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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-190 0 0 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES April 19, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing, Chairperson Kevin Grochau, Vice Chair Kim Snyder John Weston Also Present Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning Maureen Thompson Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS City Clerk, Rachelle Klassen swore in new Commission Member Kim Synder. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 15, 2006. Upon Motion by Commissioner Weston and second by Commissioner Bussing, the Minutes of March 15, 2006, were approved unanimously. 0 Art in Public Places Minutes April 19, 2006 V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that Council denied the proposals that had been recommended by the Art in Public Places Commission for the Palma Village Neighborhood Park. Mr. Twedt stated that the Councilmembers discussed what type of artwork would be appropriate for that specific area and what could be easily maintained. Mr. Twedt stated that the light fixtures in the park have been tagged with Magic Markers and he is concerned that the art will also be tagged. There are approximately ten benches that surround the center area that has been designated for art. Skateboarders are using the benches as ramps and the benches are being scratched. Council has directed staff to have the Commission propose something more interactive. Councilmember Spiegel suggested choosing something more contemplative where people can sit and read. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE DESIGN PROPOSAL, "OCOTILLO GARDEN" BY BRIAN GOTTLIEB FOR THE WHITEWATER PROFESSIONAL BUILDING Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that Mr. Gottlieb, who is an engineer, also designed the proposal for "Ocotillo Garden". Mr. Gottlieb designed the sculpture "Today" that is placed at the baseball fields in Civic Center Park. Mr. Twedt was concerned about having art designed by an engineer and consulted with Mrs. Gilligan regarding it. He explained that when the Art program was in the beginning of its "career" the Art in Public Places Sub Committee sent out an RFP to create art for the baseball fields. Minimal response to the RFP was received. Mr. Bob Pitchford and Mr. Gottlieb came forward with a concept of Legends Field and created "Today" which was approved and is in the City's public art collection. 0 0 Art in Public Places Minutes April 19, 2006 0 O Mr. Twedt referred to the rendering of "Ocotillo Garden" for the Whitewater Professional Building. Mr. Twedt stated that the Planning Commission conditioned them to include a handicap ramp. Mr. Twedt met with the developer and suggested to him to commission an artist to create an artistic treatment for the retaining wall. The Commissioners were concerned about the colors of the building. Commissioner Grochau's asked to review the wall design with the landscape plans. It was also questioned as to why the parking was in the back and wheelchair access was in the front. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Weston to have staff inform Mr. Gottlieb that due to the title being "Ocotillo Garden" the Commission would like to review the design as it sits with the landscape plan and also see how the walls relate to the artwork as they appear more dominant than required by the ADA. Motion carried unanimously. Chairperson Bussing asked if a precedence would be set by having an architect and engineer design something as an art component. Mr. Twedt responded that precedence was set when "Today" was approved for Legends Field. B. CONSIDERATION OF ART PROJECTS USING RECYCLED MATERIALS Mr. Twedt explained to the Commission that the City has started a program that encourages Palm Desert residents to recycle. He stated that there may be a small amount of recycling funds available for art, and in order for the Commission to use them they must develop a program with an educational component. He added that if the Commission feels strongly about doing a recycling project that may require more money than is available in that fund he could ask City Council for additional funds. Commissioner Weston referred to item number four in Mr. Twedt's staff report that reads, "In conjunction with the recycling department, host a Citywide recycling day in the Park and invite Waste Management of the Desert and the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery to participate, but have the main attraction be either artist(s) demonstration(s) or an artist workshop." Commissioner Weston's thoughts were because Waste Management is a large company it may be able to contribute funds to participate in such an event. Mr. Twedt 3 Art in Public Places Minutes -April 19, 2006 0 suggested holding an event in conjunction with Earth Day at the Living Desert. The City of Palm Desert participates in Earth Day each year with information on drought tolerant plants and irrigation tips. Chairperson Bussing mentioned the Waste to Wonders program that had been headed up by the Civic Arts Committee many years ago. She still has a list of the local artists who created art from recycled materials from that program. Mr. Twedt stated that he would like to showcase a piece of art created from recycled materials on the pad in front of City Hall. He thought of having an artist who works with children and can conduct workshops, give demonstrations, etc. to the community. Chairperson Bussing also kept copies of the submissions from the "Embracing the Desert" RFP who proposed art from recycled materials. Mr. Twedt recalled a project where children gathered items and used them to form the word "recycle" in freestanding letters. The artwork was then installed in the area where the children had collected the items for the art. Maybe a similar program could be done and placed on the pad in front of City Hall. Commissioner Grochau stated that this program could be a year long program during which time an artist would be selected to work with a group of community members to gather recyclable materials and create a work of art out of them. Staff would assist in locating the group of community members. It was suggested by Mr. Twedt to get in contact with the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, COD, and the Palm Springs Art Museum to seek suggestion for artists. The artist could receive an honorarium of $5,000 for the program and would need to present his/her concept to Frankie Riddle for use of the recycling program funds. Mr. Twedt would like to have a Mission Statement for the program to present to Council. It was the consensus of the Commission to have Commissioner Grochau create a Mission Statement and include it on the May 17, agenda with the other Commission Members to bring ideas to the meeting with the concept of creating art by spelling out the word "recycle" under the supervision of an artist. