HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11 - Bronze Sculpture MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: JULY 21, 2026
SUBJECT: CONSIDER THE DESIGN, CREATION, DELIVERY,AND INSTALLATION
OF THE "JEFF THE HORSE" BRONZE SCULPTURE
RECOMMENDATION: Consider approval of a sole -source agreement for the design, fabrication,
delivery and installation of the "Jeff the Horse" bronze sculpture with
sculptor John Rule, an ordinance to appropriate funds, and authorize the
City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
FUNDING SOURCE: Funds are available in the Special Revenue Fund (Public Art) in an
estimated amount of$103,700.
BACKGROUND: George E. Bushong was one of Grapevine's early settlers, building the
first Grist Mill, Cotton Gin and establishing the first bank. The Bushong
Cabin remains one of the City's most significant historic structures
reflecting 19th century Grapevine. Historical records indicate that Jeff the
Horse played an important role in Mr. Bushong's daily life and travel
throughout Texas and Louisiana.
The proposed sculpture will provide visitors with a meaningful visual
connection to the Bushong family and further enhance the educational
interpretation of the historic site. Positioned in front of the Bushong Cabin,
the sculpture will create an engaging focal point for residents, school
groups, heritage tourism visitors, and attendees of community events.
John Rule's sculptures are recognized for their ability to capture both the
quiet character and dynamic movement of western subjects while
maintaining exceptional historical accuracy and artistic realism. His
reputation for craftsmanship and attention to detail aligns with the City's
commitment to acquiring high-quality public art that reflects Grapevine's
history and cultural heritage.
This procurement will be made in accordance with Texas Local
Government Code, Chapter 252, Subchapter B, Section 252.022(a)(4)(A),
which exempts from competitive bidding procurements for items that are
available from only one source because of patents, copyrights, secret
processes, or natural monopolies, including procurements for personal or
professional artistic services.
The proposed sculpture is an original work of art to be created exclusively
by John Rule. Original sculptures are protected artistic works that are
inherently unique and are not commodities that can be competitively bid
or duplicated by another artist without materially altering the artistic
expression, design, craftsmanship, and intellectual property embodied in
the work.
The City has determined that John Rule is the only source capable of
providing this specific commissioned artwork because:
• The procurement is for an original copyrighted work of fine art that is
unique to the artist and cannot be replicated by another sculptor without
creating an entirely different artistic work.
• Mr. Rule possesses specialized artistic expertise in historically accurate
bronze sculptures of western subjects, livestock, and horses. His
extensive portfolio demonstrates exceptional anatomical accuracy,
movement, and historical authenticity, making him uniquely qualified to
create a sculpture representative of a nineteenth-century working horse.
• Mr. Rule has significant experience producing public art installations for
municipalities, museums, and western heritage organizations. His
sculptures have been featured in prominent exhibitions, including the
Governor's Gallery in Oklahoma and the National Cowboy and Western
Heritage Museum, where his work has been recognized for
craftsmanship, historical interpretation, and artistic excellence.
• The City's objective is not merely to acquire a horse sculpture, but to
commission a specific work of public art reflecting the history and heritage
of George E. Bushong, the Bushong Cabin and his horse Jeff. Selection
of another sculptor would result in a materially different artistic
interpretation that would not satisfy the City's intended vision for this
permanent public art installation.
• Mr. Rule has demonstrated the ability to meet the City's required
production schedule to complete fabrication, casting, delivery, and
installation in time for the planned public unveiling during GrapeFest 2026.
• Due to the extensive timeline associated with bronze sculpture design,
mold creation, foundry casting, finishing, and installation, engaging
another artist would substantially increase the risk that the project would
not be completed before the scheduled unveiling.
• Because the procurement is for an original commissioned artwork
requiring the individual artistic style, creative interpretation, and
copyrighted expression of a single artist, no equivalent competition exists
for this acquisition.
Accordingly, staff has determined that this procurement qualifies as a
sole-source purchase under Texas Local Government Code §252.022(a)
(4)(A).
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-052
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS; APPROPRIATING $103,700 IN THE
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND (PUBLIC ART)FORASERVICES
CONTRACT TO DESIGN, CREATE, DELIVER AND INSTALL
A BRONZE SCULPTURE, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Grapevine desires to award a contract to
John Rule for design, creation, delivery and installation of a bronze sculpture; and
WHEREAS, funding of$103,700 is available in the Special Revenue Fund (Public
Art); and
WHEREAS, constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of this
ordinance have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this ordinance is in the best
interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct
and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby appropriates $103,700 in the Special
Revenue Fund (Public Art).
Section 3. That the terms and provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed to be
severable, and that if the validity of any section, subsection, word, sentence or phrase shall
be held to be invalid, it shall not affect the remaining part of this ordinance.
Section 4. That the fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace
and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates an
emergency for the immediate preservation of the public business, property, health, safety,
and general welfare which requires that this ordinance shall take effect immediately from
and after its passage and it is accordingly so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 21st day of July 2026.
APPROVED:
William D. Tate
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tara Brooks
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Matthew Boyle
City Attorney
Ordinance No. 2026-052 2