HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-10 CAC Regular Meeting Minutes
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
(Virtual Zoom Meeting)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Myrland convened the meeting at 9:03 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
Councilmember Karina Quintanilla
Lindsay Holt, Planning Commission Liaison
John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Liaison
Thomas Soule, Tourism and Marketing Manager
Judy Chicago, Artist (Smoke Installation project at Desert Willow)
Sarah Diver
Frank Jones, Palm Springs Life
Julia O
Jordan Schnitzer
Emily Lou Thomas, Migrating Mural Project
Donald Woodman (Smoke Installation project at Desert Willow)
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III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting held on
February 10, 2021.
Chairperson Myrland noted that on Page 4, the first motion
stated that Commissioner Miller moved and seconded the
motion. Staff will review that item and correct the motion in
the minutes.
Commissioner Boren moved to approve the Minutes of
February 10, 2021 meeting as corrected (noted above). Motion
was seconded by Commissioner Campbell and 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 – Karina
Quintanilla
Councilmember Quintanilla stated that she updates the City
Council on the upcoming public art projects.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Lindsay Holt
Ms. Holt reported that the Planning Commission approved
the demolition of Pizza Hut located at Highway 111 and Fred
Waring Drive. A new building that can accommodate four
separate tenants with a mix of restaurants and commercial
space will occupy that location.
C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION (ARC) REPORT
– John Vuksic
Mr. Vuksic reported the following from the recent ARC
meetings.
Had a submittal for a remodel addition to One El Paseo
located on Highway 111 on the east end of El Paseo. H3K
Design will create a showroom in that building.
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A submittal for a two story, four-unit apartment complex on
Abronia Trail (east of Portola) was continued with comments.
A submittal for Desert Luxury Apartments that includes 48
units on Shepherd Lane in north Palm Desert west of Portola
was continued with comments.
A remodel for Leeds & Son on El Paseo was approved.
PRESENTATIONS
CONSERVATION EDUCATION ART PROJECT
(MIGRATING MURAL) – Presentation by Emily Lou Thomas
Ms. Thomas introduced herself. She is the Assistant
Conservation Scientist at The Living Desert Zoo and
Gardens. She proposed the possibility of creating a
monarch butterfly mural in Palm Desert to include an
educational aspect. The western population of monarch
butterflies is declining due to climate change and the use of
pesticides. Upon question by Chairperson Myrland, Ms.
Thomas responded that she does not have a location in
mind for placement of a monarch butterfly mural. It was the
concurrence of the Commission to have staff move forward
with the possibility of establishing a proposal for the mural.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
NONE
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ARTIST JUDY CHICAGO’S
SMOKE INSTALLATION AT DESERT WILLOW GOLF
RESORT ON APRIL 9, 2021
Chairperson Myrland excused herself from the meeting and
abstained from the discussion and vote for this item.
Vice Chairperson Hauer conducted the meeting during the
discussion and voting of this item.
Ms. Lawrence introduced Tourism and Marketing Manager,
Thomas Soule. Mr. Soule stated that an exhibit by Judy
Chicago under the umbrella of Desert X that will be
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administered by Palm Springs Life is being considered. The
location for this exhibit is being proposed at an undeveloped
pad (City owned) at Desert Willow Golf Resort. There is no
request for funding for this project. Mr. Soule introduced
Frank Jones, publisher of Palm Springs Life who has been
asked to manage this event under the auspicious of Desert
X. He gave an overview of the project including educational
aspects and actual event execution. He introduced Donald
Woodman and Judy Chicago. Ms. Chicago gave an
overview of her smoke sculptures to the Commission.
Commissioner Darby moved to approve artist Judy
Chicago’s smoke installation at Desert Willow Golf Resort on
April 9, 2021. Motion was second by Commissioner Adney
and carried 5-1-1 with Adney, Boren, Darby, Hauer, and Miller
voting AYE, Commissioner Myrland ABSTAINING, and
Commissioner Campbell ABSENT during the vote.
Chairperson Myrland returned to the meeting and resumed
as Chair to finish the balance of the agenda items.
Commissioner Boren asked why Judy Chicago’s smoke
installation was not included in the presentation from Desert
X. Ms. Lawrence stated that it may not have been ready for
consideration when the other sites were presented to the
Commission.
VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS
A. 2021/2022 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition
Ms. Lawrence reported that staff received a proposal from
Palm Springs Life magazine for digital promotion of the El
Paseo Sculpture Exhibition that includes eight, one minute
episodes. One episode introduces the Exhibition and the
other seven are onsite interviews with the local artists.
