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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 457-09TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2009 CMR: 457:09 REPORT TYPE: INFORMATIONAL SUBJECT: Update on California Avenue Phase II Improvements and Fountain Selection Process This is an informational report and no Council action is required. The purpose of the report is to provide the Council with an update on the Phase II improvements for California Avenue and the replacement fountain selection process that is currently underway. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION At the November 11, 2008 City Council meeting, staff brought forward a proposal from the Public Art Commission to replace the fountain at California Avenue with a fountain designed by artist Bruce Beasley. The Commission had worked with the artist over approximately three years to develop this proposal to replace the fountain at California Avenue. At the meeting, there was some public opposition to the Beasley fountain proposal in favor of keeping and repairing/replacing the existing fountain. The Council voted to have staff evaluate the placement of a Beasley piece at Mitchell Park as part of the new library and community center bond measure project and to have the Public Art Commission work with California Avenue Area Development Association (CAADA) and neighborhoods to develop a proposal for an improved fountain. The Council also· directed that the Public Art Commission create a fountain design with input from the public through a process similar to the selection process for the Michael Szabo piece at Mitchell Park. Based on the Council's direction, the Commission held a subcommittee meeting in May 2009 to discuss the new fountain proposal and to hear input from the California Avenue community before developing a new Request for Art Proposals (RFP). The meeting was well attended by key community stakeholders concerned about the fountain proposal. At the meeting, the subcommittee also discussed the public input process that would occur prior to the final selection of a new fountain. Based on this discussion and input, the Commission has worked to develop a new RFP that incorporates the community's input and also outlines the community engagement process that will occur during the selection of the final fountain. CMR: 457:09 Page 1 of3 The new RFP will be distributed and made available to the public on December 4, 2009. Proposals are due Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The Commission has budgeted $50,000 for this fountain. In the scope of services for the RFP, it has been identified as essential that the new fountain make a "splashing water sound" and that the design "reflect the site-specific spirit of California A venue." The design of the fountain must fit within the existing fountain footprint. As identified in the RFP, artist finalists will be selected by the Public Art Commission. The finalist selection panel may also include staff members from Community Services and Public Works, the landscape architect working on the California Avenue improvements and selected community members. Members of the broader community will then be invited to provide feedback on preferences for the final design options. The Commission may also hold a public meeting where each of the artist finalists would be given the opportunity to make a presentation about their proposal. Additionally, given the strong initial community input on this fountain proposal, the City Manager has suggested that an option for a more traditional fountain be included with the other design options for community input. If the community preference is for the more traditional option, the funding for this option would come from the California Avenue capital improvement project budget and not the Public Art Commission budget. That said, the City Manager also affirms the importance and great value of public art and the role and expertise of the Public Art Commission. Their selfless contribution deserves our respect. Based on the current schedule, the community input process for the fountain would occur from January 29 through February 8. The final artist would be selected by the Public Art Commission after weighing the community's preference in the final design option. This process is consistent with the community input and artist selection process that was utilized for selecting Michael Szabo as the artist for the Mitchell Park sculpture. The Art Commission has worked diligently to address the initial concerns raised by community members about a replacement fountain. Hopefully, the incorporation of public input in the review and selection process will be inclusive enough to create a win-win situation for the much- needed replacement of this fountain on California A venue. In order to keep the public informed on the project, staff will be creating and posting a sign at the fountain site with the anticipated schedule and a web address for community members to look up additional information. As was mentioned above, staff in Community Services are working closely with Public Works staff to ensure that the design and construction of the fountain integrates well with the Phase II improvements planned for California A venue. The landscape architect will be a key partner on the project team. The Phase II California Avenue Streetscape Improvements will include new trees, benches, kiosks, street resurfacing, possible planters and possible lane configuration and addition of enhanced (colored) crosswalks. These improvements will be coordinated during the fountain design and construction phases. The landscape architect will review the selected artist's fountain concepts and complement the fountain with the new bench seating and landscaping to ensure the fountain is a focal point of the plaza area. The Phase II project will undergo design, community outreach and board/commission approvals this spring with the anticipation of construction beginning in summer or fall 2010 pending City Council approval. CMR: 457:09 Page 2 of3 TIMELINE December 4, 2009 January 12,2010 January 29,2010 January 29-February 8, 2010 February 4,2010 February 18,2010 Spring Spring Summer/Fall RESOURCE IMPACT Fountain RFP released Fountain proposals due Public Art Commission selection of finalists Community input on finalists Artist Presentations Finalist approved by Public Art Commission Begin Fountain Concept Design and Phase II Final Design Board/Commission Approvals of Phase II Improvements Begin Fountain Construction and Phase II Improvements The Public Art Commission has budgeted $50,000 in public art funds to put towards the design and construction of a new fountain at California Avenue. POLICY IMPLICATIONS This report is consistent with prior Council direction on this issue. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The actions in this report do not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines; therefore, no environmental assessment is required. PREPARED BY: KELLY MORARIU Assistant to the City Manager/Interim Division Mana er, Arts & Sciences DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: Interim Community Services Director CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: CMR: 457:09 Page 3 of3