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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08) 10A_Public Art Donation_Staff Report w attachmentsPARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE:August 3, 2021 TO:The Honorable City Council FROM: Bryan Cook, City Manager By: Adam Matsumoto, Director of Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: PUBLIC ART DONATION RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to: 1.Review public art donation and determine if the City will accept or decline the donation; 2.If public art donation is accepted, provide direction on executing an agreement for donation with the property owner for identified sculptures, and allocate a funding source for removal, transport and installation. BACKGROUND: 1.On June 6, 2021 Trudi Sparnicht reached out to the City regarding the donation of sculptures located on private property in Temple City. Ms. Sparnicht expressed a desire to donate the sculptures to the City of Temple City. 2.On June 16, 2021 City staff met with the current homeowners and representatives of Ms. Sparnicht to conduct an inspection of the art pieces and to gather information. ANALYSIS: Trudi Sparnicht reached out to the City to inquire about donating a total of six (6) art sculptures located on private property in Temple City. Ms. Sparnicht is the former owner of the property, and the art pieces were created by her late father John Barr. Ms. Sparnicht provided the City a short biography on the artist John Barr (Attachment “A”). Ms. Sparnicht indicated she has a written agreement with the current owner to allow her time to find a recipient for the art pieces. AGENDA ITEM 10.A. City Council August 3, 2021 Page 2 of 3 Staff visited the site of the art pieces on June 16, 2021, to gather information and determine their current condition. There are a total of 6 sculptures being offered for donation, three (3) made of concrete and stucco and 3 made of steel. Staff was able to conduct a visual inspection of the art pieces, however no structural plans were created for these items. A detailed report of the condition and dimensions of the art sculptures is provided (Attachment “B”). All 6 sculptures are permanently installed on-site. To remove the sculptures, their concrete footings would need to be excavated. Additionally, the large concrete sculptures and one of the metal sculptures would require a crane for removal and flatbed truck to transport to the City Yard for temporary storage. The two smaller metal sculptures can be removed without the need of heavy equipment and can be accomplished by City owned resources. Due to the lack of structural plans for all the art pieces, it is unknown how well the sculptures will withstand removal and transport. The concrete structures are most uncertain in terms of durability, as none of the sculptures were built with the intent of removal. Although an agreement exists between the current property owners and Ms. Sparnicht, the City would require a separate agreement with the property owner for the removal and donation of the art pieces. During the site visit on June 16, 2021, the current owners expressed verbally that they would be agreeable to donating the art pieces to the City. In total, the cost to remove, transport, store and re-install all 6 art pieces would range between $20,000-$25,000. The cost considers the rental of heavy equipment and staff hours. The cost does not consider potential repair work needed on the private property due to removal. The total cost would decrease depending on the size of the art piece removed and whether heavy equipment would be required. Ms. Sparnicht indicated she would be willing to donate up to $3,000 to offset the costs for removal and transport of the art pieces. CITY STRATEGIC GOALS: The public art donation would further the City’s Strategic Goal of Quality of Life. FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated total cost is between $20,000-$25,000. Funding would most likely come from the General Fund reserves. However, staff will attempt to identify other possible funding sources. City Council August 3, 2021 Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENTS: A. John Barr Biography B. Sculpture Overview John Bio Background (Provided by daughter Trudi Sparnicht) Born November 29, 1917 in San Gabriel, he graduated Alhambra High in 1935. In 1948, after working as a draftsman for C.F. Braun, he went into business for himself as a building contractor. Over the next 47 years, he designed, built or remodeled over 200 homes and commercial buildings throughout Southern California, the majority in the San Gabriel Valley. From 1958 to 1960, he served as president of the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the Building Contractor’s Association, promoting design and building to local high school students. In 1964, he was selected to build the Los Angeles Times “Home of the Year.” Even though Barr did not have a college degree, in 1980 the American Institute of Architects recognized his design contributions and conferred upon him the status of architect. Barr resided in the home he designed and built in Temple City for 51 years. The Barr home was prolifically decorated with his artwork in many media, particularly carving and sculpture. His artwork centered in phases: He worked in collage, wood carvings, then large metal and large concrete sculpture. Thematically, the ones on the property still, developed around games – “The Pair of Dice” and “the Ball and Jack”, and family – “Daniel” the large metal rectangle named after his grandson, and “Madonna” representing his first daughter at the birth of her son, Daniel. Most of his artwork has been distributed to friends and family. He was never interested in showing his work or trying to sell it. But it was always on public display at the house, and both he and his wife frequently gave tours to people who stopped during their walk or as they were driving by. The local elementary school took field trips through the house as well. I am very grateful to you for coming today and taking time to consider adopting any one of the pieces or all the pieces. Attachment A Sculpture Overview “Ball and Jack” •Construction: Concrete, rebar, wire mesh and stucco •Dimensions: Jack 7’8” x 5’2” x 5’2”, Ball 4’ x 4’ x 4’ •Both pieces have large concrete footings •Would require use of crane and flatbed to remove and transport •Due to the use of stucco, durability is unknown. May be susceptible to damage during removal and/or transport. “Madonna” •Construction: Concrete, rebar, wire mesh and stucco •Dimensions: 4’7” x 3’10” x 3’10” •Appears to have a large concrete footing •Would require use of crane and flatbed to remove and transport •Due to the use of stucco, durability is unknown. May be susceptible to damage during removal and/or transport. Attachment B “Tulip” • Construction: Concrete, rebar, wire mesh and stucco • Dimensions: 7’7” x 4’2” x 4’2” • Has a significant concrete footing and is installed near concrete and asphalt. If removed, most likely there will need to be repair work completed on the homeowner’s concrete and asphalt. • Would require use of crane and flatbed to remove and transport. This sculpture is located in the backyard of the house which provides some obstacles for removal. • Due to the use of stucco, durability is unknown. May be susceptible to damage during removal and/or transport. “Daniel” • Construction: Welded steel • Dimensions: 12” x 5’ x 5’ • Piece is bolted to the concrete pad. A crane would be needed to remove, the base appears to only be bolted in place and not permanently anchored in the concrete footing. • Appears durable enough to remain intact for removal and transport. Would need to rent a crane and flatbed for removal and transport. • If donation is approved, a new concrete pad would be required for installation at new location. “Pair of Dice” • Construction: Appears to be welded sheet metal • Dimensions: 5’7” x 3’4” x 3’4” • Art piece is on top of a concrete slab. Unclear how the art piece is affixed to the concrete slab. May have some sort of anchor in the concrete but would not be known until excavation is completed. • May be possible to remove by hand. If art piece is not permanently anchored to the concrete pad, removal by hand is possible. • Should be durable enough and small enough to transport utilizing a City resources. “Unnamed” • Construction: Sheet metal and pipe • Dimensions: 4’8” x 3’10” x 3’10” • Sculpture has a small concrete footing • Most likely possible to remove by hand • Should be durable enough to transport and small enough to transport utilizing City resources. • *Art piece is missing a portion of the sculpture. A lion’s head used to be affixed to the disk portion.