Discussion and possible action to approve a single source procurement request to enter into a contract with Brodin Studios to complete the bronze figures for the Gene Mason Memorial not to exceed  $119,000.

The City intends to contract with Brodin Studios to provide design, 3D modeling, production and installation of custom bronze firefighter statues for the Gene Mason Firefighter Memorial at station 191. The two statues will be full-size. Statue one will be a Volunteer Firefighter, and statue two is a current Career Firefighter. Both will be dressed in their period Peoria structural gear with custom equipment, helmets and Peoria patches and badges. Statue one will be handing statue two a pick-headed axe. This will be installed on the pad provided for in the recent memorial remodel. Since Peoria Fire is dictating all poses, faces and equipment, this is not considered art.

In accordance with Peoria City Code, Section 26-117, a single-source procurement may be authorized when an unusual or unique situation exists making a competitive selection contrary to the public interest. Contracting with Brodin Studios is in the best interest of the City because it would allow the City to source bronze memorial figures that would be customized with proprietary equipment, patches, faces, logos and badges. The studio will travel to us to do on-site 3D model exactly the positioning that we are requesting. They use the actual people, faces, equipment and posing that we are looking to replicate. They are also the only studio that we can find that can complete this project from concept through installation.

There has been no previous action on this item. In FY24 the City Council authorized $787,586 for renovation of the Gene Mason Memorial at FS 191.  Renovation of the Memorial was completed in May of FY24, with the exception of bronze memorial figures.  The CIP budget has $86,605 remaining and Fire has $33,000 available to complete the project.  These funds have already been authorized by Council to be expended in the FY24 budget process.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the execution of a single-source contract with Brodin Studios to complete the bronze figures for the Gene Mason Memorial.  Contract will be for no more than $119,000. Funding for the contract is split between the Fire Department ($33,000) and the CIP Memorial Project ($86,000) in accordance with budget authority previously approved by Council; and b) authorize Staff to execute all required documents.