Staff Report.ACC Second Gateway
PREPARED BY: Ryan Baker
Library Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/16/2021 ITEM NO: 19
DATE: November 16, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider the Recommendation of the Arts and Culture Commission to
Commission Artist Matt Babcock for the Second Gateway Sculpture to be
Placed at Hwy 17 and Lark, and to Use the Same Artist and Same Design for
Future Gateway Sites
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the recommendation of the Arts and Culture Commission to commission artist Matt
Babcock for the second gateway sculpture to be placed at Hwy 17 and Lark, and to use the
same artist and same design for future gateway sites.
BACKGROUND:
On January 31, 2017, at a Council Priority Setting Session, Council approved allocating $25,000
to the Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) for use in a project supporting public arts. The ACC
returned to Council on April 10, 2017, proposing to use the funds to install gateway monuments
or markers at various ingress and egress points in Town. The long-term vision of the project as
defined by the ACC was to create distinctive and artistic gateways which would eventually be
installed at five different high-traffic locations in Town.
The ACC created a competitive selection process that involved a Call for Artists/Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) which was released on September 26, 2018, and closed after an extended
deadline of December 28, 2018. It was advertised on State and national call for artist outlets as
well as promoted to residents through direct communication and outreach with local art
organizations and galleries, postings on Nextdoor, Town social media, and Chamber of
Commerce social media. At the close of the extended deadline, a total of 14 portfolio
applications received met the professional background and experience criteria defined in the
RFQ.
PAGE 2 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
The ACC used a standardized rubric working within the Town’s Public Art Selection Policy to
assess the portfolio applications and past art installation experience of the qualified artists. The
three highest-scoring finalists were invited to design and propose a site-specific gateway
monument. These proposals were presented by the artists at a special meeting of the ACC on
September 18, 2019. To gather public input on the submitted designs, the ACC arranged to
create a display in the Library from September 19 to October 16, 2019, showcasing the three
proposed designs. The designs were also posted on the ACC’s page of the Town’s website with
an invitation to submit comments.
At its October 16, 2019, meeting, the ACC voted unanimously in favor to recommend the
concept proposal by Seattle-based artist Matt Babcock titled “El Gato” to be produced as the
first gateway marker with an installation site of Los Gatos Saratoga Rd and Alberto Way near
the eastbound offramp of Hwy 17 north. At the December 3, 2019, meeting of the Town
Council, the Council voted 4 in favor and 1 opposed to approve the recommendation of the ACC
to commission artist Matt Babcock with his proposed design to be installed at the location
recommended by the ACC.
On June 7, 2021, the first gateway sculpture was delivered to the site by the artist and installed
by the Parks and Public Works Department (PPW).
At the August 17, 2021, Town Council meeting, the ACC requested funding as part of the
FY2021/22 -- 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program Budget discussion to commission and
install the second gateway sculpture. At that meeting, the Town Council allocated $32,000 to
the project with the understanding that the ACC would return to a future Council meeting with
a proposal for the next phase of the project.
DISCUSSION:
The ACC is pleased by the results of the installation of the first gateway sculpture at Los Gatos
Saratoga Road and Alberto Way and feels that the public reaction has been enthusiastic and
favorable. At the ACC regular and special meetings between August and October 2021,
discussions solidifying the overall vision of the project and vetting future locations were
discussed.
Location
The ACC recommends the location for the second gateway sculpture to be at Lark Ave near the
northbound offramp and onramp of Hwy 17. The gateway would be placed in the central
PAGE 3 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
median that divides east and west bound traffic on Lark Ave. Currently, this median is still
undergoing construction by Summerhill Homes under the purview of PPW as part of the North
40 development. Summerhill Homes has agreed to install a flat concrete base for the sculpture
at no cost to the Town, per specifications provided by PPW, as construction nears completion
on the median. Should the site not be approved for this recommendation of the ACC, the
concrete base will still be constructed and will remain for a future project to be determined by
the Town at a later date. Should it not be utilized at this time, it will not be immediately visible
to a general passer-by. The map insert below shows the general location marked in yellow;
exact location to be determined by PPW and Summerhill Homes.
In addition to the location at Lark Ave and Hwy 17, the ACC has considered potential locations
at entry and exit points to the Town on Blossom Hill Road near the Town’s eastern border with
San Jose, Hwy 9 near the Town’s western border with Saratoga, and Winchester Blvd near the
Town’s northern border with Campbell. PPW has identified varying degrees of issue with these
preliminary sites that will need further research or alternative locations if and when Council
wishes to pursue subsequent gateways.
PAGE 4 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
Sculpture Selection
The ACC has considered several different approaches to the overall vision of the gateway
project which will include the second and all subsequent gateway sculptures. Discussions
pertaining to this vision have included whether the sculpture at all locations should be identical,
similar with variation, or completely different; conform to a theme or style; or be designed by
the same artist or different artist/s.
The ACC is recommending the overall vision for the project be identical sculptures by the same
artist at each location with a possible variation only in color scheme. The photo insert below
shows the design that the ACC is recommending.
The ACC considers the following to be the advantages of this approach:
1. Branding and Uniformity
The ACC feels that identical sculptures will add to the branding of the Town and can be used for
marketing. The uniformity of the gateways will help to create a shared sense of place.
PAGE 5 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
2. Timeline
The ACC feels that working with the same artist using the same design will significantly reduce
the amount of time necessary for selection, approval, and production, as well as the time spent
by the Town Council, Staff and Commissioners. As a comparison, a call for artist process,
including vetting portfolios requesting and evaluating project submissions, finalizing contracts,
and commissioning a new piece by a different artist could take upwards of 18 months; while
utilizing the same artist with an already established design will move straight to production
which could be as short as six to eight months before delivery.
3. Cost
The ACC expects to spend $25,000 for the commission of an identical artwork by the same
artist. In contrast, the ACC anticipates that a new design using the same artist would cost
$30,000 while a call for artist process for a new artist with a new design would cost possibly
more.
4. Color Alternatives
The only variation the ACC is recommending for the second, and subsequent, gateway
sculptures is using a different color palette. The ACC would welcome Council input on color
selection based on the palettes presented here:
PAGE 6 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS:
Under the Town’s Public Art Selection Policy, final approval for the commission of any public
artwork does not rest with the ACC. Council must make a final approval.
If Council approves the ACC’s recommendation, the Town would enter into an agreement with
the artist regarding the production of the piece, which is within the financial authority of the
Town Manager. PPW, including the Town’s Traffic Engineer, would work with the artist to
refine any logistical and safety details, timeline, and delivery. PPW would undertake the on-site
installation once the artwork is received and the Town would be responsible for the long-term
maintenance of the piece.
Should the Council not be in favor of the ACC’s recommendation, Council may wish to direct the
ACC to reconsider the parameters of the project and return to Council at a later date with an
alternative plan for moving forward. In such a case, the ACC would welcome any additional
direction Council may have regarding the parameters or scope of the project.
PAGE 7 OF 7 SUBJECT: Art and Culture Commission’s Gateway Recommendation DATE: November 16, 2021
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Council may choose to support the ACC’s recommendation as presented in this staff
report to commission artist Matt Babcock for the second gateway sculpture to be placed
at Hwy 17 and Lark, and to use the same artist and same design for future gateway sites.
2. The Council may choose to deny the ACC’s recommendation in whole or in part and
provide additional direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Costs associated with the second gateway are already included in the FY21-22 Capital
Improvement budget. $25,000 of the $32,000 allocated to the ACC for this project is
anticipated to be spent if the Council proceeds with the recommendation as presented here.
Additional funds would be necessary for additional gateway locations in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.