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CC SR 20170307 02 - Marineland Bubbles Statue at Lower Pt. VicenteRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 03/07/2017 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to approve design concept and location for the Marineland "Bubbles" statue on the grounds of Lower Point Vicente. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Provide direction to Staff to continue with the process to hire a designer to create detailed plans and renderings for a Marineland "Bubbles" statue on the grounds of Lower Point Vicente to bring back to Council for review. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: None Additional Appropriation: None Account Number(s): None ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks {� APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager :`' ... ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. November 15, 2016 Staff Report (page A-1) B. Proposed Location Alternatives December 12, 2016 (Page B-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On July 19, 2016, the City Council considered a Study Session item submitted by Councilmember Susan Brooks regarding the future of the iconic Marineland Bubbles statue, which has been stored by the City since the aquatic waterpark closed in 1987. Bubbles was a famous performing pilot whale who captivated audiences first at Marineland for 20 years, and then at SeaWorld San Diego for an additional 30 years, until her death in June 2016. The Bubbles statue once stood at the entrance to Marineland and is approximately 26 feet tall from tail to nose. It is made of fiberglass material with a metal inner -structural skeleton for support. There is significant affection and nostalgia for Marineland and its pioneering work with marine mammals, including Bubbles. In 2014, City resident Robert Craig approached the City's Lower Point Vicente Focus Group to see if the Bubbles statue could be included in a proposed park plan for Lower 1 Point Vicente. However, the Focus Group did not include Bubbles in the plan that was approved by the City Council on July 7, 2015. The City Council, at its November 15, 2016, meeting directed Staff to work towards finding an appropriate location for the "Bubbles" statue at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center with input from interested parties. On December 12, 2016, Councilmember Susan Brooks, Director of Recreation and Parks Cory Linder and Recreation staff, Robert Craig, and Doug Grant, a local resident who has expressed interest in helping with this project, toured Lower Point Vicente to look at location alternatives and designs. Based on Council's design discussion, the group looked closely at a number of possible approaches including vertical and horizontal placements, placement inside a fountain/pool, partial underground placement, and with or without dolphins, utilizing several fiberglass Marineland dolphins the City has in storage. The group also considered safety, access, stand-alone placement or use as signage, and lighting. Renderings were added to give an indication of scale and initial conceptual design approaches. A horizontal design with restricted access is the recommended design approach due to reduced visual impairments, safety concerns, and possible damage to the statue. Six locations were identified: 1. Entry gate 2. Palm tree/picnic area located to the south of the building 3. Entry marquee (Recommended Option) 4. Near Amphitheatre 5. Overlook 6. Between entry and exit drive ways Analysis of Locations: Recommended Option: Option 3 Entry Marquee Pros: • Suited for horizontal layout • Good entry location near signage for PVIC • Would act as buffer for nearby fence and generator • Currently unused space • Joint use functionality, would commemorate Bubbles and also serve as main entrance marquee 2 Cons: • If climbable/accessible (not recommended), children would likely cross service road and main road to reach statue. Statue to be designed/landscaped to restrict access. Analvsis of Potential Locations Option 3 Entry Marquee (Recommended Option) Pros: • Suited for horizontal layout • Good entry near signage for PVIC • Would act as buffer for nearby fence and generator • Currently unused space • Joint use to commemorate Bubbles and also serve as main entrance marquee Cons: • If climbable/accessible (not recommended), children would likely cross service road and main road to reach statue. 9 Non -Recommended Options: Option 1 Behind Facility Entry Gate Pros: • Located immediately after first gate, effective "welcoming" position to visitors • Horizontal location would reduce chance of seeing statue from road • Patrons can take photos with ocean backdrop Cons: • Accessible by public • Farthest location from Staff in building • Near to Palos Verdes Drive South Option 2 Palm Trees/Picnic Areas Pros: • Vertical or horizontal • Nearby trees reduce scale • Adjacent trees serve as visual buffer • Area is located in a slight depression lowering the scale Cons: • Accessible by public • Location of whale statue among palm tree setting may be incongruous El Option 4 Near Amphitheatre Pros: • Set down from overall grade • Accessible by trail • Good visual location from amphitheater and grass area above Cons: • Visually distracting • May seem out of place by amphitheater • No large elements to reduce scale • May not be popular with facility rentals, popular location for weddings • Takes away from coastline view Option 5 Overlook Pros: • Would have to be horizontal to