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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-23 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, July 23, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Boren convened the meeting at 9:03 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Maureen Boren Melissa Blalock Norma Bussing Donna Jean Darby Katherine Hough Lesley Miller Maureen Thompson Also Present Deborah Schwartz, Management Analyst Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Susan Marie Weber, Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson, Councilmember Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Liaison Ken Stendell, Planning Commission Liaison Arlene Amick, Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert Dr. Steve Nash, Palm Springs Art Museum Rosemary Ortega, Carlos Ortega Villas Project Heather Buck, Project Coordinator III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on June 18, 2014. Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 2 Commissioner Hough moved to approve the Minutes of June 18, 2014. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bussing and carried 6-0-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE with Commissioner Blalock absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION – Mayor Pro Tem Susan Marie Weber Mayor Pro Tem Weber reported that at its meeting of July 10, 2014, City Council approved Aztec Scout by Ryan Campbell as the design to be painted on the set of traffic signal cabinets on the corner of Fred Waring Drive and Phyllis Jackson Lane. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Ken Stendell Mr. Stendell reported that at its July 1, 2014 meeting, the Planning Commission again denied approval for a spa and fitness facility within a professional office location on Village Court Drive. C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION (ARC) REPORT – John Vuksic Mr. Vuksic reported that the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) approved the following. A façade enhancement to a building east of Specular Shades on El Paseo; awning proposals for the old J. Russell building on San Luis Rey and El Paseo; a new pavilion that will include a dining facility in Stone Eagle on Highway 74; and a project called “The Vault” at BIGHORN Golf Club that will store high end cars and include a bar, bathroom facility, etc. Café de Beaux on El Paseo provided a full scale mock-up of an awning that has been reviewed by ARC several times. The Commission continued the item to review additional details. Lorna Jane will open where Juicy Couture was in El Paseo Village. Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 3 D. ORAL REVIEW OF PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM IN PALM DESERT – Arlene Amick Ms. Amick reported that the Museum is planning the following exhibitions for the upcoming season. Grand Adventure, a western exhibition; Personalities: Fantasy and Identity in Photography; and fine arts. She noted that Yoga in the Eric Johnson Memorial Garden was successful as was First Weekends in collaboration with the City of Palm Desert. Ms. Amick is looking into the possibility of bringing in food trucks for some of the events at the Museum. The Museum is considering docent led tours of the artwork in the sculpture garden. The Museum will be screening films on Fridays. A 5K fundraiser will be held on December 27. There will be a lecture series on the second Saturday of the month. Chairperson Boren inquired about the status of the lack of signage at the Museum. Ms. Amick responded that a few adjustments have been made to the signage that has helped improve the visibility of the Museum, and that she is still working with the City on additional signage. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. SELECT UP TO THREE FINALISTS TO RECEIVE AN HONORARIUM OF $1,000 EACH TO CREATE A PROPOSAL FOR A TILE OR GLASS MURAL BASED ON THE LIFE OF CARLOS ORTEGA FOR CARLOS ORTEGA VILLAS Ms. Schwartz noted that at its April 9, 2014 meeting, this Commission reviewed and approved the location of the artwork for the Carlos Ortega Villas. The artwork will be an 8 foot by 12 foot mural that will be placed on one of the walls of the community building. One of the requirements of the artist is to create artwork based on the life of former City Manager Carlos Ortega. Councilmember Benson spoke about the project and stated it was named in honor of Carlos Ortega because he had achieved so much for Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley. Ms. Benson said that the housing project will be state of the art, and its location is within walking distance from a shopping center which will be Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 4 convenient due to it being senior housing. Carlos believed in going above and beyond and doing more than one could possibly imagine. Mrs. Ortega stated that Carlos focused on the lives of the residents, and never accepted the word no. To Carlos it was never a matter that the City could not do something but how it could be done. City Council supported Carlos in his visions for enhancing the lives of the residents and providing a good quality of life for future generations. Mrs. Ortega described Carlos as joyful, determined, a visionary, and one who looked forward to taking on a challenge. She added that this project includes the things that Carlos felt strongly about. Also, he was on the Riverside County Housing Authority for 23 years, was responsible for the Palm Valley Flood Channel, and very involved in the City’s energy program. Moderate income housing is important for the City and Carlos ensured that the City’s housing projects were of quality and beauty. He was proud to be part of the City family. Mrs. Ortega stated that she has a DVD that was presented at Carlos’s retirement party that includes family, friends, and coworkers speaking about Carlos and his contributions to Palm Desert. Ms. Schwartz stated that the finalists will be able to talk to Rosemary about Carlos. Ms. Schwartz presented the proposals that were submitted for the Carlos Ortega Villas project. She is asking that the Commission narrow the submissions to three finalists who will be invited to create a proposal to be presented to the Commission at its October meeting. The budget for the project is $30,000. The following artists submitted proposals. ABQ Art Glass, Adrian Susnea Litman, Allison Klinger, Andrea Arroyo, Arteclettica, Beth Ravitz, Carl and Sandra Bryant, Carole Choucair Oueijan, Ceclia Lueza, Cero Design, Cush Tile Art Studio, Dana Albany, Eileen Gay, Faducci, Gary Monaco, Hector Hernandez, Joan Pogalies, Julien Gardair, Kessler Studios, Kim Emerson, Laura Brodax, Mary Angers, Michael Kruzich, Mike Tauber, Natalie Blake Studios, Nicolas Gadbois, Patrick Blythe, Roberto Delgado, Shan Shan Sheng, Shanon Materio, Suzy Hendrix, and The Art of Life. After reviewing all of the proposals, the Commission selected Carl and Sandra Bryant, Cush Tile Art Studio, and Kessler Studios as the three finalists to present proposals. Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 5 Commissioner Hough moved to approve the three finalists as Carl and Sandra Bryant, Cush Tile Art Studio, and Kessler Studios to receive an honorarium of $1,000 each to create a proposal for a tile or glass mural based on the life of Carlos Ortega for the Carlos Ortega Villas. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bussing and carried 6-0-0 with Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, Thompson, and Boren voting AYE with Blalock absent. B. RECEIVE AND FILE INFORMATIONAL REPORT OF PROPOSED SCULPTURES AWILDA AND LAURA BY JUAME PLENSA FOR THE FAYE SARKOWSY SCULPTURE GARDEN AT THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM IN PALM DESERT LOCATED AT 72567 HIGHWAY 111 – Presentation by Dr. Steve Nash Ms. Amick presented the information on behalf of Dr. Nash as he had to excuse himself to attend another appointment. Ms. Amick stated that two sculptures, Awilda and Laura by Juame Plensa, will be added to the Museum’s collection and placed in the sculpture garden and will be placed where Morning by Yehiel Shemi is currently. Commissioner Darby moved to receive and file the informational report of proposed sculptures Awilda and Laura by Juame Plensa for the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Miller and carried 6-1-0 with Bussing, Darby, Miller, Thompson, and Boren voting AYE; Commissioner Hough ABSTAINING, with Blalock absent. C. CONSIDER THE DONATION OF URBAN TREE BY CARLOS BASANTA TO THE PUBLIC ART COLLECTION FROM THE ARTIST Ms. Schwartz referred to the agenda packet for the image of Urban Tree by Carlos Basanta. The sculpture Urban Tree is in the 2013/2014 El Paseo Exhibition and Mr. Basanta would like to donate it to the City of Palm Desert’s public art collection. Ms. Schwartz explained that staff is in the process of scheduling the deinstallation of the 2013/2014 El Paseo Exhibition and Mr. Basanta asked to donate his sculpture to the City of Palm Desert. At this time staff has not established a location for the placement of the sculpture but will decide once it is approved by this Commission and City Council. Costs to the City would include the pouring of Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 6 a concrete pad (if necessary depending on location), transportation and installation of the sculpture, and annual maintenance. Commissioner Darby moved to accept the donation of Urban Tree by Carlos Basanta to the City’s public art collection provided that it is in good condition and stable. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Thompson and carried 6-0-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE with Blalock absent. D. CONSIDERATION OF ARTIST(S) TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT’S ARTIST REGISTRY The following artists applied to be included in the City of Palm Desert’s Artist Registry. Showcase Mosaics and Suzy Hendrix. Commissioner Thompson moved to include artists Showcase Mosaics and Suzy Hendrix in the City of Palm Desert’s Artist Registry. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bussing and carried 4-0-1 with Bussing, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE; Boren voting NO, with Blalock and Darby absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the new exhibition in the Community Gallery, Paper Works with artwork by Elizabeth Chandler and Maggie Headrick, has been well received. The opening of Visions from the Dreamtime with artwork by Bonnie Arizona, Kim Snyder, and Linda Ann Wolf will be Monday, September 8. Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 7 B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz will send out a Call for Docents again this year. She stated that there were not enough qualified candidates from last year’s applications to hold a training class. The Call for Docents will be in the City’s September BrightSide newsletter. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that the artwork by Heath Satow that is located in the Desert Gateway Center on Dinah Shore Drive and Monterey Avenue that was damaged by a motorist, has been repaired and reinstalled. Ms. Schwartz reported that Obelisk on Washington Street and Avenue of the States was hit by a motorist, causing damage to the granite base and tiles on the lower portion of the sculpture. Staff will work with artist Marlo Bartels to get the sculpture repaired. Ms. Schwartz distributed copies of the new, updated public art map to the Commission members. She noted that the artworks on El Paseo and Highway 111 are featured in its own section. The map is also in PDF format on the City’s website and can be easily downloaded. Chairperson Boren complemented Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Thompson for the quality of work that they continue to produce. Ms. Schwartz stated that due to today’s meeting running a little late, she will present the Americans for the Arts Year in Review DVD to the Commission at a future meeting. Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission members that the Commission is dark in August. B. COMMISSION REPORTS Chairperson Boren referred to an advertisement of a plant sculpture by Jeff Koons that she thought would be a good promotional event for the Gardens on El Paseo during Fashion Week. It could also be a great opportunity to work with students. Art in Public Places Minutes July 23, 2014 8 XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Bussing moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hough. Respectfully submitted, Debbie L. Thompson _______________________________________________ DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY