So the memory of  the long dead car dealer and banker has waned and a current politician wants to 'do it his way', based of course on current problems.  City maintenance has 'given up' on maintaining the 'plumbing' problems.  Instead of maintaining the problems, why hasn't maintenance 'fixed' the problems?  Perhaps they need a plumber to redesign the fountain drainage instead of politicians or activists?

Perhaps a self contained fountain without a wall?  An automatic water refill valve for when the water level drops and a drain line for winter?  There are fountains all over the world which operate fine.  I guess they just have smarter designers and maintenance people who are not controlled by politicians.