Item 6AGENDA ITEM NO.6
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF UTILIZING THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FUND TO MAINTAIN
EXISTING ARTWORK AND COMMISSION NEW ARTWORK
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Utilize a portion of the Art in Public Places fund to commission artwork in the form of a mural at the
Orangewood Park skate park; and
2. Approve the Planning Commission's recommendation to create an Art in Public Places
Subcommittee; and
3. Ratify the Mayor's appointment of Council Member Lefty Lopez-Viado, Planning Commisioner
Brian Gutierrez, Community and Senior Services Commissioner Sherry Fischer, and Assistant City
Manager Paulina Morales to the Art in Public Places Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND:
On August 17, 2004, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2117, which established the requirement of
Art in Public Places for certain developments within the City. Ordinance No. 2117 added a new Article II
(Art in Public Places) to Chapter 17 (Planning) of the West Covina Municipal Code. The following
projects are required to provide public art or pay the "in -lieu" contribution:
. New residential projects consisting of the subdivision of ten (10) or more residential lots and/or
construction of ten (10) or more residential units
. New nonresidential projects having total project costs of $500,000 or more
. Expansion and/or remodeling of existing nonresidential projects having a total project costs of
$250,000 or more
. Mixed use projects consisting of both residential and nonresidential development that meet one (1)
or more of the criteria listed above
. Capital improvement projects involving the construction of public buildings or facilities and having a
project costs of $500,000 or more
When developers choose to pay the "in -lieu" contribution, they are required to pay 0.5% of the total
project costs for residential development and 1 % of the total project costs for non-residential
development. Funds collected from the in -lieu contributions are deposited in the Art in Public Places
fund. Monies in the Art in Public Places fund may only be used for the following purposes:
. The purchase, commission, and/or installation of public artwork
. Maintenance or restoration of public artwork
. Art education programs and events
. Plaques and signage
. Publicity and promotional materials for public art programs and functions
. Training and development for staff and commissioners involved in the administration of the Art in
Public Places program
.Other costs directly associated with the administration of the art in public places program as set
forth in the annual program budget.
Per Section 17-74 of the West Covina Municipal Code, a work program is required to be prepared each
year setting forth a plan for use and expenditure of funds, including specifying locations for artwork. The
Planning Commission is required to review the annual Art In Public Places work program and render a
recommendation for the final approval by the City Council.
DISCUSSION:
At its May 10, 2022 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the 2022/2023 Art in Public Places
Annual Work Program. The Planning Commission reviewed and considered utilizing the Art in Public
Places funds to maintain existing artwork and to commission new artwork.
Existing Artwork
The last artwork that the City commissioned is the West Covina Veterans Memorial located in the Civic
Center Courtyard. The West Covina Veterans Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 2016. The total cost
of the design and installation of the West Covina Veterans Memorial was approximately $186,000
(including $10,000 raised by the Veterans groups). The Memorial is overdue for the periodic
maintenance procedure (inspection, cleaning, and waxing) that was recommended by the City's Art in
Public Places consultant in 2016. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council direct
staff to contact Rosa Lowinger & Associates (professional arts conservator previously recommended by
the City's art consultant) to obtain a quote for the maintenance procedure and present the information for
the City Council's consideration at a later date. If directed by City Council tonight, staff will obtain a quote
for the maintenance of the Veterans Memorial and bring it back to City Council for further direction.
Future Artwork
Since February 2023 is West Covina's centennial anniversary, the Planning Commission recommended
that the City Council utilize a portion of the Art in Public Places fund to commission a new public art
installation in the City, which could be unveiled during the City's centennial celebration, or during a
special event throughout 2023. The potential artwork can be in the form of a mural at the Orangewood
Park skate park, or another form of art in a public area within the City.
Art in Public Places Subcommittee
The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council create an Art in Public Places
Subcommittee comprised of one (1) City Council member, one (1) Planning Commissioner, one (1)
Community and Senior Services Commissioner, and the Community Development Director (or staff
representative) appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The Subcommittee will be
tasked with reviewing proposals for the artwork and making the recommendation to the City Council.
The Mayor has appointed Council Member Letty Lopez-Viado, Brian Gutierrez (Planning Commissioner),
Sherry Fischer (Community and Senior Services Commissioner), and Assistant City Manager Paulina
Morales to the Art in Public Places Subcommittee.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this staff report.
Prepared by: Jo -Anne Burns, Planning Manager
I
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City currently has approximately $297,000 in the Art in Public Places fund. Additionally, $99,999
was included in the approved FY2022-23 City Budget for a skate park mural.
Project No.
Fund Name
Account No.
FY2022-23
Proposed
Budget
23012
Art In Public Places
1 212.80.7004.7700
99,999
Total
$99,999
Funding for the maintenance procedure will require a budget amendment which will be presented to
Council for consideration with the maintenance agreement at a later date.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Enhance City Image and Effectiveness
A Well -Planned Community
A Creative and Active Communuty