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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission September 21, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES September 21, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thompson convened the meeting at 9:10 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present IV. Maureen Boren Katherine Hough Lesley Miller Maureen Thompson (Chairperson) Also Present Absent Norma Bussing Donna Jean Darby Kim Snyder Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development William Kroonen, Councilmember Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sherry Barkas, reporter, The Desert Sun John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Tony and Karen Barone, artists Kim Chasen, Guest of Tony and Karen Barone ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on June 22, 2011. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Miller, the Minutes of June 22, 2011 were approved Art in Public Places Minutes September 21, 2011 unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Darby, and Snyder absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Kroonen reported that City Council passed the first reading of the Ordinance for the Rosewood Hotel, but continued the second reading. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Ms. Campbell reported that at its meeting of September 20, 2011, the Planning Commission approved two Conditional Use Permits for short term rentals in Palm Desert. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE DONATION OF "R. HERO" BY KAREN AND TONY BARONE FOR THE PALM DESERT FIRE STATION Ms. Schwartz stated that Tony and Karen Barone met with her regarding a public art opportunity. The Barones presented to the Commission a concept called "ArtAdoption" through which private citizens purchase art from the Barones and donate it to the community. The artwork concept is a 6 foot 2 inch tall Dalmatian, named "R. Hero", that would be placed in the landscape in front of the Palm Desert Fire Station on Town Center Way. The artists are using the Dalmatian as a symbol to honor the fire fighters who work in the station. Ms. Schwartz stated that the City would be responsible for the cost of installing, pouring the pads, and maintaining and insuring the sculpture. There would be four eighteen inch circular pads on which the artwork would be placed. Upon question by Commissioner Hough, Mr. Barone responded that the plaque would include the City's required language, and list the donors' name(s). Ms. Barone anticipates that it will take approximately six months to raise 2 Art in Public Places Minutes September 21 2011 the required donation amount in order for the placement of "R. Hero" to take place. This sculpture will be the first in a series of the "ArtAdoption" program. Upon question by Commissioner Miller, the Barones responded that they are not limiting the number of Dalmatian sculptures that can be placed at fire stations in the Valley and elsewhere. Upon question by the Commission, the artists responded that they initially met with the fire department staff from a different fire station to discuss the concept of the project; other than that the contact has been minimal. Staff added that the project has been presented to the City Manager and the fire department liaison, but does not think that the fire department staff on Town Center Way has seen the proposal. It was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept the donation of "R. Hero" by Karen and Tony Barone for the Palm Desert Fire Station. Commissioner Boren expressed concerns about the project, and asked that there be more involvement between staff and the fire department on Town Center Way. Using the Dalmatian to represent the fire departments as heroic makes her feel disconnected. Is it the intent of the artists to represent heroic fire fighters or heroic dogs? When she thinks about dogs as heroes, she thinks about the working dogs that were at the September 11, 2001 site which were dogs of various breeds. The Dalmatian has been an icon of fire fighters, but she is not sure it is used as a working dog or simply as a companion. She is concerned that the Dalmatian will not be recognized by the public in the manner that the artists are intending. She thinks it is important to get input from the staff who works at the above mentioned facility. It was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Hough to withdraw their prior motion. It was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Hough to continue the Consideration of the Donation "R. Hero" by Karen and Tony Barone for the Palm Desert Fire Station to the meeting of October 19, 2011. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Bussing, Darby, and Snyder absent. 3 Art in Public Places Minutes September 21, 2011 It was suggested that staff and one Commission Member present the "R. Hero" proposal to the appropriate staff at the fire department. Commissioner Boren volunteered to join the public art staff to present the proposal. The cost of "R. Hero" is $15,500. B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY The following artists applied to be included in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Andrew Andrasko, Damien Jones, Dee Anne Wagner, Donald Mitchell, James Moore, Jose Loza, Julian Voss Andreae, Nancy Azara, Susan Logoreci, Terry Reynoldson, and Walter Gordinier. It was moved by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include artists Andrew Andrasko, Damien Jones, Dee Anne Wagner, Donald Mitchell, James Moore, Jose Loza, Julian Voss Andreae, Nancy Azara, Susan Logoreci, Terry Reynoldson, and Walter Gordinier into the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried with Commissioners Bussing, Darby, and Snyder absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery The current show, Personal Expressions will end on October 7. The opening reception for Elements with Jeni Bates, Lynne Cunningham, and Gary Merglekamp is Monday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz has received several applications from citizens who want to participate as a volunteer docent. The applications are due October 14 and then there will be an interview process. Those selected from the interview M Art in Public Places Minutes September 21, 2011 process will attend eleven weeks of training. A staff member from the Planning Department will also be trained for those times when docents are not available to fulfill tour requests. Ms. Schwartz welcomed the Commissioners to attend the docent training sessions if they would like. Please let her know so she can prepare extra handouts. C. Carlos Ortega Villas Ms. Schwartz will meet with the architect and the project manager as the design stage for the Carlos Ortega Villas is moving forward. The public art component of the project will not begin until the construction contract is underway due to the pending litigation over the Governor's proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies as this is a Redevelopment Agency project. D. Film Series Ms. Schwartz has three films confirmed for the Public Art Film Series. To -date she has Rape of Europa, which is a film about the Nazi art theft; Tony Cragg: Celebration of Sculpture; and Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time. She is reviewing films for the final film. The films will be shown in the UCR theater on the third Thursday of the month January through April. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that the Art in Public Places Guidelines and Ordinance states that the Art in Public Places Commission is to have one liaison from the Planning Commission and one from the Architectural Review Commission. Ms. Schwartz introduced John Vuksic who is on the Architectural Review Commission and would like to serve as the liaison between the Art in Public Places and Architectural Review Commissions. She reminded those in attendance that liaisons are not voting members but relay information to and from the Commissions. Ms. Schwartz shared an email she received from out of town visitors who commented on how much they enjoyed the Holocaust Memorial. 5 Art in Public Places Minutes September 21, 2011 Ms. Schwartz gave an update on John Richen's "Jazz Musicians" that is in the current El Paseo Invitational Exhibition. Three of the five original sculptures remain on the pad as two have been sold. Mr. Richen may be planning to create one or two more musicians to replace the sold pieces, but staff did not get a confirmed response from the artist. If a new piece or pieces are created to replace the sold pieces, they should arrive in November. Ms. Schwartz reported that she is working with the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) regarding the public art component for the new building on Hovley Lane. There have been a few concerns with the project that do not comply with the Art in Public Places Guidelines. The Water District is working with a design firm potentially headed by an artist but in the case that the designer is not an artist, staff is working with CVWD to get an artist involved. The proposed project includes an interior component that may lead one inside an area of the building that is not publicly accessible. The Art in Public Places Guidelines state public art is not allowed inside a non City building. CVWD can apply for a waiver from the Public Art Commission and City Council to place the art inside the building. The concept being proposed includes an educational component of the history of the water source in the Coachella Valley. Ms. Schwartz will show the DVD of images from the Americans for the Arts Conference at the next two meetings. Ms. Thompson asked the Commission to begin thinking of ideas for a theme for the 2012 Student Art and Essay Contest. In October she will attend the 2 X 2 meeting that includes two members of City Council, members of the school board, and superintendents to determine a way to get more participation from the schools. Staff circulated the invitations for the Desert Dessert Time Capsule opening on October 15. Artist Michael Anderson will be at the event. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS None R Art in Public Places Minutes September 21 2011 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Thompson adjourned the meeting at 10:22 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY 7