PACIFIC GROVE >> After months of public debate and deliberation, the Pacific Grove City Council voted unanimously to decline the donation of a large stained-glass butterfly window —effectively ending the attempt to find a permanent home for the piece using public resources.

The artwork, titled “The Butterflies,” owned by Nader Agha, features three glass panels forming a 12-foot by 8-foot semicircle. Once a striking centerpiece at the Holman Building, Agha had offered it to the city free of charge for permanent display.

Despite seven members of the public voicing support at the meeting, the council ultimately determined the project was not viable.

Councilmembers cited city budget constraints, staffing and resources at the Natural History Museum, and concerns about the implications of accepting the piece. While supporters described the window as a gift of beauty and historical significance, others viewed the donation as a costly undertaking.

“This is not a donation—it’s a business deal,” said councilmember Paul Walkingstick. “So I am not interested in entertaining a business deal at this time.”

Susan Goldbeck, a supporter, gave a presentation to the council, summarizing months of outreach to determine community interest and the logistical possibilities for the piece, including input from over 400 residents, the Pacific Grove Rotary, and Chamber of Commerce.

“He’s had many offers to buy it,” Goldbeck said, “but he wanted to give it to the city — to appreciate it and its significance as much as he does.”

Councilmember Tina Rau noted that the estimated $70,000 already spent to restore the piece was cause for concern amid tightening city budgets. “Hearing our latest budget constraints, I don’t think this is the wisest thing to spend money on,” Rau said. “And if the museum board wants to decline this, I’m not inclined to make them take on something they don’t want.”

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History — originally considered as a home for the piece — reaffirmed its opposition in a March 31 letter, calling the proposed installation an “unplanned financial and operational burden.” Museum leadership emphasized the piece’s modern aesthetic did not align with its curatorial focus and warned of increased strain due to federal policy changes.

Councilmember Cynthia Garfield echoed those concerns.

“We’ve also gotten letters from the public asking us not to accept this. The museum’s purpose is to curate their collection so we can all learn. This piece doesn’t fit with the museum’s mission, and they’re already under stress,” Garfield said.