SR 02-14-2017 3I
Ci ty Council
Report
City Council Meeting : February 14, 2017
Agenda Item: 3.I
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director , Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding for Temporary Public Art Installations for the
Colorado Esplanade Triangle and Third Street Promenade, in Partnership
with Downt own Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and DTSM for a
pilot temporary art program on the City’s lands caped triangular open space at the
Colorado Esplanade (triangle) adjacent to the intersection of Main Street and extending
along the Third Street Promenade to Wilshire Boulevard (Exhibit A) in an amount not to
exceed $75,000 for an 18 -month period .
Execu tive Summary
Staff requests Council authorization for the City Manager to negotiate and execute an
18 -month Memorandum of Understanding with DTSM for a pilot temporary art program
that would result in a temporary City art installation at the Colorado Espla nade (triangle)
adjacent to the intersection of Main Street, and additional public art installations
extending along the Third Street Promenade to Wilshire Boulevard (Exhibit A), in an
amount not to exceed $75,000 for an 18 -month period.
The Cultural Af fairs Division (CAD) and DTSM will partner to select and commission a
slate of artists who will create these temporary public art installations to activate the
Colorado Esplanade at the triangle, with the artwork potentially extending down the
Third Street Promenade to Wilshire Blvd, beginning in the second quarter of 2017. The
City’s investment in this pilot will be $75,000, which will be drawn from Colorado
Esplanade Percent for Art funds.
Background
In late -summer 2016, DTSM and CAD discussed the idea o f partnering with DTSM on a
pilot project that would implement public art and activate the Colorado Esplanade. This
project was conceived to complement the DTSM Ambassadors program, which was
approved at the December 6, 2016 Council meeting. The City curre ntly has $75,000 in
Percent for Art funds that are allocated for artwork on the Colorado Esplanade. The Arts
Commission , its Public Art Committee and DTSM will approve selected art ists . City
2 of 3
funds will be utilized to solicit and select artists to create te mporary public art
installations owned by the City in the triangle at the Colorado Esplanade . T hose funds
will be supplemented with up to $150,000 in DTSM funds to extend the art activations
through the Third Street Promenade and possible locations beyond .
Discussion
Arts and cultural activities activate public spaces and create welcoming environments
for residents and visitors alike, which is especially valuable in Santa Monica due to the
increase in foot traffic resulting from the Expo light rail line. Downtown has a rich array
of public art, including large and small scale pieces such as Cradle, by Ball -Nogues
Studio outside of Parking Structure 7 or the Bells and Books sculptures by Jacqueline
Dreager on the Promenade . More of the Santa Monica public a rt collection can be found
online at: http://www.publicartarchive.org/SantaMonica . By partnering and sharing
resources with DTSM, the City will be able to enhance this experience by extending the
artworks into the larger downtown footprint, encouraging ped estrian mobility in the
downtown core.
Staff seeks to formalize the partnership with DTSM by entering into a MOU that will
outline responsibilities and costs associated with this project. CAD will commit $75,000
of its percent for art (PFA) funds, which will be spent on artwork that is featured at the
Colorado Esplanade triangle and owned by the City , with the understanding that some
of those works may also include components that can be placed along the Third Street
Promenade. For example, an art piece may be displayed on the Esplanade triangle,
with instructions on where to find other parts of the artwork at various locations within
the Third Street Promenade. Artworks will not be sited on streets or in crosswalks, and
the priority for City funds will b e the Esplanade triangle installations. DTSM will fund a
consultant to manage the installation of the project on behalf of the City , in addition to
funding art projections that will be sited along the Third Street Promenade and
throughout downtown. Each en tity (CAD and DTSM) will manage its own funds; no
money will be exchanged.
By partnering on this project and pooling resources, the artworks selected for the
3 of 3
downtown area will be aesthetically holistic, which will increase both the presence and
impact o f the art.
Next Steps
Once approved by the Council, the Arts Commission and Public Art Committee will
consider the MOU at their February 27 meeting s . Downtown Santa Monica’s District
Issues Committee will consider the MOU at its February 14 meeting. The Arts
Commission, Public Art Committee and Downtown Santa Monica board will approve the
artists selected for commission.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with Downtown Santa Monica is for an
amount not to exc eed $75,000 . Funding is available in the FY 2016 -17 Capital
Improvement Budget at account C010081.589000.
Prepared by: Shannon Daut, Cultural Affairs Manager
Prepared By: Shannon Daut, Cultural Affairs Manager
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attac hments:
A. Exhibit A -Map of project area
B. SR -12 -06 -2016 -3P 303 -025%2F303 -009
Exhibit A: Map of project area
Ci ty Council
Report
City Council Meeting : December 6, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.P
1 of 7
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director , Housing and Economic Development, Economic
Development Division
Susan Cline, Director, Public Works Department, Karen Ginsberg, Director,
Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Pilot Program for Park Ambassadors
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a Services Agreement with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. to establish a pilot
ambassador services program for Tongva and Palisades Parks for a one year wi th a
one year option, starting on January 1, 2017.
