Item 35 - Amend Agreement for Graffiti Removal Services

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Amend Agreement with Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. April 5, 2022 Page 2 result, the graffiti removal services program was allocated an additional $300,000 for Fiscal Year 2021-22 and $600,000 in future funding on an on -going, yearly basis. The funds will be used to add three technicians to support the current team of six that services the entire City. The additional technicians will assist in maintaining a rapid response time (48 hours average) and address graffiti issues in high -foot -traffic areas, such as the railroad properties, arterials, bike trails and other high -visibility areas. The item was continued from the March 15, 2022, City Council meeting to allow staff time to also address graffiti abatement at City -owned downtown parking structures. Staff successfully negotiated a below -market price for graffiti removal services which will be provided at four City -owned parking structures and one surface parking lot, seven days a week. In further efforts to prevent graffiti within the parking structures, the City's Community Development Agency is collaborating with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) to develop the Santa Ana Graffiti Arts Program (GAP) for SAUSD high school students. The program focuses on the top floor of the parking structure located at 420 N Main Street and will be implemented this summer. Five to seven local professional mural artists, specializing in diverse mural painting techniques (portraiture, lettering, tiling, etc.), will be selected through an application process to teach students how to research, design, and install large public art murals over the course of three months. The final products will be covered in an anti -graffiti coating to protect the murals from both unwanted markings and UV rays. By exposing students to painting and learning through the arts, GAP will achieve significant developmental youth outcomes, reduce youth participation in unsafe activities, and combat the teen dropout rate. By collaborating with local professional mural artists, GAP's curriculum will cultivate the students' artistic skills, increase their knowledge of local history, and introduce them to a network of professional artists and resources. Additionally, as part of the Revive Santa Ana Property Compliance/Assistance Program and the Sanitization and Prevention Program, staff and contractors will be working with property owners throughout the city to offer financial assistance to address property compliance issues, eliminate blight and beautify the city. The programs may include the installation of landscaping treatments along block walls, fences, trash enclosures and the back of buildings visible to a public street, freeway or railroad to prevent graffiti in qualified census tracts throughout the city. Staff is finalizing program information and guidelines. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with the action.