Bronze Statue project, the first large scale monument in the Yuba-Sutter region. The committee has raised just over $103,000 of the $270,000 budget required to move the project forward.
The bronze monument will be placed at Plaza Park, a City property located on 1st Street, adjacent to the Silver Dollar Saloon and Bok Kai temple. Plaza Park is in historic downtown Marysville where the region’s annual cattle drive ends each year. The park is the historic gateway to Marysville dating back to the ferry boat days. The cattle drive is the opening event of the annual Marysville Rodeo.
The project involves a total revamp of the park & creation of a 1 ¼ times life size bronze statue of Cotton on horseback doffing his hat to the crowd. Noted western artist, and former bull rider, Jeff Wolf who knew Cotton for decades, was chosen to create the sculpture. Mr. Wolf spent time with Cotton prior to his passing in order to get all the details of the statue correct. Jessamyn Lett, a landscape Architect, has collaborated on preliminary sketches the revamped Plaza Park site. Other improvements are expected to include landscaping, lighting, a decorative concrete base.
Item #05
Funding permitting, the molding of the bronze statue would begin in early 2023 and final assembly in July 2023. Site work at the park will begin in late July/early August of 2023. The project proponents are targeting the statue and associated park improvements to be in place by early September of 2023 in time for next year’s cattle drive and Marysville Stampede.
Most recently two anonymous major donors have come forward with a challenge grant offering $75,000 as a match for every dollar raised by December 31st, 2022. The community must raise the entire match of $75,000 for the project to receive the matching funds. The Committee has raised $13,000 since October 1, 2022 against the matching grant.
Discussion & Analysis:
This project provides public benefit to the City of Marysville by preserving local history, helping to engage and build community, fostering a sense of pride with the City and region, attracting tourism, boosting the downtown business economy and enhancing City parks. Since there will be a total noncity investment of $265,000 to enhance a City park with historical artwork and a private donor is willing to match donations, staff recommends a sponsorship of $5,000 toward this project.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
This Agenda Item helps support Goal #2: Expand Economic Development; and Goal #5: Support Parks & Recreation.
Fiscal Analysis:
This effort will be funded through the General Fund. Staff is recommending authorizing the Finance Department to make a supplemental appropriation of $5,000 to 10-190-5270 (Sponsorships to Outside NGO’s). The funds in the amount of $5,000 will help to sponsor a bronze statue of Cotton Rosser in recognition of his contributions to the Marysville Community and the greater Yuba/Sutter region. This contribution will be contingent upon the $5,000 being matched at 100% by the private, anonymous donor, the project being fully funded in an amount of $270,000, and the project completed by December 31st, 2023.
Attachment:
1) Resolution 2022-XX