Executive Summary
The success of the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) ambassadors, combined with
increasing public activities in the two downtown -adjacent parks, has prompted staff to
propose a one -year pilot program with a one -year option to provide ambassador
services in Tongva and Palisades Parks with the goal of improving the parks’
cleanliness and safety and the public’s perception of the parks. Under the proposed
program, ambassadors would help sup port a comfortable and active environment for all
park visitors by offering hospitality services (directions, recommendations, escorts, etc.)
and reporting maintenance or safety issues to responsible City departments.
Background
The May 2016 opening of the downtown station of Expo light rail phase 2, combined
with the June 2016 opening of the Colorado Esplanade, created a significant gateway
for the public to access Santa Monica’s downtown, the Pier, and Santa Monica’s
adjacent parks. The initial rider ship numbers have exceeded expectations and the
amount of pedestrian activity throughout Santa Monica’s downtown and oceanfront
areas has been significant. Concurrently, as the regional issue of homelessness
continues to be a challenge throughout the Los Angeles area, park users have noted a
marked increase in the number of homeless people in the downtown -adjacent parks.
2 of 7
Over the past two decades, stewards of public parks have focused on a variety of
means to activate parks in order to help ensure that th ey are welcoming and
comfortable for all users, including residents, visitors, employees of nearby businesses,
and unhoused individuals who may have few other options. Key means for activating
public parks have included diverse programming, such as cultur al and musical events,
fitness and mindfulness classes, games, and outdoor reading rooms. Park activation
strategies have also focused on providing park ambassadors to greet park patrons,
answer questions, and report maintenance problems to park maintenan ce staff and
behavioral problems to local police.
Since its opening, Tongva Park has included a series of cultural events that draw a
diverse group of participants. Tongva Park’s Discovery Hill (children’s play, splash, and
picnic area) is also heavily u sed. However, other parts of the park are used less
frequently and the public has expressed concerns about feeling unwelcome in those
areas of the park. Similarly, Palisades Park is heavily used by fitness enthusiasts
engaged in walking, running, and tra ining, as well as park patrons who enjoy the
incredible views over the Pacific Ocean.
DTSM launched its hospitality and maintenance ambassador program in 2009 following
the establishment of the Downtown Santa Monica Property -Based Assessment District
(PBAD) in which property owners voted to fund supplemental and enhanced services to
benefit the downtown area through a special assessment. Ambassadors are uniformed
sidewalk concierges trained to assist those seeking information about downtown, report
ma intenance or other public safety issues to the appropriate parties, and provide a
welcoming presence for all visitors to the area.
Ambassadors have received excellent reviews and ratings from visitors, residents, and
businesses for their customer service , responsiveness, and knowledge of businesses,
services, and amenities. DTSM has also effectively used ambassadors to monitor the
public restrooms in parking structure 4, greet patrons, and provide information. DTSM
plans to deploy ambassadors to parking s tructure 5 to monitor the public restrooms that
will be built in coordination with the transit and parking customer service center project
3 of 7
to be completed in late 2017.
On July 14, 2015, Council approved the creation of the Lincoln Boulevard PBAD and
Co lorado Avenue PBAD Overlay Zone as well as authorized a modification to the
Maintenance Services Agreement (Attachment A). The Maintenance Services
Agreement was modified by the City to contract with DTSM for enhanced maintenance
services in the amount of $25,000 annually for the City -owned, Big Blue Bus property
located at 612 Colorado Avenue, which is just outside of the Colorado Avenue PBAD
Overlay Zone. Tongva and Palisades Parks are not located within the DTSM PBAD and
therefore do not benefit from the existing downtown ambassador service program.
Discussion
DTSM currently provides ambassador and maintenance services within the downtown
area, paid for by assessed property owners. DTSM’s ambassador program has been
regarded as a key element of the publi c’s improved perceptions of downtown Santa
Monica as a cleaner and more attractive destination. Tongva Park, Palisades Park, and
the adjacent rights of way have been impacted by increased pedestrian traffic following
the arrival of the Expo line, regional increases in homelessness, greater use by street
performers, and reported illegal activity and anti -social behavior. In response to the
impacts, staff requested that DTSM propose an ambassador services pilot program for
an initial one -year term with a one -year option in the two downtown -adjacent parks. A
pilot program would provide the City and DTSM with an opportunity to assess and
address the cleanliness and safety of the parks, as well as the public’s experiences and
perceptions. As part of the pilot program, staff would evaluate data collected over the
first year of the program to assess the effectiveness of the use of ambassadors in the
parks and whether additional or different activation strategies are required.
