TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 9, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
CONTINUATION OF PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC ART FOR EL BARRIO PARK (FUNDING SOURCE: PUBLIC ART FUND)
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SUMMARY
At its regular meeting held on April 28, 2026, the City Council pulled Consent Item #6 for the Purchase and Installation of Public Art for El Barrio Park (Attachment A) to ask questions and hear public comment. While considering the item, the City Council directed staff to add a clause in the agreement to stipulate that the artwork remain with the park should the land ever be sold or transferred and voted to continue the item to the May 12 City Council meeting. The requested clause has been added to the Agreement (Attachment B) and agreed upon by the artist and the City. The revised agreement also includes language that the artist will be consulted on maintenance or physical changes to the artwork.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Approve the purchase of the Jose Antonio Aguirre artwork as recommended by the Public Art Committee;
B. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Jose Antonio Aguirre for $82,000 for the purchase of the mosaic tile sculptures and tile panels, fabrication, delivery, and installation; and
C. Appropriate $82,000 from the Public Art Fund to fund the purchase and installation of the artwork and the plaque.
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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 artwork includes fabrication of nine tile sculptures (steles), one monument sign tile panel, and four exterior restroom wall tile panels. The total cost for materials, fabrication, delivery, and installation is $82,000, which will be paid to Jose Antonio Aguirre. Sufficient funds are available in the Public Art Fund for this purchase and if approved, the balance of the Public Art Fund will be $116,307.
Claremont McKenna College has committed $20,000 to the project, which will be paid to the City as a reimbursement. Additionally, the Mexican American Cultural Institute of Los Angles is donating two existing mosaic pieces by Jose Antonio Aguirre valued at $22,000 to the project. These two pieces will be incorporated into the mosaic wall panels on the exterior restroom walls.
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.
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 and the 2024-26 Budget.
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 - April 28, 2026 Staff Report and Attachments
B - Proposed Agreement