HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11454
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11454)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 6/23/2020
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Place Black Lives Matter on a City Street Near City Hall
Title: Authorize the City Manager to Place "Black Lives Matter" on a City
Street Near Palo Alto City Hall
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Community Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt the following motion:
1. In solidarity with the Mayor of Washington, D.C. and the Black Lives Matter
movement, joining other cities around the country, authorize the City Manager to
place the words "Black Lives Matter" on a City street (or streets) near Palo Alto City
Hall as soon as practicable.
2. The City Manager is authorized to approve a specific design and location in
consultation with the Public Art Commission and the community and in conformance
with Council’s direction above. The City Manager will also consider the relationship
with other street markings intended for traffic control.
Background and Discussion
On June 15, 2020, the City Council directed the Public Art Commission to explore public
art honoring diversity, and work with the community to paint “Black Lives Matter” or a
similar message near City Hall, as soon as possible.
Staff returns to Council with the recommended motion above to authorize the painting
on a street or streets in front of or near City Hall. This action confirms the City
Council’s direction to waive technical and process requirements as needed to affect
changes to public streets, protect the City from liability, and expedite this effort. The
Public Art Commission will work with staff to find and select artists to develop the
“Black Lives Matter” design and for the City Manager’s final approval. In reviewing the
design and placement, the Public Art Commission and City Manager will take care to
consider existing street markings, such as lane markings and pedestrian crossings.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Timeline
If City Council approves of the recommended motion, staff will work with the PAC to
outreach to artists and invite design proposals. PAC will review the designs and make a
recommendation to the City Manager for final approval. Once a final concept is
approved, it is envisioned that actual painting will occur on one day to prevent
prolonged road closures.
Resource Impact
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Proposed Budget, which is still subject to City Council
approval on June 22, 2020, includes sufficient funding to support anticipated expenses
of this project. The project will be funded in compliance with existing Public Art policies.
The Public Art Commission will make a recommendation on number of artists and
locations, which will determine the project budget, estimated by staff to range from
$10,000 to $15,000. The Police and Public Works Departments will assist with
necessary road closures, expected to be no more than two days.
Stakeholder Engagement
A petition letter signed by over 1,000 individuals in support of painting Black Lives
Matter on Hamilton Avenue in front of City Hall was sent to City Council earlier this
month. As discussed above, the process will involve community involvement and
outreach to artists and selection of the artists through the Public Art Commission.
Environmental Review
The subject project has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria
contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA
Guidelines, and the City’s environmental regulations. Specifically, the City, acting as the
Lead Agency, finds this project exempt from CEQA in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).