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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIPP Cmsn - 09/19/07 CITY OF PALM DESERT �-��-� � � ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES September 19, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Grochau convened the meeting at 9:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Kevin Grochau Norma Bussing Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning � Maureen Thompson Kim Snyder w John Weston o � Also Present '' x s� a� � Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager � Mayor Pro Tem Jean Benson � a ` � Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison '-' x � Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator � o �� ' � Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary •• �; David Saccullo, Developer H � Samantha Emmett (Sacred Heart School student) H � Mr. and Mrs. Emmett � � � -� r F) � a ;� .. lii. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS '-' �" ` �' � U �`' � O �:) � oQ �• n � o � c�� None � o N � „ H H H � >-+ !� W E-� al c!� W H H tT IV. CONSENT CALENDAR N a c� w w w v� cn x -� iiaa� � � z � a� .�' n Minutes of the regular meeting held on July 18, 2007. Commissioner Hough noted that under Old Business, Item A. Helen Pashgian's name was misspelled. Art in Public Places Minutes Seqtember 19, 2007 Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Weston, the Minutes of Ju/y 18, 2007, were approved unanimously as corrected with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION At its meeting of August 9, 2007, City Council approved the following items: "Andy the Donkey Man" project for the site at the Visitor Center; Artists Steve Reiman, Allen Root, and Heath Satow to work with the landscape architects on the 700-foot median on Monterey from Dinah Shore to I-10. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION BY MAYOR DICK KELLY AND SAMANTHA EMMETT ON STUDENT DESIGNED ART PIECE FOR EL PASEO Mayor Kelly stated that Samantha Emmett approached him about having an art piece on EI Paseo that recognizes children. Mayor Kelly suggested that a few artists could present a maquette to students in grades 1 st through 5th and have them choose a piece for Ef Paseo. Vice Chairperson Grochau asked Samantha to share her idea with the Commission. She said she it would be nice to have a fairy to welcome kids to EI Paseo because it is magical and EI Paseo is a great place to shop. She read her essay from her entry in the 2007 Student Art and Essay Contest. Commissioner Hough recommended that the Commission compile a list of projects to be considered and add this one to the list of potential projects. 2 Art in Public Places Minutes Seqtember 19, 2007 Mr. Twedt stated that the City is doing a revitalization of EI Paseo that will include an area in the street that will protrude out where an art piece can be placed. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Weston that the Commission compile a list of potentia/ projects and add the idea of having a student designed art piece for E/ Paseo to the list. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. Vice Chairperson Grochau explained to Samantha that these projects do take time. B. CONSIDERATION OF "MOUNTAINS AS MONUMENTATION" AND "UNTITLED" FOR THE WARING MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL PLAZA LOCATED AT 72- 650 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA Mr. David Saccullo of Choice Enterprise presented the proposed artwork for the Waring Medical and Professional Plaza located at 72-650 Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Saccullo stated that he wanted to incorporate a desert southwest flavor into the building. He has been working with a graphic designer artist from Best Signs to have the artwork of the sign integrate with the buildings. The second art component is of a cantera stone fountain that will be located in the center courtyard of the buildings. He noted that the fountain would be visible from Fred Waring. He commented that the Commission has done a fantastic job with the art pieces in Palm Desert. Commissioner Hough inquired about what was being considered as the public art component. He responded that he was proposing both the signage and the water fountain. Commissioner Hough asked for the artists' resumes. She asked if the artist from Best Signs was an artist who is recognized in the field of public art. Mr. Saccullo added that Jim Cross is the owner and a very accredited graphic designer. He has done a number of graphically designed projects in the Valley and Southern California. Commissioner Thompson asked if signage is normally something that can be used as the public art component. Mr. Twedt replied that art based signs, fences, lighting, and sidewalks could be functionally integrated with a development. Vice Chairperson Grochau felt the proposed art for the signage portion was more of a sign than art. He noted that it was a great sign but other developments that 3 Art in Public Places Minutes September 19, 2007 have signs did not utilize public art funds for its signs. The Ordinance states that a developer can integrate art into the project but this is substituting a sign as art. Commissioner Grochau added that a sign is necessary to identify a project. He said he is a landscape architect and his landscape is art but he cannot use public art funds and he knows from experience that the Commission would not pass it. Commissioner Thompson stated she was concerned about the signage being considered art. Another comment was made about the fountain being considered as art due to it not being unique, but is quite common. Commissioner Weston added that the two proposed art pieces are functional, utilitarian pieces; they provide a function but are not unique pieces of artwork. Vice Chairperson Grochau to(d Mr. Saccullo that the Commission does like the proposed art but it does not comply with the goals of the Art in Public Places Ordinance, and it will not qualify as an art in public places component. