SUBJECT:     2003 PUBLIC ART WORKPLAN, FIRST QUARTER REPORT; THREE-YEAR MAINTENANCE REPORT

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT:City-Wide

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Adoption of the 2003 Public Art Workplan, First Quarter Report and Three-Year Plan for Conservation and Maintenance of the City’s Public Art Collection.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

In accordance with Title 22 of the Municipal Code, the San José Arts Commission, through the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), presents a Public Art Workplan to the City Council each calendar year.  The City Council adopted the first Public Art Workplan in February 1992. 

 

Since the onset of the Public Art Program, the Arts Commission has raised the importance of maintenance and conservation.  In FY91, $20,000 was budgeted by City Council for the Arts Commission to repair and restore ten works held in the City’s collection.  Since that time, OCA has budgeted and spent approximately $5,000 to $20,000 annually for repair, restoration, and routine maintenance of public art, from its annual operating budget.

 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Funds to support the Public Art Program elements covered in the 2003 Workplan are provided from the 2% funds for Art in Public Places and 1% from private developers.  Community-based projects and artist training programs are supported by Transient Occupancy Taxes and community-based sponsors.

 

The 2003 Public Art Workplan includes 44 projects: 36 City of San José capital projects, including Measure O & P Libraries and Parks Bond Projects; 3 San José Redevelopment Agency (SJRDA) capital projects; and 5 public art projects associated with private developers’ public art contributions to the City.

 

The status of the current public art projects is as follows:

 

Artist Selection Phase

Schematic Design

Design Development

Fabrication

Pending

City Capital Projects and Measure O & P Bond Projects (36)

5

6

2

10

13

SJRDA Projects (3)

 

 

1

2

0

Private Projects (5)

1

2

2

 

0

 

 

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR REPORT

 

In 2001, OCA initiated a Request for Proposals from qualified art conservationists to review and assess the City’s entire public art collection.  Conservation Art Services of San Francisco was selected to develop a comprehensive survey of the condition of the collection and to estimate maintenance and conservation costs.  A full report, which considers long and short term needs, was received in late 2002 and was reviewed by the Arts Commission in consideration of the development of a maintenance plan for public art. 

 

The 2001-02 Conservation Survey Report indicates that of the public artwork collection, several artworks are in good condition and require no treatment at this time; a few are beyond the value of repair and should be considered for removal or replacement; many artworks require long-deferred repairs or restoration, ranging from surface damage conservation, to reapplication of protective coating, to corrosion removal.  A number of artworks need to be scheduled for routine maintenance and/or cleaning to remove dirt, debris, and stains; and a limited number require further study to determine structural integrity and safety conditions.

 

A rough estimate for immediate needs for the next two years is approximately $160,000-$200,000 for repairs of critical artworks, and structural review and assessment of potentially unstable artworks.  The Arts Commission recommended that staff prepare a workplan for

maintenance and conservation of the collection based on the following criteria:

·        Facilitate immediate repair of artworks that can be funded by outside resources;

·        Artworks that are at risk or unstable should be evaluated for public safety, and be repaired or removed;

·        Artworks of highest value and those sited outdoors and exposed to the elements should be treated prior to interior works, and should be completed as funding sources are available;

·        Conservation proposals should be solicited from qualified vendors in order to develop a specific maintenance plan that is feasible, cost-efficient, and that involves an apprentice- training component.

 

Since that recommendation, staff has completed conservation of the privately endowed Veteran’s Memorial at a cost of more than $9,000; completed repair work on two other pieces; and contracted for an assessment on another artwork.   On January 8, 2003, the Arts Commission approved a three-year plan for maintenance and conservation of the City’s art collection.

 

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

The annual Public Art Workplan is reviewed by the Public Art Committee, the Arts Commission, and City Council, all of which are publicly noticed meetings.

 

 

COORDINATION

 

The 2003 Public Art Workplan is coordinated with the Budget Office, the Department of Public Works, the City Attorney, and the San José Redevelopment Agency.

 

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

Consistent with the February 4, 2003 Budget Strategy memo approved by Council, sections A. 4, conservation and maintenance will continue to emphasize prevention and expenditures that reduce costs to the City and our community; and B.3, these capital projects have a neutral impact on the General Fund, and spur construction spending to help local economic recovery.

 

 

BUDGET REFERENCE

 

Fund:                Various Public Art Projects

Amount:                       $13,857,449

Appropriations: Various

Budget Document: 2002-2003 Adopted Capital Budget, Pages 82, 131, 180-183,

185-186, 188-190, 202, 217, 274, 289, 318-320, 333, 349, 386, 404, 489-492, 509, 552, 623, 655, 814, A-100. 

 

 

CEQA

Not a project.

 

JIM McBRIDE

Acting Director, Conventions, Arts and Entertainment