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
end
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 projec...
Click here for full text