TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Brinkman, Senior Recreation Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Approve Amended Size of the Shark Mural and Allocate $18,000 from the Public Art Fund (Partially Budgeted) (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
A) APPROVE
B) ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the amended size of the shark mural and allocate $18,000 from the Public Art Fund to complete the project.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
On March 19, 2024, $65,000 in Public Arts funds was allocated by the City Council for the completion of this mural. Due to an increase in the scope of work resulting from a required adjustment to the size of the mural to accommodate the selected location, an additional $18,000 is needed to complete the project.
The Public Art Fund (PAF) currently has a total balance of $1,728,105, with $946,670 in allocated funds and $781,435 in unallocated funds. The use of PAF funds for this project aligns with the PAF objectives outlined in Section 10.90.050 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council initially considered Eric Snyder’s shark mural in August 2023, exploring various locations, including Fire Station No. 1. At the September 19, 2023 meeting, City Council elected not to place the mural on the PD/Fire wall and directed staff to return with additional location options. On November 21, 2023, City Council considered six alternative locations (two at the Civic Center, three at Fire Station 2, and one at Begg Pool) and directed staff to research additional alternate locations for the mural. On March 19, 2024, the City Council approved installation of the mural on the Civic Plaza Parking Lot wall facing 13th Street with a 3:2 vote, allocating $65,000 from the Public Art Fund to complete the project.
DISCUSSION:
The selected mural location, the Civic Plaza Parking Lot wall, was constructed partially on City property and partially on property owned by Los Angeles (LA) County. Due to the shared ownership of the wall between LA County and the City of Manhattan Beach, a partnership was established to coordinate the project. Staff engaged with the LA County team, who recommended engaging with the artist to expand the artwork to span both County and City properties. LA County drafted a partnership agreement for the use of their property, which was subsequently reviewed by the City’s legal team and executed.
Following direction from the City Council and in coordination with LA County administration, staff collaborated with the artist, Eric Snyder, to amend the scope of the proposed artwork. It was jointly determined by staff and the artist that incorporating the existing doors into the design would enhance the site’s aesthetics and create a more compelling 3D effect, ultimately resulting in a 50% larger display area and enhancing the overall impact of the artwork
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the amended size of the shark mural and allocate an additional $18,000 from the Public Art Fund.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This item was discussed at the August 21, 2023 Cultural Arts Commission meeting and at the September 19, 2023, October 17, 2023, November 21, 2023, January 17, 2024 and March 19, 2024, City Council meetings. Additionally, this item is identified on the City Council meeting agenda for February 4, 2025, which has been posted in accordance with applicable law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption, Existing Facilities as defined in section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, as it consists of minor exterior alterations to an existing building. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Shark Mural Rendering
2. Artist Agreement
3. Agreement - Los Angeles County (2024)