CC SR 20250805 E - PVIC Exhibit Upgrades
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE 8/5/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration to execute a professional service agreement and approve an additional
appropriation for exhibit improvements at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Direct staff to execute a professional services agreement (PSA) with Show Ready
Inc. to complete the requested exhibit improvements at the PVIC ; and
(2) Approve an additional appropriation of $22,300 from the Donor Restricted
Contribution Fund allocated for Point Vicente Interpretive Center (PVIC) exhibits.
FISCAL IMPACT: Executing a PSA with Show Ready, Inc. will require an additional
appropriation of $22,300. The proposed appropriation would not
impact the General Fund and would be funded from the Donor
Restricted Contribution Fund, which is restricted for exhibits at PVIC.
As of June 30, 2025, the estimated Donor Restricted Contribution
Fund balance for PVIC exhibits is $421,000. VR
Amount Budgeted: $0
Additional Appropriation: $22,300
Account Number(s): 228-400-5412-5101
(Donor Restricted Contribution Fund – Prof & Technical) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Emily Rodin, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks
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)
2. Letter of Support from Los Serenos de Point Vicente (page B-1)
BACKGROUND:
Although PVIC was expanded and reopened with new exhibits in 2006, full funding was
not available to complete all desired exhibits. At that time, the Los Serenos de Point
1
Vicente Docents (Docents) committed to raising funds in support of this effort, and in April
2009, the Docents transferred $271,000 to the City’s Donor Restricted Contribution Fund
strictly allocated for PVIC exhibits. Over the years, the City has also raised additional
funds designated for PVIC exhibits through the sale of PVIC amphitheater plaques, whale
walk plaques and exhibit sponsorships.
At the September 2014 Docent Board Meeting, the Docents requested the Recreation
and Parks Department make the completion of PVIC ’s “Phase II” a top priority using the
Phase II funds that are continuing to be raised by the Docents and the City.
Since 2019, the following new exhibits have been installed at PVIC:
• Point Vicente Lighthouse Fresnel lens and an exhibit on the history of the whaling
industry (April 2019)
• 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 (April 2021).
• 11-foot sperm whale jaw along with interpretive panels about sperm whales (March
2023)
• Cetaceans Seen off Point Vicente exhibit (November 2024).
DISCUSSION:
Following the success and positive public response to the Phase II exhibits, the docent s
expressed strong interest in continuing to enhance the visitor experience at PVIC. The
project proposed tonight includes a series of improvements to existing exhibits aimed at
enriching educational value, improving visibility, and creating a more immersive
environment. The planned enhancements include:
• Improved Sea Cave lighting – Upgraded lighting within the sea cave area to
enhance visibility and better showcase existing displays for visitors.
• Updated graphic for informational panel on the ancient seas – Replacement of
educational panel graphic in the sea cave, providing updated content on prehistoric
marine environments and ancient sea creatures.
• Mounted fossil display case – A new display case featuring interpretive signage to
provide educational context and better highlight the significance of the fossil
collection.
• Pepper’s Ghost Display upgrades – Enhancements to the current display with
updated animal imagery, identification labels, and improved internal lighting to
increase clarity.
2
• Tongva diorama wall graphic – The addition of a scenic wall graphic to accompany
the Tongva diorama, offering a visual perspective of the land -to-sea view. This
graphic aims to provide a more immersive understanding of the Tongva people’s
relationship with the coastal environment.
These enhancements are designed to elevate the overall interpretive experience and
support the continued educational mission of PVIC.
The proposed project is a Level 1 project as defined by Chapter 2.42 (Public Projects) of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. A Level 1 project falls below the monetary
threshold of $60,000 of Public Contract Code § 22032(a ), and a contract to complete this
project may be awarded without competitive bidding. As such, staff requested a proposal
for the work from Show Ready, Inc. as the preferred vendor to perform the work because
they have completed previous exhibits at PVIC. These exhibits include A World In Motion,
Sky Riders, Ancient Mariners, Super Powers, Deep Diver, and Cetaceans Seen Off Point
Vicente. They have consistently completed projects on time and on budget. The exhibits
have garnered positive feedback from the community, staff, and Docents. Additionally,
Show Ready, Inc. representatives have demonstrated excellent customer service and
communication with Staff and have responded promptly to all inquiries. Show Ready , Inc.
would be available to begin the work immediately upon the requested City Council
execution of a PSA and complete the project by the end of September 2025.
If approved, the scope of work will take approximately 3 days to complete with minor
disruptions and temporary closures of small sections of the exhibits at PVIC.
CONCLUSION:
The City Council is requested to execute a PSA with Show Ready, Inc. to complete the
PVIC exhibit enhancements and to approve an additional appropriation of $22,300 from
the Donor Restricted Contribution Fund to complete this work through September 2025.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative action s are available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not approve one or more recommended actions and request additional
information from Staff prior.
2. Direct staff to take other action, as deemed appropriate.
3
Los Serenos de Point Vicente is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Taxpayer Identification No. 95-4191603
LOS SERENOS DE POINT VICENTE
POINT VICENTE INTERPRETIVE CENTER
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 544-5375
www.losserenosrpv.org • losserenos@rpvca.gov
July 24, 2025
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Attn: Daniel Trautner
Emily Rodin
Dear Mr. Trautner and Ms. Rodin,
Los Serenos de Point Vicente supports the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in the pursuit of various exhibit
upgrades and enhancements at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
We would like the enhancements to include improvements to the Sea Cave area, such as upgraded
lighting and information, a revamped fossil display, a wall mural that highlights the coastal perspective
adjacent to the Tongva diorama exhibit, and an improved Pepper's Ghost display
It is our hope that the City will utilize its donor-restricted funds that are earmarked specifically for PVIC
exhibits, a fund that Los Serenos de Point Vicente has contributed to.
Sincerely,
Jay Fodor
President of Los Serenos de Point Vicente
B-1