02-04-2014 - Veterans' Memorial Public Art ProjectTO:
FROM:
BY:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Christopher J. Chung
City Manager
City of West Covina
Men7oran uin
AGENDA
ITEM NO 9
DATE February 4, 2014
Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
VETERANS' MEMORIAL PUBLIC ART PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Couuncil take the following actions:
1) Adopt the Veterans' Memorial as a City Public Art Project utilizing Public Art Funds; and,
2) Authorize City staff to retain a public art consultant for $10,000 utilizing Community
Services Foundation Funds (Veterans Memorial Account) to assist the City in implementing
and completing a design of the Veteran's Memorial as a City Public Art.
DISCUSSION:
At the January 21, 2014, City Council meeting, the City Council instructed City staff to prepare a
report on the construction of a Veterans' Memorial ("Memorial") possibly utilizing Public Art
Funds.
At the July 6, 2010, City Council meeting, the City of West Covina received a request from the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8620 (VFW) to constrict a Veterans' Memorial to honor West
Covina residents that have been killed serving their country while in the Armed Forces. At the
September 21, 2010, City Council meeting the City Council approved the VFW's request to install
the Veterans' Memorial Wall in the Civic Center Courtyard and a preliminary design was completed
by representatives from the VFW.
Memorial Design
The preliminary Memorial design is attached (Attachment No. 1) and includes five round columns
designed made out of concrete or a similar material with a concrete cap. The Memorial is
approximately six (6) feet tall, twenty (20) feet wide, and six (6) feet deep. Each column. is
approximately two (2) feet in diameter. The face of the concrete columns will be constructed to
allow bronze plaques to be placed flat onto the columns. Along the top of the Memorial will be
inscribed the words "West Covina Veterans' Memorial."
The bronze plaques on the Memorial will designate the specific wak/conflict, name of the soldier
killed in combat, and may include the branch of service/rank/date of death of the soldier. The base
of the memorial is to include lighting and space to allow for additional plaques to recognize
sponsors of the Memorial Wall. The structure itself is to be placed up against the existing
landscaping to minimize both the space and visual impacts on the courtyard.
In addition, a four (4) foot concrete path will be begin at the existing Veterans' Wall and run along
the concrete mow strip to the proposed location of the Memorial. The front of the Memorial will
also include a small concrete pad to allow visitors in a wheelchair to fully view each colur ul of the
Memorial and provided an appropriate turnaround area. The intent is to also include a small bench
to allow visitors a place to sit while visiting the Memorial). Based on the design from the VFW,
Public Works estimated the Memorial to cost approximately $50,000, which also included the
donation of materials and the use of volunteer labor. However, being a City public arts project
constructed by the City, Public Works estimated the construction of the Memorial could cost
between $50,000-$200,000, depending on the final design, engineering, and materials used (i.e.
stucco, concrete, marble, granite, etc.). Staff is recomnnendirng that the City retain an artist that
would work with and obtain input from the VFW to develop a Memorial design for the City.
The VFW would be responsible for developing the data from the United States Department of Defense
to identify those West Covina residents that have been killed in combat that are to be recognized on
the Memorial and recomi rend to the City the names of individuals to be honored on the Memorial. To
date, the VFW has identified approximately 21 soldiers killed in combat, with additional research
being conducted.
Art in Public Places Fund
In July 2004, the City of West Covina approved the Art in Public Places program to incorporated
public artworks (i.e. sculptures, statues, fountains, etc.) into new development projects and other
public places throughout the City. The artwork contributions enhance the aesthetic appearance of
development projects and provide an opportunity for public appreciation of the arts. hi addition, the
artwork contributions help to add an element of distinction and uniqueness to the projects and the
connnunity as a whole.
The Art in Public Places Program established an art requirement/fee equivalent to one percent of the
project cost (excluding land) for commercial projects and one-half percent for multi-fannily
residential projects to be utilized toward public art projects. The Ordinance also established that the
artwork contribution could be made in the form of a direct contribution of artwork (to be installed
either as part of the project or at another public site); or an in -lieu fee contribution paid to the City.
