TOMORROW - Wood Carving, Titled "Independence of Switzerland"

Article Source: City of San Bruno CA

DATE; November 14, 2017

TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

FROM: Connie Jackson, City Manager

SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with ARC Conservation Services, Inc. in the Amount of $35,063 for Transportation, Assembly and Installation of the Wood Carving Recovered from 324 Florida for Display at San Bruno City Hall and Authorizing Acceptance of a Donation in this Amount from Recology San Bruno to Cover the Cost of this Contract

BACKGROUND:

On October 28, 2014, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to complete the purchase of 324 Florida Avenue for future use as a neighborhood park. During demolition of the structures on site, specific materials for salvage were identified, including a 9' x 10', 3,000 lbs., Honduran Mahogany wood carving that was located in one of the four structures on the property. The wood carving, titled "Independence of Switzerland", was completed in 1915 by Swiss master wood carver Francois Perroset who built the home previously located on the property.

This wood carving was improperly stored on the property for many years and sustained considerable weather damage. On August 23, 2016, the City Council authorized restoration of the carving to remove, fumigate, and perform conservation treatments and basic repairs to stabilize it.

Although the intent of this work was simply to protect the carving and to prevent its further deterioration, the restoration treatment resulted in a display quality condition art piece. On February 14, 2017, the City Council directed staff to identify a possible location to put the carving on display and to consider additional carpentry work to add basic cabinet door covers to give the base a more finished appearance as well as improvements to allow attaching/securing the base.

DISCUSSION:

ARC Conservation Services, Inc. (ARC) provided fumigation and conservation treatment to the carving and has stored the carving as the relocation plan has been developed. The attached proposal from ARC includes recommended wooden frames covered in fabric to be installed on the base of the carving, and the addition of steel straps to the back of the carving to connect it to the base to secure the pieces structurally to one another as well as the wall to prevent the carving from any movement. The proposal also includes the relocation and installation of the carving at City Hall. Staff proposes to locate the carving in the main City Hall lobby immediately inside the east-side entry doors. This process is a large undertaking and will require up to eight people to perform due to the weight and size of the carving. ARG will provide safety barriers and pedestrian control during the installation.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The City Council previously authorized a contract in the amount of $53,944 for service by ARG to remove, transport and complete basic restoration of the carving. That contract included preparing the carving for long term storage and transporting it back to San Bruno. Although that contract included delivering the piece back to San Bruno for storage, it did not contemplate that the basic restoration service would return the carving to display quality nor did it include preparation and installation for display.

The cost to provide basic panels to the base of the carving, as well as the transportation, assembly, and installation of the wood carving at City Hall is $35,063. Recology San Bruno has offered to donate the amount of $35,063 to the City of San Bruno to offset this cost as part of its continuing community involvement and contribution initiatives.

ALTERNATIVES:

• Direct staff to identify a different City facility to display the wood carving.
• Do not display wood carving within any City facility.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution authoriing the City Manager to to Execute a contract with ARG Conservation Services, Inc. in the amount of $35,063 for Transportation, Assembly and Installation of the Wood Carving Recovered from 324 Florida for Display at San Bruno City Hall and authorizing acceptance of a donation in this amount from Recology San Bruno to cover the cost of this contract.

FULL Council Agenda Packet WITH Staff Reports can be viewed and downloaded from:

https://sanbruno.ca.gov/gov/elected_officials/city_council_minutes_n_agendas.htm

This document should be available late Friday before the Tuesday Council Meeting

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Robert Riechel

E=Mail: SanBrunoPatch.Robert@Yahoo.com

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Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives

Source Credit: San Bruno CA City Council

Web Site: https://sanbruno.ca.gov

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