HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Signal Box Artistic Treatment - Policies & Procedures CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX PROGRAM
SUBMITTED BY: RICHARD L. TWEDT
DATE: JANUARY 22, 2009
CONTENTS: COPY OF GUIDELINES
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, approve the policies and procedures established for the traffic signal
box program in the City of Palm Desert.
Executive Summary:
The Art in Public Places Commission unanimously approved the policies and
procedures for painting traffic signal boxes in the City of Palm Desert at its December
17, 2008 meeting. Subsequently, Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works, approved
it.
Discussion:
As a result of a commercial property owner illegally having a set of traffic signal boxes
painted adjacent to his property, Council requested that a set of formal guidelines be
developed. At its meeting of December 11, 2008, City Council instructed staff to
establish a formal process for painting traffic signal boxes in Palm Desert and requested
it go before the Art in Public Places Commission for approval. Staff distributed a
preliminary draft to each Commissioner at its December 17, meeting where minor
changes were made. The Commission voted unanimously,to a�prove the guidelines.
? \
,
Sub � ted�by: r .� � �' �' -
y;= �'` ' � 1
Ric rd Twedt, P blic Arts Mgr. .$heila Gilligan, Assistant City r.
Communit Services
Approval:
�
Ju in cCarthy, Actin y Manager Pau Gibson, Director of Finance
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2009
XVI. OLD BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
THE CITY'S TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX ARTISTIC TREATMENT PROGRAM.
Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the Policies and Procedures established for
the Traffic Signal Box Artistic Treatment Program in the City of Palm
Desert as presented.
CITY COUNCILyACTION
AI'PROVF.D �� DF,NIT:D
RECE[VED OTHER
MI;F,T}�G, DA�E f "� -
AYI?S:G�1�71 IYI� '" ,�, . � . , i ',
NOI?S:
Ai3SENT:
AI3STAIN:
VERIF[ED BY:
Original on File with City C erk's Office
, .
Painted Traffic Signal Boxes Policies and Procedures
1. Selection of traffic signal boxes to be painted will be decided by the Public
Works and Public Art Departments. Preference to be given to boxes in high
traffic and visible locations.
2. Only City of Palm Desert owned traffic signal boxes will be eligible for painting.
No other utility boxes owned by other entities will be selected for painting.
3. Artists to be selected and approved by the Art in Public Places Commission and
City Council.
4. All designs to be approved by the Art in Public Places Commission and City
Council prior to commencement of painting.
5. Designs will be appropriate for all age groups and meeting artistic integrity.
6. Selected artists will be paid an honorarium from the Art in Public Places Fund
that will be budgeted by the Art Department.
7. Traffic signal boxes will be "prepped" by the Art Department. Once painted, each
box will be treated with an anti-graffiti coating.
8. Weather and fade resistant water based acrylic paints will be used by the artists
for paint application. Supplies will be paid by the Art Department. The color
palette will be lighter, as darker colors add heat to the boxes that can damage
the internal electronics.
9. Painted boxes will be monitored by the Art Department for any graffiti or stickers
and will be responsible for its removal.
10.Selected artists will be required to have a City Business License and will be
placed under contract.
11.Unauthorized artwork will be removed and cited as a graffiti violation under City
code.
12.The Art in Public Places Commission will make suggestions for appropriate
themes and subject matter that meet the criteria for artistic integrity consistent
with other public art projects.
��,�a n��-���- % l � d�
CITY OF PALM DESER '� '����r������---°�
C� PASSEa TO 2ND R�C31NG
PUBLIC WORKS DEPART ENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Direct Staff Regarding the Unauthorized Application of Artistic
Treatment to a Traffic Signal Cabinet
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works
* Continued the matter and referred
APPLICANT: Gordon Belmont it to Art In Public Places Commission
76-245 Fairway Drive for development of program guidelines
CA 92210 for application of artistic treatments
Indian Wells, on traffic signal cabinets in the Cit�.
4-0 (Finerty ABSENT)
DATE: December 11, 2008 —
CONTENTS: Letter with copy of citation
Photos
Vicinity map
Recommendation:
Direct staff to the appropriate course of action regarding the application of a
painted artistic treatment to a traffic signal cabinet.
Background:
On or about April 1, 2008 the owner of the commercial building at 72-180 Highway 111
(northwest corner of Highway 111 and Park View Drive) hired an artist to paint the traffic
signal cabinet and guard rail adjacent to his property. When Public Works Department
staff became aware of this unauthorized action, the property owner was notified that
these items were the property of the City and that he would be required to restore them
to their previous condition. The owner refused to remove the paint, stating that he had
beautified the items similarly to certain cabinets he had seen on EI Paseo. Challenging
the Public Works DepartmenYs authority to determine the protocol for maintenance of
the cabinet and guardrail, he threatened to sue the City should the paint be removed
without his approval. Due to staff's perception of a public safety issue regarding the rail
and the need for a quick resolution of the dispute, the Public Works Department painted
the guard rail back to a silver color and soon afterward the traffic signal cabinet in
question was replaced due to obsolescence.
On Saturday, September 17, 2008 an artist was observed by City staff in the act of
applying paint to the brand-new traffic signal cabinet at this location. City staff notified
the Palm Desert Police Department, and a citation was issued to the artist for graffiti
vandalism.
Direct staff regarding unauthorized painted traffic signal cabinets
Page 2 of 2
December 11, 2008
Subsequent to the citation, staff met with the property owner who continued to indicate
his dissatisfaction with the look of the traffic signal cabinet. Staff again explained to the
owner that the painted traffic signal cabinets on EI Paseo had been approved as part of
a trial program and the artwork had been formally commissioned by the City and pre-
approved by the City Council. In a letter dated September 19, 2008 the property owner
requested that the City accept and approve the painting that has already been applied
to this traffic signal cabinet and revoke the citation issued to the artist.
The Public Art Department is currently developing a policy for a traffic signal cabinet art
program that will be presented to City Council for final approval. The policy will include
the determination of a stipend for artists, artistic standards, technical specifications
regarding the application of paint to cabinets housing sophisticated hardware, and the
approval process to be followed by the program.
Until such time as the City has such a formally adopted program, staff recommends that
the City Council deny approval of this and any subsequent unauthorized applications of
artistic treatments to traffic signal cabinets.
Fiscal Impact:
Should the Council approve the application of artistic treatments to traffic signal
cabinets by residents or business owners, there will be costs to the City associated with
the administration of such a program including design approval, permits, ongoing
inspections and maintenance or removal of the treatment at some future time.
Departmen H d: Approval: �
, /
Mark Gree wood, P.E. Homer Croy
Director of P ic Works ACM for De ment Services
��S
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Paul S. s Carlos L. O a
Financ ire r City Manager
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Gordon L. Be�mont ���F�v�.o
7�245 �'airway Drive tDoe S�g 2� � �� 2�
�a�an w��rs,CA_92210
Email: cayotecasa dc.rr.com ., r;�ry o� �;��rt n�,E��
�i U S 3G i'!DR}tS !�`''af�Tt�i�I�7
T�i: (7fi0j 776-9945 ce��: (760�13-2'712 ��: (7b0}341-9�'�l8
September 19, 2008
Mark Grreenwaod, P.B.
Director of Public Works
C�ty of Palm Desert re: 721$0 Haghway
73510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 922b0-2578
Dear Mr, Gxeenwood:
I am the owner of�he above referenced property. I had the two
large electrical boxes on the corner of 11 l and Park View Drive
painted by an artist. She painted them very similar to�tiose on El
Paseo, i.e. desert scenes.
We thought that the boxes themsel.ves were ugly in the
a�uminum color and detrac�ed from the beautifu�remodel we did at
this property. I think it is truly a showpiece. :
Last�uveek, �eggy.Ann Stevens,the artist was issued a
swnmons, a capy of which is attached.
I seek formal exception to the city code sectian pertaining to
th.is matter and request that this summans be revoked.. We merely
tried to beautify and copied the El Paseo theme.
Kindly reply to both the exception and the summons at yaur
convenience. We want to Ue good citizen� and neighbars.
0
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��
I thank you for your attention to this situation and am sorry
that�t has come to this. .
Respectfully,
Gordon Belmvnt
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G�d�����,� LOCATOR MAI'
��, ,� HWY 111 & PARK VIEW
� ;� � Legend
�o��� DATE: � City Boundary �
��`"c',xn:��Na";.`'� 10/23/2008 1 inrh - 1!1(1 faat