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APPMIN 02 16 1996ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES LA QUINTA CITY HALL -SESSION ROOM February 16, 1996 This special meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was called to order at 3:05 P.M. by Acting Chair John Walling. . I. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Johna Davis, Sharon Kennedy, Elaine Reynolds, Rosita Shamis, and Acting Chairman John Walling. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Shamis/Reynolds to excuse Commissioner Klein. Unanimously approved. STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Jerry Herman and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer II. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Shamis/Reynolds to nominate John Walling as Chair. There being no further nominations, the vote was taken and was unanimous. B. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Reynolds to nominate Rosita Shamis as Vice Chair. There being no further nominations, the vote was taken and was unanimous. C. Chairman Walling welcomed Commissioner Johna Davis to the Commiission. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT A. Nicholas G. Spirtos, 44-489 Town Center Way, Suite D404, Palm Desert, California stated he was an attorney representing the local artists concerning a possible breach of contract between the artists and the City regarding the La Quinta Village Shopping Center Retention Basin. II. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes: Acting Chairman Walling asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of January 8, 1996. There being no corrections, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Shamis to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. APP2-16 I Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 B. Financial Statement: There being no changes, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Shamis/Reynolds to approve the Financial Statement as submitted. Unanimously approved. IV. BUSINESS SESSION A. Request of the Public Works Department for review of a conceptual design of the landscape improvements for Eisenhower Drive from 50th Avenue to Coachella Drive that will contain art pads for future artwork. 1. Senior Engineer John Freeland stated the Public Works Department is asking for conceptual approval for the landscaping plan as presented containing pads for future public art display. Water and power would be provided to the locations. This landscaping plan is a conceptual design alyd will be constructed in conjunction with the La Quinta Resort and Club hotel. When the Hotel expansion was approved by the City, Conditions of Approval were placed on the construction of the ballroom requiring the applicant to participate in the design and maintenance of the median. 2. Senior Engineer Freeland introduced Mr. Forrest Haag, representing KSL Resort, who stated the resort theme of the hotel was to be maintauned in the median. There would be semi-desert plantings leading up to a resort feeling the closer you got to the hotel. The median would run from Avenida Fernando to Coachella Drive and the artwork would be placed in areas of high visibility where there was a signal to slow passengers dowl~ to see the art. From the nose of the median back there will be stamped concrete; as it widens annual color, and then the art pads which will be provided with utilities. There would be a variety of plant materials with some blending of plants. 3. Chairman Walling asked how ofren these art sites would occur. Mr. Haag stated they could be at all of the intersections except the entrance to the hotel. 4. Senior Engineer Freeland stated the pads would be at the beginning and end of each median. Chairman Walling asked if the APP should review some safety factors for putting the art in the medians. Senior Engineer Freeland stated that height would be a major factor. 5. Mr. Ray Lopez asked what the costs would be to maintain the lush plants. Mr. Haag stated the hotel landscaping does require more water and the owners of the hotel would assume the additional costs. The hotel will reimburse, or pay, some portion of the costs to the City. Senior Engineer APP2-16 Z An in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 Freeland explained the City has a system in place whereby they can monitor the normal costs of maintaining the landscaping and any costs that in addition to that, the hotel would pay. He went onto explain how the imgation system is monitored in regard to usage. 6. Commissioner Shamir asked if there was an agreement in place for the maintenance or was it a verbal agreement. Mr. Haag stated no contractual agreement had been signed at this time, but the Conditions of Approval placed on the Hotel development outlines the responsibility of the Hotel to maintain this. 7. Commissioner Kennedy asked if this included the replanting. Mr. Haag stated it did. 8. Commissioner Reynolds asked if the Cypress tree was to be used in the landscaping. She was concerned they would be difficult to maintain. Mr. Haag stated the tree does have a specific maintenance aspect associated with it and it would be addressed. If the maintenance is over and above the normal, then that portion would be attributed to the hotel. He went onto explain their locations. 9. Commissioner Reynolds asked if staff thought the hotel should buy the trees and maintain them. Mr. Haag stated that in affect the hotel is buying a portion of the plants. Senior Engineer Freeland stated th.e hotel is conditioned to contribute $25,000 for design and construction of the median and the City will administer the landscaping contract. The Hote] will do all the maintenance. In essence it would be a public facility maintained by the hotel. 10. Commissioner Shamir asked if Mr. Haag thought the hotel would be interested in having artwork placed at the hotel. Mr. Haag stated he would not know. He went on to explain that the medians will serve to give identification to the Hotel. 