Title:
Title
Agreement: Purchase of Artwork for the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
End
FileID
File ID: 2021-00279
Location
Location: District 4
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute an agreement with the De La Torre Brothers, Inc., for the fabrication, installation, and purchase of the artwork referred to as “We Have Lift Off” to be located at the corner of J and 13th Streets next to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in an amount not-to-exceed $750,000.
FileName
Contact: Lennee Eller, Program Manager, (916) 808-8877; Mannylyn Timoteo, Administrative Analyst, (916) 808-3982; Jody Ulich, Director, (916) 808-5105, Convention and Cultural Services Department.
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Agreement
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and Performing Arts District is undergoing an extensive expansion and renovation project which includes several public art projects. These art pieces will create landmarks for visitors, meeting points for patrons attending events, engage the public, and enliven the district. The City has an Art in Public Places (“APP”) program as set forth in chapter 2.84 of the Sacramento City Code. The Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission (SACCE) is charged with providing for the nature, selection, and placement of artworks in the APP program subject to final approval by Council. Pursuant to section 2.84.110 of the Sacramento City Code, the SACCE recommends selection of the artist team to design, fabricate, and install the artwork. This report recommends that City Council authorize the execution of an agreement with De La Torre Brothers, Inc., which is the corporation owned by artists James and Einar De La Torre (“Artist Team”) for a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 for the fabrication, installation, and purchase of the artwork piece named “We Have Lift Off”, to be located on the corner of J and 13th Street next to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.
Policy Considerations: The City has an APP program as set forth in chapter 2.84 of the Sacramento City Code, which requires at least 2% of the total construction cost for eligible capital improvement projects to be spent on artworks in public places. SACCE’s selection of the above-mentioned artwork for the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center and Performing Arts District satisfies the APP program policies and procedure and the program goal of site-specific public art.
Economic Impacts: Public art projects contribute to the local economy by providing work for local businesses, including but not limited, to architects, engineers, electricians, and general contractors. No more than 20% of the contract amount is paid as fees to the artist being commissioned.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): In accordance with CEQA, the City, as “lead agency”, determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) should be prepared for the Convention Center Complex Renovation and Expansion Project (C3 project). On June 19, 2018, City Council approved Resolution No. 2018-0252 certifying the Environmental Impact Report and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the C3 project.
Sustainability: The C3 project and the public art projects have been designed utilizing energy efficient standards and will reduce the carbon footprint contribution, therefore helping meet the City of Sacramento’s sustainability goal.
Commission/Committee Action: In accordance with Sacramento City Code section 2.84.110, SACCE has the authority to make recommendations to the Council on all artworks that are to be acquired by the City either by purchase or gift.
On October 8, 2018, the predecessor to the SACCE, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) approved the selection of De La Torre Brothers, Inc., and passed a motion recommending Council approve the execution of a design agreement.
On April 9, 2019, Council passed a Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute an agreement between the City and De La Torre Brothers, Inc., for a not to exceed amount of $220,000 for the design and budget of the artwork. The design and concept of the public art sculpture was developed under City Agreement No. 2019-1090.
On February 8, 2021, SACCE unanimously approved the Artist Team’s comprehensive design and budget proposal (Final Design) developed under City Agreement No. 2019-1090, for the Artist Team’s public art sculpture.
Rationale for Recommendation: SACCE recommends that the City execute an agreement with the Artist Team for the fabrication, construction, installation, and purchase of the site-specific artwork at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center. Under City Agreement No. 2019-1090, the Artist Team developed necessary plans, to fabricate, transport, and install the artwork within budget while creating an iconic landmark for the Convention Center at the corner of J and 13th Streets.
The Artist Team was selected pursuant to an open and competitive process, and funding has been set aside for the acquisition of this artwork. Furthermore, this Artist Team was chosen because they have the ability and experience to complete the artwork as proposed. The Artist Team will enter into an agreement working closely with architects, City staff, and Hunt Construction Group to complete the fabrication and installation of the artwork.
The title for the rocket sculpture, “We Have Lift Off,” exemplifies the positive spirit of the City of Sacramento and the city being the state’s capital. The rocket sculpture has two distinct visual impacts, one in the day and one at night. During the day it can be viewed as a playful, up-lifting “Instagram moment,” and a landmark for meet-and-greet convention goers. At night, the work will light up, depicting shapes of flora and fauna biomass from the Sacramento River projected on the Convention Center’s monumental walls. The goal of the artwork sculpture is to invite a deeper reflection on how technology can be a positive guardian of nature. The simple poetic message of the rocket sculpture is to celebrate the City and the State as examples of vanguard technology and amazing natural beauty.
Financial Considerations: Sufficient funding is available (2018 Tax-Exempt Transient Occupancy Tax Revenue Bonds, Fund 6330) in the Convention Center Complex Renovation and Expansion Project (M17100100) to execute an agreement with the De La Torre Brothers, Inc. in the amount not-to-exceed $750,000.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not Applicable