To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH ARTIST ERNESTO MARANJE FOR THE PUBLIC ARTWORK “SEA CHATTER” TO BE LOCATED ON THE N. CATALINA AVENUE AND N. GERTRUDA AVENUE WALLS BORDERING THE PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE FACILITY AT 545 N. GERTRUDA AVENUE FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $90,000 AND THE TERM DECEMBER 3, 2024 TO DECEMBER 2, 2025
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The walls bordering the Public Works Yard at 545 N. Gertruda Avenue were identified as a “priority area” for public art in the City’s Public Art Master Plan. To initiate execution of the project, staff, and the Public Art Commission (Commission), solicited interest from thirteen artists and, after vetting the artists, requested site specific submissions from three of the thirteen. The Commission evaluated the submissions, and, on October 25, 2023, unanimously recommended artist Ernesto Maranje, and his design “Sea Chatter,” for the public art project.
On March 19, 2024, the City Council reviewed the proposals submitted by the three finalists and unanimously agreed with the Commission’s recommendation of Ernesto Maranje and directed staff to negotiate an agreement with the artist.
The City Council’s adopted Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget included an appropriation of $125,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund for the Public Works Mural project. The proposed artist Agreement is for $90,000. Additionally, the City’s Traffic Engineer has worked with Community Services personnel to identify a cost-effective traffic control plan that will allow the artist to work safely in the public right of way and complete installation of the mural. A contract with the identified traffic control firm for implementation of the City-designed plan will be brought to City Council for approval just before the start of mural installation, which is tentatively scheduled for next June/July, given the artists’ current number of commitments. All project expenditures are expected to fall within the allotted budget.
BACKGROUND
The Public Art Master Plan, approved by City Council on April 19, 2016, identified the walls bordering the Public Works Yard as a “priority area” for public art. On September 21, 2022, the Public Art Commission requested that staff prepare a request for qualifications (RFQ) to establish a pre-qualified roster of mural artists that can be contacted when the City issues calls for proposals (CFP) for public art projects. As part of the RFQ, qualified applicants submit resumes, letters of recommendation, and images of previous projects that demonstrate their ability to complete public art projects, in general.
At their March 22, 2023 meeting, the Commission selected three artists to invite to submit proposals for the project, and all three artists submitted proposals by the July 7, 2023 deadline. Staff from the Public Works Department were invited to provide input on the three proposals, with then Public Works Director, Ted Semaan, providing written support for the proposal submitted by Ernesto Maranje.
On July 26, 2023, the Public Art Commission unanimously selected the design titled “Sea Chatter,” submitted by artist Ernesto Maranje. Minor revisions were requested and, after two additional iterations, the Commission unanimously approved a merged version of the two revised designs.
On March 19, 2024, the City Council reviewed the proposals submitted by the three finalists and unanimously agreed with the Commission’s recommendation to select artist Ernesto Maranje. The proposal from Mr. Maranje included a budget which provided for $90,000 for the design and installation of the mural. Given the mural’s location in the public right of way, traffic control is needed along Catalina Ave to provide for safe installation. The cost for the updated traffic control plan, following review by the City’s Traffic Engineer, is expected to be less than $35,000.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department coordinated the preparation of this report with input from the Public Works Department, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Financial Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget included an appropriation of $125,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund for the Public Works Mural project. The proposed artist Agreement for mural installation will cost $90,000, leaving $35,000 available for traffic control services, which are expected to cost less than that amount.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Ernesto Maranje
• Selected Design for Mural