Administrative
Report
H.12., File # 23-5738 Meeting Date: 4/4/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
APPROVE THE REQUEST FROM THE FRIENDS OF REDONDO BEACH ARTS FOR USE OF THE HISTORIC LIBRARY IN VETERANS PARK FOR THE SEPTEMBER CA 101 2023 ART EXHIBITION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 30, 2023, the City received a request from the Friends of Redondo Beach Arts (FRBA) group to host the CA 101 2023 Art Exhibition this fall at the Redondo Beach Historic Library in Veterans Park. To host the event, FRBA would need exclusive use of the Historic Library from July 24th through September 15th. Periodic access to the facility would also be needed this spring and summer to conduct planning and logistical walkthroughs with event design teams and artists.
The FRBA has requested that the City provide use of the facility at no charge. FRBA proposes to pay the City for all building utility costs and installation/program expenses incurred as a result of the event, provide the City with proper indemnification and release of liability, meet all insurance and legal requirements, and to host the art exhibition free of charge to the public. It is recommended that the City Council approve FRBA’s proposed request and direct staff to prepare a license agreement to codify the terms and conditions for use of the Historic Library.
BACKGROUND
The CA 101 Art Exhibit is an annual event curated and produced by Friends of Redondo Beach Arts (FRBA), a local non-profit organization that focuses on providing art-related experiences and education to the South Bay community. Due to COVID restraints, the event’s previous exhibition space - the former Gold’s Gym site on Harbor Drive - was not available for use in 2022 and the City Council granted FRBA a license agreement for the use of the Historic Library for CA 101 2022.
FRBA has searched for alternative event locations for the 2023 event and met with representatives from the Sonesta Hotel to revisit the former Gold’s Gym site, but has not identified a venue that is better suited for the fall event than the Historic Library. On March 30, 2023, the City received a formal written request from FRBA to once again host the CA 101 Art Exhibition at the Historic Library.
This will be the tenth and final CA 101 annual exhibition.
FRBA would need exclusive use of the Historic Library from July 24 through September 15, 2023, inclusive of load in and load out days. The exhibit would be open to visitors during the following three (3) weekend periods:
· August 25-27
· September 1-3
H.12., File # 23-5738 Meeting Date: 4/4/2023
· September 8-10
Additional access to the location will be needed periodically for the purpose of conducting walkthroughs with design teams and artists in May. In exchange for a no fee license agreement with the City, FRBA proposes to pay for all utilities and program expenses, provide the City with indemnification, meet all insurance and legal requirements, and provide the art exhibition free of charge to the public.
The Historic Library was previously operated as an events space under a concessionaire agreement; the agreement expired on October 31, 2020 and the site remained unused during the COVID-19 pandemic. After conducting community outreach and Council consideration and approval, a Request for Proposals soliciting prospective operators was issued and proposals are currently under review.
As the location is currently vacant and not in use, and since a new Concessionaire Agreement is unlikely to be in place by August, the installation of the CA 101 2023 Art Exhibition during the proposed time period will not infringe on other City use of the space.
Staff recommends approval of FRBA’s proposed event and site use request as described in the attached letter and that the Council direct the preparation of a license agreement to codify the terms and conditions for use of the Historic Library.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s office coordinated the preparation of this report with the Community Services Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. FRBA will incur all costs associated with the installation and operation of the event.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
March 30, 2023 - FRBA Letter Requesting Use of Historic Library