DTSM’s proposed ambassador pilot p rogram (Attachment B) would provide hospitality
services in Palisades Park from Santa Monica Pier to the California Incline (Attachment
C) from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, as well as hospitality and restroom monitoring
services in Tongva Park (Attachment D ) from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The staffing
would include one hospitality ambassador roaming Palisades Park during the hours of
4 of 7
public operation, one restroom ambassador monitoring Tongva Park during the hours of
public operation, and one hospitality amb assador roaming Tongva Park during
designated peak hours of operation for up to ten hours daily. Hospitality ambassadors
help maintain a welcoming and safe environment by engaging visitors; offering
directions, recommendations, escorts and other customer s ervice assistance; providing
visual and audio observation to public space management; monitoring and reporting
anti -social behaviors; and providing minor maintenance assistance when needed. In
addition, an ambassador would be stationed in close proximity t o the public restrooms in
Tongva Park to discourage anti -social behaviors, conduct intermittent restroom
cleanings, and check stock of restroom supplies. DTSM would contract with Block by
Block for operation of the ambassador program as an extension of the existing
Downtown Ambassador program. DTSM ambassadors maintain a close working
relationship with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), receive regular training
from SMPD, and communicate frequently with SMPD and parks personnel on the
behaviors and conditions that they encounter and observe.
DTSM’s proposed program budget for the first full year of operation is $309,472 for
Tongva Park and $190,444 for Palisades Park, with an annual program cost of
$499,916. The estimated cost for the remaining six months of service in FY 16 -17 would
be approximately $250,000. DTSM would pay staff at or above the City’s living wage
standard, with annual escalation of up to three percent to cover increased operational
costs such as changes to insurance or wages.
Sta ff recommends a pilot program with an initial one -year term with a one -year option,
with each party maintaining a six -month notice to terminate. DTSM would conduct a
pre -deployment, baseline assessment of the conditions of the parks. During the pilot
progr am, the ambassadors would collect data on handheld devices, recording
observations, types of assistance provided, and interactions with the public. DTSM
would produce both monthly and quarterly reports on the data collected, observations,
trends, and on -go ing issues. Staff proposes to pilot the ambassador program with
DTSM due to its demonstrated ability and expertise related to managing similar
responsibilities, the synergies with DTSM’s existing downtown ambassador program,
5 of 7
and economies of scale resulti ng from managing the ambassador services collectively,
as well as its ability to commence the Ambassador operation in the parks by January 1,
2017. A Services Agreement to contract ambassador services with DTSM would be
required because the parks are locat ed outside of DTSM’s assessment district
boundaries and the pilot program services would be paid for entirely by the City. At the
end of the pilot program, staff would return to Council with an evaluation of the pilot
program and recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the ambassador program
and whether the program should continue, be modified, or expanded to additional public
spaces, or if an alternative approach should be considered.
Additionally, staff is evaluating how the public spaces along th e Colorado Esplanade at
the southeas t corner of Ocean and Colorado A venues, adjacent to the western entrance
to Tongva Park, and the grassy triangle at Main Street, adjacent to the Sears building,
could be activated to best serve the public and support the Colorado Esplanade and the
adjacent parks. Following the evaluation, staff anticipates returning to Council with
recommendations on activating the areas.
Board Action
DTSM Board reviewed and approved the submission of the proposal to provide
Ambassado r Services in Tongva and Palisades P arks at their October 27, 2016 B oard
meeting.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The Services Agreement with DTSM is for an amount not to exceed $1,015,000 for the
proposed two -year term. Funds for the first six months of service in the amount of
$250,000 are available in the FY 2016 -17 budget in the Public Works Department. The
services agreement would be charged to the following accounts:
014982.555010 $125,000
014522.555010 $125,000
Future -year funding is continge nt on Council budget approval.