be easily viewed • Could help "formalize" or visually establish the west side of the trail • Backdrop is ocean Cons: • Would disturb wedding ceremonies • Impacts backdrop for photos Option 6 Main Entry Road Pros: • Strong visuals from PVDS • Location would visually define entrance and exit roads Cons: • Taking photographs of statue or posing next to it would necessitate crossing street • Could confuse new "no -left -turn" out of PVIC • Limited installation space • May reduce view of lighthouse Photos of locations and conceptual designs for non -recommended options can be found in Attachment B. Potential Cost Based on Council direction tonight, Staff would pursue proposals from professional design companies. The full cost of restoring Bubbles has been estimated to be $20,000 - $25,000. One restoration professional has stepped forward and offered to cover the cost of restoration, but that is not yet a firm commitment. The cost of designing and creating an appropriate base with information/educational signage or a plaque, and moving and installing Bubbles has not yet been determined, but that cost could be as much as $75,000. Councilmember Brook's July 19, 2016, report mentioned that the effort could be "a public/private venture, pending support of Council and ultimately, the 5 community." Recreation and Parks staff have spoken with several interested parties who have indicated interest in assisting with the process, but the precise nature and financial amount of their contribution or in-kind services has not been determined. If the Council directed us to move forward, donations for the Bubbles statue would be deposited in an earmarked Trust Deposit Account. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the City Council's consideration: 1. Authorize Staff to hire a designer to create a conceptual "Bubbles" design at one of the other identified locations at Lower Point Vicente. 2. Authorize Staff to hire a designer to create a conceptual "Bubbles" design at a non -identified location at Lower Point Vicente. 3. Direct Staff to not proceed with hiring a designer for a Marineland "Bubbles" statue on the grounds of Lower Point Vicente. on RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 11/15/2016 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to authorize Staff to pursue funding and installation options for the Marineland "Bubbles" statue on the grounds of Lower Point Vicente. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Provide direction to Staff regarding the proposal to install the Marineland "Bubbles" statue on the grounds of Lower Point Vicente. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: None Additional Appropriation: None Account Number(s): None ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager ,.., -X,11_117 ,11_' ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. July 19, 2016 Study Session Item Submitted by Councilmember Susan Brooks: A Possible Future For Bubbles at PVIC (page A-1) B. July 7, 2015 Staff Report: Amendment to the Lower Point Vicente Portion of the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast Vision Plan (Page B-1) C. Photos of Bubbles statue (Page C-1) D. June 11, 2016 Daily Breeze article on the death of Bubbles (Page D-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On July 19, 2016, the City Council considered a Study Session item submitted by Councilmember Susan Brooks regarding the future of the iconic Marineland Bubbles statue, which has been stored by the City since the aquatic waterpark closed in 1987 (Attachment A). Bubbles was a famous performing pilot whale who captivated audiences first at Marineland for 20 years, and then at SeaWorld San Diego for an additional 30 years, until her recent death in June 2016 (Attachment D). The Bubbles statue once stood at the entrance to Marineland and is approximately 26 feet tall from tail to nose (Attachment C). It is made of fiberglass material with a metal inner -structural skeleton for support. There is significant affection and nostalgia for Marineland and its pioneering work with marine mammals, including Bubbles, as A-1 demonstrated by the popular exhibit at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Councilmember Brooks noted in her report that she had recently met with City Staff and several interested parties to discuss Bubbles' future. The City Council approved adding this matter to a future City Council agenda. Lower Point Vicente Focus Group On September 2, 2008, the City Council adopted the Rancho Palos Verdes Coast Vision Plan (Vision Plan) as an information planning document for the City's coastal areas. On November 20, 2012, the City Council, following the withdrawal of the Annenberg Foundation's proposal at Lower Point Vicente, directed Staff to initiate a public review process for that site. The Lower Point Vicente Focus Group (Focus Group) was formed and several public workshops were conducted. In 2014, City resident Robert Craig approached the Focus Group to see if the Bubbles statue could be included in the proposed park plan for Lower Point Vicente. After conducting a field assessment using story poles at various locations throughout the park site, the majority of the Focus Group voted not to include Bubbles in the base park plan because in an upright position fixed to a base platform, the overall height would exceed 35 feet and appear to be out of scale with existing park structures and improvements. In response, Mr. Craig attended the February 5, 2015, workshop with hope that the general public would