STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: November 7, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, City Manager
Subject: Recommendation by 10/7 Permanent Memorial Ad Hoc on the Location, Budget and Proposed Request for Qualifications for the Permanent Memorial to Commemorate the Victims of the 10/7 Attack
Attachments: 1. Draft Request for Qualifications for artist(s) to create 10/7 memorial
2. Report and highlights from the August 12, 2024 ad hoc meeting (without attachments)
3. Report and highlights from the October 8, 2024 ad hoc meeting
INTRODUCTION
At the October 8, 2024 10/7 Permanent Memorial Ad Hoc meeting, the ad hoc members (Mayor Friedman and Vice Mayor Nazarian) made recommendations regarding the location, budget and the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure the services of an artist to create a memorial to commemorate the victims of the 10/7 attack.
The City Council is asked to provide any direction related to these recommendations.
DISCUSSION
At the June 27, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council expressed a desire to create a permanent memorial to recognize the victims of the October 7th attack in Israel.
Toward this end, Mayor Friedman created a Council ad hoc committee (Mayor Friedman and Vice Mayor Nazarian) to develop further the concept of a permanent memorial.
Since that time the ad hoc committee has met twice and has recommended that:
The memorial be located on the south side of the Beverly Hills Public Library at the northeast corner of Rexford Dr. and Burton Way
The memorial design would be in concert with the 9/11 Memorial on the west side of Rexford.
The memorial be designed by an artist or team of artists The artist(s) be selected through a request for qualifications (RFQ) process that would be open for approximately 2 months to allow for fully detailed proposals.
The “all in” budget for the project would be $500,000 from the City. The ad hoc also recommended the City’s Community Charitable Foundation accept donations at different levels toward the memorial.
A name recognition program would be developed by the Charitable Foundation for Council approval. Any name recognition (e.g. plaques) resulting from the donations would be incorporated into the periphery of the memorial and not a part of the memorial itself.
The memorial would incorporate educational signage about what occurred on 10/7.
A 10/7 Memorial Community Committee (the Committee) be created which would include a maximum of 10 individuals, including the two ad hoc members. The Committee would review the RFQ responses and make a recommendation to the City Council. The ad hoc further recommends that each Council member select one individual to sit on this committee and that the three remaining spots be filled by “at large” members from community organizations, such as the Chamber, BHUSD, Rotary, etc. An advisory curator would be appointed by the ad hoc to advise the Committee as the RFQ responses are reviewed.
The City Council is asked to provide direction on the above listed ad hoc recommendations as well as any additional feedback on the development of the permanent memorial. Should the Council concur with the ad hoc, staff will coordinate a process for each Councilmember to select an individual to serve on the Committee.
Additionally, staff seeks additional feedback on the process for the appointment of the “at large” community members.
FISCAL IMPACT
The ad hoc members recommend an “all in” budget for the memorial at $500,000. The ad hoc additionally recommended that the Community Charitable Foundation accept donations from the community toward this project. The cost of the memorial, less any donations received, will need to appropriated from General Fund reserves.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on the recommendations from the October 7th Permanent Memorial Ad Hoc committee.
Nancy Hunt-Coffey
City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
PUBLIC ART REQUEST FOR Qualifications ANNOUNCEMENT
October 7 Memorial
INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
PROPOSAL DEADLINE: January 31, 2025
1 Project Intent:
The City of Beverly Hills seeks to honor the lives lost in the tragic terror attack against the state of Israel on October 7, 2023, which profoundly affected our community. In response to this devastating event, the City installed an art installation of a shabbat table in front of City Hall with one place setting for each hostage that was taken. The City Council issued a resolution in strong support of Israel and condemning the horrific attack by Hamas. Additionally, the City twice installed over 1,200 flags in Beverly Gardens Park—one for each individual murdered, symbolizing our collective grief and solidarity. This temporary memorial served as a powerful reminder of our shared values and the resilience of our community. In light of the overwhelming desire expressed by residents for a permanent memorial, we invite qualified professional artists to submit their proposals to create a lasting tribute that will reflect the significance of this event and honor the memories of those we lost. We look forward to collaborating with visionary artists who can help us create a meaningful artwork as a lasting symbol of reflection and remembrance and resilience.
General Information:
Project Goals
Each proposal should consider the following:
1. Memorial Considerations:
The design concept should thoughtfully honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the massacre on October 7.
The proposal may include the incorporation of an artifact from the events on October 7.
2. Construction Considerations:
Designs should incorporate durable materials that are suitable for permanent outdoor installation.
Designs should account for long-term maintenance requirements and minimize vulnerabilities to weather conditions.
Designs should be capable of withstanding public interaction. Designs should be located closer to Rexford Drive and should take into consideration the September 11th Memorial on the west side of the street and the Beverly Hills Public Library to the north.
The scales and proportions of the designs shall be appropriate for the designated site, fostering harmony with the context.
Proposals shall include design, fabrication, and installation of an original artwork. The art piece entitled “Home” by Charles Arnoldi may be relocated should it benefit the design of the memorial.
