Loading...
SR 10-10-2017 3E City Council Report City Council Meeting: October 10, 2017 Agenda Item: 3.E 1 of 4 To: Mayor and City Council From: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services Subject: Grant from the Annenberg Foundation for the Annenberg Community Beach House Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached resolution to accept the grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Annenberg Foundation to support visitor service, guest experience and facility improvements at the Annenberg Community Beach House. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant. 3. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report. Executive Summary The Annenberg Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Annenberg Community Beach House (“Beach House”), to support the purchase of new exterior furniture for its open space, including pool lounge furniture, and tables and chairs for the courtyard, splash pad and view deck. Funds must be used by the end of the grant period, October 31, 2018. No local match is required. The necessary resolution is attached to this report. Background In 2005, the Annenberg Foundation provided a $27.5 million grant that paved the way for the rehabilitation of 415 PCH to become the Annenberg Community Beach House. Since opening in April 2009, the Beach House continues to attract an increasing number of visitors year-round. In addition to beach access, visitors enjoy the pool, playground, splash pad, gallery, Guest House, beach courts and fields, the café, and participate in classes and public events. Private event clients continually utilize both indoor and outdoor space. In FY 2016-17, between Guest House visitors, pool-goers 2 of 4 and public parking, an estimated 300,000 people visited the Beach House, about a 31% increase over the first full year of operation in FY 2010-11. The current exterior furniture for the pool deck, splash pad, courtyard and view deck was selected and purchased prior to the Beach House opening to the public in April 2009. Usage, normal wear and tear, frequent reconfigurations due to the demands of public and private event use, plus exposure to the marine environment have taken their toll. Repairs such as painting, replacing nuts and bolts, soldering and screwing of broken pieces, discarding and replacement of broken tables and chairs, chaise lounges, lounge slings and umbrella canvases have taken place on an increasing basis. With the majority of furniture reaching the end of its presentable and functional life, and with eight years of experience, staff determined it was time to take a fresh look at the overall furniture plan to maintain the integrity of the site and better meet the demands of usage and maintenance. The Annenberg Foundation and family occasionally rent the Beach House for meetings and events. It was on one of these occasions that the Annenberg Foundation became aware of the project as staff was viewing furniture samples in the courtyard. Since opening, the Annenberg Foundation has awarded several grants to the City to support the Beach House visitor experience, and in celebration of the Beach House fifth anniversary. The Annenberg Foundation has generously awarded the City a grant of $100,000 towards this furniture project. Discussion In October 2016, the Beach House published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to assist in selecting exterior furniture for the open spaces: courtyard, splash pad, view deck and pool deck. Bricolage, a Santa Monica-based design firm, was selected as best qualified based on evaluation factors including training, credentials, experience, demonstrated ability to perform services and price. Bricolage and City staff worked closely together to select brands and items that are highly functional and of the quality and character that blend with the Beach House use and aesthetic, and will withstand the harsh marine environment. In evaluating options, staff compared a range 3 of 4 of alternatives from manufacturers La Fete Design, Beaufurn, Quinze and Milan, among others. In Staff’s estimation, Janus et Cie, a luxury furniture wholesaler, offers the best potential return on assets, given the items’ high volume of use, and outdoor, year-round exposure to the elements. Janus et Cie is the manufacturer of the original existing furniture. Staff believes the next generation of Janus et Cie tables and chairs chosen for the exterior will perform as well, if not better than the original pieces. The grant funds will be used to purchase 164 pieces; tables and chairs from Janus et Cie for the courtyard, splash pad and view deck. The preliminary FY 2017-18 project budget is estimated at $369,000, approximately 7% of the Beach House FY2017-18 total operating budget. An unused amount of approximately $64,000 from a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for Event House floor replacement will be utilized in this project. Funds remained as a result of original contractor covering a portion of the project cost. The Beach House FY 2017-18 operating budget will cover the remaining balance. Financial Impacts and Budget Actions Award of a $100,000 grant from the Annenberg Foundation to purchase furniture at the Beach House requires the following FY 2017-18 budget changes: 1. Establish revenue budget at account 20523.403612 in the amount of $100,000; 2. Appropriate expenditure budget to reflect receipt of grant at account 20523.577421 in the amount of $100,000. Of the $269,000 remaining balance, $64,300 will come from a CIP rollover under C110520.589000 and $204,700 from the FY 2017-18 Beach House operating budget. 4 of 4 Prepared By: Nan Friedman, Beach House Venue Manager Approved Forwarded to Council Attachments: A. Resolution REFERENCE:    RESOLUTION NO. 11079  (CCS)