CC SR 20240903 E - PVIC Middle Room Exhibits
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/03/2024
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to award a professional services agreement to Show
Ready Inc. to design, fabricate, and install two new exhibits at the Point Vicente
Interpretive Center.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Award a professional services agreement (PSA) to Show Ready Inc. to design,
fabricate, and install two new exhibits at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center
(PVIC);
(2) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the PSA, in a form acceptable to
the City Attorney; and,
(3) Approve an additional appropriation of $45,000 from the Donor Restricted
Contribution Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT: If approved, the not-to-exceed amount for the PSA with Show Ready
Inc. is $45,000. Since this expenditure is not budgeted in the City’s
current FY 2024-25 budget, an additional appropriation of $45,000
from the Donor Restricted Contribution Fund is required. Prior to this
adjustment, the estimated Donor Restricted Contribution Fund
balance is $396,000, as of June 30, 2024. VR
Amount Budgeted: $0
Additional Appropriation: $45,000
Account Number(s): 228-400-5412-5101
(Donor Restricted Fund – Prof & Tech) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Emily Rodin, Recreation Program Supervisor
REVIEWED BY: Daniel Trautner, Director of Recreation and Parks
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with Show Ready Inc. (Page A-1) – forthcoming
as late correspondence
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BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
PVIC opened in 1984 with a mission to present and interpret the unique features and
history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The initial center was 3,000 square feet and was
essentially one room carefully divided and packed with displays covering millions of years
of natural and cultural history of the Peninsula.
In July 2006, the expanded museum reopened and featured additional exhibits on the
natural and cultural history of the Peninsula, with a special emphasis on the Pacific Gray
Whale. During the expansion, funds were not available to complete all desired exhibits.
At that time, Los Serenos de Point Vicente (Docents), a local non-profit charity
organization that has been providing interpretive and educational services at PVIC since
its founding in 1984, committed to raising funds to support the completion of the exhibits,
referred to as Phase II. By April 2009, the Docents transferred $271,000 in donations to
the City that were strictly set aside for Phase II. Furthermore, the City has also raised
additional funds over the years through the sale of PVIC amphitheater plaques, whale
walk plaques and exhibit sponsorships.
The Phase II exhibits primary goals are:
• Create new awareness about the unique history of the people who lived and live
here.
• Help visitors explore how the first inhabitants of the Peninsula lived and were
influenced by the environment.
• Explore the importance of the Pacific Gray Whale.
• Highlight the rich ecosystem of the Peninsula.
At the September 2014 Docent Board Meeting, the Docents requested the Recreation
and Parks Department to prioritize the completion of Phase II using the aforementioned
funds raised by the Docents and the City. Since 2019, seven new Phase II exhibits have
been installed and include:
• April 2019 - The Point Vicente Lighthouse Fresnel lens and an exhibit on the
history of the whaling industry.
• April 2021 - Interactive exhibits that take visitors alongside gray whales and birds
as they journey along the coast of the Peninsula. The displays also explore the
history of animal and human migration and navigation.
• March 2023 - An 11-foot sperm whale jaw with interpretive panels about sperm
whales.
Under Phase II, two additional new exhibits are now being proposed that will showcase
cetaceans found off our coast and underscore the importance of the ocean. The first
exhibit features a whale and dolphin comparison chart, along with an informational kiosk
detailing the size, weight, and key facts about each marine animal. T he second exhibit,
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titled “Our Ocean, Our Friend,” highlights the critical role the ocean plays in our lives and
the essential resources it provides.
Staff requested a proposal to complete the two Exhibits from Show Ready Inc., because
they have satisfactorily completed previous Phase II exhibits at PVIC on time and on
budget. These exhibits include A World in Motion, Sky Riders, Ancient Mariners, Super
Powers, and Deep Diver, which have garnered positive feedback from the community,
staff, and Docents. Additionally, Shop at Show Ready representatives have demonstrated
excellent customer service and communication with Staff and have responded promptly
to all inquiries. Shop at Show Ready would be available to begin the work immediately
upon execution of the attached PSA (Attachment A) not to exceed $45,000 and complete
it before the end of calendar year 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The docents have raised an additional $17,000 in funds for the project and have
committed to donating the funds to the City for the two proposed exhibits. Those funds
would be input into the donor-restricted account for PVIC exhibits and would offset the
overall project cost bringing the true expenditure for the City to $28,000 .
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council award a PSA to Show Ready Inc. in an amount not to
exceed $45,000 to design, fabricate and install the new exhibits. If approved, an additional
appropriation of $45,000 is required, which will be funded from the Donor Restricted
Contribution Fund. Any donations realized from the docents will be used to offset the
total cost of $45,000.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative action s are available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not award a professional service agreement to Show Ready Inc.
2. Direct Staff to seek new proposals for consideration at a future meeting.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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