Budget
$500,000 which is an “all in” cost which encompasses all associated project costs, including design, travel, fabrication, installation, protection, insurance, and any other relevant expenses.
The City of Beverly Hills will be responsible for relocating the art piece “Home” if needed.
Additionally, the City will perform any additional site improvements including needed adjustments to the irrigation or electrical systems.
2 Proposal Deadline
January 31, 2025
Call:
This competition is open to all individuals and/or teams of professional artists.
Site Description:
Location:
444 N Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Dimensions:
The site has a border measuring approximately 481.4 feet, encompassing a total area of roughly 9,966 square feet. The memorial need not occupy the entire space.
Existing Conditions:
The project site is a small, landscaped area situated on the south side of the Beverly Hills Library building, bordered by Rexford Drive, Burton Way, and Civic Center Drive. This area features three large, mature trees that provide shade and enhance the aesthetic appeal, alongside numerous smaller plants that contribute to the site's greenery. The landscape is equipped with a drip irrigation system to ensure the health and vitality of the plant life. This location presents a unique opportunity to create a meaningful, site-appropriate memorial that enhances the cultural and communal significance of the space.
View from Civic Center View from Burton Way
View from Rexford
3 Submission Requirements:
Respondents must provide the following materials:
1. Hard Copies
Two bound copies of the proposal and design concept.
2. Digital Copy
One digital copy of the proposal and design concept in PDF format.
Formatting Specifications
All documents should be formatted to 8 ½ x 11 inches. Any fold-out pages, if included, must not exceed 11 x 17 inches.
Delivery Instructions
Submission of the proposal and design concept should be done as follows:
1. The proposal and design shall be delivered in a single package and labeled as follows:
Attention: [TBD]
RFP for Public Art
October 7 Memorial
2. The hard copy of the proposal and design will be submitted to the following address:
Beverly Hills City Hall
Policy & Management Department, 4th Floor
455 N. Rexford Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
3. Digital copies will be sent to the following email address:
[email protected]
Proposal Requirements:
1. Contact Information
Provide complete contact details for the lead contact person, including name, phone number, and email address.
2. Proposed Concept Mock-Up
Submit a visual representation of your proposed design, illustrating your concept for the memorial.
3. Vision Statement
Articulate your interpretation of the memorial's purpose and significance, conveying the message you aim to express through your design.
4. Artifact Integration
If you intend to incorporate an artifact related to the events of October 7, please detail your acquisition strategy and the method for relocating the artifact to the memorial site.
5. Medium and Style
Describe the artistic style and medium you propose, emphasizing how they align with the physical and thematic elements of a memorial.
6. Relevant Experience
Provide an overview of your experience in executing projects with similar objectives and producing artworks suitable for outdoor installations or comparable environments. 4 Highlight specific examples that illustrate your effectiveness in engaging with public spaces and collaborating with public agencies.
7. Community Engagement Experience
Please outline your relevant experience in facilitating community involvement during previous projects, including methods used to gather input and integrate feedback into the design process.
8. Budget
Provide an itemized order of magnitude cost detailing all items associated with the proposal.
9. Insurance
Please specify the types of insurance coverage you will utilize for the project, including details on the policy limits and coverage areas.
10. Resume/CV
Include a current resume or CV for each artist or member of the proposal team.
11. Portfolio
Submit a portfolio showcasing up to 10 works. For each piece, include a photo, title, completion date, materials used, dimensions, project location, project cost, and a brief description of the work.
12. References
Provide contact information for at least two professional references from entities that have commissioned similar works, attesting to your experience and capabilities.
Selection Process:
Submissions will be reviewed in the following manner:
1. Qualifications Review
All submissions will be assessed for eligibility, completeness, and adherence to the RFP criteria. Qualifying submissions will be presented to the October 7 Memorial Committee, which will select three to five artists/teams to advance to the finalist stage.
2. Finalist Stage
Finalists will present their proposals at a community town hall, where residents will provide feedback on the submissions. Following feedback, the City Council will vote to determine which proposal to accept for future development.
3. Contract
Following the selection of an artist or team, staff will prepare an agreement for the October 7 Memorial project and submit it for approval by the Beverly Hills City Council.
Selection Criteria:
Selections will be based on the following criteria:
1. Quality of Prior Work
Assessment of artistic excellence, originality, and innovation as demonstrated through images and representations of past projects.
2. Vision Statement
Quality of the vision statement in articulating the artist's views on the memorial's significance and intended impact.
5 3. Design
Evaluation of how well the design aligns with and fulfills the intent of the memorial.
4. Relevant Experience
Demonstrated experience in creating artwork for outdoor environments or similar settings, as well as a proven track record of effective collaboration with public agencies.
5. Community Engagement Experience
Evidence of sensitivity to the nature of the memorial and understanding of its potential impact on Beverly Hills residents.
6. Budget
Willingness to collaborate with Beverly Hills staff in taking the design concept to implementation, including ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints while accommodating existing fabrication resources and restrictions.
7. References
References from previous entities who have commissioned similar work.
Contact Information:
For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact:
[Name/Position]
Phone Number: [TBD]
Email Address: [email protected]
Attachment 2
Attachment 3