11. Commissioner Reynolds stated it would be beneficial if the hotel would contribute funds toward the installation of artwork. Senior Engineer Freeland stated that the conditions are already set as to what is required by the Hotel. Chairman Walling stated agreements were already in place and it would not be possible to add extra conditions. nPPZ-16 3 Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Shamis/Reynolds to approve the conceptual drawings as submitted by the Public Works Department. Senior Engineer Freeland stated that weatherproof electrical outlets would also be provided for the holiday decorations. B. Request of the Public Works Department for review of environmental artwork contained within the conceptual design of the Cove area Urban Forestry Project 95-10 Senior Engineer John Freeland oriented the project as being on the western side of the Cove, traveling the length of the Cove north and south and pazallel with the Bear Creek Bike Path or about 15,000 lineal feet long. In coordination with the Landscape Architect, Ray Lopez and Environmental Artist, Allan Sonfest, a plan was put together to plant trees under. the Urban Forest Grant. He went on to explain the plan and how it came to be. The landscaping design, which begins at the south end of the Cove and extend to the northern end, would start with plantings from prehistory times and progress through time till the present at the northern end. It would contain plantings indigenous to that time and place with plants sparsely planted with a watering hole for the local animals. The program was in conjunction with the La Quinta Arts Foundation for the placement of artwork along the path. Water will be brought to the site for the watering hole. The path would move on to agricultural planting from the 1950's- 60's style of evergreens, palms and cactus with green rock. Next would be the ornamental plants with evergreens and mass plantings followed with an ornamental design that was a back to nature design, a duplication of the habitat area, with drought tolerant plants. Ornamental, native, lush landscaping would lead up to the north end flanked on either side by Avenida Montezuma. The tannazisk trees that were removed, will be replaced as soon as possible with swale shrubs. The path would include sites for shade structure, drinking fountains with four areas to provide relief from the heat. The Forestry Grant provides for 2,700 trees to be planted. The Grant however, does not provide for any labor. The City will therefore use volunteers and City employees to construct the path. It will take a while to get the whole project done as the weather is beginning to change and it will be hard to get volunteers. Mr. Ray Lopez, landscape architect for the project, stated the artis't's concept is to walk through the progression of time. Chairman Walling asked what the pallet of trees would consist of. Mr. Lopez stated it would contain the Palo Verde and Mesquite trees, in addition to others as the artist wanted historical native trees, which enlarged the list. APP2-16 Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 4. Commissioner Shamis asked if there would be any benches provided. Senior Engineer Freeland stated there would be benches, as well as shade structures, drinking fountains, and trash receptacles He went on to show their locations on the path. 5. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the trees would be planted adjacent to the path. Senior Engineer Freeland stated that even though 90% the trees would have to be planted on the eastern side of the path, they would still provide shade. 6. Commissioner Reynolds asked if art would fit into the path. Senior Engineer Freeland stated the path would include art, but at present there were no funds. The only artwork would be at the southern beginning point where the Arts Foundation, in conjunction with artist Judy Bocca, had started a Youth Art Program to place art on the path. It was hoped that the Arts Foundation in conjunction with local artists, would continue the Youth Artwork program to produce additional artwork. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the trees and bushes clustered together, would cause any concern for safety. Senior Engineer Freeland went over the density of the planting and explained there should be no problems as the planting was not that dense. 8. Commissioner Davis asked if the remaining rest stations could have youth artworks. Senior Engineer Freeland stated yes, this was only a conceptual design and the sites lend themselves to art. The only concern was trying to keep with the theme of the chronological order of the path. Verbiage could also be added on the sidewalk to give a walking tour. 9. Commissioner Kennedy asked if display cards would be installed to describe the planting. Senior Engineer Freeland stated the plans called for some type of identification. 10. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the other vegetation could also be identified, especially the native. Senior Engineer Freeland stated they were trying to keep the amount of things that could be vandalized down. 11. Commissioner Shamis asked if the City would continue to include the children with the artwork to keep them involved and not vandalizing? APP2-16 Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 12. Commissioner Kennedy stated that during the community planning meetings, it was discussed that this vegetation might block the mountain view. Senior Engineer Freeland stated this should not be a problem as the trees were planted every 600 feet. 13. Commissioner Kennedy expressed her concern that the Tamarisk trees that had been removed be replaced with something as soon as possible. 14. Senior Engineer Freeland explained the original list of trees that were to be planted. 15. Commissioner Kennedy stated she was not sure about the use of the green rock. Senior Engineer Freeland stated this would not be a large a~:ea, and the artist wanted the rock as it was representational of the 1950's. 16. Chairman Walling asked if there was a consensus among the Conmtissioners regarding the conceptual design. The Commission unanimously approved the design. Chairman Walling called a break at 3:48 and reconvened at 3:53 P.M. C. Review maquette submitted by Barbara Grygutis for the La Ouinta Villaee Retention Basin Project. Chairman Walling explained that the Commissioner's purpose was to judge the artistic element of the design and make a recommendation to City Council. 