To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Springs Municipal Advisory Council Utility Box Art Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure to:
A) Submit a Transportation Art Proposal to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for art on utility boxes along the State Route 12 corridor in the Sonoma Springs community,
B) Execute a Local Agency Agreement, Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement, and other agreements, applications and permits required by Caltrans, and
C) Take all other actions necessary to complete the project.
end
Executive Summary:
The Springs Municipal Advisory Council serves as an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors through the District 1 office and has submitted a proposal to add art in the public right-of-way as a way to bring color and joy to the community. The proposal includes painting utility boxes along the State Route 12 corridor in the Sonoma Springs community. Caltrans administers a program for installation of Transportation Art within state highway rights-of-way. Under the program, only a local agency (the County) can submit an art proposal, obtain an encroachment permit, and execute the agreements required by Caltrans.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors created the Springs Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) by Resolution No. 18-0508 on December 11, 2018 to serve as an advisory body on community matters of concern that relate to the area served by the MAC, such as use permit applications, rezoning applications, general plan amendment applications, prioritization of transportation and transit improvements, health and human safety net services and additional topics by the First District Supervisor. After several community meetings and in conjunction with local non-profit Art Escape, the Springs MAC is recommending art to be placed in the area including painting multiple utility boxes in the Springs neighborhood, using local themes depicting the beauty, nature, and history of the community.
The Springs MAC partnered with ArtEscape who conducted community outreach and solicited the artist Kaya Rose whose resume is included in the attached proposal. The MAC held community meetings to seek ideas for the artwork through an online survey, in person and social media. Outreach to the community resulted in the following:
Topic of Nature - flowers, oak trees, butterflies, springs, landscape, creek.
Topic of People - working class folk, families, LatinX families, elders and youth, children playing.
Topic of Other - bright colors, diversity, music and dance, local business, unity of one community.
The ArtEscape artist took inspiration from the community outreach meetings and developed the artwork shown in the attached proposal. The images are depictions of the natural world around the Springs. Installation includes use of local teen participation whose time would count towards community hours for their school programs.
The project includes a total of 5 utility boxes; 3 located in the County’s jurisdiction and 2 located in the State’s jurisdiction on State Route 12. The 3 located within the County and do not require any action from this Board.
Art work within State right-of-way requires submittal of a Transportation Art Proposal to Caltrans. Under Caltrans’ Transportation Art program, only a local agency (the County) can submit an art proposal, obtain an encroachment permit, and execute the agreements required by Caltrans. Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) supports the project and is requesting the Board to adopt resolution, authorizing the Director of SPI to submit a Transportation Art Proposal to Caltrans for the proposed art, enter into a Local Agency Agreement, Transportation Art Maintenance Agreement, and other agreements, applications, and encroachment permits required by Caltrans, and take other actions as may be required to complete the art project.
On September 26, 2023 your Board approved District 1 Tourism Impact Fund grant in the amount of $12,346.00 to ArtEscape for their work on the design, materials and installation of the artwork.
SPI staff costs in support of the project is estimated to cost under $5,000 and will be included in the current year’s Road Administration budget.
In addition to the initial application, permit, and right-of-way agreement, Caltrans also requires a continuing indemnity agreement and ongoing maintenance of the artwork from the County as a condition of installing the transportation art. Maintenance costs are estimated to cost less than $1,000 annually, will be assumed by SPI and will be included in the future annual Road Maintenance recommended budget.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
September 26, 2023, Item #8, FY 23-24 Tourism Impact Fund Grant Awards
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
If approved, SPI will facilitate the project by executing Caltrans applications, permits, and agreements at an estimated cost of under $5,000. Funding for implementation will be included in the Road Administration budget.
The on-going annual maintenance costs are estimated at less than $1,000 and will be included in the future annual Road Maintenance recommended budget.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Resolution
Proposal to Caltrans
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.