Agenda Item #13.6
For Council Meeting of: July 8, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GABE OSBURN, DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARTWORKS FOUNDRY LLC FOR 3D PRINTING, BRONZE CASTING, FINISHING, AND PATINA COATING OF ART PANELS AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Planning and Economic Development Department that the Council, by resolution, approve a Professional Services Agreement with Artworks Foundry LLC, Berkeley, California, for the purpose of 3D printing, bronze casting, finishing, and patina coating of the original Ruth Asawa art panels for the new fountain being constructed for Courthouse Square, in an amount not to exceed $406,900.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City’s Public Art Program has been working to restore and install the original Ruth Asawa art panels onto a new fountain in Courthouse Square. Due to considerable deterioration of the material of the original panels and related repair and maintenance costs, the Art in Public Places Committee approved casting the original panels in bronze and installing the bronze casts on the new fountain. Adequate funding to restore the art panels to a new fountain was not included in the original Courthouse Square Reunification budget. On November 30, 2021, Council approved a resolution for a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Artworks Foundry, LLC in the amount of $300,000, using PG&E settlement funds. While Artworks Foundry, LLC completed the digital scanning portion of the work, the initial contract has since expired and costs for casting and installation have increased. A new PSA is therefore proposed at $406,900 to cover the updated scope of work, which includes 3D printing, casting, finishing, applicable taxes, and contingency. This project funding will be allocated as follows: $270,000 remaining encumbrance from PG&E Settlement funds, $84,806.38 Courthouse Square Reunification, and $52,093.62 from Public Art.
BACKGROUND
The Public Art Program has been working with the family of the late artist Ruth Asawa, as well as with a team of professionals to address the condition of the art panels and plan for their return to Courthouse Square. Here is a brief timeline of the history of the project:
1985: Ruth Asawa contracted by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Rosa for bas-relief pre-cast concrete panels (glass fiber reinforced concrete or “GFRC”) for the fountain in Courthouse Square 1987: Ruth Asawa completes and installs art panels after working with students from Burbank Elementary and other community members 2016: Council approved design for reunified Courthouse Square, including the Asawa Fountain relocated to the south end of the square; unfortunately, funding to construct the new fountain and install art panels not included in original construction budget 2016: Art panels removed and transported to a storage facility prior to the Courthouse Square reunification project 2017: Conservators report indicates severe deterioration to the original panels post-removal, including water damage, discoloration and staining, cracks in panels, breakage and surface losses, hole blowout, rust, etc. 2019: Hugh Futrell Corp announces plan to construct new fountain 2021: Conservator’s recommendation: due to the deteriorating material, structural instability and ongoing needs of the original panels, casting the panels in bronze and installing the bronze casts on the fountain is recommended 2021: Ruth Asawa’s family submits letter of support: “We believe that [the panels] have become a beloved and important work for the local community and any plan should aim to create a durable solution so the work can remain in its outdoor setting. Since concrete has degraded over the years, particularly on the panel that had contact with water, we believe a replacement in bronze would create the most lasting and durable option.” 2021: It was discovered that Asawa had originally envisioned the artwork in bronze, but the original budget constraints did not allow for it. 2021: Resolution (RES-2021-208) of the Council of the City of Santa Rosa waiving competitive bidding, approving the allocation and appropriation of PG&E Settlement Funds in the amount of $300,000 for Ruth Asawa Art Panels; and approving professional services agreement with Artworks Foundry, LLC in an amount not to exceed $300,000 for bronze casting and attachment of art panels. 2022: Artworks Foundry, LLC Professional Services Agreement executed 2023: 3D Scanning completed; Artworks Foundry Professional Services Agreement expired.
The original contract executed in 2022 for $300,000, did not include or account for several project considerations which affect the final cost, such as digital printing, fabrication and taxes. During the review process in 2022 for repair and mold making, it was found that the panels were in disrepair and not in a condition to move forward. It was also found that the panels were an additional 51 square feet at 328 square feet, originally thought to be 277 square feet.
Council approved the waiver of competitive bid via resolution RES-2021-208. Artworks Foundry is uniquely qualified to provide the services needed and have extensive experience with Asawa’s artwork. They are one of the nation's leading foundries for the production and restoration of bronze sculptures, reliefs, and monuments. They are the only full-service foundry in the Bay Area that provides digital fabrication and casting, engineering, finishing and installation while also having the experience of working with Ruth Asawa and her family members on numerous projects.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
July 13, 2021 – City Council One-Time Monies Study Session; direction provided; no action taken.
October 26, 2021 – City Council One-Time Monies Study Session; direction provided; no action taken November 30, 2021 –Council approved the waiving competitive bidding, the allocation and appropriation of PG&E Settlement Funds in the amount of $300,000 for Ruth Asawa Art Panels; and a PSA with Artworks Foundry, LLC for $300,000 for bronze casting and attachment of art panels.
ANALYSIS
Funds will be allocated to a Professional Services Agreement with Artworks Foundry, LLC in the amount of $406,900. Artworks Foundry LLC will provide the 3D printing, casting, finish, and patina of the bronze panels.
A subsequent contract amendment will be required to address the funding and final phases of the project, including engineering, fabrication, and installation of the bronze panels onto the new fountain structure.
FISCAL IMPACT
Allocation of these funds does not cause an ongoing impact to the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
On August 2, 2021, the Art in Public Places Committee unanimously approved casting the art panels in bronze and installing the bronze casts on the fountain in Courthouse Square.
On April 7, 2025, the Art in Public Places Committee approved allocation of up to $75,000 to Artworks Foundry from the Public Art Funds for the Asawa Panel Project.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution/Exhibit A
PRESENTER
Meredith Knudsen, Arts & Culture Coordinator
APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARTWORKS FOUNDRY, LLC FOR 3D PRINTING, BRONZE CASTING, FINISHING, AND PATINA COATING OF ART PANELS