APPMIN 01 09 1995ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
MEETING MINUTES
LA QUINTA CITY HALL - NORTR CONFERENCE ROOM
JANUARY 9,1995
The regular meeting of the La Quints Art in Public Places Committee (APP) was called to order at
3:08 P.M. by Chairman Walling.
ROLL CALL: Committee Members Kay Wolf, Nancy Nard, Kathryn HuH, Carolyn Lair,
Rosita Shamis, Kathy Smith-Schooley (arrived late)
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Jerry Herman, Department Secretary
Betty Sawyer
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. There being no corrections of the Minutes of December 5,1994, Committee Members
WolfflNard moved and seconded a motion to approve the minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
B. Committee Membee Wolff asked staff about the interest on the seed money.. Staff
stated it was calculated an the total seed money plus developer tee. Committee
Member Lair asked about the administrative fee. Staff stated it was for the
Committee to use and is carried over yearly. There being no corrections to the
financial statement, Committee Members NardlHull moved to approve the statement
as submitted.
C. Committee Member Lair informed the Committee about a conference she had
attended in October and asked if the Committee would be interested in reeoiving
information on conferences regarding arG Committee members felt they would like
to have indivlduaLs attend conferences to keep them informed. Staff informed the
members that a request must be made to Council to attend so allow the time for
that approval process when reviewing the conferences. Discussion followed
regarding potential conferences. Committee Member Lair stated she would obtain
the information and see that the Committee members received it. Staff suggested
that staff be placed on mailing Dsts. Members stated it would be good for Council
members to attend as well to keep their interest and awareness of art in public
places.
II. BUSINESS SESSION
A. Presentation by John Koenig on La Quinta Village Shopping Center
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Mr. John Koenig and Mr. Mike Horton, representing the project, made a
presentation regarding their proposed art work. Mr. Horton stated that
they were landscape architects and wanted to have the art work
integrated into the project. He went on to give details about the peojeet.
The art work was to be located on the northwest corner of Calle Tampico
and Washington Street. There would be unlimited public view and access to
the art work. It would however, be set back to the northwest corner of the
retention basin located at the corner. Mr. Horton stated that Mr. Auto
Keegan, who had been hired by Indian Ridge to design their art work, was
working with them to design the fountain. Mr. Horton went on to doscrlbe
the fountain. It is proposed to be 20.22-feet in diameter that flows down to a
spillway and flows into the trough. It was meant to be a whimsical idea of
suspending a ball on a column of water. To accomplish this structurally
the ball would be constructed of stainless steel with tour fountains around
it. The pole holding the ball would disappear in the water. It would appear
that the ball is suspended by a column of water. At night the art piece
would be Dte at the base of the columns of water and will shine through it
looking Like a white column of water supporting the ball. MateriaL~
proposed to be used are a cantera stone on the base of the building.
However, there was some discussion about using a more polished material.
The trough was proposed to be canterra stone or file surface. The fountain
will blend in with the rest of the building. Date palm trees,l4•feet in
height, would surround and go south and east from the fountain. The
retention basin wiH extend up to the fountain and will be turf. California
Pepper Trees will be planted at the end of the palm trees.
2. Chairman Walling asked what the plans were for the culvert. Mr. Koenig
stated it would be relocated and would have a pump installed to pump the
water out into the Clty storm system.
3. Committee Member Wolff asked if there would be any seating provided. Mr.
Koenig stated none wore planned. Discussion followed regarding tt waH
that could be used for seating but. it was stated that informal seating
could be placed to the northwest or entrance of the fountain.
4. Committee Member Lair stated she had worked with Mr. Keegan atld he
was a very innovative artist. Mr. Horton stated this was anew idea in that
his work had primarily been wiUl stone and he was starting to work with
different mediums trying to get away from the stone. Mr. Rorton stated
they may not hire Mr. Keegan to finish the project, but right now he is
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January 9, 1995
helping to design the fountain. Mr. Horton stated he was -looking for
feedback from the Committee before they go any further.
5. Committee Member Lair stated there needed to be a distinction between
landscaping and art work. Mr Horton stated he had strong feelings about
plop art and really want to see the art integrated into the protect.
6. Committee Member Wolff stated that file work would enhance the work. Mr.
Horton stated there needed to be a strong tie in with the fountain and the
building file work. Discussion followed regarding the artlstic portion of the
piece and what was landscaping.
7. Committee Member Shamis asked how the applicant felt about a sculpture
or three dimension shape. Mr. Horton stated he had no objection but, they
were looking foe something that was more original and whimsical .and fun
to be entoyed by the audience.
8. Community Development Director Jerry Herman asked ff the corner could be
restructured to place the art work at the corner. Mr. Horton stated
structurally they were waxed out and there was no room at the corner. He
went on to say they have a site Dne problem with it being a very busy
corner. Chairman walling stated the design would draw the public eye to
the structure.
9. Committee Member Smith-Schooley asked if the scale of the rocks was
proportional. Mr. Horton stated they were but, slightly oversized.
10. Chairman walling asked if the art work would be installed when the
restaurant was built. Mr. Koenig stated that BuHding "B" was in the
process of being designed and they hoped to be under construction on the
restaurant by March 1st. Mr. Horton statedtheir -intent was to irrigate and
plant now and add the art work after Buildings "A" and "B" were
constructed so the construction work would not damage the art work. They
anticipated having BuHding "A" completed by April or May. Mr. Koenig
stated the City had asked that the retention basin be completed and
hydraseeded first. when this was completed they anticipated stating the
construction on the fountain. Hopes are to have the protect completed at
the same time as Building "B".
