HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-10 CAC Regular Meeting Minutes
CITY OF PALM DESERT
CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
(Virtual Zoom Meeting)
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Myrland convened the meeting at 9:04 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present Absent
Susan Myrland, Chair Louisa Higgins
Liz Hauer, Vice Chair
Carol Adney
Maureen Boren
Donna Jean Darby
Lori Flint
Louise Harding (Alternate)
Also Present
Martin Alvarez, Development Services Director
Amy Lawrence, Special Programs Manager
Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary
Karina Quintanilla, Councilmember
Lindsay Holt, Planning Commission Liaison
John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Liaison
Lucia Grossberger Morales, Artist for Augmented Reality Mural
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of the Minutes of the regular Art in Public Places
Commission meeting held on October 13, 2021.
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Member Hauer moved to approve the Minutes of the
regular Art in Public Places Commission meeting held on
October 13, 2021, as presented. Motion was seconded by
Chair Myrland and carried 4-1-2 with Adney, Flint, Hauer, and
Myrland voting AYE, Boren ABSTAINING, and Higgins
ABSENT and Darby ABSENT during the vote.
V. PRESENTATIONS
NONE
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION – Karina
Quintanilla
Councilmember Quintanilla noted that the process for the
community to be involved in the voting of the two sculptures
for the San Pablo Roundabout project via Engage Palm
Desert was successful.
Upon question by Member Darby, Councilmember
Quintanilla will inquire about the change of the name of the
Committee from Cultural Arts Committee to Cultural Arts
Commission.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Lindsay Holt
Ms. Holt reported that a public hearing was held regarding a
duplex.
C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION (ARC) REPORT
– John Vuksic
Mr. Vuksic reported the following actions from the recent
ARC meetings.
Staybridge Suites Hotel is proposing a four-story hotel on
Technology Drive near Cook Street. The Commission
provided preliminary feedback.
An awning for J’s Deli (new restaurant) was approved.
An affordable housing project on Gerald Ford and
Technology Drive for a 241-unit project came in for
preliminary feedback from the Commission.
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The façade for Martello Jewelers on El Paseo was approved.
D. LUPINE LANE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT – Liz
Hauer
Mr. Alvarez noted that the City has signed a contract with
MIG regarding Lupine Lane. Staff will contact the
subcommittee members today to inform them of the future
meeting schedule.
VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
NONE
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A
CONTRACT WITH ROMO STUDIOS, LLC, IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $190,000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE
BRONZE BOY OF FOR OUR FREEDOM LOCATED AT
FREEDOM PARK
Ms. Lawrence referred to the staff report that was included in
the agenda packet to approve a contract with Romo Studios,
LLC, to create a replacement of the bronze statue of the boy
for For Our Freedom located in Freedom Park. The
estimated cost to replace the sculpture will be between
$175,000 and $189,000 depending on the time of contract
due to an increase and availability of materials and shipping
costs. The City received a check in the amount of $165,000
from the insurance company for the stolen sculpture. The
difference between the insurance check and the contract
amount is approximately $25,000. There was concern from
the Committee members of the possibility of the sculpture
being stolen again. The City is looking into installing security
cameras in the City’s various parks but Civic Center Park is
priority. Upon question by Chair Myrland, staff will contact
the artists in regard to using a different medium to fabricate
the boy.
Chair Myrland moved to continue the approval of
entering into a contract with Romo Studios, LLC, in an amount
not to exceed $190,000 for replacement of the bronze boy of
For Our Freedom at Freedom Park to the December 8, 2021
meeting. Motion was seconded by Member Hauer and carried
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6-0-1 with Adney, Boren, Darby, Flint, Hauer, and Myrland
voting AYE with Higgins ABSENT.
B. RECOMMEND SPONSORSHIP WITH ARTIST LUCIA
GROSSBERGER MORALES FOR TEMPORARY
AUGMENTED REALITY MURAL TO BE INSTALLED ON EL
PASEO AND SAN PABLO
Ms. Lawrence stated that since the mailing of the agenda
packet that included the staff report regarding the
sponsorship with artist Lucia Grossberger Morales for a
temporary augmented reality mural to be installed on El
Paseo and San Pablo, the artist is proposing a different
design for the artwork.
