TO:
CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Placentia City Council
AGENDA REPORT
FROM: DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2022
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION: REVIEW OF CALTRANS PUBLIC ART
SUBMITTALS
FISCAL
IMPACT: NONE
SUMMARY:
The California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has allocated to the City $600,000 for public art displays under the State's Clean California Program signed into law by the Governor in 2021. This program provides funding Statewide for public right-of-way clean up and beautification efforts along with the installation of public art pieces. In coordination and cooperation with the City, Caltrans is proposing to install a new gateway monument art piece on State property at the 57 Freeway on/off ramps. In addition, they propose to commission two (2) murals to be painted on the paved slopes beneath the freeway at the Crowther Avenue intersection.
A study session on the City's proposed Caltrans Gateway Art Projects is presented to the City Council for its consideration of the artist submittals for a new gateway monument and murals located within Caltrans right-of-way. An expert art panel reviewed the submissions and interviewed the artists and have made a recommendation to the City for its consideration. This study session is for the City Council to review the art submittals received and to either concur with the panel recommendations or to select alternative art pieces to proceed with.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Conduct the study session and review the public art submittals for the Caltrans Public Art Projects; and
2. Either concur with the recommended mural and gateway art pieces selected by the expert panel or select its own preferred mural and gateway art pieces, and direct Staff to return to the City Council with artist agreements for its consideration.
3.a.
Oct 4, 2022
City Council Agenda
October 4, 2022
STRATEGIC PLAN STATEMENT:
There is no specific strategic planning goal or objective associated with this agenda item.
DISCUSSION:
The California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has allocated to the City $600,000 for public art displays under the State's Clean California Program signed into law by the Governor in 2021. This program provides funding Statewide for public right-of-way clean up and beautification efforts along with the installation of public art pieces. In coordination and cooperation with the City, Caltrans is proposing to install a new gateway monument art piece on State property at the 57 Freeway on/off ramps. In addition, they propose to commission two (2) murals to be painted on the paved slopes beneath the freeway at the Crowther Avenue intersection.
On April 5, 2022, the City Council approved a Cooperative Agreement between the City and Caltrans for the installation and maintenance of the proposed art pieces. Caltrans will own the pieces and the City agrees to maintain them and the surrounding area. If approved, the City will enter into agreements with the artists to pay for the fabrication and installation of the art pieces and any supporting infrastructure to be reimbursed at 100% by Caltrans under the cooperative agreement. There are no matching funds required of the City. Staff has been working with Arts Orange County, a local non-profit organization that is the County of Orange's official public art subject matter expert. Arts Orange County managed the call for artists and selection process and secured the participation of experts to serve on the selection committee. The cost for Arts Orange County to manage this process on behalf of the City is also reimbursable by Caltrans.
An expert art panel was established, and the panel interviewed the artists and evaluated their proposals. Based upon the scope of the project, the panel selected the concepts that best reflect the unique character of the City, and the environment where the art pieces are proposed to be installed. Copies of each finalist art submittal is attached for reference (Attachment 1) along with the background information on the selection panel (Attachment 2). Staff is requesting that the City Council receive the study session presentation and either concur with the expert panel recommendations or select its own preferred art concepts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Luis Estevez \
Deputy City Administrator
Approved by:
Damien R. Arrula
City Administrator
City Council Agenda
October 4, 2022
Attachments:
1. Art Submittals
2. Expert Panel Biographies
3. Presentation