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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Waiver of Competitive Bidding Procedures Pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code Section § 3.07.075.F.3; and (2) Approval of a Five-Year General Services Agreement with Patt Conservation, LLC., for Specialized Art Conservation and Related Coordination Services in an Aggregate Amount Not-To-Exceed $89.787.50 ($17,957.50 Per Fiscal Year).
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Meeting Date: June 8, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Sam Lee, Office of Economic & Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6001
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/04/2026)
Department Approval: Sally Unsworth, Cultural Affairs Manager (05/18/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council (1) waive competitive bidding procedures pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code Section (CCMC) Section 3.07.075.F.3; and (2) approve a five-year professional services agreement with Patt Conservation, LLC., for specialized art conservation and related coordination services in an aggregate amount not-to-exceed $89,787.50 ($17,957.50 per fiscal year).
BACKGROUND
Patt Conservation, LLC. is a current vendor and under contract with Culver City for art conservation and regular maintenance of specific City-owned artworks. The original contract, which had a maximum compensation not to exceed $36,674, was executed on June 17, 2021, and was amended on December 27, 2023 to extend the term and increase maximum compensation. The term of the existing agreement ends on June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION
The City desires to enter into a new multi-year agreement with Patt Conservation, LLC. for continuation of specialized art conservation, annual maintenance, and related coordination services beginning on July 1, 2026. Pursuant to CCMC Section § 3.07.045, in the event the same vendor has been utilized for a period of five consecutive years, competitive bidding procedures shall apply. CCMC Section § 3.07.075.F.3 provides that the Council may waive, by a majority vote, bidding requirements if it is deemed to be in the City’s best interest and authorize a negotiated contract.
Patt Conservation, LLC., a leading local art conservation firm, is assigned to treat specified City-owned public artworks based on their technical characteristics and maintenance requirements. Staff confirm that this art conservator is highly qualified, has demonstrated the skill necessary for the dedicated art treatments, and is able to support the City’s annual art maintenance mandate of its permanent public art collection. The proposed agreement is not commodity-based but instead relies on specialized art conservation services and the firm’s familiarity with its assigned artworks. Conducting a traditional competitive process would not materially improve the quality or alignment of services and may delay the implementation.
Artworks & City Assets Assigned:
1) Cougars I and Cougar II by Gwynn Murrill
2) The Lion’s Fountain by Douglas Olmsted Freeman
3) A Moment in Time by De L’Esprie
4) La Ballona by May Sun
5) Crossed Currents Entry Fountain by Don Merkt
6) City Hall Plaques & City Seal
7) Town Plaza Plaque
Based upon the attached Maintenance Proposal from Patt Conservation, LLC., staff anticipates that $17,957.50 ($16,325.00+ 10% contingency) per year will be sufficient for routine annual maintenance and conservation.
Additional repairs and conservation for these and other artworks may be added, if the needs arise due to damage, defacement, weather, and other conditions. Staff proposes including the 10% contingency allocation per year for these situations. This amount is based upon the following rates and estimates provided by the vendor.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Staff anticipate allocating Cultural Trust Fund support from CIP Account No. 4138000.730100.PZ634 (Art Maintenance). The Revised Approved Midyear Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes $173,469 in PZ634.
Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 15.06.115 stipulates that no more than 15% of the money deposited into the Cultural Trust Fund (CTF) in the prior fiscal year be allocated for art maintenance in the subsequent year.
ATTACHMENT
1. 26-05-19_ATT 1_Patt Conservation, LLC.’s Treatment Proposal and Cost Estimate.pdf
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Waive competitive bidding procedures pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code Section 3.07.075.F.3; and
2. Approve a five-year agreement with Patt Conservation, LLC. for specialized art conservation and related coordination services in an aggregate amount not-to-exceed $89,787.50 ($17,957.50 per fiscal year);
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.