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11. Committee Member Wolff stated of same problems would exist during the
construction of Building "A". Mr. Koenig stated it could but, the fountain
was designed in such a way that after aH the pipes were in for the retention
basin it would eDminate a lot of the work being done in this area. This
would isolate Building "B" and the fountain from Bullding "A".
12. Committee Member Wolff stated she felt there were a couple of areas that
would lend themselves to mosaic art work. The retaining wall or the brick
leading away from the fountain with some materials that are
complementary to it. Or the edge of the upper pool (cooping) could also
accommodate mosaic work.
13. Committee Member Smith-Schooley stated this could be difficult for the
artist as this is not the type of arc work he works with. It could be possible
to have a different artist do the work.
13. Committee Member Lair asked if the edge would lend itself to seating. Mr.
Horton stated it could but it is only 14•inches wide. Committee Member Lair
stated there could be a story or sometlilng that is interesting to the citizens
put into the wall or seating..
14. Chairman Walling stated the Committee needed to approve the project in
concept and ask that the applicant come back with some more specific
designing adding the ideas suggested by the Committee.
15. Committee Member Lair asked how much money was designated for the
project. Mr. Koenig stated the amount budgeted was 530,000. Committee
Member Lair asked if the budget allowed room for enhancing with mosaic,
etc. Mr. Horton stated it should lend itself to it. Mr. Koenig stated their
restraint due to the location. Discussion followed regarding what type of
artwork had been proposed for the corner and some ideas that had been
suggested.
16. Committee Member Hull asked if there would be any problem maintaining
the artwork. Mr. Koenig stated there would be none.
17. Committee Member Nand asked if the standpipes would be hidden. Mr.
Koenig stated they would be; planting would be used to hide them.
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18. Chairman Walling asked when the applicant could bring the project back
for further review. Mr. Horton stated they would be ready for the nest
Committee meeting in February.
19. Committee Member Hull asked if the applicant was stuck with this artist.
Mr. Horton stated they were not and requested a list from the Committee of
potential artists. Staff would see that Mr. Horton received a list of artists.
20. Mr. Koenig asked what the Committee wanted to see at their nest meeting.
Chairman Walling stated they needed to see more details as to materials
and how they interact, colors and more details. Mr. Horton stated he would
have graphic drawings with a color chart.
21. Members discussed the idea presented.
22. Committee Member Smith-Schooley stated her concern that this wars not the
type of work this artist was known for. Committee Member Lair asked !f
this was the artists work or an idea they came up with after discussing it
with the artist. Discussion followed.
23. Committee Member Shamis stated she did not feel this was enough for this
corner.
24. Committee Member Lair stated she thought something needed to be added
into the feature. Committee Member Nard agreed that more art work was
needed.
25. Committee Member Lair stated her concern that when developers are told to
add artwork they do not put any time Into developing an idea.
B. Continued discussion concerning a ioint meeting of all ValleKArt in Public Plac s
CommitteelCommissions.
1. Chairman Walling esplalned what had happened to the City of Indian Wells
Art in Public Places Committee. Discussion followed regarding the Indian
Wells program.
2. Committee Member Hull suggested that since Palm Springs and Palm Desert
were unable to attend that another day might be best.
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3. Committee Member Lair stated she would like to have an update from Palm
Desert as they recently won the National APP award. Discussion followed
regarding the format of the meeting.:
a. Introductions and brief review of La Quanta's program and ;purpose.
b. Each city would then follow.
c. Chairman Walling asked who would be putting together the
information for the handout packets. The Committee determined
they da so.
4. Chairman Walling asked if staff would put a map together showing the
location of the art work.
5. it was suggested that the Committee obtain information from the other
cities as to how their artist banks were setup.
6. John KaeNg asked if the City had any information that could be handed out
on the City's purchase and selection of art from the Arts Festival In that
the City has a source for other cities to purchase art and in that the City had
a contractual agreement with the Foundation for purchase of art, it might
be beneficial to have a brochure informing the cities of this opportunity.
7. It was also stated that the Master Plan would be completed and available
for handout.
8. Committee Member Lair stated there should be a paragraph on how the art
program came into existence.
9. Chairman Walling stated he felt there should be a paper listing thl;se
items. It was determined that a map should be prepared showing the
location of the art work, an article written about the art work, the Master
Plan, and a copy of the draft brochure.
10. Committee Members Kay Wolff, Carolyn Lair, Kathryn Hull and Chairman
Walling agreed to prepare the information for the handout for the other
cities. The members would meet Friday, January 20th, at 10:00 A.M. to work
on the handouts.
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C. Senior Center artwork.
1. Staff informed the Committee that the Council determined that the Civic Art
purchase would be purchased as before. In regards to art work tor' the
Senior Center, they suggested that the art work be rotated between the City
Hall and Senior Centee.
2. The Art Selection Committee would select the art and then make a
determination as to wheee the art would be placed.
3. Committee Member Lair stated the Committee should make a determination
before We Festival as to what type and kind of art work the Committee
should be selecting.
D. Promotional materials
1. Members had determined they would meet to discuss to further discuss the
issue.
E. Artist Survey Form:
1. Members discussed with staff the necessary changes. Staff would make
the necessary changes.
F. Continued work on the Master Art Plan:
1. Staff to Finalize and distribute to Committee members for review.
III. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members NardlShamis
to adjourn to a regular meeting of the Art in Public Places Committee on February 6,1995, at 3:00
P.M. in the North Conference Room. This meeting of the Art in Public Plaees Committee wa.s
adjourned to a tour of the Senior Center at 4:30 P.M., January 9, 1995.
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