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Thompson to consider the two proposed pieces of public art for the Waring Medica/ and Professional Plaza. Motion was denied by a 0-4 vote with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to consider the fountain as a proposed project for public art. Commissioner Thompson added that there are many fountains that are commercially designed and does not consider them public art but water features can be public art. She would like to see more information on the artists before she feels comfortable voting in its favor. Vice Chairperson Grochau stated that he would not consider the fountain as art. Commissioner Hough added that she is in favor of water features as public art but is somewhat familiar with the proposed fountain and would like it to have more custom, artistic individual features. It is very generic looking and does not have enough artistic integrity to it. She would be in favor of it if it were more artistic. Mayor Pro Tem Benson stated that there is a strong movement throughout the Valley on water conservation and there are a lot of water fountains and adding more water fountains negates what the City is trying to do in saving water. Mr. Saccullo responded that the 4 Art in Public Places Minutes September 19, 2007 Coachella Valley Water District had approved the water feature when he submitted his water calculations. Motion was denied by a 1-3 vote with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. C. CONSIDERATION OF "DESERT GATEWAY TUMBLING WEED" FOR THE DESERT GATEWAY PROJECT LOCATED AT 34-140 — 34-940 MONTEREY AVENUE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA Mr. Twedt stated that this is the second art component for the Desert Gateway project by developer Stan Rothbart. Artist Heath Satow is proposing five art pieces (as one component) that will represent a tumbling weed that unravels itself into a dandelion, which implies motion. It will be placed south of Wal-Mart in a landscaped area. Commissioner Hough stated it is a good concept but is not sure if the five art pieces will be understood by the public as one piece. She thought it might be helpful to have signage at the piece noting the continuity of the art and the intent of the artist. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to approve the "Desert Gateway Tumbling Weed" as its art component for the Desert Gateway Project located at 34140 — 34940 Monterey Avenue. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. D. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT A CURATOR FOR THE 2008/09 EL PASEO INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt suggested that Mark Stephenson curate the 2008/09 EI Paseo Invitational Exhibition. He stated that Mr. Stephenson has a good eye, is conscientious, has been traveling around the Country entering well-known festivals which gives him a strong knowledge of sculptors, and will be easy to work with. Mr. Twedt talked to him about being more sensitive to figurative, realistic work. Commissioner Hough confirmed his experience and has worked with him at the Museum. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to se/ect Mark Stephenson as the curator for the 2008/09 EI Paseo /nvitationa/ Exhibition in conjunction with a presentation to the Commission of his 5 Art in Public Places Minutes September 19, 2007 background and credibility, Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. E. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Marsh Scott, Deborah Landry, Jean-Louis Corby, Tom White, Allan Packer, and Karen Fitzgerald were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Marsh Scott, Deborah Landry, Jean-Louis Corby, Tom White, and Allan Packer in the City of Pa/m Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. Due to time constraints, a motion was made by Commissioner Weston and seconded by Commissioner Hough to continue the balance of the Agenda to the meeting of October 17, 2007. Motion approved unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Snyder, and Stenning absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT TIM PRENTICE AS THE REPLACEMENT FOR NED KAHN FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery B. Website C. Docent Program D. Desert Cities Public Art Forum 6 Art in Public Places Minutes September 19, 2007 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF B. COMMISSION MEMBERS COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Vice Chairperson Grochau adjourned the meeting at 10:02 a.m. e tfully submitted � BBIE L. T ON, C RDING SECRETARY 7