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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIPP Cmsn - 01-08-2014 � � — ���1 i-�-1�—�—� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES '�� , . January 8, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Boren convened the meeting at 9:03 . � II. ROLL CALL � � Present Absent w x " �. � '.,_ Maureen Boren, Chairperson � C � . � s Norma Bussing �� �� Donna Jean Darby z �� � � Katherine Hough c l� �° Lesley Miller � � � Maureen Thompson d , , ,� ; .�.1 j,L �.,�.� < � r C '' �' .� Also Present � o � o `�' ' `�' � �. W A L � c� Z c = O > ; ` E;,; z c�;, „ Deborah Schwartz, Management Analyst V � � �, �, z Q w ^ Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary � c v '� w �= v s � '� Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Develop�e�ta � Q z ¢ ¢ a o Susan Marie Weber, Councilmember Liaison Ken Stendell, Planning Commission Liaison Arlene Amick, Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Desert Daniell Cornell, Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Desert Mara Gladstone, Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Desert Greg Johnson, Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Desert Vincent Battaglia, CEO of Renova Energy Corporation Patrick Sheehan, Renova Energy Corporation Deborah Flowers, Artist for Renova Energy Corporation Marilyn Irvin, Resident III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Marilyn Irvin, a resident of Sandpiper stated that there is a recycling center behind Vons in the shopping center across the street from Art in Public Places Minutes January 8, 2014 the "Recycle" sculpture and she believes that the sculpture acts as an advertisement for the recycling center causing people to go through the residents' dumpsters to collect cans and bottles. Therefore, she is requesting that the sculpture be moved from its current location and that a mid-century, modern sculpture be placed on that pad instead. Staff stated it would look into the issue. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on December 11, 2013. Commissioner Miller moved to approve the Minutes of December 11, 2013. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby and carried 6-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION — Councilmember Susan Marie Weber At its meeting of December 12, 2013, City Council approved artist Ryan Campbell to paint a design on the traffic signal cabinets located on Fred Waring Drive and Phyllis Jackson Lane. Mr. Campbell will work with students at Palm Desert High School to create a design for the traffic signal cabinets. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT— Ken Stendell Mr. Stendell reported that at its meeting of December 3, 2013, the Planning Commission approved the denial of the health and fitness facility on Village Court Drive. C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT — John Vuksic No report. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None 2 Art in Public Piaces Minutes January 8, 2014 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION BY THE PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM RELATIVE TO ITS PALM DESERT FACILITY — PRESENTATION BY DANIELL CORNELL Dr. Daniell Cornell, The Donna and Cargill MacMillan Jr., Director of Art, updated the Commission on the additions and changes of the sculptures in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden in the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. Dr. Cornell presented the new sculptures that will be installed in the Gardens. "Zuni Water Gatherers" by Doug Hyde, "Maiz Goddess" by Erwin Binder, "Big Skull and Horn in Two Parts IV" by Jack Zajac, "Standing Figure" by John Buck, and "Triangulation" by Christopher Georgesco. Two of the existing sculptures that will be moved within the complex are "Steel Watercolor With Balls" by Fletcher Benton and "Morning" by Yehiel Shemi. The Commission members were supportive and pleased with the additions and changes of the sculptures at the Museum. Chairperson Boren inquired about the lack of directional signage on the southwest corner directing visitors to the Museum. Dr. Cornell replied that Arlene Amick, General Manager, has been working with City staff regarding way finding signage and is being addressed. B. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED CO-SPONSORSHIP WITH RENOVA ENERGY CORPORATION TO COMMISSION DEBORAH FLOWERS TO CREATE ARTWORK FOR THE SET OF THREE UTILITY CABINETS ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF EL PASEO AND HIGHWAY 74 Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission that Renova Energy Corporation (Renova) recently donated the commissioning and painting of a design by Deborah Flowers on the set of traffic signal cabinets on EI Paseo and Larkspur and presented images of the completed artwork. Ms. Schwartz referred to Renova's new proposal that was included in the agenda packet. Renova is proposing to donate the painting of a design, by Deborah Flowers, on the three utility cabinets located on the northeast corner of Highway 74 and EI Paseo in front of Melissa Morgan Fine 3 Art in Public Places Minutes January 8, 2014 Art. Ms. Schwartz noted that this project would be a co- sponsorship between Renova and the City. The proposed budget for the overall project is $3,000 of which Renova would pay $2,250 and the City would pay $750. She added that the City's standard commission amount for a set of two traffic signal cabinets is $1,500. If the Commission approved the co-sponsorship, it would cost the City less than if the City sought an artist through a Call for Artist process. However, accepting the co-sponsorship would not allow the City to do a Call for Artists or select a specific design. Ms. Flowers presented a design of a geometric sun, sunrays, and a solar panel for the set of three cabinets. The proposed design is a close variation of the design Ms. Flowers painted on the set of traffic signal cabinets on EI Paseo and Larkspur. She stated that the side of the cabinet that faces south as drivers come into the Valley from Highway 74 will act as the front of the cabinet which will be the prominent portion of the image. The starburst will be the main design on the larger cabinet and the design of the solar panels and sun rays will be painted on the two smaller cabinets. Ms. Schwartz noted that the sculptures in front of Melissa Morgan's gallery do change periodically. If this project is recommended by the Commission for approval by City Council, Ms. Schwartz will notify the surrounding property owners and tenants about the project so they can address any concerns or support to City Council. Commissioner Miller mentioned that the painted cabinets could be an attractive nuisance for drivers. Ms. Schwartz stated that she would discuss Commissioner Miller's concern with the City Attorney. Chairperson Boren mentioned her concern of the proposed design being too similar to the design that Ms. Flowers painted on the cabinets at Larkspur and EI Paseo. There was some discussion from the Commission of the possibility of making slight changes to the proposed design. Ms. Flowers stated that she would not include the dots in the final design. Commissioner Darby stated that she did not feel that the detail of the dots would make that much of a visual impact to a passerby in a car. Commissioner Thompson stated that because the angles are going the opposite direction from the design on the cabinets at Larkspur and EI Paseo, the proposed design will be different. Commissioner Bussing moved to accept the co- sponsorship wifh Renova Energy Corporation to commission Deborah F/owers to create artwork for the set of three utility cabinets on the northeast corner of E/ Paseo and Highway 74. 