Ms. Lawrence explained that the location of the building
(located in El Paseo Village) that includes the window space
for the rain mural is not conducive for the originally proposed
8’ X 10’ banner as there are window panes on the window
that would hinder the image. Therefore, the artist is
proposing a 7.5’ X 19’ banner that includes three separate
augmented reality murals. The three designs would fit
individually within the window panes. To interact with the
mural, one would upload an app to their cell phone, hold the
phone up to the mural, and the design appears to be
moving. The Gardens on El Paseo will install the mural on
the outside of the store front window. There was discussion
from the Committee members regarding the possibility of the
mural being graffitied and asked about the mural being
placed inside of the building against the window. Ms.
Morales stated that she would consider that option but she is
concerned that the glass would create a glare on the mural.
Member Adney moved to sponsor the Augmented
Reality mural of the proposed images presented at today’s
meeting with the mural placed behind the glass. Motion was
seconded by Member Boren and carried 5-1-1 with Adney,
Boren, Flint, Hauer, and Myrland voting AYE, Darby voting NO,
with Higgins ABSENT.
IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
X. OLD BUSINESS
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A. REVIEW UPDATED RENDERING OF HAZY PALMS BY
JOHN CUEVAS FOR THE LA QUINTA BREWING
COMPANY’S PUBLIC ART COMPONENT
Ms. Lawrence stated that staff met with Tina Stokes, owner
of La Quinta Brewery, and artist John Cuevas to relay the
concerns of the Committee regarding the proposed final
mural. Ms. Lawrence presented the revised proposal of
Hazy Palms that was submitted by John Cuevas. Changes
include desert flora and fauna, the Wave House, and the
female in the forefront. The artist agreed not to deviate from
the revised rendering that was presented at today’s meeting.
Member Darby moved to approve the changes made by
artist John Cuevas and proceed with completing the project
with the revisions presented at today’s meeting. Motion was
seconded by Member Boren and carried 5-1-1 with Adney,
Boren, Darby, Flint, and Myrland voting AYE, Hauer voting NO,
and Higgins ABSENT.
Ms. Morales (artist for the Augmented Reality mural) noted
that she just placed the artwork behind the glass and it will
not work.
Member Adney moved to amend the motion to
recommend that the City sponsor the Augmented
Reality project, as presented, on the outside of the
glass. Motion was seconded by Member Hauer.
Chair Myrland noted that the discussion of Hazy Palms has
concluded, and at this time the discussion of the Augmented
Reality mural is being reopened to call for a revised motion
and vote.
Ms. Lawrence directed the Recording Secretary to note that
later in the meeting the Committee amended the motion and
vote to approve the Augmented Reality mural as presented
after additional information was presented by the artist.
Upon question by the Recording Secretary, Ms. Lawrence
responded that the first motion is now void.
At this time a new vote was taken and a motion was
restated.
Member Adney moved to sponsor the Augmented
Reality mural, as amended, on the outside of the glass. Motion
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was seconded by Member Boren and carried 4-2-1 with Adney,
Boren, Flint, Hauer voting AYE, Darby and Myrland voting NO,
and Higgins ABSENT.
For the record, the motion and vote were changed from the
original motion and vote.
XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. STAFF
1. Status Report Memo
- Resident Feedback on San Pablo and San Gorgonio
Roundabout
- Palm Desert Public Art Film Series
- Traffic Signal Cabinets
- Results on Poll from Artists on Term of Exhibition
Ms. Lawrence referred to the Status Report Memo that was
included in the agenda packet and asked if there were any
questions regarding the items in the report.
Chair Myrland thanked staff for the process of the voting for
the San Pablo Roundabout project and how well the Engage
Palm Desert process worked.
Upon question by Chair Myrland, Ms. Lawrence responded
that if an artwork is damaged, the original artist is contacted
first to have the opportunity to repair or replace the damaged
artwork.
Ms. Lawrence noted that the films for the Palm Desert Public
Art Film Series are scheduled January through April on the
third Thursday of the month (at UCR) and will be screened
outdoors.
B. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Member Boren commented on the opening at the Galen of
the Artists Council, and is pleased that they are representing
the Palm Desert facility.
Member Adney noted that the name of the Committee,
Cultural Arts Committee, sounds redundant, and suggested
Cultural Affairs Commission or Public Art Commission. Ms.
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Lawrence stated that other cities do have a Cultural Arts
Committee.
Chair Myrland made note of Judy Chicago’s press coverage.
The December agenda will include voting of Chair and Vice
Chair, and discussion of the draft plan for San Pablo north of
Highway 111.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Myrland adjourned the meeting at 10:54 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________________________
DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY