PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to request City Council select an artist to design and fabricate a public art project for the DeBell Clubhouse.

BACKGROUND

The Art in Public Places Ordinance requires that a development project with a construction budget over $500,000 contribute 1% towards an art installation. A development project is any development which requires a building permit. 

The City has developed numerous public art installations in conjunction with new capital projects.  These would include, but are not limited to, the Police/Fire Headquarters Facility, the Stough Canyon Nature Center, the Buena Vista Library/Lincoln Park, the McCambridge Park renovation and the Burbank Water and Power facility.

The construction of the new DeBell Clubhouse meets the criteria of the Art in Public Places Ordinance.  The public art budget for this project is $50,000.  The DeBell Clubhouse Oversight Committee recommended an exterior sculpture directly relating to a golf theme as the most appropriate art installation.  The committee is comprised of two Councilmembers, a member of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director, Public Works Director, Financial Services Director, Deputy Park, Recreation and Community Services Director, the Golf Professional, and the clubhouse concessionaire.

ANALYSIS

In June 2006 staff released a Request for Proposal/Request for Qualifications for the DeBell Clubhouse project.  On August 1, 2006, staff received fourteen proposals from qualified artists throughout the country.  The Oversight Committee carefully reviewed all proposals, and selected four semi-finalists.  The semi-finalists were interviewed by the Committee, and ultimately two finalists were selected to present their proposals to Council for selection.

Ms. Sheila Cavalluzzi, a Burbank resident, was selected as one of the finalists.  She proposes a slightly larger-than-life golfer showing a forward swing just after impact.  Her model has the golfer in bare feet, however if this is a concern, she can sculpt the figure with shoes.  Her proposal demonstrates the power and beauty inherent in the game of golf. (Attachments A-C)  Ms. Cavalluzzi also designed and fabricated the well known sculpture �The Guardians,� located in front of the Police and Fire Headquarters.

The second finalist is Mr. Ron Pekar, a resident of Glendale.  He also proposes a larger-than-life sized bronze figure at the conclusion of a swing.  Mr. Pekar presented several sketches to the Committee of figures representing different eras, such as a golfer dressed in attire from the 1920�s, 1940�s, 1950�s, etc.  The Committee selected two sketches.  (Attachments D, E)  Mr. Pekar also indicated, if desired that his sculpture could incorporate a facial likeness of Mr. Joseph DeBell. (Attachment F)  Mr. Pekar also designed �Money Totem� located at the Burbank City Federal Credit Union and �Tree Spirit� at Wildwood Canyon Park.

The renderings were presented to the Greens Committee who like the sculpture proposals.  Two representatives favored Mr. Pekar and one favored Ms. Cavalluzzi.

FISCAL IMPACT

The public art budget is $50,000.  The public art budget is included in the total budget of clubhouse project.  There will be no additional fiscal impact.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is the recommendation of staff that City Council select an artist to design and fabricate a bronze sculpture for the DeBell Clubhouse.    

Attachments

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