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MAYOR Miguel A. Pulido MAYOR PRO TEM Sal Tinalem COUNCILMEMBERS Angelica Amezcua P. David Benavides Michele Martinez Roman Reyna Vincent F. Sarmiento September 9, 2013 To whom it may concern: CITY OF SANTA ANA 20 Civic Center Plaza • P.O. Box 1988 Santa Ana, Califomia 92702 (714)647-6900 INTERIM CITY MANAGER Kevin O'Rourke CITY ATTORNEY Sonia R. Carvalho CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Maria D. Hulzar It has come to my attention that there is a concern regarding a proposal by the Santa Ana based Workshop for Community Arts (WCA) to engage our community in a mural project in Santa Ana's Downtown area, to be located on the south facing wall of the Fifth & Spurgeon Garage adjacent to Plaza Santa Ana. Specifically, there are questions regarding the approval process for the proposal and concern about WCA not being inclusive in its community outreach and participation efforts. This experience has shown me that we need to better define for council, community and staff a process for these art projects in public places and on public property. I apologize for any misunderstanding this effort has created. That said the project will be completed as agreed to by me with WCA. Let me first share with you my perspective on this proposal. Artist groups such as WCA are conducting similar projects in other communities. Murals typically developed through this process are intended to be temporary in nature; however, if desired, can be considered a more permanent piece of artwork. Broad- based community involvement is key and creates a forum and great opportunity for collaboration and synergy. Volunteers and donations make these projects possible. As the City Manager, I have the authority to approve entering into contracts under a certain dollar amount, and this proposal falls well within those guidelines. When WCA approached staff with this concept who then presented it to me, I viewed it as an opportunity to encourage our diverse community members to all work together on a unique and meaningful public art project, a positive step for our community. I authorized staff to work with WCA to develop an acceptable agreement that provides the City with the necessary authority and oversight with respect to the mural and the process. The final design is subject to City Manager's approval. The agreement can be terminated at any time, and the mural would be temporary in nature, unless the City desires to retain it. The agreement calls for WCA to conduct an inclusive, broad-based community involvement effort. WCA is to work with local organizations, residents and businesses, and others interested in participating. WCA has reported that the main public outreach for the mural has been accomplished with "street teams' speaking to community members in the downtown. In addition, they held a forum on August 25th that was broadly advertised, and are Collaborating with local organizations such as the Santa Ana Business Council and United Artists, speaking directly with their members and attending meetings as well. One of the lead artists with WCA is also a member of United Artists (UA). Members of UA have also assisted with outreach efforts, such as distributing flyers for the August 25th event at the City's Strategic Planning session. I remain hopeful that this mural project will be a positive and meaningful experience for Santa Ana. I have directed staff to continue monitoring WCA's outreach efforts to try to ensure they are inclusive, excluding no individual or organization that wants to participate. By its nature, this project needs a multitude of volunteers, thus all should be welcomed by WCA. Santa Ana is blessed with so many dedicated community members, and talented artists and artists -in -the -making that I hope will lend their time and expertise to this worthy effort.