I think its overkill to take the art bears off the street. They should grandfather in current art and send any new art through the "art committee." While the bears aren't First Friday elite art, I find them cute and amusing and have never been offended by or tripped over one. Don't larger cities like Chicago have bigger and more successful animal art shows?
The sidewalk "obstruction" reasoning to take them up is like the creative "blight" rulings to get people tifs. I don't have faith the city council will do anything but accept the committee decision. I don't know if this group has ever questioned each other or Haslam. At least with this current ornery commission, you at least know people will question things. I'm glad city council feels the love, but too much isn't good.
If we must get rid of all things that obstruct, start with the water tower or the Sunsphere.