The artwork is required to be prepared by an artist and placed in a public location. Based on the
Ordinance, the Planning Commission adopted guidelines for reviewing artwork and utilizing the
funds provided by applicants through the in -lieu payment. The Guidelines specify that the Planning
Commission prepare an Animal Plan that determines the type and location of artwork that will be
created or purchased with the funds. The City has used a public art consultant to help select artists
and ensure that the artwork is durable and installed correctly. The public art consultant is an expert
in dealing with art, costs for creation, shipping, and installation, and acts as a liaison between the
City and the artist. In 2007, the City Council approved the use of Elwood & Associates as the
City's art consultant. They oversaw the Cory Lidle sculpture at Big League Dreams and the public
art projects at Cameron and Cortez Park.
Planuni.ng Review Process
Review of Art in Public Places submittals are under the responsibility of the Planning Department
with review by the Planning Commission. The process for developers, is outlined below:
• Developer submits conceptual design for Planning Department review (i.e. type of artwork,
location, interpretation of art, etc.).
• Once developer makes any changes provide by Planning Department, conceptual design is
reviewed by Planning Commission.
• Once developer makes any changes provide by the Planning Commission, final design is
reviewed by Planning Commission.
• Once approved by Planning Commission, project moved forward with installation.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has several options:
1. Adopt the Veteran's Memorial as a City Public Arts project;
2. Not adopt the Veteran's Memorial as a City Public Arts project;
3. Provide alternate direction.
City Art Project Reconunendatior)
Assuming the City Council wishes to pursue a Memorial, staff is reconnrnending the retention of a
Public Art consultant to assist in finalizing the design. The previously approved Veteran's
Memorial design was completed by volunteers utilizing a minimal budget. In addition, the
consultant could offer suggestions into a design that may take into consideration artistic features
consistent and incorporating the Civic Center Courtyard. As such, hiring a Public Art consultant to
assist the City and VFW in developing a Memorial that incorporates artistic design features and
materials would assist the City to implement a carefully planned out project. The art consultant will
assist the City to ensure that the artwork is durable, installed correctly, verify costs for creation of
the artwork, coordinate shipping, and supervise installation. The art consultant will also evaluate
the location and sizing of the Memorial to make sure it is harmonious _with the other uses in the
Civic Center Courtyard. City staff and representatives from the VFW will provide guidance to the
art consultant to determine if the existing design with enhancements, or a new design best serves
West Covina.
City staff will also work with the art consultant to minimize the construction costs of the project
based on the funds available. City staff would recommend up to $150,000 ($10,000 for design and
$140,000 in construction cost) to be utilized on this Public Art Project. The City Council will have
the ability to review the design and approve the actual cost of the project when staff returns to award
the bid for construction.
While the period of time needed for the art consultant to provide design options and to complete the
Planning Review Process is tmknown at this time, City staff would like to have a groundbreaking
for the Memorial on Memorial Day (May 26, 2014), with the Memorial dedication on Veterans Day
(November 11, 2014).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any fiscal impact will be dependent on direction taken by the City Council. Public Works has
estimated the cost of the Veteran's Memorial to range between $50,0004200,000, depending on the
final design, use of volunteer labor, and materials used (i.e. stucco, concrete, granite, etc.). It is
estimated that the art consultant may cost approximately $10,000.
To date volunteers have raised $11,222 for the Veterans' Memorial and the Art in Public Places
Fund has a balance of approximately $140,000. The VFW has received an additional $3,400 in
donations for the project, which will be deposited with the City shortly. City staff and the VFW will
continue to seek donations to help offset the use of Public Art Funds for this project.
Prepared by:
02 M
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager/Conununity Services Director
Reviewed by:
1��Ilztlllll-�-
Je nderson
P arming Director
Shannon Yauchzee
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Attaclunent No. 1 — Preliminary Approved Veterans'. Memorial Design
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