TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute Memorandums of Understanding, and any other necessary documents, with the Museum of Latin American Art and Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum to install and maintain art pieces in Gumbiner Park, for a term of five years, from June 1, 2018 through June 1, 2023, with three successive five-year renewal options. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
Gumbiner Park (Park) created new park space in a park-deficient area by closing a portion of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, and in the process, removed one of Long Beach’s most dangerous intersections. The 36,590-square-foot park is located between 6th and 7th Streets, adjacent to Alamitos Avenue. It serves approximately 32,000 residents who live within a one-half mile radius of the Park. The Park is named after Dr. Robert Gumbiner, the late doctor and philanthropist who played a key role in the founding of the nearby Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) and the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM).
In 2011, the City of Long Beach (City) was awarded $2.83 million from the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program to build the Park, which includes a performance area, a playground, a skate area, storm water retention and filtration features, a gathering space, and public art. To fulfill the public art component, the City partnered with MOLAA and PIEAM to identify appropriate art pieces reflective of the cultural art they represent, and that would be durable enough to withstand placement in a public park.
In February 2015, the City Council awarded the construction contract for the Park, which included platforms and lighting for display of the art pieces. During this time, the City worked through MOLAA and PIEAM and the selected artists to finalize the design of two of the art pieces. In addition, the City, MOLAA, and PIEAM worked together to finalize the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).
The MOUs include the following major provisions:
• Provide at least one piece of artwork for display at the Park at all times during the term of the MOUs;
• The artwork must be durable enough to be displayed in a public park and include a coating for easy cleaning and graffiti removal. MOLAA and PIEAM will be responsible to ensure the art piece(s) do not fall below an acceptable standard of display;
• MOLAA and PIEAM, at their sole cost and expense, will be responsible for maintenance of the artwork, and will reasonably protect and maintain the artwork in a safe and attractive condition against vandalism and the elements;
• MOLAA and PIEAM agree to require all artists who created artwork to execute and deliver to the City an Artist Waiver Form prior to the installation of the artwork; and,
• MOLAA and PIEAM will be authorized to program and reserve the Park for art-related programming, but will be required to follow all standard reservation procedures.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on May 21, 2018 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on May 3, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 12, 2018, to allow the art to be installed consistent with the Park plan included in the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program. The performance period of the grant expires on June 30, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
STEPHEN P. SCOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER