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CC - ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction on the Public Input Plan to Determine the Future Use of the City-owned Property at 11029 Washington Boulevard Including a Proposed On-site Temporary Art Project.
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Meeting Date: September 9, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/03/2024)
Department Approval: John Nachbar, City Manager (09/03/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide the City Manager direction on the public input plan to determine the future use of the City-owned property at 11029 Washington Boulevard, including a proposed on-site temporary art project.
BACKGROUND
On September 9, 2011, the City Council approved purchase of the property located at 11029 Washington Boulevard for $6.5 million. The property is a 0.2777-acre parcel containing a 4,660 square foot, one-story building with a former retail and office use built in 1953.The site is a corner lot with 20 parking spaces. The site is currently zoned Commercial - Community. In the draft Zoning Code update the parcel is proposed to be zoned Mixed-Use Corridor 1 - 35 dwelling units per acre.
Between 1953 and 2023, the property was used as the Martin B. Retting gun shop. Escrow closed on October 18, 2023, and Martin B. Retting closed and vacated the site by January 2024. The City has repainted the exterior of the site and installed a fence to secure the parking lot. The City’s Artist Laureate Katy Kranz installed a temporary mural project on the exterior of the building. Maps (Attachment 1) and photos (Attachment 2) of the property are included with this report.
At the May 28, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council discussed how to determine the future use of the property. The City Council directed staff to return to City Council with a proposal for a robust public input process to determine the future use of the property, for its consideration.
DISCUSSION
Staff proposes the following public input plan and timeline.
September 2024
• Webpage for public input goes live on the City’s website.
• GovDelivery email sent to subscriber list (20K+).
• Outreach to news agencies to highlight public input plan.
• Online input tool goes live. Tool will ask for details such as potential uses, costs and benefits, and ongoing funding. This will not be a formal Request for Proposals or Request for Information but will be a way for ideas to be submitted to the City in a way that encourages participants to consider feasibility.
• Paper version of the input questions also available at City Hall, Senior Center, and PRCS Offices. These can be completed and returned to the same place they were picked-up.
• Flyers with QR codes to online input tool sent home in backpacks with CCUSD students.
• Flyers with QR codes to online input tool are handed out at booths of City-sponsored events.
• Postings in English and Spanish go up on bulletin boards at coffee shops, Senior Centers, and parks.
• Community groups and organizations contacted with encouragement to share a link to the survey with their members.
• Social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Nextdoor seek public input. Link added to Linktree (directing Instagram followers). Will also be pushed to Facebook groups.
• Short video on City’s website and YouTube page promotes public input.
October 2024
• Promotion of public input tool continues.
• Online public input tool continues.
• Wednesday afternoon at Tellefson Park: staff will have a table in the park to gather input.
• Saturday morning open house at 11029 Washington Boulevard with coffee and donuts.
o Ideas collected so far will be presented and attendees can give positive or negative feedback on each, in a creative fashion.
o New ideas can be submitted.
o Artist Laureate Katy Krantz will lead a public art activity (see below).
November 2024
• Promotion of public input tool continues.
• Online input tool remains open.
December 2024
• Online input tool closes.
• Staff begins analysis of proposals and ideas submitted.
January 2025
• Regular City Council Meeting agenda item: Review Public Input and give direction.
Proposed Art Project
On December 11, 2023, the City Council considered and approved a temporary art project by Artist Laureate Katy Krantz at the property, for an amount not-to-exceed $14,000. Phase I was completed in January and February 2024.
Artist Laureate Katy Krantz has proposed a Phase II of the art project, which is a ceramic tile mural on the side of the building. Staff and Ms. Krantz propose that the mural be part of the community input process for the property. Public participation in the creation of the mural, led by Ms. Krantz, will be incorporated into an input-gathering community event at the building, in order to draw people to the event and encourage community participation.
At the July 16, 2024 regular meeting of the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC), Katy Krantz made a verbal presentation regarding Phase II. Phase II focuses on the five trapezoidal frames on the building wall at pedestrian-level. CAC members made recommendations and asked questions regarding the proposed work. Ms. Krantz incorporated the CAC feedback into a revised proposal, which was presented to the CAC on August 20, 2024. At its August 20 meeting, the CAC made a recommendation to the City Council to approve the project.
Attachment 3 is a detailed project description, including overview of process and design, timeline and budget, and illustrations. Ms. Krantz anticipates that Phase II will be completed in December 2024.
If the City Council provides direction to move forward with Phase II, staff will proceed with an amendment to Ms. Krantz’ existing contract, which is within the City Manager’s administrative authority.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Expenses for labor, paint, supplies, and installation for Phase II of the mural project are estimated to be $5,786, which will be paid for with funds from the Cultural Trust Fund (Fund 413), Temporary Art Displays and Exhibits (PZ676). The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 includes sufficient funding for this project. CIP# PZ676 can be found in the Capital Improvements section of the budget book in Cultural Arts Fund section (Fund 413).
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 -09-09 ATT Maps 11029 Washington
2. 2024-09-09 ATT Interior Exterior Photos 11029 Washington
3. 2024-09-09 ATT Katy Krantz Art Project Proposal
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Provide direction to the City Manager on the public input plan to determine the future use of the City-owned property at 11029 Washington Boulevard, including the proposed on-site temporary art project by Artist Laureate Katy Krantz.