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Home My WebLink AboutAIPP CMSN - 05/16/07 CITY OF PALM DESERT ��-� � � ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION � � MINUTES - May 16, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:01 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Chairperson Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Maureen Thompson Barbara Stenning Kim Snyder John Weston Also Present Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Pro Tem Jean Benson Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager, Community Services Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None �ITY COUNCIL ACTION: F1'PF.nVED _„ D�'?�1IED �.i�CEIVED� C)T�c:fi �e-�-.�,�•T '�' Lt'ii'i� � �i t:i �� [�ti�r,5: 'Y��.. ..�.�.�.....a.e (� � "'_"�'..��'_"�'_'__._.e �il:J.�• �rron��or� F�3`i�:I�I'T: ��r, 1'?m..._, y.m�.�..,..,......�.... �.�7�r�zi�: ��.�...�. iTE�tIFiED L'-Y• '�r�.gin�l �n Fi�.e wi �, �i'�'�- C�.�ric' s Gf.fir•E Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 16, 2007 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on April 18, 2007. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Grochau, the Minutes of April 18, 2007, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Council approved the Traffic Signal Box project and the proposed afinrork "Infinity Column" by Phillip Smith for the Monterey Pointe project as the AIPP fee art component. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT THREE ARTISTS TO CREATE A SCULPTURE OF "ANDY THE DONKEY MAN" Mr. Twedt gave the Commission more background information about Andy the Donkey Man. Andy spent time in the desert area for 42 years, and was well respected in the community. One time when he was hit by a car and hospitalized there was an outpour of help and support from the community. In 1980 it was mentioned in a newsletter from the Historical Society that it wanted a statue of Andy with his donkey but it was not practical at the time. In the newsletter it stated that the Historical Society hoped it could some day be an Art in Public places project. Washington Charter School built a drinking fountain in memory of Andy. The City proclaimed May 22, 1980, "Andy the Donkey Man Day". Mr. Twedt referred to the agenda packet that included information on artists who work in realistic sculpture. Commissioner Weston stated that the Commission had not previously been asked to approve the commissioning of a sculpture of Andy the Donkey Man and it was suggested to add the item to the agenda. 2 Art in Public Places Minutes May 16, 2007 /t was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Chairperson Bussing to add to the agenda the consideration of a project honoring Andy the Donkey Man and direct staff to research artists to create a sculpture. Motion carried by 6-1 vote with Commissioner Weston opposing. There was some discussion of concern about creating a sculpture of Andy the Donkey Man and that it would not enhance the City's public art program and its collection. /t was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Thompson approve the concept of a project involving Andy the Donkey Man. Motion carried by 5-2 vote with Commissioners Weston and Stenning opposing. There was also discussion concerning the use of public art funds to create an artwork honoring someone who lived in the community many years ago. Mayor Pro Tem Benson stated that she believes the community would embrace the idea of recognizing Andy, which is why she brought the concept to the Commission. Ideas of doing a bas-relief or a freestanding kiosk instead of a three dimensional piece were mentioned. Mr. Twedt stated that someone from the Historical Society mentioned that part of Andy's wagon has been preserved and remains near the Salton Sea. Mrs. Gilligan stated that the City built the Visitor Center to bring in visitors and added that when she visits other cities she wants to see the history of that city. There was direction from the Council to make the site at the Visitor Center special and include the history of Palm Desert (where the artwork will be sited). Mr. Twedt stated that the Commission had originally approved Reuel Young's concept for public art at the Visitor Center, which included education about the City's geography, history, being child friendly, interactive, and inviting visitors to the gardens. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Thompson to continue to the meeting of June 20, 2007, the Consideration of an Artist Selection Process to create a sculpture honoring Andy the Donkey Man at the se/ected site at the Visitor Center with staff researching 3 Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 16, 2007 more artists including resumes for those artists. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION OF USING SOLAR ENERGY AS A THEME FOR THE 2008 STUDENT ART AND ESSAY CONTEST it was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept the Consideration of Using So/ar Energy as a Theme for the 2008 Student Art and Essay Contest. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF CREATING AN "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT (Continued from the meeting of April 18, 2007) Chairperson Bussing referred to the staff report included in the agenda packet that Staff has recommended that the Commission concentrate on solar energy and incorporate LED lighting. Mr. Twedt explained that LED are Iow energy, bright lights, and will eventually replace fluorescents and CLFs. He requested that the Commission decide the scope of the project (i.e. how much should be spent? Should it be an open competition or invitational?) Commissioner Hough suggested focusing the project on solar art and not solar energy. Commissioners Grochau and Weston suggested paralleling the Embracing the Desert Light project with the Student Art and Essay Contest theme of solar energy. Mr. Twedt stated that each artist could receive a commission of $6,000 to $8,000 having six projects total, making it comparable to the Embracing the Desert project. He added that there are pads available throughout Palm Desert for placement of the multiple projects. lt was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to approve the concept of creating an Embracing the Desert Light project. Motion carried unanimously, IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE 4 Art in Public Places Minutes MaV 16, 2007 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the Student Art and Essay Contest will be on display through May 23, and "Abstract Dimensions" will follow. The opening reception is Tuesday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. B. Website No report. C. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the last scheduled docent tour for the summer is June 9, on EI Paseo. The Saturday tours will reconvene in September. Ms. Schwartz circulated notes from the Public Art Forum Subcommittee meeting to the Commissioners. The next Subcommittee meeting will be held Wednesday, June 20, immediately following the Art in Public Places Commission meeting. Xl. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mrs. Gilligan complimented the Commission on its efforts and dedication to the program, and said that there is a huge element of trust in the Commission from the Council. She added that Mayor Kelly noted that his favorite artwork in the City's collection is the Obelisk at the entrance of Palm Desert Country Club. Mr. Twedt complimented Debbie Thompson for all the work she did for the Student Art and Essay Contest. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Mr. Twedt met with Donna Jean Darby and gave her approximately twelve names of artists who might be interested in a two week artist residency in Gisborne, New Zealand, one of Palm Desert's sister cities. 5 Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 16 2007 COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 11:02 a.m. pectf Ily submitte � 1�GZ BBIE L. T OMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY 6