CC SR 20180717 L - Gensler Agreement for Civic Center Programming ServicesRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 07/17/2018
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
Consideration and possible action to receive pro bono services from M. Arthur Gensler
Jr. & Associates, Inc. (Gensler) for civic center programming services
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement or MOU, in a form approved by
the City Attorney, with Gensler for their services; and,
(2) Authorize Staff and CCAC to work with Gensler on setting community meetings
FISCAL IMPACT: $0. Gensler would be providing their services pro bono.
Amount Budgeted: $227,300
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as above
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Civic Center Programming Document
At the June 5, 2018, City Council meeting, the City Council authorized the Civic Center
Advisory Committee (CCAC) and Staff to proceed with the preparation of a request for
proposal (RFP) for a master plan programming document, which was expected to cost
approximately $25,000. The programming document is created to have a specific and
measurable plan for the project against which to measure the multiple phases of design
and to determine compliance with these original specific goals by providing a means of
numerically, statistically, and graphically depicting the size, relationships, connections,
and barriers between and among the various uses, functions and activities within a site
or building.
Staff was working with the CCAC on creating an RFP and preparing it for release.
However, at the CCAC’s June meeting, Chair Gerstner informed the CCAC that Andy
Cohen, one of the Co-CEOs of M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. (Gensler), one
of the largest and most esteemed architectural and design firms in the United States,
had contacted him. Mr. Cohen shared that he is moving to Rancho Palos Verdes and
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wanted to offer approximately two months of pro bono services to the City toward
programming work. Gensler has done similar community service projects in other
communities. Fairly recently, they assisted Mira Costa High School in designing a new
gymnasium. Representatives from Gensler’s studio that specializes in civic and
government design were available to answer questions. It was made clear at the
meeting that there was no expectation of future work as a condition of these pro bono
services, and the City Council would have the option of proceeding with the RFP for
programming services after if they so chose. The CCAC unanimously voted to
recommend to the City Council that the City accept Gensler’s offer.
If approved, the schedule Gensler has tentatively set is as follows:
1. July 17 – Council Approval
2. Week of July 23 – Site tour and City Focus Group Meetings
3. Week of July 30 – Community Focus Group Meetings
4. Wednesday, August 8 – Public Community Visioning Session
After these meetings, Gensler will produce layouts and imaging as part of the concept
design.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternative action is available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not enter into an agreement with Gensler for pro bono programming
services.
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