REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRIAN BARR, Director General Services Department BY: CLIFF TRAUGH, Administrative Manager General Services Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to conservation of 15 pieces of artwork located at Fulton Street, Convention Center, and Mariposa Mall: 1. Affirm the City Manager's determination that Sculpture Conservation Studio is uniquely qualified to perform conservation services for city owned artwork; 2. Award a services contract to Sculpture Conservation Studio in the amount of $275,000 to provide non-professional maintenance services to artworks located at Fulton Street, Convention Center, and Mariposa Mall; 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the contract on behalf of the City and execute all related documents ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council affirm the City Manager's determination that Sculpture Conservation Studio is uniquely qualified to perform conservation services for city owned artwork; award a services contract to Sculpture Conservation Studio in the amount of $275,000 to provide non-professional maintenance services to artworks located at Fulton Street, Convention Center, and Mariposa Mall; and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the contract on behalf of the City and execute all related documents. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY General Services seeks to conserve 15 pieces of city-owned public art located at Fulton Street, Convention Center, and Mariposa Mall. General Services is proposing to utilize the services of Sculpture Conservation Studio based upon their unique qualification of prior experience with the relocation and restoration of the artworks during the Fulton Mall Reconstruction Project and their credentials with the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). Sculpture Conservation Studio will perform conservation treatments utilizing appropriate materials, methods, and techniques according to AIC guidelines to mitigate future deterioration and ensure the long-term preservation. Through this process, the artwork will be returned to a like new condition. BACKGROUND As part of the Fulton Mall Reconstruction Project, the City invested approximately $1.8 million to restore 32 artworks located on Fulton Street that were in conditions ranging from stable to poor. The dedication for the re-opening of Fulton Street was on October 21, 2017, at which point the artworks and fountains were in good condition. However, due to calcium and other minerals in the fountain water, rain, dust, vehicle, and other forms of pollution, the condition of the artworks' appearance continues to degrade. In 2015, Sculpture Conservation Studio was subcontracted to complete the cost-based maintenance, restoration, and relocation of the 32 artworks. This project was complex and required a high degree of skill and care to adequately preserve the artwork. In 2019 Sculpture Conservation Studio was again contracted to evaluate the condition of these pieces and perform recommended maintenance. Due to this history of quality performance and their familiarity with the artwork, Sculpture Conservation Studio has been determined to be uniquely qualified to perform this maintenance and conservation. All work performed by Sculpture Conservation Studio has conformed to the strictest conservation standards and guidelines by the AIC, and with the United States Department of Interior's Standard for Historic Buildings. Under this agreement, Sculpture Conservation Studio will perform conservation treatments utilizing appropriate materials, methods, and techniques according to AIC guidelines to mitigate future deterioration and ensure the long-term preservation. Through this process, the artwork will be returned to a like new condition. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING Staff has determined that a Categorical Exemption is appropriate, based on Section 15301 Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, which exempts repair, maintenance or minor alterations of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Staff recommends Council, adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines for the Artwork Conservation Project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because the service provider is uniquely qualified. FISCAL IMPACT General funds and American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to fund these conservation efforts. General funds for this service contract were included in the FY2025 adopted operating budget for the Public Works Department and the General Services Department. The American Rescue Plan Act funding is $22,420. Attachments: Artwork List Exhibit Memorandum of Unique Qualification Service Agreement