Consider approval of a budget adjustment and purchase orders in the amount of $231,895 for conservation of basketry, pottery, textiles, weaponry and wood collection items by The Conservation Center. (Brooks)

Initiated by: Caroline Brooks

The Conservation Center (TCC) is specialized in large-scale disaster recovery for collections. TCC aided the museum with the evacuation of the collection following the flood, and approximately 5,300 items were transported to their facility in Chicago for potential conservation treatment. The multi-phase conservation process will take approximately 3 to 4 years to complete. Over the coming months, TCC will provide treatment proposals and costs for review by museum staff. The grouping in this proposal is for basketry, pottery, textiles, weaponry and wood items only for which there is a gap between appraised value (amount covered by insurance) and treatment cost, and that staff are recommending TCC move forward based on the value of the objects to the collection and the ability to cover the gap through donations. Items not included in this proposal are a) basketry, pottery, textiles, weaponry and wood items that have values above the treatment costs and the insurance is directly paying for the conservation, and b) items for which there is a large gap between the conservation fee and value and the items will be tabled until funding is available or conservation will be pursued through alternative means. A payout equal to the appraised values from the insurance claim will be made of this final group to contribute toward the funding of those items selected to move forward. A sole source application has been filed with the State of New Mexico in accordance with procurement requirements for use of a sole source vendor. The Conservation Center is the only vendor identified with the capacity to handle the volume of items in need of conservation.

The Fine Art Insurance claim will pay the City for the value of each item, including tabled items described above ($147,401 to be requested), and the RMAC Foundation has approved covering the gap (approximated at $84,494). 

Finance Impact (Revenue & Expense): Budget Adjustment Needed

Revenue: 2611-489100 (Museum Miscellaneous Revenue) - $231,895.00

Expense: 26114221-612500 (M&R Damage Claims) - $231,895.00

There is no legal review at this time.

This is the first time this item is being presented. The Finance Committee recommended approval of budget adjustments and purchase orders for stone and metal item conservation by The Conservation Center on September 4 (5-0) and October 2 (5-0); City Council approved on September 11 (10-0) and October 9 (9-0).

Proceed as presented.