4 Art in Pubiic Places Minutes January 8, 2014 Motion was seconded by Commissioner Darby and carried 5-1 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, and Thompson voting AYE with Miller abstaining. C. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2014 Commissioner Bussing nominated Commissioner Boren to serve as Chairperson and Commissioner Darby to serve as Vice Chairperson for 2014. Commissioner Bussing moved to e/ect Commissioner Boren to serve as Chairperson and Commissioner Darby to serve as Vice Chairperson for 2014. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Thompson and carried 6-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE. D. APPROVE THE DONATION OF "HAPPY SWINGING" BY PRINCE MONYO TO THE PUBLIC ART COLLECTION FROM THE YMCA OF THE DESERT Ms. Schwartz reported that "Happy Swinging", which was installed in front of the YMCA for many years, was damaged approximately eight years ago and remains in its damaged state. The top section of the sculpture was broken off. The sculpture belongs to the YMCA and the City has been working with them for several years asking them to either repair the sculpture or remove the bottom section of the sculpture from the pad. Ms. Schwartz recently spoke with the YMCA and they have not pursued the repair. Ms. Schwartz gave them the option to potentially donate the sculpture to the City. Due to the remaining section of the sculpture being a safety hazard, City staff recently removed it from the site and placed it in storage. Ms. Schwartz believes there is approximately $5,000 to $6,000 in repair costs. The sculpture was purchased for $60,000. If the Commission approves the donation of the sculpture, City staff would look into getting it repaired and find a new location for it. Ms. Schwartz is considering placing it on EI Paseo west of Highway 74 where "Ascension" was installed. She would move "Ascension" in front of Wells Fargo on Highway 111 and Monterey. She would need to find a new location for the sculptures "Reaching Glory" and "Pathways Through Life", that are currently in front of Wells Fargo. Commissioner Hough stated that "Happy Swinging" does not meet the quality for which the City is striving. She thinks it is 5 Art in Public Places Minutes January 8, 2014 important to see how the conservation cost would compare to the value of the sculpture. She added that she is not familiar with the artist Prince Monyo. She suggested having it appraised before the City spends the funds to have it repaired, and the additional expense of having to move the other artworks to different locations to accommodate a new location for "Happy Swinging". Commissioners Boren and Bussing agreed. Commissioner Hough moved to have staff seek an appraisal to establish the value of "Happy Swinging" and continue this item to the next Art in Public Places Commission meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bussing and carried 6-0 with Boren, Bussing, Darby, Hough, Miller, and Thompson voting AYE. E. CONSIDERATION OF ARTIST(S) TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY The following artist applied to be included in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Jenny Balisle. Commissioner Hough moved to include artist Jenny Balisle in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion was second by Commissioner Bussing with a 2-4 vote with Hough and Miller voting AYE and Boren, Bussing, Darby, and Thompson voting NO. Commissioner Bussing moved to not include artist Jenny Balisle in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion was second by Commissioner Miller with a 3-3 vote with Boren, Darby, and Thompson voting AYE and Bussing, Hough, and Miller voting NO. Artist Jenny Balisle will not be added to the Artist Registry. VII1. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE 6 Art in Public Places Minutes January 8, 2014 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the current show, "The Suboken Project: Presenting..." with artwork by Travis Hiner, will be on exhibit until January 31. Gideon Cohn's show will open on February 6 with a reception opening on Monday, February 10. B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that 26 people took the tour of the EI Paseo Invitational Exhibition tour on the January Saturday tour. Staff is creating a more current rack card. C. Public Art Documentary Film Series Ms. Schwartz reported that the first film for the Public Art Documentary Film Series, "Class of '83", is Thursday, January 16. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz gave a presentation of the completed painted traffic signal cabinets. Bijan Masoumpanah's design of bighorn sheep on Fred Waring Drive and College of the Desert is complete. Ms. Schwartz reported that there is a single traffic signal cabinet across the street from the cabinet that Mr. Masoumpanah recently completed and that she is considering having him paint a design on that cabinet too. The Commission was in agreement to the suggestion so Ms. Schwartz will talk to Mr. Masoumpanah. Jeni Bates' design of skyscapes on the set of cabinets on Fred Waring Drive and Town Center Way has also been completed, and Deborah Flowers has completed the design of a geometric sun on the set of cabinets on EI Paseo and Larkspur. Ms. Schwartz reported that the artwork located on Dinah Shore and Monterey Avenue of a rock sculpture with "Palm Desert" on it and the sculptures with the cutouts of a lizard by Heath Satow were damaged by a drunk driver and need repair. The sculpture is a two part ownership; the "signage" 7 Art in Public Places Minutes January 8, 2014 portion of the sculpture is owned by the City and the rocks and cactus sculptures are owned by the developer. There was damage to the entire sculpture. The artist came out to assess the artwork and the "Palm" in "Palm Desert" cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced. The artist is working with the development company to repair the damage that was done to the section of the artwork that is owned by it. Staff will give an update at the next meeting. B. COMMISSION REPORTS None XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Darby moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Respectfully submitted, _� , , � �� � DEBBIE L. TH PS , RECORDING SECRETARY 8