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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-07-05MINUTES ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, JULY S, 1983 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Puluqi convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman Phyllis Jackson Councilman Richard S. Kelly Mayor Pro-Tempore Walter H. Snyder Councilman S. Roy Wilson Mayor Romeo S. Puluqi Also Present: Alexis D. Newbrander, Chairman of the Civic Arts Committee Hovak Najarian, Arts Committee Member Jane Leung, Arts Committee Member Vernon Barton, Arts Committee Member Sheila R. Gilligan, City Clerk Ramon A. Diaz, Director of Environmental Services Barry D. McClellan, Director of Public Works III. OLD BUSINESS CIVIC CENTER Councilman Wilson stated that he had requested this joint meeting with the Civic Arts Committee to try and resolve differences of opinion that had arisen as a result of the Council's contracting with Mr. Bill Ware to paint a desert mural for the new Council Chambers. He noted that as reflected in the minutes of the June 28, 1983, City Council meeting, the action had been contingent upon receiving report and approval from the Committee. He said there had been no intent to usurp the Committee. Mr. Ware said that he had initially made his presentation to the Committee and that it was his understanding that they had referred him to the Council. Thus he made his presentation to the Council. Mrs. Newbrander explained that the Committee had been meeting very regularly and was working diligently towards accomplishing a nice arts program for the whole Civic Center. However, she said that the Committee had become upset about the mural approval in that they then felt that they were only a rubber stamp to Council action. While she agreed that the Committee had seen Mr. Ware's presentation, she pointed out that they in no way approved or disapproved it as -they wished to see other artists' proposals and work. They had in fact seen presentations from two other artists, one of which had presented a proposal for the Council Chambers. She said the Committee would like to put word out to other artists in the community in an effort to receive other ideas and proposals for work in this particular area. Mr. Najarian said that he felt the lack of a procedure was a detriment. Had there been one, the problem would have never occurred. Council concurred. Jane Leung said that while the misunderstanding was unfortunate, she agreed with some of the Council's comments that this is a small portion of the entire project and that the Committee should continue to work together to accomplish that after establishing certain guidelines. MINUTES ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 5, 1983 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mrs. Newbrander stated the Committee was also upset to read of the approval in the newspapers. Councilman Wilson explained the press release that had been sent out which was very general in description of the Committee, its duties and membership. He said that it was unfortunate that one of the reporters had written his story about the mural around it and added erroneous information as to the mural being approved by the Council. Mayor Puluqi said he felt Mr. Ware had been very tenacious and had felt a commitment had been made. He had therefore already commenced work and committed to $2,000+ worth of supplies. He thought Council should feel an obligation to him as well as to the committee. Upon question by Council, the Committee members concurred that they would be hard pressed to make any type of recommendation at this point on Mr. Ware's proposal. Councilman Snyder said that Council had been very wrong in not obtaining the Committee's approval and report prior to taking action. However, because of timing there had been an urgency for action which he felt caused the lack of communication between the Council and Committee. Councilman Jackson stated that she felt very badly about the misinderstanding inasmuch as she was the Council's liaison to the Committee. She explained that she felt Mr. Ware's proposal to make this mural pay for itself as well as to establish an art fund by selling prints had been such an attractive one that Council could not pass it up. Mayor Puluqi apologized to the Committee on behalf of the Council and urged them to continue on the Committee. Councilman Jackson moved to hire Mr. Bill Ware to do the mural as outlined in his proposal. Mayor Puluqi seconded the motion. Councilman Kelly moved to amend the motion to add the Council's sincere apologies to the Committee for the way it had handled this situation and asked them to take it in their hearts to forgive the Council and continue to help in the arts progam and in the future, the Council would never do anything again without the approval of the Committee. Councilman Jackson and Mayor Pulqui accepted the amendment to the motion. Motion carried on a 4-1 vote with Councilman Wilson voting No in that he felt the proposal should go back to the Committee for a formal report and recommendation. CIVIC CENTER PALM TREES Mayor Puluqi advised that he had signed a Change Order in the amount of $22,000 the previous Friday in order to expedite the moving of the donated palm trees to the Civic Center site. Councilman Wilson moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Change Order in the amount of $22,000 for moving the palm trees. Mayor Puluqi seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council. IV. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Kelly, second by Wilson, and unanimous vote of the Council, Mayor Puluqi adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to Closed Session to discuss a personnel matter. Mayor Puluqi reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. and immediately adjourned to Closed Session for discussion of a personnel matter (review of City Manager applications). -2- MINUTES ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 5, 1983 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Puluqi reconvened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. and immediately adjourned to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 1983, with no action being taken. ATTEST: • i SHEILA R. ' GAN, CI ' CLERK CITY OF P DESER 'ALIFORNIA C -3- O S. P UQI, MAYOR