CACMIN 09 11 2003
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CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 11, 2003
I. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
in the Study Session Room of the La Ouinta Civic Center. Chairperson Else Loudon
presided over the meeting. Commissioner Reynolds led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Else Loudon
Commissioner Nicolas Hemes
Commissioner Elaine Reynolds
Commissioner Sheldon Brodsky
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Commissioner Linda Young (excused absence)
STAFF PRESENT:
Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director
Hally Savio, Community Services Secretary
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
Kathy Dunham of the La Ouinta Arts Association requested that the
Commission develop an Artist's Directory for the City of La Ouinta to be
updated annually. She suggested that the Commission work with the La
Ouinta Arts Foundation to assist with this project.
Chairperson Loudon commented that the Coach ell a Valley Arts Alliance is
working on a similar project. Commissioner Reynolds suggested that the
Chamber Newsletter could be used to advertise so interested La Ouinta
artists would be notified of the opportunity to be included in the directory.
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
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IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes of June 12, 2003
B. Financial Report for April 2003
C. Monthly Department Report for March 2003
It was moved by Commissioners Hemes/Reynolds to approve the Consent Calendar
as submitted. Unanimous.
V. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Election of Vice Chair
Chairperson Loudon opened nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner
Reynolds nominated Commissioner Hemes.
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Loudon to appoint Commissioner
Hemes as Vice Chairperson. Unanimous.
B. Washington & Jefferson Street Bridge Railings
Staff sought direction from the Commission as to the design for decorative
bridge railings on the new Washington Street and Jefferson Street bridges.
Commissioners viewed photographs of the existing railings. Commissioner
Reynolds recommended that the mountain theme be continued on the new
bridges. Commissioner Hemes also suggested that the future Eisenhower
Drive bridge railings continue the same concept for uniformity in the City.
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Brodsky that the existing bridge
railing designs be modified to fit the new Jefferson and Washington Street
bridges. Unanimous.
C. "A Day of Art in the Park"
Commissioners were asked to support and participate in the La Ouinta Art
Association's "Day of Art in the Park" program (date to be determined).
Commissioner Reynolds volunteered to attend and assist with this activity.
Commissioners also discussed the recent Community Services Grant of
$2,000 to the La Ouinta Art Association. Commissioner Hemes suggested
inviting a representative of the Association to a future meeting to
recommend how these funds should be spent. Commissioner Brodsky will
discuss with Kathy Dunham of the La Ouinta Art Association.
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D. Washington/Miles Potential Art Piece
Commissioners discussed with staff the proposed art piece for the southeast
corner of Washington Street and Miles Avenue, approved by the City Council
in September, 2002. Since the final plan for the Residency Inn proposed for
this site have not been approved, consensus of the Commission was to delay
proposing an art piece for the location until the plans are approved and
building permits have been issued.
E. Veterans Day Event
Director Horvitz apprised Commissioners of the Veteran's Day event being
planned for the Civic Center Acknowledgement Area on November 11,
2003, and asked the Commissioners to participate by arranging for and
coordinating entertainment for the event.
Commissioner Hemes volunteered to contact the Marine Corps Band based
at Twentynine Palms, and if they are unavailable, to contact the La Ouinta
High School Marching Band.
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Hemes that the Cultural Arts
Commission try to arrange to have the Marine Corps Band and/or the La
Ouinta High School Marching Band play at the Veteran's Day Ceremony at
the Civic Center on November 11, 2003, and for all Commissioners to
attend and assist with this event. Unanimous.
F. December Holiday Event
Staff sought direction from the Commission regarding musical entertainment
as part of the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2003
at the Civic Center.
Chairperson Loudon suggested the City have a Holiday Vehicle Parade
(passenger cars and golf carts only) in addition to the traditional Tree
Lighting Ceremony. Tentative plans for the Parade were discussed, including
vehicle entry fees, possible parade route, advertising, and ways to
incorporate the tree lighting ceremony with a parade. Chairperson Loudon
also requested that staff check out the possibility of changing the location of
the holiday tree from the Civic Center Courtyard to the Amphitheater.
Commissioner Hemes suggested including a holiday house decorative lighting
contest judged by Council Members with prizes for the top three entries.
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Chairperson Loudon suggested the theme for the parade would be "Lets
Light Up La Ouinta" and would be open to all La Ouinta businesses and
residents. Volunteers from the community would also be welcome.
Commissioners agreed to take the idea for the holiday parade forward to the
City Council.
It was moved by Commissioners Hemes/Reynolds that the Cultural Arts
Commission participate in the tree lighting ceremony on December 5, 2003,
and provide entertainment in the form of a vehicle parade including
automobiles and golf carts starting at the home of Council Member Terry
Henderson through the streets of La Ouinta and ending at the Civic Center
Campus, to provide holiday choirs and refreshments served at the Senior
Center, and to look at a secondary location for the City's Christmas tree in
the Civic Center amphitheater. Unanimous.
G. Artist Partnership Day
Chairperson Loudon provided background on this annual event to encourage
students to go into art careers, and announced the dates for this year's
Artist Partnership Day have been set for Wednesday, October 22nd at the La
Ouinta Middle School, and Thursday, October 23rd at La Ouinta High School.
It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Reynolds that all Commissioners
will attend the Artist Partnership Day events on October 22nd and 23rd, and
assist where necessary, including greeting the guests and attending lunch
with the artists. Unanimous.
Commissioner Brodsky left the meeting at 8:25 PM.
H. Soliciting Donations for Special Events
After brief discussion regarding donations, Commissioners agreed to wait
and see the response to solicitations for the proposed Holiday Parade, and
discuss this item further at the January, 2004 Commission meeting.
Chairperson Loudon also asked that Commissioners bring ideas to the
October 9th Commission meeting.
I. Possible Artwork Locations
Commissioners reviewed the list of possible art locations throughout the
community compiled by former Commission members. Chairperson Loudon
invited Commissioners to recommend sites for artworks.
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Commissioner Reynolds suggested calling for art to upgrade the Civic Center
Amphitheater similar to the City of Palm Desert's to make it adequate for
future concerts. Commissioner Hemes pointed out that an architect would
be needed for such a construction project.
It was moved by Commissioner Reynolds/Hemes to recommend that the City
Council bring in architects and or/ artists to give ideas on expansion of the
amphitheater to make it suitable for concert in the park type events in the
future. Unanimous.
It was moved by Commissioner Hemes/Reynolds that the Silver Rock Ranch
entrance site be considered for an art piece with the assistance of the RDA.
Unanimous.
J. Joint Meeting with Community Services Commission
Commissioners discussed selection of a date for their requested joint meeting
with the Community Services Commission to discuss entertainment for the
annual holiday tree lighting event on Friday December 5, 2003.
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Hemes that the joint special
meeting with the Community Services Commission be held at 7:00 PM on
Monday, October 13th, to coincide with the regularly scheduled Community
Services Commission meeting. Unanimous.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
A. La Ouinta Court Landscape plan
Director Horvitz updated Commissioners on the progress on the La Ouinta
Court landscaping project, reporting that the City Council approved the
recommendations of the Commission at their August 5, 2003 meeting.
The landscape architect, Ray Lopez Associates, has begun working on
the construction documents, and the Public Works department staff is
working on permission from Caltrans to change the color of the
decomposed granite in the "pork chop" area of the site.
B. RFP for Arch Sculpture Modification
Director Horvitz reported there has been no response to the RFP issued
for the addition of a quail and palm trees to the arch sculpture at Fritz
Burns Park. Staff will revise and advertise this project again.
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C. Memorial Art Piece for Fallen Officers
Director Horvitz informed Commissioners that the City Council, at its
August 5, 2003 meeting, directed staff to issue an RFP for a suitable art
piece to acknowledge the officers and fire fighters that serve the City of
La Ouinta. The proposals will be brought before the Cultural Arts
Commission for consideration at a future meeting.
D. Flyers for October Concert Series
Flyers were distributed to Commissioners for the free concert series on
Sundays in October to be presented at the La Ouinta Middle School
amphitheater.
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Chairperson Loudon announced the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance annual dinner
dance to be held on Saturday, November 1, 2003, at the Renaissance Esmerelda
Resort in Indian Wells, to benefit children's arts education programs.
Commissioners were invited to attend the event, which will include entertainment,
opportunity drawings and a silent auction.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Hemes/Reynolds to adjourn the Cultural Arts
Commission meeting. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
Thursday, October 9, 2003
La Quinta Civic Center Study Session Room
Submitted by:
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Community Services Secretary
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