City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (the “Council”) approve a budget amendment
allocating the percent for public art fees for new development at The Culver Studios
and Rush Pacifica’s project at 9300 Culver Boulevard, and up to $23,000 from the
Art Fund, to support historical/cultural and live performance components included in
the design for the expansion of Town Plaza. This recommendation was
unanimously supported by the Cultural Affairs Commission (“CAC”) on October 10,
2006.
A 4/5ths vote is needed to approve a budget amendment.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
On October 3, 2006, the Redevelopment Agency (the “Agency”) considered and
unanimously approved a modified design by Johnson Fain for the expansion of
Town Plaza. The approved design concept includes several historical/cultural
features (a water feature paying tribute to La Ballona Creek, artistic lighting marking
the former railroad tracks that once intersected adjacent to the site, and delineation
of the property line between the former Rancho Rincon De Los Bueyes and Rancho
La Ballona) as well as an open event and live performance space. The Agency staff
report included a recommendation to use the percent for public art funds for the two
adjacent projects (Culver Studios Comprehensive Plan Amendment and the 9300
Culver Blvd. redevelopment) for the expanded Town Plaza; and also to contribute up
to $23,000 from the Art Fund for these features.
Meeting Date: 11/27/06 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: A Budget Amendment Appropriating Public Art Fund Fees for
New Development at the Culver Studios and Rush Pacifica’s Project at 9300
Culver Boulevard, and up to $23,000 From the Art Fund Towards the Town Plaza
Expansion Project.
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Byers/
Susan Obrow/Joe Susca
Phone Number: (310) 253-5776, 5762 or
5763
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Cultural Affairs Master Notification List (11/08/06); Cultural Affairs
Commission (11/08/06); Johnson Fain, LRM Landscape Architects, Rush Pacifica, and
CBM Consulting Incorporated (11/08/06); Master Notification List (11/22/06).
Department Approval:
Susan Evans (11/02/06)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (11/21/2006)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (11/21/2006)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Without use of these public art funds, the budget for this project could not support
construction of key elements which not only enhance the design of the space but
more importantly, allow for a wide range of cultural programming options.
On October 10, 2006, the CAC reviewed and considered staff’s recommendation
(report attached) in light of the Agency’s approval of the modified Town Plaza
expansion design and its desire for additional outdoor performance space. The CAC
unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to the City Council that a total of
$388,898 be allocated from the percent for public art contributions and the Art Fund
toward the historical/cultural and performance space features.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The $388,898 for the historical/cultural and live performance elements is based on a
formal cost estimate provided to staff. The percent for public art fees from The
Culver Studios and the 9300 Culver Blvd. projects have not yet been paid to the
City. Pursuant to Section 15.06.100 et seq. of the City’s Municipal Code, these fees
would be paid into the Art Fund and would remain in Fund 413 under a new
separate project account dedicated to the Town Plaza Expansion. The $243,000 in
percent for public art fees for the Rush Pacifica project at 9300 Culver Blvd. is
considered a conservative estimate and the actual amount due is expected to be
higher. However, staff is requesting an additional $23,000 from the Art Fund as a
contingency. The current Art Fund balance is approximately $731,834, with
approximately $350,000 available for future allocations.
When the Agency’s legal ability to maintain the Town Plaza expires, unless other
funding sources were investigated and implemented, the City would become
responsible for its ongoing maintenance. On-going maintenance costs for the
expanded Town Plaza may be an increase over current maintenance expenses
associated with the area’s present configuration (public street with landscaped
medians). Public Works staff has been and will continue to be consulted with regard
to design and materials to be used in all components relating to the expanded Town
Plaza so as to minimize maintenance requirements. Staff is also investigating the
possibility of establishing permit fees paid by event producers, an assessment
district, and vendor cart licensing fees in support of Town Plaza’s ongoing
maintenance. On the Third Street Promenade, the City of Santa Monica receives
an average of $9,000 annually per vendor cart in licensing fees, in addition to
business and sales tax revenues.
Set-up and breakdown costs associated with specific events in the expanded Town
Plaza will be paid for out of the associated event’s budget. City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cultural Affairs Commission Staff Report Dated 10/10/2006.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a budget amendment to record the art contribution receipts and
allocate the appropriations as follows:
Approve the percent for public art fees for the Rush Pacifica 9300 Culver
Boulevard project (currently estimated at $243,000), The Culver Studios
Comprehensive Plan Amendment ($122,898), and an additional $23,000 from
the Art Fund, be appropriated toward the historical/cultural features and
specified live performance components of the future Town Plaza expansion
project (the project account numbers will be established by City Treasurer’s
Office).
A 4/5ths vote is needed to approve a budget amendment.
MEETING DATE: November 27, 2006
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Appropriating Public Art Fund Fees
for New Development at the Culver Studios and
Rush Pacifica's Project at 9300 Culver Boulevard,
and up to $23,000 From the Art Fund (Fund 413)
Towards the Town Plaza Expansion Project
ATTACHMENT
Pages
1. Cultural Affairs Commission Staff Report Dated 10/10/2006 1 - 3City of Culver City, California
Cultural Affairs Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 10/10/2006 Item Number: A-1
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration and Recommendation to the City Council Regarding
the Allocation of Percent for Public Art Funds for the Town Plaza Expansion Project.
