City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 08/23/2010 Item Number: C-6
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Approval of an Amendment to the Existing
Professional Services Agreement with Sculpture Conservation Studio for
Continued Maintenance of Certain City-Owned Sculptures
Contact Person/Dept.: B. Christine Byers/
Community Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5776
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (08/18/10); (EMAIL)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld: (08/11/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (08/18/10)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (08/18/10)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (08/18/10)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve an amendment to an existing
professional services agreement with Sculpture Conservation Studio (SCS) for
continued maintenance of certain City-owned sculptures.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
Of the approximately 90 individual art works in Culver City commissioned through
the City’s Art in Public Places Program, nearly 40 of these are owned by the City.
Maintenance of art work, per Section 15.06 et seq. of the Culver City Municipal
Code, rests with the property owner.
Of those art works owned by the City, there are several outdoor metal sculptures
whose regular maintenance involves regular cleaning using distilled water and mild
solvents followed by the application of a thin layer of wax. This treatment ensures
the preservation of both the sculpture’s patina and retention of integrity of the metal
for an extended period of time.
The City employs a number of different contractors for restoration and maintenance
of its public art, depending on the scope of services required. SCS, whose hourly
rates are competitive with other similarly qualified conservation firms in Los Angeles,
has been under contract with Culver City since 2006 for the maintenance of certain
outdoor sculptures. The initial contract, executed in 2006, was for $10,000. In City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
March 2008, the City Council authorized the first amendment to the 2006 contract in
an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the maintenance of five outdoor sculptures
(Cougar I and II, Film Strip USA, Path of Life, A Moment in Time, and The Lion’s
Fountain). At that time, staff estimated that $20,000 would last two years; this
amount was exhausted earlier this month.
Due to the specialized nature of conservation work, there are only a small number of
firms in Southern California qualified to treat outdoor sculptures pursuant to
professional standards established by the American Institute for Conservation of
Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). SCS is one of the firms affiliated with the AIC;
staff has worked with several other AIC affiliated firms on other projects and SCS’s
rates, level of service and experience are competitive to those of similarly qualified
conservators. In light of this staff recommends amending SCS’s contract a second
time for another $20,000. This amendment would also include maintenance of an
additional sculpture, Tree of Life, located in Carlson Park.
Based on the average costs listed below, staff estimates that the $20,000
amendment will last approximately 18 to 24 months.
Art Work Average Treatment Cost
Film Strip U.S.A. $3,600/yr
The Lion’s Fountain $1,500 x 2 – 3 /yr
Cougar I and II $1,000/yr
Path of Life $1,200/yr
A Moment in Time (Harry Culver monument) $1,200/yr___________
Total Average Annual Treatment Cost $10,000 - $11,500
(For Film Strip U.S.A. and The Lion’s Fountain, the fountain portion, including water
systems, mechanics and lighting are maintained by the City’s Public Works
Department. In 2009, the City paid approximately $1,700 to restore the newspaper
for A Moment in Time after it was badly scratched which included the application of a
durable, protective coating to the metal to help minimize the impacts of future
scratching and tagging. Tree of Life in Carlson Park will first require some
restoration work to address the scratch marks in the brass sections of the sculpture,
currently estimated at $1,500 - $2,000 for time and materials. Thereafter, routine
maintenance would include cleaning and waxing of the sculpture.)
Per Culver City Municipal Code § 3.07.070.A, the award of professional services
agreements are not subject to the formal competitive bid process.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
All costs associated with maintenance and restoration outlined in this staff report are
paid from the Art Fund (Fund 413). Currently there are $26,937 available for City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
maintenance (41300634) and $63,047 for (41300824) for restoration of art work (of
which $2,750 is Fiscal Year 2010/2011 appropriations in P-634; the balance of what
is available are carryover funds from Fiscal Year 2009/2010).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Background and reference information on Sculpture Conservation Studio
2. Before and after treatment images of The Lion’s Fountain
3. Images showing current condition of Tree of Life in Carlson Park
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with
Sculpture Conservation Studio in the amount of $20,000 for continued
maintenance of certain City-owned sculptures; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare necessary documents; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
MEETING DATE: August 23, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of Amendment to Existing Professional
Services Agreement with Sculpture Conservation
Studio for Continued Maintenance of Certain City-
Owned Sculptures
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Background and reference information 1-3
on Sculpture Conservation Studio
2. Before and after treatment images of 4
The Lion’s Fountain
3. Images showing current condition of 5
Tree of Life in Carlson Park
ATTACHMENT 1
123The Lion’s Fountain
Before and After Treatment Photos
August 2010
Before Treatment
After Treatment
ATTACHMENT 2
4Tree of Life
Current Condition
August 2010
ATTACHMENT 3|1013|