HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 - 1474 Utility Box Art Pilot Project
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STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: June 6, 2017
TO: Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Utility Box Pilot Project Report
Prepared by: Tegan McLane, Cultural Arts & Heritage Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive a report on the Utility Box Art Pilot Project and consider the
Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission recommendation to continue the program and
provide additional direction.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Provide Staff direction on the continuation the Utility Box Art Program and approve the
locations and general theme included in the report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
It is estimated that the direct costs for eight utility boxes is $9,200. The Fiscal Year
2017-18 operating budget in the Public Art Fund already includes $6,900 for six utility
boxes. The additional $2,300 for three more boxes can be covered by other available
budget in the Public Art Fund; therefore no budget change is necessary.
DESCRIPTION:
At the March 1, 2016 meeting, the City Council approved and funded a Utility Box Art
Pilot Project to paint six boxes along Village Parkway. On January 10, 2017, the City
Council approved the Heritage and Cultural Art Commission’s recommendations for
professional artists to paint the Pilot Project boxes, and work began in February 2017.
Five of the six boxes have been completed. The remaining box is in progress is
scheduled to be completed in June 2017. Community response received by the City to
the project has been positive.
In fact, Staff has received inquiries from two local artists who would like to apply to paint
boxes and from one art teacher who would be interested in serving as the supervising
artist for her high school students. Artist Suzanne Gayle, who painted two boxes near
Dublin High School, said several students expressed their interest in painting a box in
the future, with support of the art teacher.
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The Pilot Project of six utility boxes was very manageable for the City. The schedule of
soliciting artist proposals in September-October, making selections in December, and
beginning work in February for completion by June 30 worked well. A similar schedule,
should the City Council wish to continue the Program, will allow for student artist teams
to participate, should any apply and be selected.
At its May 11, 2017, meeting, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission received a
report on the Pilot Project made a series of recommendations for the City Council’s
consideration.
First, they recommended (5-0-0, with Cm. Peesapati and Cm. Rawal absent) that the
City Council continue the Utility Box Art Program and included an additional
recommendation for the City Council to consider an accelerated and continuing Utility
Box Art program, with a goal of completing all city-owned utility boxes within five years.
Second, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission offered another recommendation to
the City Council to focus the along Dublin Boulevard from Hacienda eastward, and in
future projects, to alternate neighborhoods throughout the City of Dublin. And lastly,
Commission recommended that the City Council consider a broad theme of the City’s
brand - “New American Backyard,” weaving in the culture, history and natural beauty of
Dublin. This will allow for a wide variety of artistic styles and interpretations throughout
the City.
Staff believes that in order to maximize the impact of the art, grouping of boxes is
important, as is the elimination of known graffiti targets and would recommend eight
locations of City-owned traffic signal boxes for consideration by the City Council.
Amador Valley Boulevard at Brighton Drive
Amador Valley Boulevard at Iron Horse Trail
Amador Valley Boulevard at Stagecoach Road
Dublin Boulevard at Hacienda Drive
Dublin Boulevard at Hibernia Drive
Dublin Boulevard at Toyota Drive
Dublin Boulevard at John Monego Court
Dublin Boulevard at Glynnis Rose Drive
In addition to these locations, a member of the public contacted City Staff and
suggested Tassajara Road at Rutherford Drive. Another resident expressed interest in
having painted boxes in the west side residential neighborhoods.
In summary, Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on whether to continue the
Utility Box Art Program. If yes, Staff would re commend eight boxes this next Fiscal
Year as a manageable number and at the locations identified above. Staff would also
like direction from the City Council on the Commission’s additional recommendations
noted above.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
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ATTACHMENTS:
1. Utility Box Before and After Photos
Village Parkway / Dublin Boulevard
Village Parkway / Lewis Avenue
Village Parkway/Amador Valley
Boulevard
Village Parkway & Tamarack
Village Parkway & Brighton Drive
Village Parkway & DavonaDrive