REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Chris Slama, Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
title
Approve the Artwork Design and Location for the Huntington Central Park Public Art Installation as approved by the Design Review Board (DRB)
body
Statement of Issue:
On December 7, 2020, City Council authorized the execution of a Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and RDG Art Studio for the design and installation of a public art piece. There is now a need for City Council to approve the design and location of the Huntington Central Park Public Art installation, which was approved by the Design Review Board on June 10, 2021.
Financial Impact:
Funding in the not-to-exceed amount of $300,000 was approved as part of the City Council action on December 7, 2020, and is currently encumbered in the Public Art in Parks Fund 236, account 23645001.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the design and location for the Huntington Central Park Public Art installation, as approved by the Design Review Board on June 10, 2021.
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
At the September 21, 2020 City Council meeting, the City Council authorized Mayor Semeta to appoint an ad-hoc Huntington Central Park Public Art Committee (Committee) to help develop a scope of services for a Request for Proposals (RFP), review the proposals, and recommend to the City Council the final artist selection, artwork, and location. The Committee was subsequently formed, comprised of two City Council members, three community members, and two staff.
The RFP was open for submittals from October 19 through November 13, 2020, and eleven artists responded. The proposals were reviewed by the Committee, and the top five ranking artists were invited to participate in interviews. After interviewing all five top candidates, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend RDG Art Studio (RDG) as the most qualified artist to commission the artwork for the public art installation in Huntington Central Park. On December 7, 2020, the City Council authorized the execution of a Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and RDG.
On January 28, 2021, RDG conducted a virtual town hall meeting and survey to collect feedback from the community regarding uses of the park space, and visioning for an iconic art piece within Huntington Central Park. Stakeholders including the Secret Garden, Tree Society, HB Art League, Huntington Harbour Art Association, the Central Park Collaborative, and various Central Library groups were invited to attend, in addition to an open call to the public. The virtual town hall and survey were made available for residents to access for two weeks.
RDG worked closely with the Committee during 2021, and presented two conceptual designs for consideration. As described in the RFP, the iconic public artwork is original, community and artist generated, and harmonizes with and respects the integrity of the unique architecture of the Central Library and natural aesthetic of Huntington Central Park.
On June 10, 2021, the Design Review Board approved the final concept presented by the Committee and RDG. The artwork will be titled “To See Yourself In Nature…,” and is comprised of two 13’ tall pillars situated in a serpentine configuration. The concave side of each pillar will have reflective qualities constructed of hand-treated stainless steel. The convex side of each pillar will be made of etched brass and include enlarged imagery of a butterfly wing. Large boulders used for seating will be locally sourced in California, and there will be subtle up-lighting elements installed. The overall footprint of the artwork will be approximately 384 sq. ft. The artwork is proposed to be installed east of the Secret Garden, accessible from the existing walking path, and visible from the reading deck of Central Library.
The Design Review Board issued a Notice of Action and Conditions of Approval, including that the artist must ensure the stainless steel side of the art piece will not create any glare that may negatively impact the surrounding area, and that the artwork must be maintained in good appearance at all times. Additionally, the City Attorney’s Office conducted an analysis of Measure C and determined that Measure C does not apply.
Staff is recommending the approval of the public art design as approved by the Design Review Board. Upon approval, RDG will begin to fabricate the art piece, with estimated completion of installation to be in the spring of 2022.
Environmental Status:
The art piece is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b) (3) of the CEQA guidelines because there is no potential for the art piece to have a significant effect on the environment.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Community Engagement
Attachment(s):
1. Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington Beach and RDG Art Studio
2. Notice of Action from the Design Review Board No. 21-004