support placing Bubbles at Lower Point Vicente, but his presentation did not generate significant public support. A revised plan for the Lower Point Vicente site was approved by the City Council on July 7, 2015 (Attachment B), and was subsequently included in the Parks Master Plan Update which was approved by the City Council on October 6, 2015. The plan presented to the City Council on July 7, 2015, plan did not include Bubbles, and so the installation of Bubbles is not a part of the Parks Master Plan for Lower Point Vicente. Potential Cost A restoration company estimated that restoring Bubbles would cost approximately $20,000, which included sandblasting, bodywork, painting, and polish. Any required fabrication would cost an additional $150 an hour in addition to shipping costs. The cost of designing and creating an appropriate base with information/educational signage or a plaque, and moving and installing Bubbles has not been determined, but would be substantial. Ongoing maintenance costs have also not been determined. If the City Council desires, Staff can do additional research to refine these costs. Councilmember Brook's July 19, 2016, report mentioned that the effort could be "a public/private venture, pending support of Council and ultimately, the community." Councilmember Brooks also noted that "a number of residents support this effort, and [are] willing to raise the necessary funds to make it happen." Mr. Craig and Councilmember Brooks also indicated that private donors were potentially interested in contributing. The City Manager was contacted by one Peninsula resident who said they might be willing to A-2 fund the entire cost of the restoration, but there was no firm commitment. Additional substantial donations have been offered to the City for this project. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the City Council's consideration: 1. Authorize Staff to pursue funding and installation options for the Bubbles statue from the former Marineland site on the grounds of Point Vicente Interpretive Center. 2. Consistent with the plan approved for Lower Point Vicente Park by the City Council on July 7, 2015, direct Staff to not pursue funding and installation options for the Bubbles statue. 3. Direct Staff to look at another park site for the Bubbles statue. A-3 BUBBLES PROPOSED LOCATION ALTERNATIVES December 12, 2016 95 PRELIMINARY OVERALL PROCESS Identify Locations Design Alternatives / Ideas Public Hearings / HOAs / Focus Group, etc Review City Council Approval to proceed Funding Donations and in-kind services (Restoration, Consultants, CDs, Installation — TBD) Public/ Private partnership Coastal Commission / Coastal Permit Bubbles Restoration (Structure may depend on type of installation -- horizontal/vertical, etc -- TBD) Design Consultant Renderings City Council Approval Construction Construction Documents Construction / Installation °: aaa444RRRy I ,r13 Ek a r r`� N.L @6N •, 4 P� ,� tr PROPOSED LOCATION ALTERNATIVES 1. ENTRY GATE 2. PALM TREES 3. ENTRY MARQUEE 4. AMPHITHEATRE 5. OVERLOOK 6. MAIN ENTRY gm OPTIONS: Horizontal With/Without Dolphins Vertical Fountain (real/fake) Planter Accessibility Wall Stand Alone or Signage Safety Lighting ml F AREA 1: BEHIND FACILITY ENTRY GATE • Immediately after first gate; good welcome piece. • If horizontal, reduces chance of seeing her from the road. • Not in the way of future proposed development. • Patrons can take photos with ocean backdrop. CONS: • Accessibility; proximity to road. �1�1' ■la PROS: • Could be vertical or horizontal • Trees bring the scale down • Trees serve as good visual buffer • Area is located in a slight depression lowering the scale CONS: • Accessibility • Whale among palm trees? mule, F X\ /! ` - mot too AuW7, •41, I MM rl Siam AL if AREA 3: ENTRY MARQUEE (Recommended Option) PROS: • Most likely horizontal • Planter/ Fountain • Good entry and signage for PVIC • Visual buffer to cover fence around generator, etc. • Unused space now • Joint use to commemorate Bubbles but also serves as main entrance marquee. CONS: • If `climbable' (accessible), people (kids) may have to cross service road and main road. B-11 a �' �: :. � 'yea � _.. ` ��._ ra=.Frr. _ ., k� t ��\. %4"a Im r ci ..o - sp.' �,,� - d �� �_ - �"Ir. �..__ :. . � l �- .... b � .�, L�Vi /...6 _ _. _.._ 4 _ .____ z .r„ �� +.ice.-_ -- � _ .N � _ - �„�.. _ _ B-13 rim PROS: • Set down from overall grade; near trail. • Good visual from amphitheater and grass area above. CONS: • Very visible from all areas. • May seem out of place. • No large amenities to bring down scale. • Facility rentals may not like it; brides sometimes walk down path. • Takes away from coastline view. B-15 +bw: 1I AREA 5: OVERLOOK PROS: • Would have to be horizontal; still keep view • Could 'formalize' the west side of the trail • Backdrop is ocean CONS: • Creates a busy area at that area • Would disturb wedding ceremonies; impacts backdrop for photos _ •�, AIP AREA 6: MAIN ENTRY ROAD PROS: • Great visual from PVDS to draw people into PVIC • Location would define the road(s) a little more CONS: • People will want to photo next to it; therefore crossing streets • Not a whole lot of room to install • May take away view of Lighthouse � t wrct .Yi3F- " v 4 �\\\ m »:��\ �w� . y � �� \ �: �./\�\�\«��\/ :. < >� � � /. ��� ��� ±x\/.� \« «\ < /\ ...v: «�� w/� � � �\ \ \\ § \\�\ #. � � - � � \ � � �� .�.. ��:f y©� /.. � �: /� /.\§ . � ., \ (>.� . . ; � 2«\\�\ `\ .� � ����:� � >y>: - _�a� � - } �e ��z - - :� y�� �:+ « © - � .2 2 w <.. ~�y �\. .ease •r� T r�Jr;d"rI�R._ .