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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission 01/18/2012CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES January 18, 2012 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thompson convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Maureen Boren Lesley Miller Norma Bussing Donna Jean Darby Katherine Hough Kim Snyder Maureen Thompson (Chairperson) Also Present Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sherry Barkas, reporter, The Desert Sun Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission ORAL COMMUNICATIONS !v Ms. Aylaian updated the Commission Members on the developments of the Redevelopment Agency, its changes, and how those changes will affect the City of Palm Desert in how it does business. She stated that the State Supreme Court's decision was issued relative to the constitutional right of the legislature to dismantle redevelopment agencies. The court upheld the right of the legislature to create and dissolve redevelopment agencies. Several months ago the state gave the cities an option of either dissolving the redevelopment agencies or paying a fee to keep Art in Public Places Minutes January 18, 2012 them. Palm Desert opted to pay the fee in order to keep the agency in operation. But the State Supreme Court ruled that it is not lawful for the state to allow redevelopment agencies to continue business by paying a fee because it conflicts with Proposition 22. As of February 1, 2012, all California redevelopment agencies will cease to exist. The City will have up to five years to wind down its current projects. By March 1, 2012, an Oversight Board will be appointed and comprised of seven people (two members will include City staff). This board will oversee the sale of City owned properties that were purchased with redevelopment funds. All decisions will have to be approved by the board then to the State for approval. One of the City's top priorities to consider is the Cal State University Palm Desert Campus as the City owns approximately 150 acres that has not been developed. It would not benefit the Coachella Valley if the land is liquidated and purchased by developers who will not use the land for educational purposes. There are also hotel pads at Desert Willow and one on El Paseo. The City will create a committee comprised of department heads and legal counsel who will meet on a weekly basis to try to determine the best way for Palm Desert to transition and reorganize. As a result of the pending staff reorganization, there has been discussion of consolidating the City's committees and commissions. The design for the Carlos Ortega Villas project was approved by the Planning Commission and will go to City Council but the City cannot contract for construction on the project now that the Redevelopment Agency is to be dissolved. If the property is purchased and the new owners decide to build the Villas, the project could still come about due to there being an approved design. Additionally, the affordable housing component of redevelopment has been reinstituted through legislation. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on December 21, 2011. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Snyder, the Minutes of December 21, 2011 were approved unanimously with Commissioner Miller absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION — Mayor Pro Tern Bill Kroonen Ms. Schwartz reported the at the City Council meeting of January 12, 2012, the Palm Springs Art Museum presented 2 Art in Public Places Minutes January 18, 2012 the artwork that will be placed in the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens at the Museum's new Palm Desert location. Some of the Councilmembers had concerns and questions on a few of the pieces. Council voted to move for approval subject to a subcommittee of Councilmember Benson, Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen, Museum staff members, and appropriate City staff to resolve issues of some of the artwork. Once those issues are resolved, they can proceed with installation. The above mentioned members met yesterday at the site to discuss the process of bringing art to that site and moving forward. It appears that all will move forward was presented to the Art in Public Places Commission and City Council The public art component for Oracle Plaza was approved. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission did not approve the CUP to allow Chase Bank to remove twelve parking spaces to put in an ATM drive-thru at Desert Springs Shopping Center. C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT — John Vuksic Mr. Vuksic reported that a telecommunication tower was approved in the Living Desert. Awnings for businesses on the east end of El Paseo were approved. The two-story building, located on the southwest corner of Lupine and Highway 111 next to the former Kentucky Fried Chicken, has been required to change the paint colors and will be reviewed again. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Hough to nominate Commissioner Snyder as Chairperson and Commissioner Darby as Vice Chairperson. Motion carried with Commissioner Miller absent. 3 Art in Public Places Minutes January 18, 2012 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. Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby (team); and Mark Abildgaard. It was moved by Commissioner Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include artist Mark Abildgaard into the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Miller absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that she is working on the Call for Artists for the Palm Desert Community Gallery and plans to send it out next week. B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz is still training four new docents for the docent program. She is very pleased with the new docents. C. Public Art Film Series Ms. Schwartz reported that first film for the Public Art Film Series is Thursday, January 19 at UCR. There are 320 people signed up for Rivers and Tides. Patrick Blythe will speak after the film. D. Student Art and Essay Contest Ms. Thompson announced that the entries for the Student Art and Essay Contest are due February 17. She noted that she has had more interest this year from the teachers at Art in Public Places Minutes January 18, 2012 Palm Desert High School. They have a new principal who may be of better support than in the past. There has also been more interest from the Palm Desert Middle School this year. In talking to one of the teachers from Washington Charter School, the teachers are overwhelmed with more students in the classroom as well as a heavy curriculum which is why they have not had 100 percent participation in the last couple of years. Ms. Thompson will ask the Commissions for assistance in judging and helping at the Award Ceremony on March 29 in the Council Chamber. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that Palm Springs is holding a Fine Arts Fair and Palm Desert is one of their cultural sponsors. Ms. Schwartz reported that she has been asked to review the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to consider possibly merging it with the Art in Public Places Commission. The merge of the Committee and Commission is on the January 26 City Council meeting agenda and the Council will decide how best to accommodate the two advisory bodies. Staff reported that the 2013/2014 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition Call for Artists has been sent out. One proposal has been received but it is for prayer booths which would not be appropriate to place on the median. Staff reported that the piano player for John Richen's artwork, "Jazz Musicians", on El Paseo will be added to the pad to replace the two pieces that were recently sold. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Darby shared an article, Cities Fight to Protect Public Art with the Commission Members. Commissioner Hough reported that there is an opening at the Museum of a photography exhibition called Backyard Oasis on Friday, January 20 Commissioner Bussing thanked Commissioner Thompson for the great job serving as Chairperson. Art in Public Places Minutes January 18, 2012 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Thompson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m. Ilu, subm EBBIE L. THOMPSON. RECORDING SECRETARY N.