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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Entrada Del Paseo Steering Committee 03/11/2005x C a TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK n BETH LONGMAN, SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT l� May 11, 2005 SUBMISSION OF MINUTES FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE Attached is a copy of the approved Minutes from the March 11, 2005, meeting of the Entrada del Paseo Steering Committee. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) GARDA\Beth Longman\CommltteeslEntradaWinute Transmltlal.doc PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 11, 2005 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Entrada del Paseo Steering Committee was called to order by Acting Chairman Yrigoyen at 10:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: IV V. Lauri Aylaian, Member Jean Benson, Member Buford Crites, Member Phil Drell, Member Sheila Gilligan, Member Bob Leo, Member David Yrigoyen, Member Also Present: Absent: Mark Greenwood, Member Patrick Lilly, Member Justin McCarthy, Chairman Carlos Ortega, Member Bernard Devrieux, Cuistot Susan Harvey, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager Donna Gomez, Visitor Information Center Manager Niamh Ortega, Recording Secretary Maria Song, Interactive Design Group ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE'S REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2005 MOTION to approve the Minutes of the February 9, 2005 meeting made by Member Crites, seconded by Member Gilligan, and approved by the majority. Member Benson abstained from the voting process. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None. ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE PAGE 2 OF 5 VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VII. NEW BUSINESS MINUTES MARCH 11, 2005 A. RECEIVE REPORT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION ON POTENTIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING LEED CERTIFICATION FOR THE NEW MULTI -USE BUILDING Ms. Aylaian requested that this item be removed from the agenda due to the fact that it is a policy decision and should be reviewed by City Council. B. DISCUSS OPTIONS AND IDEAS REGARDING NAMING OF THE MULTI -USE BUILDING Ms. Aylaian asked the Committee for suggestions for a suitable name for the multi -use building. Member Benson stated that the Henderson family had a strong presence in the formation and shaping of Palm Desert, and asked the Committee to consider naming it the Henderson Building. This pays tribute to Cliff Henderson, Marion Henderson and Randolph Henderson, all of who have been important to the City. Ms. Gomez added that it could be called the Henderson Community Building, and Mayor Crites concurred that this name highlights its use by the community. MOTION that the multi -use building be formally named the Henderson Community Building made by Member Crites, seconded by Member Benson, and unanimously approved. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. IX. OLD BUSINESS A. RECEIVE AND REVIEW A PRESENTATION ON THE BUILDING FURNISHINGS SELECTED FOR THE PUBLIC AREAS AND OFFICE SPACES OF THE NEW VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER Ms. Aylaian introduced Maria Song, Interactive Design Corporation, who gave a presentation of the furniture layout to better visualize the interior of the Visitor Center. Ms. Song referred to an exhibit depicting the layout with samples of paint colors, fabric, and furniture materials. She offered a visitor's perspective as she described each of the areas. Three groups of seating were described for the lobby area. Internet access and faxing ability would be provided in the seating area to the left of the entrance. A coffee station and vending machine area with additional seating is next to that, and leads to the third area with views of the garden. Mayor Crites suggested that the internet amenity be ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE 3 OF 5 MARCH 11, 2005 maximized by ensuring that there are two or more internet connections and possible wireless connections installed in the building. Ms. Song reviewed various materials such as the slate flooring and bamboo baseboard, and described how the furniture would blend with the materials. The Committee carefully examined the exhibit. Furniture to be used in the alcoves was discussed in detail, and Ms. Song recommended utilizing multi -use stools rather than traditional chairs or couches for use in these areas. The stools would be of varying heights and would be covered with alternating fabrics in each alcove, providing additional visual interest. It was questioned why stools would be needed in an alcove, and Ms. Gomez responded that the alcoves were quite large, and some type of seating would be recommended. Theater furniture would consist of two styles of benches in varying lengths of three, six and eight feet, and would exhibit a mechanical, sleek look. There was much discussion regarding the use of fabric as opposed to wood in the theater area, with some committee members expressing concern over the possibility of staining, and premature wear and tear. Various uses were discussed, such as workshops and classes, in addition to the primary use, and it was suggested that the use of fabric covering versus wood seating be explored further. Ms. Song agreed to research fabric selections that would be low maintenance. Ms. Song indicated that she felt it was important that the furniture not stylize the building. The furniture was not classical conservative or mid- century but rather a harmonization somewhere in between the two styles. Concern was expressed as to whether the furniture would be comfortable. Ms. Song offered to obtain a list of stores that currently stock the furniture in question so that members of the Committee could determine if the furniture is appropriate from a comfort standpoint. She would also look into obtaining a sample for the Committee's review. MOTION to request that: 1) a list of locations be provided where members can view the furniture; 2) the theater fabrics be investigated further for durability and maintainability; 3) the space in the alcove area be considered for necessity and appropriateness of the stools; and 4) the overall direction, style, nature and quantity of the furniture be approved, made by Member Gilligan, seconded by Member Yrigoyen, unanimously approved. B. REVIEW AND MODIFY, AS APPROPRIATE, RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PROJECT SIGNAGE IN LIGHT OF RELOCATED VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER (VIC) Ms. Aylaian reminded the Committee that the location of the VIC has been modified since the original signage was approved. Of particular concern was a sign on Highway 111 that simply stated "Entrada del Paseo". The VIC building was originally directly behind this sign with the ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE 4 OF 5 MARCH 11, 2005 building signage stating "Visitor Center" appearing over it. With the relocation of the building, its signage is no longer visible. Ms. Gomez reported that she met with Member Greenwood and toured the city to view existing directional signage and to determine how it may be improved upon to better lead visitors to the VIC. It was agreed that listing eight to ten sites on a single sign may not be beneficial, as drivers are typically traveling too fast to read the entire list. If the VIC were listed first or second on these signs, visitors could get to the VIC, where staff could then direct them to other locations. Ms. Gomez informed the Committee that there is no signage for the Visitor Center at Hwy 111 and El Paseo for those traveling west on Hwy 111. However, monument signage for Entrada del Paseo at the former entrance is repetitive because there is a second sign in the vicinity. Mayor Crites cautioned that staff adhere to the ordinance relative to the quantity of monument signs permitted at a private commercial project. Ms. Gomez discussed the location of the VIC as listed on the monument signage. She requested that the VIC be listed first, and then list any additional businesses below that. Mr. Dervieux stated there was an agreement to list Cuistot at the top of the signage. Ms. Gomez suggested some compromises, which included giving Cuistot top billing on the sign closest to the restaurant, or to place the VIC first on Highway 111 signage and Cuistot first on El Paseo signage. Member Drell suggested raising the height of the sign to make the listings more visible. MOTION to revise the recommendation of the listing order on signage at Entrada del Paseo to place the Visitor Information Center in the first location and Cuistot as second listing on the Highway 111 side, Cuistot as first and Visitor Information Center as second listing on the El Paseo side, and request staff to bring back a modification of the monument signage adding the text "Visitor Information Center" and adjusting signage height as appropriate, made by Member Benson, seconded by Member Gilligan, unanimously approved. C. RECEIVE AND REVIEW A PRESENTATION OF FINAL DESIGN FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO LANDSCAPING AND PHASE 2 OF THE ERIC JOHNSON GARDENS Ms. Aylaian stated that this item was removed from the agenda because it is currently under consideration by the Agency Board at the request of the Landscape Beautification Committee. ENTRADA DEL PASEO STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES PAGE 5 OF 5 MARCH 11, 2005 X.INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. REPORT ON DISPLAY AND MERCHANDISE FIXTURES FOR THE NEW VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, AND ON TENANT -SPECIFIC BUILDING MODIFICATIONS Ms. Aylaian reported that she has been working with the architect and a fixture display designer to work on the retail fixtures and to design them such that they work with both the architecture and the interiors. Two different designs will be presented to the Committee at an upcoming meeting. B. UPDATE ON MULTI -USE BUILDING Ms. Aylaian reported that the design and development drawings have been received from Narendra Patel, and are currently being reviewed for value engineering. The design as proposed has not changed but staff is working on the detailing with regard to the mechanical and electrical systems. Design should be complete in May, and is expected to go out for bid for construction in Fall 2005. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN/MEMBERS Member Benson suggested that the VIC sell bottled water with a custom label promoting Entrada del Paseo. Ms. Gilligan responded that the Marketing Department is currently looking at options in this field. B. STAFF LIAISONS Mayor Crites pointed out that the site is now almost fully developed, and shortly the Committee will have served its purpose. At some point in the future, members should determine when the majority of their work has been accomplished, and bring Committee meetings to a close. XII. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Yrigoyen adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Niamh Ortega, Re ding Secretary