There will be a full write up on the Exhibition as well as each
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featured artist. The monthly stories will be featured on Palm
Springs Life Arts and Entertainment landing page, its
monthly newsletter, El Paseo’s monthly newsletter, and City
and Palm Springs Life social media platforms.
B. Documentary Film Series
Ms. Lawrence reported that the Radiant Child screened
virtually last month. There was an amazing discussion
between the film curator for UCR ARTS, Nicoli Mazlov and
graffiti artist Tyson Knight. The Lost Surrealist will screen
virtually on March 11 with a virtual discussion between
Deborah Glickman and Melanie Cameron from Gallery
Wendy Norris in San Francisco.
C. Traffic Signal Cabinet Beautification Project
Ms. Lawrence reported that staff has the contract from the
vinyl wrap company. Two of the three artists have fully
executed MOUs. The project should be completed by late
March/early April.
Commissioner Boren asked about the artwork on the traffic
signal cabinet on Cook Street and Fred Waring Drive that
was damaged. Ms. Lawrence responded that John Cuevas
is the artist who painted the artwork on the cabinet that was
damaged. Currently he has been busy working on the Unite
Palm Desert campaign murals. She will work with the artist
and bring back something to the Commission for review.
D. San Pablo Roundabout Call for Entries
Ms. Lawrence reported that to-date she has received 52
applications for the San Pablo roundabout sculpture. March
15 is the entry deadline. She will schedule a meeting with
the Commission to review the applications via jury process in
CAFÉ. Once the proposals are narrowed down the City’s
traffic engineer will review those proposals. Final proposals
will go to the City Council for review.
E. San Pablo Public Art Plan
Ms. Lawrence reported that the subcommittee met on
February 23. Chairperson Myrland drafted an overview of
the plan as well as a possible mission and vision statement
for the plan which will be brought back to the subcommittee
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for review. Once a “full” draft is ready she will schedule a
Study Session for all Commissioners to review and have an
opportunity for input.
XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. STAFF
1. Desert X
Ms. Lawrence reminded the Commission that Desert
X runs March 12 through May 16, with two
installations in Palm Desert.
2. CVB ArtsGPS app
Ms. Lawrence reported that the Greater Palm Springs
Convention and Visitors Bureau has an app called
ArtsGPS that lists all of the City owned public art and
can be downloaded to an Apple or Android phone.
Staff sent them a list of additional artworks that have
been included in the City’s permanent public art
collection.
3. Steel Roots Sculpture
Ms. Lawrence reminded the Commission that at the
last meeting they had inquired about the possibility of
retaining Steel Roots for placement at Fred Waring
Drive west of San Pascual (its original location). She
reached out to Karna at Melissa Morgan Fine Art who
stated it is a possibility to loan it back to the City. The
other option would be for the City to purchase the
sculpture. The original price is $320,000 but they
would discount it to $230,000. If it was returned as a
loan the City would provide signage stating it is on
loan from Melissa Morgan Fine Art.
4. Recycle Sculpture
Ms. Lawrence stated that Recycle was a community
project in conjunction with the City’s Recycling
program in 2006/2007. The sculpture was originally
placed in front of City Hall where Danseur is currently.
The Commission inquired about moving the sculpture
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to a different location but another sculpture needs to
be considered for placement before moving it.
5. Danseur Sculpture
Ms. Lawrence reported that Danseur was selected by
the Community for purchase from the 2007/2008 El
Paseo Sculpture Exhibition. It was previously located
on the corner of Monterey Avenue and Highway 111
in front of Wells Fargo where Ascension is currently.
A vehicle crashed into Danseur at that location, so it
was repaired and moved in front of City Hall. It was
mentioned that the scale of Danseur is not large
enough for drivers to see; however, for a passerby
walking on the sidewalk the scale of the sculpture is
appropriate for that location.
6. Survey Tool Report
Ms. Lawrence reported that the City’s IT Manager will
attend the next AIPP meeting to give a report on the
City’s tool and how it can be used for community
input.
B. COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Boren noted that there is no signage at the
sculpture located at Monterey Avenue at Desert Gateway
center near Wal-Mart. Can that be addressed?
She also stated that there is no signage at Desert Dessert.
Staff confirmed that the sculpture does include signage.
Commissioner Campbell inquired about the traffic signal
cabinet on the northeast corner of Portola and Highway 111
and if it can it be considered in the future to include artwork.
Staff will review that location with the Public Works
department.
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XII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Myrland adjourned the meeting at 11:13 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________________
DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY