HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission 04/10/2019CITY OF PALM DESERT
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Darby convened the meeting at 9:02 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present Absent
Carol Adney
Maureen Boren
Sonia Campbell
Donna Jean Darby
Liz Hauer
Lesley Miller
Susan Myrland
Also Present
Amy Lawrence, Management'Analyst
Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary
Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development
Susan Marie Weber, Mayor
Lindsay Holt, Planning Commission Liaison
John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Liaison
II1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 13,
2019.
Commissioner Campbell moved to approve the Minutes of
March 13, 2019. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Boren and
Art in Public Places Minutes
April 10. 2019
carried 7-0-0 with Adney, Boren, Campbell, Darby, Hauer, Miller, and
Myrland voting AYE.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION — Mayor
Susan Marie Weber
Mayor Susan Marie Weber stated that she attended the
Indian Wells Arts Festival and obtained contact information
from a couple of the artists who were showing their work at
the Festival and let them know about the City's Artist
Registry. She will forward the artists' information to staff.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT — Lindsay Holt
Ms. Holt reported that the Planning Commission
recommended to the City Council to allow professional office
type uses along El Paseo. There may be a transition in the
future that will allow for those types of businesses along El
Paseo. Mr. Stendell reported that the item was presented at
the last City Council meeting but was denied due to lack of
action. Mr. Stendell reported that the Gibbs Study (hired by
the City) suggested that offices be allowed sporadically
along El Paseo to add to the mix of businesses. The
discussion from the City Council members was that it was
not ready for allowing professional office businesses along
El Paseo. He added that the downtown core overlay was
continued and the City Council asked that staff provide
additional information regarding businesses on El Paseo.
The office use space would be located on the hard corners
of El Paseo (at the traffic signals), and would include more
intense buildings at those locations, potentially four stories to
allow for residential use. Staff is working on finding a
balance to help the City Council achieve the vision of
creating the downtown City center and what will work for the
development community.
There was a comment regarding the amount of empty
buildings on El Paseo due to the increase of rent. Staff
stated that they hear the same comments and the City has a
business improvement district committee. The committee
meets monthly and the Planning Department is very involved
in the discussions.
2
Art in Public Places Minutes April 10, 2019
C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION (ARC) REPORT
— John Vuksic
Mr. Vuksic reported that the ARC reviewed a lot of signs as
well as final construction documents for the Jensen's center
which will undergo a facelift.
Mr. Vuksic reported that the ARC looked at the Desert Wave
project that will be located near Desert Willow Golf Resort.
Desert Wave will be an upscale wave park for those wanting
to learn how to surf. It will include a large surf center, wave
pool, pier, hotels, and housing units. The developer has
done a good job blending a surf culture with a desert
environment. There was much information and conversation
on the project.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
NONE
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
MUSIC IN THE AIR BY MARIO PIKUS AS THE PUBLIC
ART COMPONENT FOR PALM DESERT GARAGE TOWN
Ms. Lawrence reported that the developer of Palm Desert
Garage Town was interested in Music in the Air by Mario
Pikus (currently in the 2019/2020 El Paseo Sculpture
Exhibition) to serve as its public art component. The
developer contacted the artist directly regarding the cost of
the sculpture and began working with the artist to purchase
the sculpture. The developer contacted Ms. Lawrence
regarding the City's process of bringing the art to the Art in
Public Places Commission for approval. Due to Mr. Pikus's
health issues, Ms. Lawrence contacted Mr. Pikus's son
regarding a replacement sculpture once the transaction of
Music in the Air takes place. The contract for the El Paseo
Sculpture Exhibition states that if a sculpture is sold during
the two-year exhibition, a comparable piece must be placed
on the pad the day the original piece is removed.
Ms. Lawrence presented images of two potential
replacement sculptures to the Commission (Color and Form
and Harley Mishegas). There was much discussion
regarding the low quality and size of Mr. Pikus's sculptures.
3
Art in Public Places Minutes
April 10, 2019
There was discussion of possibly including a base to Color
and Form to give it height. It was the concurrence of the
Commission to have staff look at the condition of both
sculptures since they are located in the desert.
Due to the quality and size of the two sculptures proposed
by Mr. Pikus, Commissioner Boren asked to review the
alternatives that were approved by the City Council at the
time that the 18 sculptures were approved. Ms. Lawrence
presented an image of Chief Eye -Heart -Gut, Archer of the
West by Jimmy Descant. It was the concurrence of the
Commission to consider Mr. Descant's sculpture to replace
Mario Pikus's sculpture depending upon the condition of Mr.
Pikus's proposed sculptures.
Commissioner Campbell moved to continue the
Recommendation to the City Council approval of Music in the
Air by Mario Pikus as the Public Art Component for Palm
Desert Garage Town to the meeting of May 8, 2019, to allow
staff to review the condition of Color and Form. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Hauer and carried 7-0-0 with
Adney, Boren, Campbell, Darby, Hauer, Miller, and Myrland
voting AYE.
Vill. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS
A. Palm Desert Community Gallery
Ms. Lawrence reported that the opening reception on April 1,
for Injuries of Time by Hunter Johnson, went well.
Staff will begin to meet with the artists who will exhibit in the
gallery in the upcoming season.
B. Docent Tours
Ms. Lawrence reported that two people attended the tour at
the Library on Saturday, April 6.
2
Art in Public Places Minutes
April 10, 2019
The last tour of the season is on May 4, of the 2019/2020 El
Paseo Sculpture Exhibition starting at Portola and El Paseo.
One of the docents educated the Courtesy Cart drivers on
the artists and sculptures of the 2019/2020 El Paseo
Sculpture Exhibition.
Ms. Lawrence is planning to recruit new docents during the
summer.
C. Documentary Film Series
Ms. Lawrence reported that the last film, Herb & Dorothy 50
X 50, will screen on April 25. Steven Biller and Katherine
Hough will be available for the Q&A after the film.
Ms. Lawrence will be reaching out to Teddy Grouya with the
American Documentary Film Festival to get suggestions for
next year's film series.
D. First Weekend
Ms. Lawrence reported that the Concerts in the Park will kick
off on Thursday, May 2 with Berlin; the Palm Springs Air
Museum will hold a Palm Desert resident appreciation day
on Saturday, May 4.
Ms. Lawrence is working with AmDocs on a Best of the Fest
that will take place at the Civic Center Park on Saturday,
May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
E. 2019/2020 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition
Ms. Lawrence reported that lllumetric Rectangle by Shana
Mabari will be placed on Pad #18 on April 16.
XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. STAFF
Ms. Lawrence reported that she will get signage for Olek's
Love Across the USA mural.
5
Art in Public Places Minutes April 10, 2019
B. COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Campbell thanked staff for the Desert X field
trip on April 5.
Commissioner Adney commented that when choosing artists
for future shows in the Community Gallery, she would prefer
to see more multiple person shows rather than one person
shows. Multiple person shows broaden the audience in the
gallery and creates more visibility for our local artists.
Upon question by Commissioner Hauer, Mr. Stendell
responded that he will present the San Pablo project to the
Commission at the May 8, meeting. The project will be
awarded at the April 25 City Council meeting.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Darby adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY
n