TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eilen Stewart, Cultural Arts Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of the Cultural Arts Commission Recommendations for Mural Artwork Proposals, Locations, and Cost and Disbursement of up to $253,950.66 from the Public Art Trust Fund (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 45 Mins.)
A) APPROVE ARTISTS, LOCATIONS, AND COST
B) DISBURSE FUNDS
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) recommendations for the Mural Project artwork proposals, locations, and cost and disbursement of up to $253,950.66 from the Public Art Trust Fund (PATF).
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, Phase II of the Mural Project will consist of up to seven locations and artists. The proposal for Phase II has a total cost not to exceed $350,000, which will allow the City to secure site-specific murals from each artist in exchange for a stipend ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. The Project has a current allocated balance of $96,049.34 and would require an allocation of $253,950.66 from the PATF to establish funding for Phase II. Sufficient funds exist for this Project within the PATF, which currently has a total balance of around $1.8 million with approximately $963,000 in allocated funds and roughly $845,000 in unallocated funds. The use of PATF funds for this project is congruent with the purpose of the PATF as detailed in the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code Section 10.90.050.
BACKGROUND:
At the March 7, 2023 meeting, City Council directed the Cultural Arts Commission to develop a work plan of several items including Phase II of the Mural Program. Launched in 2018, Phase I of the Mural Project installed five artworks by four artists from California. The locations and installation methodology for several of the murals presented challenges that were incorporated into the RFP for this Phase II of the Mural Project.
DISCUSSION:
Staff worked with the Cultural Arts Commission to develop a Request for Proposals
(RFP) for seven locations of murals around the City, including locations in north and east Manhattan Beach where there are fewer opportunities for Public Art.
The RFP focused on artists residing in California with previous experience completing large scale, painted artwork. The RFP specified that all locations are to be presented in as-is condition and the artist is to paint the mural directly onto the existing surface using paint. No alterations (other than cleaning and/or primer) are to be made to the locations or surfaces. All work, including location preparation, permits, and cleaning is to be done by each selected artist.
The RFP was advertised on the City website and social media channels, in local publications and to local artist groups. Staff received over 115 applications from artists of varying ages, skill levels, and disciplines and narrowed this pool down to 100 complete applications eligible for review by the CAC. The CAC reviewed all eligible applications, selected 27 artworks, and assigned them to seven locations with several options identified per site (presentation attached). Each proposal identifies a budget for the installation of the artwork ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.
If approved, artists will enter into an agreement with the City (attached) to provide the proposed artwork in a painted format. Staff will work with each artist to ensure the artwork completed is congruent with the approved proposal and appropriate to the site.
Staff recommends City Council review the recommended proposals and costs for each of the seven possible sites and approve the sites, budgets, and artwork.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This item was reviewed by the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) at the March 20, June 19, and August 21 meetings. The CAC voted unanimously to approve the proposed candidates and locations and recommend to City Council for review.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed mural project 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) (the “common sense” exemption) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the agreement is exempt from CEQA. Additionally, the project qualifies for a categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines, given that the project consists of minor alterations of existing private or public structures, with negligible or no expansion of use. Furthermore, there are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt class; therefore, there are no unusual circumstances.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has prepared the agreement template.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Artist Agreement Template
2. PowerPoint Presentation
3. Artist Proposals Details