HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-09 CAC Regular Meeting MinutesCULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Committee Member Thomas Mitze, Committee Member
Vice-Chair Lori Flint,
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Cultural Arts Committee was called to order by Chair Hauer on
Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., in the Administrative Conference Room, City
Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2. ROLL CALL
3. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-2026
Recording Secretary Nance provided an update on the new rotation policy and
responded to Committee inquiries.
Motion by: Committee Member Mitze
Seconded by: Committee Member Rose
To appoint Maureen Boren as Chairperson and Lori Flint as Vice Chairperson for Fiscal
Year 2025/2026.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
4. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
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5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by: Committee Member Mitze
Seconded by: Committee Member Hauer
Approve the consent calendar as presented, except for item 5.a, which was pulled for
separate discussion.
5.b INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR
THE SAN PABLO PHASE 2 ROUNDABOUT SCULPTURE
Receive and file informational report on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for
the San Pablo Phase 2 Roundabout Sculpture.
6. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
5.a APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Boren requested that the June minutes include additional information
regarding the renaming of “Requests for Action” on the agenda.
Motion by: Committee Member Mitze
Seconded by: Committee Member Rose
Approve the Minutes of June 11, 2025, as amended.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
7. BUSINESS ITEMS
7.a CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH GOLDENVOICE
FOR TAFFY BY STEPHANIE LIN
Management Analyst Powell introduced Raffi Lehrer, of Public Art Company, and
artist Stephanie Lin, who narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded to
Committee inquiries.
Motion by: Committee Member Rose
Seconded by: Committee Member Mitze
Consider a ten-year lease agreement with Goldenvoice for Taffy by Stephanie
Lin, including City-funded site enhancements and associated infrastructure at
Civic Center Park south of the skate park.
Motion Carried (6 to 1)
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7.b APPROVAL OF THE 2026 STUDENT ART AND ESSAY CONTEST THEME
AND VINYL WRAP COMPETITION
Management Analyst Powell led discussion of potential themes for the 2026
Student Art and Essay Contest and Vinyl Wrap Competition.
Following discussion, the top 3 themes were determined and voted on:
• What grows in my dream garden;
• People who help us; and
• Crawly creatures in my garden.
Motion by: Committee Member Hauer
Seconded by: Committee Member Rose
1. Approve theme "What grows in my dream garden" for the 2026 Student
Art and Essay Contest.
2. Approve continuation of the vinyl wrap competition as part of this annual
program.
Motion Carried (7 to 0)
7.c CONSIDER PURCHASE OF RISING INVERSION SCULPTURE BY
CRISTOPHER CICHOCKI
Management Analyst Powell narrated a PowerPoint presentation and responded
to Committee inquiries.
*Committee Member Mitze left the meeting at this time.
Motion by: Committee Member Rose
Seconded by: Committee Member Grant
Recommend that the City Council approve expenditure in the amount of
$150,000 for the purchase of Rising Inversion by artist Cristopher Cichocki (cha-
house-key), to be permanently installed at Ironwood Park.
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
7.d APPOINT A SUBCOMMITTEE TO STRATEGIZE PUBLIC ART
PROGRAMMING
Management Analyst Powell led discussion and requested volunteers for a
subcommittee to strategize public art programming.
Motion by: Committee Member Simley
Seconded by: Committee Member Rose
Appoint a subcommittee of Committee Member Grant, Committee Member
Simley, and Chair Boren to develop a strategic plan for public art programming.
Motion Carried (5 to 0, HAUER ABSTAINING)
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8. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
8.a CITY STAFF
Management Analyst Powell announced the cancellation of the August 2025
meeting.
8.b PLANNING COMMISSION LIAISON
None.
8.c ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION LIAISON
Architectural Review Commissioner Colvard provided an update on latest action
taken by the Architectural Review Commission.
8.d CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
Councilmember Quintanilla commented on public art, including future placement
of the Sister City wooden sculpture (Haitiki), integration of art in the new library
plan, and related programming opportunities.
8.e ATTENDANCE REPORT
Report provided; no action taken on this item.
9. REQUESTS FOR ACTION
Committee Member Hauer, with support from Vice Chair Flint, requested a future
agenda item on a Plein Air Festival presentation.
Committee Member Hauer noted that some City Council liaisons appear to be unfamiliar
with how public art is funded and expressed that clarifying this information may help
address misconceptions regarding the budget and funding mechanisms.
In response to an inquiry, Management Analyst Powell outlined steps being taken to
ensure the El Paseo Sculpture Exhibits are protected during the paving project.
Committee Member Simley requested a future agenda item regarding a potential loan of
a Desert X art piece; the request failed for lack of support.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The Cultural Arts Committee adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Michelle Nance, Sr. Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary
_________________________
Erica Powell, Management Analyst
Secretary
DATE APPROVED BY CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE: 9/10/2025
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