2. Community Development Director Jerry Herman showed the slides submitted by Ms. Grygutis of her work. He then explained the maquette she submitted and stated this was the maquette that would be submitted to the City Council at their next meeting. Discussion followed as to orientating the artwork to its location at Calle Tampico and Washington Street. Chairman Walling asked if terracing wasn't to be included. Staff stated it was discussed, but it was not included in this design. Commissioner Shamis stated this should reduce the price. APP2-I6 6 Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 5. Commissioner Shamis stated she thought the addition was interesting and added to the art piece. 6. Commissioner Reynolds asked where the pump would be located. Staff stated that at this time it is located in the center of the drain. Mr. Alibaba Fazzaneh, the owner of Sesame restaurant, stated the pump was installed, but the electrical had not been hooked up as of yet. 7. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the pump worked during the last. rain. Staff stated water did accumulate as the pump had no electrical power to run it. 8. Commissioner Reynolds asked if the restaurant fountain would be finished with natural stone. Mr. Fazzaneh stated it would be finished with the similar to the the at City Hall. 9. Staff discussed access to the site with Commissioner Members and the materials to be used. 10. Mr. Ed Kibbey, representing the Building Industry Association stated his concern about the displacement of the dirt. Community De;velopment Director Jerry Herman explained that the basin would be reshaped to accommodate the bridge so as not to change the purpose of the basin. 11. Commissioner Shamis asked what the height of the art feature would be. Staff stated it would be approximately 15-feet. Discussion followed as to the width of the walkway and whether it would be adequate for handicap access. Commissioner Shamis asked if the cost would be reduced as the terracing was not included. Community Development Director Jerry Herman stated the APP request before the City Council was for additional foods up to $50,000. Costs would not be determined until a contract was negotiated with the artist following Council approval. 12. Chairman Walling read Commissioner Klein's response to reviewing the maquette. Her comments were to recommend the design to the City Council. 13. Chairman Walling asked if Mr. Farzaneh would like to make a. statement. Mr. Fazzaneh stated it was a beautiful design. Discussion followed regarding the size of the structure. He stated he was not interested in making the basin a park. He had talked with three of his attorneys, regarding the au-twork and he would like a letter from the City stating that he was not legally obligated for anyone falling off the artwork. He was concerned that roller skaters and/or children would find it an interesting place to play. In addition, there was no ramp for the handicapped. He stated he wanted clarificati~orl from the City that this would not be his responsibility or liability. He would also want APP2-16 7 Art in Public Places Minutes rcbniary I6, 1996 an estimate as to when the construction would be completed se it will not conflict with his opening. Staff stated there would be no construction during his opening. Mr. Farzaneh further stated he would prefer not to Iiave this art piece, but it is ok. 14. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Shamis/Reynolds to make a recommendation iA the City Council that the maquette submitted by Barbara Grygutis be approved as submitted. 15. Mr. Ed Kibbey, BIA, stated that given this type of atmosphere, as this is a mud hole, does the APP want to produce a feature that is to sit around and look at a mud hole. Chairman Walling explained that Public Works Department stated the water would only be there for a short period of time. Staff explained that the basin had been seeded and would continue to be seeded. Mr. Kibbey stated his concern that if this was to be a maintenance problem, that the funds not come from the APP fund. The APP fluids should go toward new art to make the City beautiful. Chairman Walling stated the maintenance of the basin is the problem of the developer or the Public Works Department. 16. Mr. Paul Berlier, one of the three finalists, stated he thought the artwork would be a part of the maintenance, as the basin is a part of the design and anything washed away would require maintenance. Chairman Wz~lling stated he agreed that the design was a part of the basin, but the maintenance of the basin was not a part. It was the responsibility of the developer or the City and the Public Works Department has stated the design was manageable. 17. Mr. Roger Barr, 55-720 Avenida Carranza, and a professional sculptor by trade, stated he did not like the design. He did not believe it gave life to the City; it resembles a mortuary and the Commission should think lo~ag and hard before approving such a design. It does not have life and it is not inviting. In contrast to the beauty of the mountains it is a mechanical looking project. Chairman Walling thanked Mr. Barr for his comments and suggested that if he had any thoughts regarding the piece, he should make them at the City Council meeting. D. Commissioner Items Commissioners asked that the following items be placed on the next APP agenda: APP2-16 Art in Public Places Minutes February 16, 1996 a. Temporary art b. Fritz Burns artwork c. Medians on Jefferson Street d. Dedication of the DeMartino and DeMatteis/Emerson an: pieces e. Workshop ADJOURNMENT There being no further business it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Shamis/1Ce;nnedy to adjourn this special meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission to a regular meeting on March 4, 1996, at 3:00 P.M. This meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was adjourned at 4:25 P.M., February 16, 1996. Unanimously approved. APP2-16