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Weston to have Commissioner Grochau develop a Mission Statement for the recycling based artwork program to present to the Commission at its May 17, 2006, meeting and have the Commission Members present ideas of how to generate a program for an artist to work with children to create an artwork for the pad in front of City Hall. Motion approved unanimously. Art in Public Places Minutes 0 April 19, 2006 C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Pam Castano, T. Smith, and Fred Fulmer was reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Weston to include Pam Castano and T. Smith in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously. D. CONSIDERATION OF ARTIST TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S VIRTUAL GALLERY Artwork by Fred Fulmer was reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Virtual Gallery. It was moved by Commissioner Weston and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to not include Fred Fulmer to the City of Palm Desert's Virtual Gallery. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to add Item A. CONSIDERATION OF A CERAMIC MOSAIC BENCH FOR THE PALMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PROJECT under Old Business to the agenda. Motion approved unanimously. A. CONSIDERATION OF A CERAMIC MOSAIC BENCH FOR THE PALMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PROJECT Mr. Twedt stated that his instructions from Council at its meeting of April 14, 2006, were somewhat contradictory. It appears that Council is not interested in a free standing piece of sculpture and Councilmember Crites asked for an artwork that is more interactive and Councilmember Spiegel considers the area more contemplative and serene. Mr. Twedt considered something that would stand up to graffiti, which lead his thoughts to mosaic. After much research and 5 0 Art in Public Places Minutes April 19, 2006 0 0 0 consideration he recalled Debra Yates and Anderson Studio, whose benches were approved for the El Paseo Artistic Bench Project. Once the Commission gives Mr. Twedt direction, he will meet with members of City Council to see if that is the direction it wants the Commission to proceed. The budget is $10,000 but it would be possible to add more funds, if necessary. Mr. Twedt referred to the agenda packet that included information on artists in the artist registry who have created mosaic benches. He also searched the Internet and found examples of mosaic benches in park settings some of which he shared with the Commission. He noted that he added the shade structures to the designs because there is no shade in the park. Commissioner Weston remarked that the bench idea is both interactive and contemplative and if the shade structure is added to the piece both requests by Council have been resolved. He added that a bench needs to be comfortable if someone is going to actually sit on it and read. It should also be something that will deter skateboarders from using it as a ramp. Mr. Twedt mentioned that the bench should be conditioned that it is to be comfortable, and that the corners of the bench be inlayed with metal to help prevent skateboarders from damaging the piece(s). Commissioner Grochau commented that if a bench were placed in the center he would like to see one or two of the benches that are there now removed. Mr. Twedt stated that maybe it is not appropriate for art to be placed in that area at all. There was a suggestion to have a shade tree with the benches surrounding the tree, or to put the mosaic benches in the center and leave the outer benches in place. Commissioner Grochau mentioned he has recycled trees that he may be able to donate. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Weston to have Staff digitally redesign the section in the Palma Village Neighborhood Park by removing two of the existing benches and replacing them with artistic benches by Debra Yates and place a large shade tree in the center with the Landscape Manager's recommendation of the tree selection. Motion carried unanimously. Art in Public Places Minutes April 19.2006 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. Palm Desert Community Gallery Mr. Twedt reported that the Commission would review artists' work for the upcoming Palm Desert Community Gallery lineup. 2. Website No report. 3. Docent Program No report. 4. Embracing the Desert Mr. Twedt mentioned to all of the artists for the Embracing the Desert project that he would like to have all the work installed by November 9, 2006, for the dedication of the 2007/08 El Paseo Exhibition so that those artists can be honored as well. 5. Entrada del Paseo Mr. Twedt reported that the RFPs for the Entrada del Paseo project are due May 1, and will be reviewed at the May 17, meeting. 6. El Paseo Exhibition 2007/2008 Mr. Twedt reported that Mr. Russell Jacques would present the proposed sculptures for the 2007/08 El Paseo Exhibition at the May 17, meeting. To date, Mr. Twedt has seen 17 selections. Mr. Twedt commented that Mr. Jacques was very motivated and enthusiastic about the artwork for the Exhibition. 7 Student Art and Essay Contest Ms. Thompson thanked Commissioners Bussing and Hough for volunteering their time in judging the Student Art and Essay Contest with an extra thank you to Ms. Bussing for reading and judging the essays. Chairperson Bussing 7 Art in Public Places Minutes April 19, 2006 0 0 O commented that the theme seemed to be somewhat difficult. Most essays focused on what recycling meant to the student and then discussed the theme toward the end of the essay. In the future, it might be best to have a more defined theme with more specific parameters. She added that there was not much participation from the High School in regards to the essays. The award ceremony will be Thursday, May 4, at 6:30 in the Visitor Center parking lot. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF None B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS None • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission approved the twelve -unit hotel at El Paseo, Larrera, and Shadow Mountain. The Planning Commission also approved 156 two- story homes in a gated community on the southwest corner of Portola and Frank Sinatra. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Off�1 D BBIE L. THO SON. RE CORDING SECRETARY