DATE: JUNE 18, 2024
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: LISA BRINTON, DIRECTOR
THROUGH: GRANT LEONARD, PLANNING MANAGER
BY: MARIA CONTRERAS, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
TITLE: ALISAL VIBRANCY PLAN SALINAS-BASED ARTIST GRANTS PILOT PROGRAM RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution:
Approving the Alisal Vibrancy Plan Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program (“Program”), and appropriating $150,000 from Capital Improvement Program 9246, EDE Alisal Vibrancy Plan, to fund the Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP) Salinas-Based Artist Grant Pilot Program will provide financial assistance and technical support to Salinas-based artists who are selected through a request for proposals (RFP) process for upcoming Alisal Greening and Beautification Project public art opportunities. Approval of the Program will allow the City to implement the remaining components of the Alisal Greening and Beautification Project. The Program supports City Council’s economic development strategic goal to implement the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, and to support and engage small, large, and entrepreneurial businesses. The funding source for the Program is $150,000 from the EDE Alisal Vibrancy Plan CIP (9246).
BACKGROUND:
Alisal Greening, Beautification, and Safety Project:
On August 9, 2022, the City of Salinas entered into a Restricted Grant Agreement with the California Department of Transportation accepting Clean California Local Grant Program (CCLGP) funds in the amount of $2,147,958 for the Alisal Greening, Beautification and Safety Project (the Project).
Proposed improvements for the Project include litter abatement, beautification through planting drought-tolerant vegetation and trees, installation of wayfinding signs, installation of banners, permeable paver installation, installation of trash and recycling receptacles, youth pedestrian safety education programming to foster a safe, clean, connected, and accessible environment and installation of sidewalk art highlighting safe routes through the neighborhoods along with four (4) public art features to be installed in East Salinas.
The Project is currently in construction for the infrastructure improvements and staff is developing calls to artists via request for proposals (RFPs) for the following public art components of the Project:
Alisal Street/Skyway Boulevard roundabout gateway monument/art sculpture.
Bread Box Recreation Center art sculpture.
Closter Park Community Center mural.
Trash-recycling corral painted murals and or wraps.
Support for Local Artists:
In November 2019, the City adopted the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, which includes specific goals related to promoting and investing in public artwork within the Alisal community. The Salinas Public Art Master Plan was adopted in February 2020 and states the community’s vision for public art, outlines public art policies, and identifies implementation priorities and projects for public art in parks, corridors, gateways, municipal buildings, and private property.
Since adoption of both plans, the City has moved forward with multiple public art projects within the Alisal Community. These projects include a new City sponsored mural at the Bread Box Recreation Center completed in 2023 and installation of three new murals at U.S. 101 underpasses along Alisal Street, Market Street, and Sanborn Road completed in 2023 through the Clean California State Beautification Program that was managed and administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with City staff support.
A recurring comment received during both projects was the need to include local artists when designing and installing new public artwork. It was also noted that that the regulatory complexities of publicly funded projects can result in a barrier to participation of local artists. Additionally, the up-front costs for such projects can pose a challenge to emerging artists who may not have existing financial reserves to cover project costs while waiting for reimbursement from the City or other project sponsors.
In response to these comments, the AVP Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program was developed to provide financial assistance which would cover the upfront costs required of the upcoming Calls to Artists for the current Alisal Greening, Beautification, and Safety Project. Staff will also be available to provide technical assistance to selected artists to ensure compliance with any grant funding requirements.
Requirements of these Calls for Artists, include but are not limited to:
City Business License
Department of Industrial Relations Registration
Insurance Liability Costs
Supplies and Material Costs
Equipment Costs
Community Outreach costs
The Program will provide financial support ranging from $10,000 to up to $25,000 to Salinas-based artists who apply and make the final selection of the Alisal Greening and Beatification Project Calls for Artists. Attachment 2 outlines the proposed Program structure.
Staff is reviewing current program guidelines from other agencies, such as the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC), City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), and the Central Coast Arts Coalition (CCAC), to develop the Program’s application process and technical support programming. Following Council approval, staff anticipates launching the Program in July 2024. The Alisal Greening, Beautification, and Safety Project’s Calls for Artists would be released a few weeks prior to the launch of the AVP Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the Project and Program are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Section 15301-Existing Facilities, Class 1, and Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land, Class 4) because the Project proposes improvements which will take place on public sidewalks, adjacent to businesses, residences, and on public facilities (parks and recreation centers) throughout the life of the Project. Noise created by the construction will take place during daylight hours and will be of short duration. Furthermore, the Project is not subject to any of exemptions to the categorical exemptions found at CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 that would require additional analysis.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The Program addresses two City Economic Development Strategies identified in the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan:
Supporting and engaging small, large, and entrepreneurial businesses, and Promoting Salinas as a desired destination for business.
In addition, the Program supports City Council’s Goals and Strategic Initiatives of Implementing the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, and Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability, through the development and installation of public art features in East Salinas.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Development of the AVP Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program and the Calls for Artists for Alisal Greening and Beautification Project is a continued effort between the Community Development, Public Works, City Attorney, and Library and Community Services department. Coordination between these departments will continue through completion of the Project. Lastly, staff will continue to coordinate with the Finance Department in the accounting of the Program funds.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Identified funding is currently appropriated in the EDE Alisal Vibrancy Plan (CIP 9246) and would need to be reappropriated to the Alisal Vibrancy Plan Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Draft Resolution
Attachment 2: AVP Salinas-based Artist Grants Pilot Program Eligibility Criteria and Requirements Page | 3
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