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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-160 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES April 16, 2008 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Kim Snyder Barbara Stenning John Weston Also Present Maureen Thompson Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Jean Benson Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to add staff's discussion of an Internet art program/art competition to the agenda under New Business, Item B. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Thompson absent. Art in Public Places Minutes April 16, 2008 0 0 n IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 19, 2008 to be continued to the meeting of May 21, 2008. Upon Motion by Commissioner Grochau and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of March 19, 2008, will be continued to the meeting of May 21, 2008. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Thompson absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that at its meeting of April 10, 2008, City Council approved the honorariums for the Painter's Path project for Entrada del Paseo. Mr. Twedt added that four artists will participate in the competition with the proposal deadline of November 7, 2008. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Michael Don Clapper, Sandy Kessler Kaminski, and Lisa Merida-Paytes were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Michael Don Clapper, Sandy Kessler Kaminski, and Lisa Merida-Paytes in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Thompson absent. Artwork by Anett Kilen Kennedy was reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Virtual Gallery. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Anett Kilen Kennedy in the City of Palm Desert's Virtual Gallery. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Thompson absent. 0 Art in Public Places Minutes April 16, 2008 0 0 B. CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERNET ART PROGRAM COMPETITION Mr. Twedt inquired if the Commission would be interested in supporting a competition to develop an internet based public art project on the public art website. The art department would host a competition giving an honorarium of $800. Hosting such a project would show that Palm Desert is embracing new media. The artwork would focus on the City's public art collection. For example, a cell phone video could be incorporated into a particular piece of artwork. One could take a video or photograph using a cell phone and use that. The Commission could do a Call for Artists for Internet art then select up to three projects which would be located on the Virtual Gallery website. Artists could participate from all over and people worldwide would be able to access the artwork online. Staff could work with students studying digital art in college. Commissioner Hough noted having an Internet based public art project on the Website would be a good marketing tool. Commissioner Grochau suggested forming a subcommittee to research additional information. It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Snyder to form a subcommittee to work with staff to explore the various possibilities of an Internet art program and continue it to the meeting of May 21, 2008. Motion carried with Commissioner Thompson absent. Commissioners Grochau and Weston agreed to meet with staff. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE Art in Public Places Minutes April 16, 2008 0 IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE MODEL PROPOSAL BY DEWAIN VALENTINE FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT Mr. Twedt presented Mr. Valentine's proposal; however, there was not enough information in his proposal. Mr. Twedt stated Mr. Valentine proposed his piece at El Paseo and Highway 111. Mr. Twedt noted that he spent several hours with Mr. Valentine, Peter Erskine, and Michael Hayden discussing the project and asking for common sequential elements for the medians of El Paseo from Highway 111 to Highway 74. He said that Mr. Valentine seemed to focus on the El Paseo corner as a portal to El Paseo. He noted that Mr. Hayden's proposal was the closest to the concept of the RFP. Mr. Twedt thought Mr. Hayden's project could be a good solar demonstration project. Mr. Twedt did caution him that City Council is very sensitive about obscuring the night sky. Commissioner Hough asked about the letter from Mr. Valentine that stated he included enclosures. She noted that it was to include a statement of proposal and a project description. Mr. Twedt stated he did not receive a project description. Commissioner Hough asked Mr. Twedt if he could to find out about the proposal and description. After much discussion of Mr. Valentine's incomplete proposal, it was the consensus of the Commission that it is difficult to consider in its incomplete state and it was suggested that staff contact Mr. Valentine about the project description sheet that was not received. It was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Hough to continue the model proposal by DeWain Valentine for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project to the meeting of May 21, and have staff communicate with DeWain Valentine and ask for specifications that were not received. If the proposal is not received in staff's office by the meeting of May 21, the Commission will decide at that time how to proceed. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Thompson absent. Art in Public Places Minutes April 16, 2008 o 0 0 B. CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPLETED S.C.R.A.P. GALLERY BICYCLE SCULPTURES FOR INSTALLATION AT THE VISITOR CENTER AND THE THREE AVAILABLE PADS ON EL PASEO Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission that she brought the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery's Tour de Trash to the Commission a few months ago. The bicycle sculptures were on display at the Indian Wells Art Festival. Staff saw the sculptures at the Festival did not feel they were sturdy enough for the pads for display on El Paseo or at the Visitor Center. Karen Riley of the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery informed staff that they will do the program again next year and if the Commission is interested it could write specifications for a piece that would work on one of the pads. Commissioner Stenning did see them and noted that they were small and were not dramatic enough to consider this year. All Commissioners were offered tickets to the Indian Wells Arts Festival to view the sculptures. It was moved by Commissioner Weston and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept Staff's recommendation as given. Motion carried with Commissioner Thompson absent. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz noted that the Sandpiper show has been taken down. She said it was the most successful show since she has worked for Palm Desert. She publicly thanked Jim West and Karen Prinzmetal for all the hard work they put into it. The Student Art and Essay Contest has been hung. Ms. Schwartz contacted the artists who were selected for next season. She is meeting with the artists for the first show next week. She put out a Call for Artists for sculptures to complement the next season's exhibitions. Ms. Schwartz met with the Youth Committee. They will have an exhibition in the gallery and will exhibit in July 2009. Art in Public Places Qutes O April 16, 2008 B. Website No report. C. Docent Program There was a tour on Saturday at the Park of 18 people. Next month's tour will be on May 10 at the Library. The new rack card is available. She got information ready for a Red Hat Society meeting at Westfield. She will do another mass mailing to the hotels next season. D. Desert Cities Public Art Forum Ms. Schwartz announced that the Bus Tour has been cancelled due to the various City Council meetings of each city. Mr. Twedt reported that the Desert Cities Public Art Forum went well on April 4, and staff is well prepared for the Forum on April 19. Approximately 105 attended the sessions on April 4. Ms. Thompson noted staffs efforts of the Forum and how smoothly it went. She also noted how amazing Mr. Twedt was during his session as well as the entire event. Commissioner Hough noted that a comment was made by one of the speakers about an in lieu of fee where developers pay a lower fee and leave it in the fund rather than do a project. The City then uses those funds for future public art projects. Mr. Twedt noted that there would have to be an ordinance change. He added that Palm Desert's Ordinance is probably one of the lowest public art fees in the Country. Mr. Twedt said that many developers do not use their money and leave it in the fund. Staff can revisit it. Commissioner Weston stated he was concerned about the panel discussions but as it turned out there were not any panel discussion but instead were Power Point presentations; there was never an exchange of ideas at the table. Ms. Schwartz noted that there was a panel discussion and exchange of ideas at the docent program session. There will be a follow up meeting to recap the event. A report will be generated for City Council's information. Mr. Twedt stated he would like to form a Desert Cities Public Art Coalition organization and meet twice a year. All cities 6 Art in Public Places Minutes 0 April 16, 2008 0 0 would be invited to participate and submit agenda items. There was some discussion about the Forum from the Commissioners who attended on April 4. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF No report. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS None COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that at last night's meeting, the Planning Commission approved a 121 senior community health care facility on the northeast corner of Monterey and Country Club. X1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMP 0 ORDING SECRETARY