To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE 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 TO EXTEND THE TERM FROM DECEMBER 2, 2025 TO JANUARY 30, 2026
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Public Works Yard at 545 N. Gertruda Avenue was identified as a priority site for public art, leading to the selection of Ernesto Maranje’s mural design, Sea Chatter, following review by the Public Art Commission and the City Council. An agreement with the artist was executed in December 2024, and the final design was approved in February 2025. Due to a family medical emergency, the installation schedule was delayed several months to November 2025. Staff recommends extending the agreement term to January 30, 2026, to allow for full project installation.
BACKGROUND
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. After vetting the artists, three artists were invited to submit site-specific proposals. 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. On December 3, 2024, the City Council approved and entered into an agreement with the artist.
On February 28, 2025, City Staff approved the final design for the mural, and the artist stated his intent to begin painting the mural on July 7, 2025. But on May 19, 2025, the artist informed the City of a family medical emergency that would preclude his traveling to Redondo Beach in the summer of 2025. On September 19, 2025, the artist notified the City that the family emergency had resolved and that he was ready to begin the installation of the mural.
The artist stated that he could begin work on November 5, 2025. As the term of the original agreement is to expire December 2, 2025, an additional amount of time is required to ensure complete installation of the mural and recommends January 30, 2026, as a revised expiration date for the term of the agreement.
The City Council’s Adopted Budget includes an appropriation of $125,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund for the Public Works Mural project. The executed 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. All project expenditures are expected to fall within the allotted budget.
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. The amendment has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s Adopted Budget includes an appropriation of $125,000 from the John Parsons Public Art Fund for the Public Works Mural project. The executed artist Agreement for the mural includes an installation cost of $90,000, leaving $35,000 available for traffic control services, which are expected to cost less than the remaining funding amount.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• First Amendment - Ernesto Maranje
• Agmt - Ernesto Marjanje (December 3, 2024)
• Final Design for Mural (March 13, 2025)