TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 25, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
UTILITY BOX PAINTING PROJECT PHASE THREE ARTIST SELECTION (FUNDING SOURCE: PUBLIC ART FUND)
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SUMMARY
In 2020, the Public Art Committee developed a program for the selection of artists and painting of select utility boxes in the City. In the fall of 2022, ten artists painted City-owned utility boxes throughout Claremont. In the fall of 2024, nine artists painted City-owned utility boxes in Phase Two of the program.
On June 10, 2024, the Public Art Committee approved the Phase Three Request for Proposals (RFP) for artists and approved a budget for artist payments from the Public Art Fund.
On July 24, 2024, staff released the Utility Box Painting Project RFP. By the deadline of October 31, 2024, 21 artists submitted designs to the City. A judging panel of the Public Art Committee reviewed the designs, and the Public Art Committee is recommending approval of nine artists’ designs for Phase Three of the Utility Box Painting Project.
If approved, staff will move forward with executing agreements with each artist and preparing the utility boxes for painting beginning in June 2025 and continuing through October 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Approve the Phase Three Utility Box Painting Project and Artist Selection as recommended by the Public Art Committee; and
B. Appropriate $7,750 from the Public Art Fund to fully fund the project.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The proposed budget for this project includes the cost of the initial preparation of the utility boxes, artist payments, and the cost to seal the boxes with an anti-graffiti topcoat upon completion. The cost for the preparation and graffiti coat for all boxes is approximately $1,000.
Staff will prepare agreements with each artist and arrange payment in the amount of $750 per artist to be paid in two installments. The total cost for artist payments is $6,750. The total project cost amounts to $7,750, which staff recommends be appropriated from the Public Art Fund. The Public Art Fund has a current balance of $186,032.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer the program is estimated at $450 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
In March of 2020, the Public Art Committee established a Utility Box Painting Project that selected artists to paint City-owned utility boxes in Claremont. The Public Art Committee approved a Request for Proposals and approved a budget of $8,500 for the program. Ten artists were selected by a judging panel and the utility boxes were painted in the fall of 2022. In January of 2023, the Public Art Committee approved Phase Two and selected artists to paint another nine utility boxes. The community has responded positively to the painted utility boxes and City staff has received requests from the community to add more boxes throughout the city.
On June 10, 2024, the Public Art Committee approved a Phase Three RFP and budget of $8,500 for up to ten boxes. A Request for Proposals was issued and the proposal period closed on October 31, 2024. Staff received 21 artist submissions.
The judging panel of the Public Art Committee met to review the designs on January 9, 2025. The panel judged each entry using judging criteria that rated the artists on their past work and experience, overall design concept, and the creativity of the design. Scores between one and ten were given by each judge for each category. The scores for the three categories were weighted and each design was given a final combined total score.
Selection was based on the following categories:
1. Artistic achievement and quality as demonstrated in the artist’s resume and images of previous projects. Artistic Achievement (30%)
2. Appropriateness of the artistic approach, project design and narrative, and clear alignment with the goals of the project. This includes artist’s overall skills, experience, and ability to work in similar media, scale, and budget. Project Design/Narrative/Skills (40%)
3. Level of creativity and imagination. Creativity/Imagination (30%)
The judging panel selected nine artists’ designs to recommend to the Public Art Committee. At its March 10, 2025 meeting, the Public Art Committee reviewed all nine designs recommended by the judging panel. The Public Art Committee unanimously voted to recommend nine designs included as Attachment A by the following artists:
• Carissa Hugo
• Jared Wright
• Kristina Warren
• Emily Van Dyke
• Casey Courey-Pickering
• Michele Martinez
• Katie Dinh
• Jhunne Caragao
• Anna Francesco
Each artist will be assigned a utility box from one of the nine locations approved by the Public Art Committee, which is included as Attachment B. The utility boxes will be cleaned, painted with a base coat, and sealed with an anti-graffiti topcoat upon completion of the painting. The graffiti topcoat will prevent vandalism to the boxes and may be reapplied every few years to preserve the painted design.
If approved by the City Council, staff will prepare agreements with each artist and prepare the utility boxes for painting beginning in June 2025 and continuing through October 2025.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds the item applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jamie Earl Bevin Handel
Assistant City Manager Public Information Officer
Attachments:
A - Utility Box Design Selections Phase Three
B - Phase Three Utility Box Locations