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Byers/ Phone Number: (310) 253-5776 or 5762
Susan Obrow
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [1 General Fund: Yes I] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Cultural Affairs Master Notification List (10.05.06)
Department Approval: Susan Evans CAO Approval: N/A
City Controller Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Commission approve that the percent for
at The Culver Studios and Rush
and up to $23,000 from the Art Fund
historical/cultural and live performance
expansion of Town Plaza.
Agency ("the Agency") considered and
by Johnson Fain for the expansion of
approved design concept includes several
paying tribute to La Ballona Creek, artistic
that once intersected at the site, and the
Rincon De Los Bueyes and Rancho La
live performance space. The Agency also
plan that would include construction of
canopy, ambient and artistic lighting,
of the black asphalt topped access
the Town Plaza.
event/live performance space will not only
to its attraction as a destination, but also
Plan as adopted by the City Council in|1010|Staff recommends the Cultural Affairs
public art fees associated with new development
Pacifica's project at 9300 Culver Boulevard
(Fund 413) be allocated to support
components included in the design for the
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
On October 3, 2006, the Redevelopment
unanimously approved a modified design
Town Plaza (staff report attached). The
historical/cultural features (a water feature
lighting marking the former railroad tracks
property line between the former Rancho
Ballona) as well as an open event and
instructed staff to prepare a second phase
eight pylons (used for mounting movie screens,
and graphic art displays), along with replacement
road with matching pavement that complements
The historical/cultural features and open
enhance the design of the plaza and add
support the goals of the Community Cultural
2003.City of Culver City, California
Cultural Affairs Commission Agenda Item Report
Earlier this year, The Culver Studios presented a Comprehensive Plan Amendment
to the Planning Commission and the City Council that included the construction of a
new office building and parking structure. The combined percent for public art
requirement for both structures, pursuant to CCMC Section 15.06.100 et seq., is
$122,898. In addition, the proposed Rush Pacifica project at 9300 Culver Boulevard
is now conservatively estimated to trigger a minimum public art requirement of
$243,000 (The amount from the new construction at The Culver Studios is based on
actual City-issued Building Permit valuations; the amount of the 9300 Culver
Boulevard project is an estimate and is subject to change based on construction
drawings.) The estimated amount from the two projects combined is approximately
$365,898. In both instances, the property owners support the option of paying the
in-lieu fee to the City (pursuant to CCMC Section 15.06.125) and having these funds
allocated for specific historical/cultural features and performance-related equipment
in the expanded Town Plaza area.
Performance Space
To date, the primary outdoor performance space used by City staff is the City Hall
Courtyard. A second, outdoor performance space that is flexible enough to be used
for a wide variety of live entertainment as well as other types of events would be a
significant enhancement to what is currently available and is one of the programming
priorities of the proposed Town Plaza expansion. The primary location for
performances will be on the south side of the expansion area, using the surrounding
historic buildings as a backdrop. However, the combination of the portable,
sectional stage and the open areas of the plaza, will allow for more than one
performance area configuration. The proposed design will accommodate
approximately 500 chairs and a stage the size of that currently used for the Summer
Sunset Music Festival. Total seating capacity within the expanded plaza area —
including grassy portions — is expected to accommodate approximately 800 people.
The approved design concept includes permanent wiring and support infrastructure
for lighting and sound systems necessary for staging live performances and events.
In addition, staff has budgeted $25,000 for 500 chairs, a portable, sectional stage
(approximately 16 x 24'), and purchase of instruments and cabling for performance
lighting. Storage for chairs and a stage would be at the Ince Parking Structure.
Staff is not recommending purchasing permanent sound equipment as each
performance or event demands a specific set up.
Public Art
The current Town Plaza already includes three pieces of public art: The Lion's
Fountain, a zoetrope, and the Harry Culver sculpture which is entitled, A Moment in
2City of Culver City, California
Cultural Affairs Commission Agenda Item Report
Time. Staff feels that the existing art work would be appropriately complemented by
the proposed historical/cultural elements and that combined, the artwork and the
new elements (as well as the surrounding historic buildings) reference some of the
most central themes associated with the City's history and identity. The new
historical/cultural features are site-specific and unique to this project.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The total estimated cost for the historical/cultural and live performance components
to be paid for out of percent for public art funds is $389,000. This includes $69,000
for the railroad lighting; chairs, stage and lighting for live performances ($25,000);
and, $295,000 for the Ballona Creek water feature with hard scape and lighting
system components. Staff is expecting that the entire amount will be covered by the
percent for public art requirements for the Rush Pacifica and Culver Studios projects
but is asking for up to $23,000 from the Art Fund as a contingency. At present the
Art Fund balance is approximately $731,834, with approximately $350,000 available
for future allocations. This balance does not include payments for either the Rush
Pacifica 9300 Culver Boulevard or Culver Studios development projects.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Redevelopment Agency Staff Report of 10/03/2006: Consideration of a Modified
Design for the Expansion of Town Plaza in Downtown, and Amending
Agreements with LRM Landscape Architects and Johnson Fain for Additional
Design Coordination Services and Preparation of Construction Documents; and,
2. Color Images Showing Johnson Fain's Current Design Scheme.
MOTION:
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
Recommend to the City Council that the percent for public art allocations for the
Rush Pacifica 9300 Culver Boulevard project, The Culver Studios project, and up to
$23,000 from the Art Fund be allocated toward the historical/cultural features and
specific live performance components for the future Town Plaza expansion and
moved to Redevelopment Agency Account Number 33393400.730100 (Downtown
Street Improvements). |1013|