CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
12/12/2023
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: YVETTE E. AGUILAR
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ANDREW (AJ) DAVIS OF PROJECT
STREET GOLD FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND INSTALLATION OF
OUTDOOR PUBLIC ART IN THE SIGNAL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY ZINNIA
COURTYARD
Summary:
The City has a history of incorporating art into parks and public facilities. With the opening of the Signal Hill Public Library, the City Council desired to enhance the Signal Hill Public Library Zinnia Courtyard by encouraging creative expression. To effectuate this purpose, the City Council formed the Arts Sub-Committee (subcommittee) to facilitate the process and approved issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an outdoor public art project.
The City released the RFP in June 2023 and received 21 proposals. Subsequently, one artist withdrew their proposal leaving a total of 20 proposals. Following review of proposals, the subcommittee selected five (5) artists for an interview. Upon conclusion of the evaluation process, the subcommittee recommends the City award a contract to Andrew Davis (aka AJ Davis) of Project Street Gold, to design, construct, and install the outdoor public art piece in the Zinnia Courtyard.
Staff recommends City Council approve the Contract Services Agreement with Andrew Davis of Project Street Gold to design, construct, and install the final outdoor public art in the Zinnia Courtyard in the amount not-to-exceed $80,000. The estimated completion date for this project is April 2024.
Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract Services Agreement with Andrew Davis of Project Street Gold for the design, construction, and installation of the outdoor public art piece in the Signal Hill Public Library Zinnia Courtyard, in an amount not to exceed $80,000, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 4 Printed on 12/7/2023
powered by Legistar™
12/12/2023
Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of the contract is a not-to-exceed amount of $80,000. The City Council previously approved sufficient funds to cover the proposed contract amount in the FY 2023-24 Parks, Recreation and Library Services Department budget. The proposed artwork includes an augmented reality (AR) component that requires an annual subscription. The initial set-up costs for the augmented reality are included in the construction of the artwork, but the costs for future subscription renewal and general maintenance of the artwork will be incorporated into the Parks, Recreation and Library Services annual operating budget.
Strategic Plan Objectives:
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
Background:
The City has historically incorporated public art into new City parks and facilities when feasible. Some examples of the City’s existing public art include the Mist Tower and Gallery Windows at Hilltop Park; the Tribute to the Roughneck sculpture and Solar Interpretation of the summer solstice and winter equinox at Sunset View Park; and the mural located at the basketball courts in Signal Hill Park.
With the opening of the Signal Hill Public Library in 2019, the City continued its desire to incorporate an element of public art in the new facility. The City Council appointed a subcommittee to facilitate the art selection process. The subcommittee later identified the Library’s Zinnia Courtyard as a space that could be enhanced by incorporating art along the concrete retaining wall.
In June 2023, the City issued an RFP for the Outdoor Public Art Piece Project (“Services”) with proposals due on Friday, August 4, 2023.
Analysis:
RFP Circulation Process
In total, the City received 21 responses by the August 4, 2023, deadline; one artist later withdrew their proposal.
Evaluation Process and Artist Selection
The subcommittee reviewed the submitted proposals based on the City’s requirements and the CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 4 Printed on 12/7/2023
powered by Legistar™
12/12/2023
artist’s ability to meet the following criteria:
• Evoke a sense of community, as well as representation of the community’s diversity. • Pay tribute to the past.
• Create a sense of hope and progressive vision for the future. • Foster a sense of beauty, multi-layered meaning, or have other compelling attributes. • Create artwork appropriate for a public space.
• Create artwork that is durable, safe, and low maintenance.
After a thorough review of the proposals, the subcommittee determined the five proposals from the following artists (8th Wonder Studios, ArtsWithJobs, David Gilmore, Dibari Innovation Design LLC, and Project Street Gold) best met the criteria and invited them to an interview on September 8, 2023.
Based on the results from the proposal evaluations and interviews held, the subcommittee determined that AJ Davis of Project Street Gold met the evaluation criteria, conveyed a logical approach and methodology for the scope of services requested, and demonstrated the qualification and professionalism to complete the project.
The scope of work for the final artwork includes the following:
· Submit artwork proposal based on the criteria outlined in the RFP. · Provide an explanation of artwork, and why the concept was proposed. · Meet with the committee to discuss feedback and further desired edits to the proposed artwork.
· Redraw artist concept using suggestions provided by the subcommittee. · Present a concept drawing before the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to installation. · Incorporate feedback and present final concept to the reviewing committee and City for staff approval.
· Present final concept drawing to City Council for approval. · Construct and install artwork to City specifications by deadline.
AJ Davis included an element of AR in his artwork and indicated his ability to work with the subcommittee throughout the process to refine the artwork to reflect the ideas proposed. The initial set-up costs for the augmented reality are included in the construction of the artwork, but the costs for future subscription renewal and general maintenance of the artwork will be incorporated into the Parks, Recreation and Library Services annual operating budget. This cost is estimated to be less than $2,000 annually. Subsequently, the subcommittee met with AJ Davis to ensure the final artwork is reflective of the original criteria, as well as an appropriate display of artwork for Signal Hill.
Additionally, AJ Davis has experience working with other municipalities through public-private partnerships for public artwork in other states.
On October 18, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the artwork proposal based on the subcommittee’s recommendation and unanimously voted to recommend that City Council CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 3 of 4 Printed on 12/7/2023
powered by Legistar™
12/12/2023
on the subcommittee’s recommendation and unanimously voted to recommend that City Council consider awarding a contract to Andrew Davis of Project Street Gold for the final design, construction and installation of the outdoor library artwork.
Staff recommends entering into a Contract Services Agreement with Andrew Davis of Project Street Gold to design, construct, and install the final outdoor public art installation in the Zinnia Courtyard in an amount not-to-exceed $80,000; the estimated completion date for this project is April 2024.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Attachment:
A. Contract Services Agreement
B. Artist Proposal
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 4 of 4 Printed on 12/7/2023
powered by Legistar™