AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: YVETTE E. AGUILAR
PARKS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
ALYSSA CHRISTENSON
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
SUBJECT:
title
CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VICTOR “VING” FUNG OF GREETINGS TOUR INCORPORATED FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF OUTDOOR PUBLIC ART AT HILLBROOK PARK
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Summary:
The City has a history of incorporating art into parks and public facilities. With the completion of the renovation to Hillbrook Park in February 2025, the City Council expressed a desire to enhance the outdoor space with a mural that elevated and promoted creative expression. The City Council formed an Ad-Hoc Committee (“Committee”) to facilitate the process and approve issuance of a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”). In response to the RFQ, the City requested that artists interested in designing and installing an outdoor mural for Hillbrook Park submit a portfolio consisting of ten (10) previous works of relevance to demonstrate their preferred media type, and artistic and creative style.
The City released the RFQ in August 2025 and received 15 submittals. Following review of proposals, the Committee selected five final artists to submit a visual rendering of the proposed artwork for Hillbrook Park, a narrative relating to the proposed artwork, a proposed project budget and proposed project schedule. After submitting their proposals, finalists were interviewed by the Committee. Upon conclusion of the process, the Committee selected and recommend Victor “Ving” Fung of Greetings Tour Incorporated to design and install the outdoor public art piece at Hillbrook Park.
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Contract Services Agreement with Victor “Ving” Fung of Greetings Tour Incorporated to design and install the final outdoor public art at Hillbrook Park in the amount not-to-exceed $30,000; the estimated completion date for this project is Spring 2026.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1: Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 5: High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City Services.
recommendation
Recommendations:
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Contract Services Agreement with Victor “Ving” Fung of Greetings Tour Incorporated to design and install the final outdoor public art at Hillbrook Park, in an amount not-to-exceed $30,000, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of the contract is a not-to-exceed amount of $30,000. Funds for the proposed agreement will be drawn down from the approved CIP Project #80.25008, Hillbrook Park - Art Enhancement Project.
Background:
The City has historically incorporated public art into new City parks and facilities when feasible. Some examples of the City’s existing public art include the Mist Tower and Gallery Windows at Hilltop Park; the Tribute to the Roughneck sculpture and Solar Interpretation of the summer solstice and winter equinox at Sunset View Park; the mural located at the basketball courts in Signal Hill Park; and, most recently, in the Zinna Courtyard at the Signal Hill Public Library.
Analysis:
With the renovation and re-opening of Hillbrook Park in February 2025, the City Council expressed an interest in continuing to incorporate an element of public art to enhance the newly updated outdoor space. The City Council appointed an Ad-Hoc Committee (“Committee”) to facilitate the art selection process. The Committee identified the brick wall that borders the park on the north and western sides as a space that could be enhanced by incorporating an artistic mural. In August 2025, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for the Hillbrook Park Wall Mural Art Project with qualifying packets and portfolios due on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
RFQ Circulation Process
The City received 15 responses by the August 28, 2025, deadline.
Evaluation Process and Artist Selection
The Committee reviewed the submitted packets and portfolios based on the City’s requirements and the artist’s ability to meet the following criteria:
• Artistic Skill and Aesthetics: Previous artwork projects must demonstrate artistic excellence, a high aesthetic quality, as well as demonstrate creativity and original concepts.
• Artist Experience: Artist/Artist Team must demonstrate experience with past works, if applicable please demonstrate large-scale public art projects.
• Contextual Relevance: Previous artwork projects must demonstrate the artist/artist team’s ability to design artwork that is relevant to the respective location and demographics of the immediate community.
• Durability: Artworks must be comprised of durable and safe materials than can withstand long-term exposure in an outdoor environment, be resistant to vandalism, and mindful of maintenance requirements.
• Technical Practicality: Examples of previous artwork should demonstrate the artist/artist team’s technical skill as it relates to the physical attributes of the site and structure’s unique characteristics.
• Prior Work Portfolio: Quality of portfolio as it relates to this public art project. Five (5) to 10 images of your relevant work.
• Letter of Interest: Explain your artistic practice, background, process, and goals as it would relate to this project.
• References/recommendations: Provide three (3) professional references that positively attest to the artist’s ability.
After a thorough review of the submitted packets, the Committee identified the top five artists as finalists in the process based on their professional portfolios and submittals. The City requested that the five (5) artists submit the following information:
• A visual proposal for the Hillbrook Park Wall Mural, including a rendering of the proposed artwork which should be detailed and include color concepts as it relates to the design of the mural.
• A narrative relating to the proposed artwork, including: the proposed artwork title, a brief description of concept and inspirations for the artwork, the color palette, description of materials, list of tools and equipment to be used, and a maintenance plan.
• The proposed project budget.
• The proposed project schedule.
The City invited the finalists to submit proposed artwork for the designated space and interview with the Committee on November 20, 2025, to discuss their vision and proposal concept. Upon evaluating the proposals and the interviews, the Committee determined that Victor “Ving” Fung of Greetings Tour Incorporated met the evaluation criteria, conveyed a logical approach and methodology for the scope of services requested, demonstrated the qualification and professionalism to complete the project, and was the best proposal for the space.
The scope of work for the final artwork includes the following:
• Submit a proposed visual rendering for the Hillbrook Park mural.
• Provide an explanation of artwork, and why the concept was proposed.
• Meet with the Committee to discuss feedback and further desired edits to the proposed artwork.
• Redraw artist concept using suggestions provided by the Committee.
• Incorporate feedback and present final concept to the Committee and City for staff approval.
• Present final concept drawing to City Council for approval.
• Install artwork to City specifications by deadline.
Victor “Ving” Fung demonstrated his vision, understanding of the community, his experience with similar projects in both scope and scale, as well as his ability to work with the Committee throughout the process. The Committee also met with Victor “Ving” Fung to ensure the final artwork is reflective of the original criteria. Additionally, Victor “Ving” Fung has experience working with other municipalities through public-private partnerships for public artwork in other states.
Staff recommends entering into a Contract Services Agreement with Victor “Ving” Fung of Greetings Tour Incorporated to design and install the final outdoor public art at Hillbrook Park, in an amount not to exceed $30,000, the estimated completion date for this project is Spring 2026. Staff would request funding for the general maintenance of the artwork as part of the Parks, Recreation, and Library Services annual operating budget; this cost is estimated to be less than $2,000 annually.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
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Siamlu Cox
Attachments:
A. Notice Inviting Qualifications - Call For Artists
B. Request for Qualifications
C. Artist Proposal
D. Artist Budget
E. Professional Services Agreement and Exhibits