Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Approve a Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation in Support of an Encroachment Permit Application for the Installation of Utility Box Art in Washington Plaza
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Community & Business Development
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution to authorize the City Manager to prepare and transmit a Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement (Agreement) to the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) assuming responsibility for the cost, installation, maintenance, removal, and restoration of mural art on CalTrans-owned traffic control cabinets in Washington Plaza in Downtown San Leandro.
BACKGROUND
In 2022, the City of San Leandro celebrated 150 years as an incorporated City. Multiple celebrations of varying kinds took place throughout the year. To visually memorialize this milestone, the City issued a Call for Artists to recruit local talent to contribute artwork for placement on utility boxes in six locations throughout San Leandro. This artwork celebrates the City’s sesquicentennial by depicting historic buildings, a legacy of manufacturing, or San Leandro’s diversity and culture.
Analysis
Of the six locations chosen, five are home to City-owned utility boxes and only one is CalTrans-owned. The Agreement applies only to the utility boxes located underneath the oak tree in Washington Plaza, adjacent to E. 14th Street. Created by artist Casey Rickey, the artwork for this location incorporates photographic images of Washington Plaza throughout history, that creates a visual historic marker for the site. The artwork will be printed on a 3M vinyl wrap to be professionally applied upon receipt of an approved permit from CalTrans.
The City first began adding art to utility boxes in 2013 and has since adorned 84 cabinets in 49 locations across San Leandro. The need for maintenance of the utility boxes has been minimal, most commonly amounting to the occasional removal of graffiti. Vinyl-wrapped artwork is easier to clean due to its design, and so removing graffiti is easily done with commonly available household products, a cloth, and some elbow grease. Vinyl replacement wrap is rarely warranted; should it in whole or in part be necessary, the artwork files can easily be retrieved, reprinted, and installed. This process is costlier than cleaning, but not cost prohibitive. The only reason for a complete wrap replacement to date has been vehicular accidents that cause irreparable damage to the utility box. This has occurred twice in ten years.
The utility box art project has been very well-received by the community since its inception in 2013. The success of the program has established San Leandro as a catalyst for other area cities to adopt their own programs. Many neighboring cities have sought advice from City Staff on the implementation of utility box art in their communities and have launched their own successful programs.
Applicable General Plan Policies
Policy ED-5.11 Civic Beautification. Undertake streetscape improvements and place-making efforts near BART, along major arterial streets, and in established business districts. Such improvements should maximize the potential for increasing business activity.
Policy CD-1.3. Program Development. Develop and maintain programs that recognize and protect historic sites, structures, trees, and other landscape features.
Legal Analysis
City Attorney has reviewed the Agreement and approved it as to form.
Financial Impacts
The cost of the utility box art project, including the other five locations, is $24,500, which includes the design and installation of the artwork. There is sufficient Fiscal Year 2023-2024 carryover and Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund budget in account 010-43-003 for installation and maintenance of the utility box art. Staff estimates maintenance costs total $500 or less per fiscal year. There is no General Fund impact with the approval of this agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution
Attachment B: Caltrans Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement
Attachment C: Artwork Design
PREPARED BY: Lars Halle, Economic Development Specialist, Community Development