TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Director of Parks and Recreation
Martin Betz, Cultural Arts Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Utility Box Beautification Project Artwork Proposals and Locations, and Disbursement of $19,500 from the Public Art Trust Fund (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
a) APPROVE
b) DISBURSE FUNDS
Line
_________________________________________________________
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Utility Box Beautification Project artwork proposals and locations, and disbursement of $19,500 from the Public Art Trust Fund.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This beautification project consists of two phases. Phase 1 consists of 13 utility boxes at a cost of $1,500 per box which includes the artist fee ($500) and printing and installation of the wrap ($1,000) for a total of $19,500. Phase 2, which will be discussed at a later date, includes 7 utility boxes for a total of $11,500. There is a contingency allowance of $1,000 for more complex printing or installation for a total project cost of $30,000. As of 12/4/2018, the Public Art Trust Fund has $715,329 in allocated funds and $727,530 in unallocated funds.
BACKGROUND:
On September 19, 2017, as part of the Cultural Arts Commission’s work plan, the City Council approved $30,000 to be appropriated from the Public Art Trust Fund to fund the Utility Box Beautification Project. The City Council provided direction for this project to decorate utility boxes throughout the City. The goal was to have artwork highlight the City’s history, blend with the existing landscape and/or describe Manhattan Beach lifestyle.
DISCUSSION:
In a continual effort to add visual interest to the City of Manhattan Beach, the Cultural Arts Commission was directed to identify and apply decorative vinyl wraps to multiple utility boxes around the City. Staff identified 33 possible locations with over 45 utility boxes as possible sites for this public art project. 13 sites were chosen for Phase 1 by the Cultural Arts Commission. A Request for Proposal (RFP) went out to artists in the Beach Cities region and 56 submissions were received. At the October 15, 2018, Cultural Arts Commission meeting art submissions were paired with utility boxes and approved to be presented to the City Council.
The process for enhancing each Utility Box is as follows:
1. Artists chosen through competition
2. Chosen artists notified and enter into agreement with the City
3. Each artist will develop a design
4. The design will be translated into a template to match the Utility Box and printed by the wrap manufacturing company
5. Under the guidance of the Cultural Art Division and Public Works, the wrap manufacturing company will install the artwork
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Utility Box Beautification Project and specified locations and disburse $19,500 from the Public Art Trust Fund. Staff will return to the City Council for approval of Phase 2 at a later date.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
An RFP was developed for Beach Cities artists and distributed in August 2018 with a deadline of October 2, 2018. The RFP was advertised in the Easy Reader on August 8, 2018. In addition, flyers were sent to South Bay Artist Collective, FOLA, Redondo Beach Friends of the Arts and Friends of the Manhattan Beach Art Center.
Articles were posted in the Manhattan Beach Art Center electronic newsletter in August and September. All City social media platforms were engaged as well as posting on the City’s website.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
Attachment/Attachments:
1. Utility Box Artwork and Locations Presentation