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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-13 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, May 13, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Boren convened the meeting at 9:02 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Maureen Boren Megan Miller Norma Bussing Katherine Hough Donna Jean Darby Lesley Miller Maureen Thompson Also Present Deborah Schwartz Glickman, Management Analyst Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Susan Marie Weber, Councilmember Liaison Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Tony Bagato, Principal Planner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Art in Public Places Minutes May 13, 2015 2 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 11, 2015. Commissioner Bussing moved to approve the Minutes of March 11, 2015. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby and carried 5-0-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE with Hough and Megan Miller ABSENT. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION – Mayor Susan Marie Weber At its meeting of April 23, 2015, City Council approved the renewal of the maintenance services contract for the City of Palm Desert’s permanent public art collection and the El Paseo Exhibition for its second, one year term. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Ken Stendell Mr. Stendell was unable to attend today’s Art in Public Places Commission meeting but emailed a report to the Recording Secretary. The email stated, “At its last Planning Commission meeting, they moved forward to Council by unanimous approval a condo project adjacent to the Desert Willow Golf Academy for Family Development (east side and just south of the Westin entrance).” C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION (ARC) REPORT – John Vuksic Mr. Vuksic reported that Aldi Grocery Store, a discount super market, will occupy the building in Desert Crossing where David’s Bridal used to be. Mr. Rodriguez of Casuelas Café is asking for a Conditional Use Permit for a building addition and expansion of an indoor/outdoor dining area. He asked for approval to remove the parking spaces from the frontage road to be able to extend the seating area in the current parking lot (which would remove the parking in front of the building). The item will go before the Planning Commission on Tuesday, May 19. Art in Public Places Minutes May 13, 2015 3 The Millennium project, which will include approximately 166 homes with 27 different floor plans and elevation options, went before the Planning Commission. WESTliving proposed an assisted living and memory care facility on Portola Avenue and Country Club Drive. . The El Paseo Hotel, located east of The Gardens on El Paseo off of Larkspur, was continued. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSS AND STRATEGIZE ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH AN ALL COACHELLA VALLEY PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONERS MEETING Ms. Schwartz Glickman reported that she talked to commission members from Indio, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City about having an all Coachella Valley public art commissioners meeting. She would like to create some general guidelines for the meeting (type of meeting, meet and greet, panel, etc.). Chairperson Boren asked each Commissioner about her thoughts on what should be the focus of the meeting. Commissioner Bussing believes education in the arts is important. Mayor Weber would like to learn what the other cities in the Valley are doing, and discuss related ideas. Commissioner Darby stated that it would be a good opportunity for collaboration. She added that each community has its own program with different goals such as murals on walls as opposed to sculpture, etc. She also sees a potential collaboration as a great public relations opportunity. Commissioner Miller sees it as an opportunity to include involvement from the surrounding cities on an ongoing basis, as well as an opportunity for discussions regarding finance, self-sustainability, etc. Commissioner Thompson stated that it is important to highlight the programs that each of the cities have and how each city’s focus could be broadened from sculptures to some other type of art. She suggested meeting twice a year with set goals to maintain the program. Chairperson Boren suggested focusing on education, collaboration, and informing the public about public art. The idea of cities Art in Public Places Minutes May 13, 2015 4 promoting their own brand of public art has many different opportunities that we may not be aware of, and she would like to see a program that would explore what is happening in other cities in the U.S. There are a lot of fascinating things happening throughout the U.S. and much of it is on the internet. Ms. Schwartz Glickman said collaboration between the cities would open opportunities for grants. Ms. Schwartz Glickman stated she would like to see this as a networking opportunity for all of the commissioners to learn about public art and each city’s program. Chairperson Boren stated that the Year in Review from the Americans for the Arts Conference would be a good resource to present at the meeting as examples of diverse public art concepts. Chairperson Boren asked Ms. Schwartz Glickman to bring back information from the Americans for the Arts Conference as well as the Year in Review DVD. Upon question by Chairperson Boren, Ms. Schwartz Glickman responded that the City does not have the budget to have an outside speaker at the meeting. She mentioned that there is a consultant that works in green art which could be a good possibility for a speaker as would Phillip Smith. Ms. Schwartz Glickman stated that one member from each of the following city’s art commission will be invited to the initial meeting - Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Indio, and Coachella. Each representative could share information about their program at the meeting. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz Glickman reported that the Student Art and Essay Contest is currently in the Community Gallery. B. Docent Program Art in Public Places Minutes May 13, 2015 5 Ms. Schwartz Glickman stated that staff is gathering information regarding how many docent led tours there were for the 2015 season and how many people were on the tours. Ms. Schwartz Glickman is seeking a new path on how to engage new docents for the program. C. Public Art Documentary Film Series Ms. Schwartz Glickman reported that approximately 700 people attended the 2015 Public Art Documentary Film Series. She is currently researching films for next year’s Film Series. She added that the Palm Springs School District did a short film on an in-school mural program and she is planning to show it next season. She needs to find another film to accompany it. Ms. Boren complemented Ms. Schwartz Glickman on the choice of films and speakers for this year’s film series. D. Student Art and Essay Contest Ms. Thompson reported that the Student Art and Essay Contest Award Ceremony is tonight in the Council Chamber at 6:30 p.m. Each winner will get his/her picture taken with Mayor Weber, a packet that includes a ribbon, and certificate of accomplishment. The packet includes a letter that must be returned to the City in order to get their Target gift card or cash award. The gallery will be open after the award ceremony so that the winners and their families can view the entries. Ms. Thompson mentioned that the students seemed to get away from this year’s theme, but instead focused on what their favorite place was in Palm Desert. She added that the theme does not always need to include the words “Palm Desert”. Staff is open to ideas for themes at any time, so if something comes to mind, please let staff know. Staff will work with the Youth Committee in the fall for ideas for the 2016 Student Art and Essay Contest. E. June Art in Public Places Commission Meeting Ms. Schwartz Glickman stated that she will be in Chicago for the Americans for the Arts Conference June 10 – 13. The regularly scheduled June Art in Public Places Commission meeting is June 10, so she asked for an alternate date to hold the meeting. It was the concurrence of the Commission members to change the meeting date to June 17. Art in Public Places Minutes May 13, 2015 6 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz Glickman mentioned First Weekend Palm Desert and asked the Commission members if they were familiar with its events, if they attended any of the events, and if they are aware of the advertising on the radio and print ads. Ms. Schwartz Glickman noted that First Weekend does not just consist of events that occur on first Fridays. Commissioner Bussing stated that she receives emails regarding the events and she did attend a few of the events. Commissioner Darby attended the art gallery art walks on Friday nights. Chairperson Boren noted that she and her husband are involved in Cruise Night and cruise by the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert where events are taking place. She added that she was not familiar with events other than the events that are held on Fridays. Chairperson Boren does see the advertising in print. Commissioner Thompson said that she is aware of the advertising but it does not include a listing of events. Ms. Schwartz Glickman commented that they want to drive people to the First Weekend website which lists the events for the weekend. B. COMMISSION REPORTS No report. XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Thompson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 a.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby. Respectfully submitted, Debbie L. Thompson DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY