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CACMIN 06 10 2004 e e ~O{4~ CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2004 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 Brodsky led the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a moment of silence out of respect for President Reagan. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Else Loudon Commissioner Sheldon Brodsky Commissioner Andrea Gassman Commissioner Elaine Reynolds Commissioner Linda Young STAFF PRESENT: Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director II. PUBLIC COMMENT- NONE III. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes of May 20, 2004 B. Department Report for April 2004 C. Financial Report for May 2004 It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Brodsky to approve the minutes with changes. Unanimous. It was moved by Gassman/Brodsky to approve the Department Report and Financial Report as submitted. Unanimous. V. PUBLIC HEARING - None VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Old Town La Ouinta Art Show 002 Cultural Arts Commission Meetie Minutes e May 20,2004 Page 2. Commissioner Reynolds suggested the City support this project by sending out postcards and putting an article in the GEM advertising this event. The artists would like support. Commissioner Loudon stated that the request by Mr. McGraw was that the City support this event by participation and an article in the GEM, with no cost to the City and work to the Commission. The Commission agreed that they do not have definite plans from Mr. McGraw as to what Mr. Wells Marvin is planning, therefore, they will wait to get more information from Mr. McGraw. It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Brodsky to table this until the next meeting. Unanimous. B. August Meeting Date After a short discussion, the Commission agreed to go dark in August. It was moved by Gassman/Reynolds to go dark in August. Unanimous. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS A. Point Happy Art Piece Update Staff reported that Rick Wilkerson stated that he had not received a revised proposal from Felicia as of this meeting. Commissioner Reynolds stated that the City has heavily subsidized the first art piece at Point Happy and that the developer should pay the balance for the art piece if he wants a second piece as part of his new development. Commissioner Loudon stated that she would like to see a second art piece at Point Happy. Commissioner Young stated that the City Council is the ultimate decision makers and they will set the appropriation for the piece. This item was tabled until the next meeting. B. Annual Work Plan Commissioner Reynolds handed out brochures she had collected from Newport Beach in which the City's cultural and visual art is promoted. She stated that Newport Beach is a much older City, but this is a good way to promote the art in the City, especially to new residents. S:\Community Services\CAC\CACMIN.6.10.04.doc 0(\3 Cultural Arts Commission Meetie Minutes e May 20, 2004 Page 3. The Commission asked that staff present the brochures to the City Council for direction on whether the Commission should pursue this project in the future. Staff reminded the Commission of the insert in the Community Services Department brochure some years ago. This could be done at little expense and is mailed to all the residents of the City and has an outside distribution as well. The Commission would like to work on the insert, but tabled this until next month. Commissioner Loudon asked about Artist Partnership Day and if staff would do this project this year. Staff reported that Commissioner Loudon has done this program for several years and she could do it again this year if she would like, if not staff will coordinate the program. The Commissioners will volunteer to assist Commissioner Loudon in this event. The Commission pointed out that they did not intend to remove concerts from the Work Plan. Staff stated that the discussion amongst the Commissioners was that the attendance was so low, and disappointing to the performers. The Commission discussed canceling concerts. However, the issue was not addressed again, therefore staff understood Commission did not want to offer concerts in the future work plan. Staff will listen to the tapes from this meeting and determine the outcome of the conversation. If the Commission stated that they wanted to offer concerts in the future, staff can present an amended work plan for City Council consideration. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Commissioner Loudon stated the staff had prepared the letter for Kathy Dunham and due to her being out of town, the letter had not been signed. Commissioner Loudon reported that the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance was a wonderful event and that last year she gave the longest speech, this year, her speech was the shortest. She was also acknowledged for all of her work with the City and the Alliance. She also reported that the Alliance will not be hosting a gala this year, but is planning some type of fund raiser in the fall. Commissioner Reynolds was thankful the City purchased the John Kennedy piece "Solitude" and stated that a book of Mr. Kennedy's work is available at the CODA gallery for $2,100, the cover of the book is cast in bronze. S:\Community Services\CAC\CACMIN.6.10.04.doc 004 Cultural Arts Commission Meetie Minutes e May 20, 2004 Page 4. Commissioner Loudon wanted clarification regarding the City Council meeting of April 20, in which the City Council discussed the Commission's recommendation for an inflatable bands hell. Commissioner Loudon was concerned that a Council member "slapped" the Commission for directing staff to research this topic. Community Services Director Horvitz stated that she did not believe the Council member chastised the Commission. It was her interpretation that the Council . merely asked the Commission to be patient with the improvements to the amphitheater, and that the project will be considered as priorities are met. Commissioner Loudon was under the impression that the Council believes the Commission directed staff to research this topic. Commissioner Gassman felt that the Council stated that the Commissioners overstepped their boundaries and that they should not have done that. Commissioner Reynolds felt that the Commissioners were talked down to by the Council on this issue. Commissioner Loudon does not want even one Council member to assume the Commission "would jump the gun." Commissioner Loudon directed staff to include the following in the minutes: "The Commission did not officially overstep their request in asking you (Community Services Director Horvitz) to take additional time to investigate, you happened to be at the seminar and this came up and you kindly got the information for the Commission." Commission Loudon expressed her concern that staff did not represent the Commission well by explaining to the Council that the Commission had not directed staff to research this topic. Ms. Horvitz stated that she did not interpret the Council's comments as being directed to researching this topic. Ms. Horvitz stated that each time the Commission discusses the issue this involves staff time, and this item has been discussed many times by the Commission. Therefore this item has involved several hours of staff time. Commissioner Reynolds felt that the Council member Sniff's remarks were uncalled for toward the Commission. Commissioner Young stated that the Commission had even. invited the architect for Palm Desert to the commission meeting, spending many hours on this project. S:\Community Services\CAC\CACMIN.6.1 O.04.doc 005 Cultural Arts Commission Meetie Minutes e May 20,2004 Page 5. Community Services Director Horvitz stated that the Council considered the Commission's request and asked that the Commission be patient, it was Ms. Horvitz understanding that the Council was not upset at the Commission, but she would listen to the tape of the meeting for clarification. XI. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Reynolds to adjourn the Cultural Arts Commission meeting. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM. . es Director OOR S:\Community Services\CAC\CACMIN.6.1O.04.doc