6 of 7
Prepared By: Elana Buegoff, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Prepared By: Elana Buegoff, Senior Development Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A - July 14, 2015 Staff Report
B. Attachment B - DTSM Parks Ambassador Proposal
C. Attachment C - Palisades Park Map
7 of 7
D. Attachment D - Tongva Park Map
E. Written Comments
A T T A C H M E N T C P A L I S A D E S P A R K
2 N D S T
5 T H S T
4 T H S T
O C E A N A V E
3 R D S T
A R I Z O N A
A V E
C A L I F O R N I A
A V E
O C E A N F R O N T W A L K
A P P I A N W A Y
M O O M A T A H I K O W A Y
3 R D S T R E E T P R O M
1 S T C T
3 R D C T
2 N D C T
4 T H C T
S A N T A M O N I C A F W Y
S A N T A
M O N I C A
P I E R
P A L I S A D E S B E A C H R D
W I L S H I R E B L V D
B R O A D W A Y
S A N T A
M O N I C A
B L V D
C O L O R A D O A V E
C i t y O f S a n t a M o n i c a
4 5 0 0 4 5 0 2 2 5 F e e t
°D i s c l a i m e r :T h i s m a p o f t h e C i t y o f S a n t a M o n i c a h a s b e e n p r o v i d e d f o r i l l u s t r a t i o n p u r p o s e s o n l y . E v e r y r e a s o n a b l e e f f o r t h a s b e e n m a d e t o e n s u r e t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e m a p s p r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , s o m e i n f o r m a t i o n m a y n o t b e a c c u r a t e . T h e C i t y o f S a n t a M o n i c a ("C i t y ") p r o v i d e s t h i s m a p o n a n "A S I S " b a s i s . T h e C i t y a s s u m e s n o l i a b i l i t y f o r d a m a g e s a r i s i n g f r o m e r r o r s o r o m i s s i o n s . T H E M A P S A R E P R O V I D E D W I T H O U T W A R R A N T Y O F A N Y K I N D , e i t h e r e x p r e s s e d o r i m p l i e d , i n c l u d i n g b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o , t h e i m p l i e d w a r r a n t i e s o f m e r c h a n t a b i l i t y a n d f i t n e s s f o r a p a r t i c u l a r p u r p o s e . D o n o t m a k e a n y b u s i n e s s d e c i s i o n s b a s e d o n t h i s m a p b e f o r e v a l i d a t i n g y o u r d e c i s i o n w i t h t h e a p p r o p r i a t e C i t y o f f i c e .
I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s D e p a r t m e n t . G e o g r a p h i c I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s . 2 0 1 6
P a l i s a d e s P a r k
A T T A C H M E N T D T O N G V A P A R K
M A I N S T
P A C I F I C T E R
S E A S I D E T E R
O C E A N A V E
S A N T A
M O N I C A
F W Y
C i t y O f S a n t a M o n i c a
1 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 F e e t
°D i s c l a i m e r :T h i s m a p o f t h e C i t y o f S a n t a M o n i c a h a s b e e n p r o v i d e d f o r i l l u s t r a t i o n p u r p o s e s o n l y . E v e r y r e a s o n a b l e e f f o r t h a s b e e n m a d e t o e n s u r e t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e m a p s p r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , s o m e i n f o r m a t i o n m a y n o t b e a c c u r a t e . T h e C i t y o f S a n t a M o n i c a ("C i t y ") p r o v i d e s t h i s m a p o n a n "A S I S " b a s i s . T h e C i t y a s s u m e s n o l i a b i l i t y f o r d a m a g e s a r i s i n g f r o m e r r o r s o r o m i s s i o n s . T H E M A P S A R E P R O V I D E D W I T H O U T W A R R A N T Y O F A N Y K I N D , e i t h e r e x p r e s s e d o r i m p l i e d , i n c l u d i n g b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o , t h e i m p l i e d w a r r a n t i e s o f m e r c h a n t a b i l i t y a n d f i t n e s s f o r a p a r t i c u l a r p u r p o s e . D o n o t m a k e a n y b u s i n e s s d e c i s i o n s b a s e d o n t h i s m a p b e f o r e v a l i d a t i n g y o u r d e c i s i o n w i t h t h e a p p r o p r i a t e C i t y o f f i c e .
I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s D e p a r t m e n t . G e o g r a p h i c I n f o r m a t i o n S y s t e m s . 2 0 1 6
T o n g v a P a r k
1
Vernice Hankins
From:John Cyrus Smith <johncysmith@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December 06, 2016 1:18 AM
To:Kevin McKeown; Tony Vazquez; Ted Winterer; Clerk Mailbox; Sue Himmelrich; Terry
O’Day; Gleam Davis; Pam OConnor; Rick Cole
Subject:Council Agenda Item 3P: Park Ambassadors
Dear Council Members,
Just a quick note to urge approval of Item 3P:
Pilot Program for Park Ambassadors
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a Services Agreement with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. to
establish a pilot ambassador services program for Tongva and Palisades Parks
for a one year with a one year opti on, starting on January 1, 2017.
The Recreation and Parks Commission w holeheartedly supports this program
and have heard from many residents the past few months about the need for
extra eyes in both parks. When people feel safe and welcome in parks, they visit
them more often and help make those par ks less desirable to negative elements.
Thank you,
John C. Smith
Reference:
Agreement No. 10402
(CCS)
Reference:
MOU No. 10430
(CCS)