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 a Revised Annual Work Plan for the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) and Authorization for Requests for Proposals for Utility Box Beautification, Murals, and Sculpture Garden (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Line
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Discuss and provide direction on the revised annual work plan for the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC);
2. Direct staff to develop Requests for Proposals for Utility Box Beautification, Murals, and Sculpture Garden
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, staff will return to Council for allocation of funds from the Public Art Trust Fund (PATF). The PATF currently has a balance of $2,181,352 with unallocated funds of $1,001,353.
BACKGROUND:
At the Joint City Council and Cultural Arts Commission meeting on January 9, 2023, City Council directed staff to collaborate with the CAC to bring forward a new work plan, focusing on expedited installation of art in the City, including sculptures, murals, and other visual enhancements.
Staff worked with the CAC to develop a new work plan that focuses on projects that can be completed with the greatest expediency and impact, identifying Utility Box Beautification, Murals on Public Property, and Sculpture Garden as programs that have been thoroughly researched and can be implemented with a high level of success.
A new proposed work plan item was also presented by Jacqueline May and the South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC) to the CAC at the November 21, 2022 meeting. The proposal is to install a commemorative plaque honoring Dale Velzy on the public sidewalk in front of 117 Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The former site of Velzy’s Surf Shop was demolished and is currently occupied by The Strand House. All costs associated with this project will be absorbed by the SBBC. The final artwork and agreement will return for City Council approval.
In addition to these items, the CAC would like to continue actively pursuing and exploring new opportunities for artwork in the City. As these initiatives are developed, staff will bring them back for City Council approval and allocation of funds.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends that City Council discuss and provide direction on the following proposals for the Cultural Arts Commission work plan 2023, including recommended budgets for each of the initiatives.
Utility Box Beautification
12 locations
Recommended Budget:
$7,200 Artist Honorarium ($600 per artist/location)
$20,000 Installation (by contracted vendor)
Total: $27,200
This program will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to local artists for the creation of digital artwork (two-dimensional drawing, painting, or design created or altered for computer use) for 12 locations. Similar to Phase I of the Utility Box Beautification program launched in 2018, this RFP (Phase II) will focus on local talent, including students and children from the South Bay. Artists will create digital artwork to fit the size and shape of a standard Utility Box. The CAC will review submissions and recommend 12 candidates (artwork paired with location) and five alternates for City Council review. Upon approval, a contracted vendor will work with artists to scale and adjust their artwork to properly fit the selected box as well as print and install the artwork. If approved by City Council, artwork installation could commence as early as September 2023 (see timeline in PowerPoint presentation, page 6).
Proposed locations:
1. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (northeast corner)
2. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (northwest corner)
3. Cedar Avenue and Marine Avenue, Entrance to Manhattan Village (northwest corner)
4. Highland Avenue and 45th Street (northwest corner)
5. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Poinsettia Avenue (northeast corner)
6. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and John Street (northwest corner)
7. Artesia Boulevard and Meadows Avenue (northeast corner)
8. Rosecrans Avenue and Pacific Avenue (southwest corner)
9. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard (northwest corner)
10. Marine Avenue and Redondo Avenue (southeast corner)
11. Ardmore Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard (northwest corner)
12. Rosecrans Boulevard and Village Drive (southeast corner)
Murals
Five locations
Recommended Budget:
$95,000 - $315,000 total cost (depending on location)
This program will issue an RFP to artists for the painting of murals on City property. Seven locations have been researched by staff and recommended by the CAC for City Council selection and approval of five final locations. The RFP will encourage local artists to apply; however, artists from outside the South Bay will be considered. Each location will be presented with a budget specified in the RFP (to be approved by City Council) and the artists will be asked to create a proposal for a specific location. (City Council will reserve the right to place the approved artwork in a different location, provided the artist does not object to the change in venue and budget). Staff will review applicants and the CAC will recommend five proposals (with corresponding locations) and three alternates for City Council review and approval. If approved, artwork installation could commence as early as November - December 2023 (see timeline in PowerPoint presentation, page 14).
Proposed locations and budgets:
1. Manhattan Heights wall facing north onto Manhattan Beach Boulevard, $40,000
2. Manhattan Beach Art Center metal wall facing north onto Manhattan Beach Boulevard, $20,000
3. Marine Park, Rocket Ship Hall, west facing wall, $20,000
4. Restroom building at the Pier, walls facing east, north, and south, $100,000
5. Stairs from the Strand to the bike path below, on 34th Street (vertical face only), $30,000
6. Fire Station #1, north facing wall on 12th Street, $85,000
7. Parking Lot #2, north facing wall on 12th Street, $20,000
Sculpture Garden
Five locations
Recommended Budget:
$75,000 ($15,000 per piece) Artist Honorarium
$10,000 PW concrete installation and site adjustments as needed
Total: $85,000
This program will issue an RFP for the loan of five Sculpture Garden artworks to be placed in one of the five preapproved locations (to be selected by City Council from eight proposed locations). In order to expedite installation, artists will be asked to submit artworks that are at or near completion. Artworks must fit into a predetermined set of parameters (to be vetted by staff and CAC with other departments) including height, weight, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, installation needs, and bolt pattern. An existing concrete platform or pedestal will be utilized or a new one constructed by Public Works, prior to the artwork being accepted into the program. Artworks will be on loan to the City for a period of two years with an option to purchase the artwork at a set price. If approved, artwork installation could commence as early as December 2023 - January 2024 (see timeline in PowerPoint Presentation, page 24).
Proposed locations:
1. Water Wise Parkette
2. Manhattan Beach Art Center
3. Manhattan Heights Community Center
4. Civic Plaza
5. North of Pier on existing pedestal
6. Marine Park in front of Rocketship Hall
7. Block 35 Reservoir park on 8th Street and Rowell Avenue
8. Parking Lot 4, upper level southwest corner
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The proposed work plan was discussed at the January 30 and February 8, 2023, Cultural Arts Commission meetings.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. Projects resulting from the approval of the work plan will be subject to independent CEQA review at the time of project consideration.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Velzy Plaque Proposal
2. PowerPoint Presentation