APPMIN 06 10 1996REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
NORTH CONFERENCE ROOM
June 10, 1996
3:00 P.M.
This regulaz meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was called to order by Chairman
Walling at 3:05 p.m. who asked for the roll call.
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Judi Cothrun, Johna Davis, Shazon Kenned.y., Michelle
Klein, Elaine Reynolds, and Chairman Walling. Absent: Commissiioner Rosita
Shamis.
It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Reynolds to excuse
Commissioner Shamis. Unanimously approved.
Staff: Community Development Director Jerry Herman and Executive Secretary
Betty Sawyer.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Minutes -Commissioner Reynolds asked that the Minutes of April 29, 1996, be amended on
Page 7, Item #d to delete the sentence that stated she displayed a picture of the artwork. The
Minutes of May 29, 1996, amended on Page 2, Item A.1. to read "from $95 million to
$95,000"; the starting time of the meeting should be changed to 11:15 a.m.; add Chairman
Walling to roll call as being present; Page 3, Item B.3. be changed to read "She further stated
that a resident should have either...". There being no further changes to the Minutes of April
29, 1996, or May 29, 1996, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Cothnm
to approve the minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved.
B. Financial Statement -Commissioner Kennedy asked if the figure in brackets relating to the
La Quinta Village Shopping Village indicated that the developer had not paid into the fund.
Community Development Director Jerry Herman explained the statement. There being no
further questions or changes, it was moved and seconded by Commissioner Kemredy/Klein
to accept the Financial Statement as submitted.
C: Commissioner Kennedy wanted to clarify that she had received payment from. the City for
attending the May meeting, but had not attended. She would not receive a Jwre payment.
APP6-10
Art in Public Places
June IQ 1996
BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Proposed artwork for Cites:
Staff informed the Commission that Mr. Fernandez would be unable to attend the
meeting but had stated in a phone conversation that he would be willing to build two
pinata stands for the parks for a total of $16,000 or basically at his cost, in order to
have them installed in the City
2. Chairman Walling asked what the height of the art piece was. Commissioner
Cothran stated they were nine feet in height. Staff added Mr. Femandez stated there
were additional uses for the stands such as Tee-ball practice or fuzzball as well as a
hanger for pinatas.
3. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the Commission was opening itself up to criticism
if they did not open the item up for competitive entries. Staff stated the Master Plan
allows the Commission the option of opening up a site for competition or
commissioning a project to a specific artist. Discussion followed regarding the
process.
4. Commissioner Kennedy stated she thought the idea was attractive, but wondered if
there would be any problem with children playing or climbing on the stnucture. Staff
stated that in Mr. Fernandez' presentation, he had given a detailed re°port on the
support system that is the framework for the piece. Discussion followed as to what
the structure is made of and the surface material.
5. Commissioner Davis stated she also liked the idea and would like to see the artwork
installed in the City pazks.
6. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the structure met the safety requirements for
playground equipment. Staff stated this was not equipment, but art.
Commissioner Cothran stated she too liked the piece, but according to ttie Pazks and
Recreation meeting, Mr. Femandez stated he had the same piece installed in another
City. She would like to make sure that any piece commissioned, was not a duplicate
of another piece.
8. Following discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kem>edy/Klein
to continue the discussion to their next meeting and ask Mr. Femandez to be present
to answer questions. In addition, they would like him to submit a rendering of each
of the two proposed animals to be used. Unanimously approved.
APP6-10
Art in Public Places
June IQ, 1996
B. Proposed Artwork for the La Quinta Car Wash
Staff informed the Commission that the owners of the La Quinta Car Wash were
offering the parapet of their building on the side facing Highway 1 I 1 for artwork.
2. Commissioner Davis stated she would like to see a picture of the art piece currently
being installed by artist Louis DeMartino at the northeast comer of 'Wahsingotn
Street and Highway 111, before proceeding.
Chairman Walling expressed his concern that the City not discourage the developer
as this was an opportunity for art in the City and the City should do everything it can
to encourage developers to contribute space for art.
4. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Cothrun/Klein to instruct staff to
write a letter and notify the developer that the Commission is interested, they aze
studying the proposal, and will be in touch.
5. Discussion followed regarding possible mediums that could be used.
C. Renovation and Placement of City Obelisk Street Signs
Commissioner Cothran stated she concurred with the idea of supporting the project,
but she was not sure it was appropriate for APP to get involved based on the
Ordinance. The Ordinance prohibits the mass production of any art piece from a
standazd design.
2. Commissioner Davis stated the La Quinta Historical Society was looking for a way
to fund the idea.
3. Chairman Walling stated that if the youth were involved, it would be a good use of
APP funds
4. Commissioner Reynolds reported she had visited Sedona and took a town of the azea.
Their art program had incorporated art into the City infrastructure by painting the
light standazds to match the color of the mountains. She had discussed this with
Commissioner Shamis and they both thought if the obelisks were painted. as the spray
towers were to match the surrounding landscape, it would add an artistic feature to
the landmarks. They would be able to utilize the artists Kim Emerson and Alber
DeMatteis to work with the students. Each block could take caze of their obelisks.
Commissioner Reynolds had spoken with Council Member Henderson who had
suggested placing a solaz panel on top of the obelisks to allow light to shine on the
obelisks at night.
APP6-10
Art in Public Places
June 10, 1996
5. Chairman Walling asked if the Arts Foundation would want to ge:t involved.
Commissioner Davis stated it would have to go to their Boazd, but if the youth were
involved, they would be interested.
6. Chairman Walling stated that since the Foundation had the expertise to lhandle such
a program, it could be a benefit to everyone. The APP and the Historic Preservation
Commission along with the La Quinta Historical Society could act as back-up.
Commissioner Davis asked if the street names would remain on the obelisks
Commissioner Klein stated that as historic landmazks, they should retain. the street
names.
7. Commissioner Reynolds stated the Commission should look at the City tYle same way
they would look at decorating their house. How would the obelisks best blend in
with the City landscape. The colors to be used should blend with the nahsal colors
in the surrounding areas.
8. Commissioner Kennedy stated she was impressed when reviewing the resumes of
artist Kim Emerson and Alber DeMatteis as to the diverse expertise in their
backgrounds. These may be the artists the Foundation would want to hire to work
with the students. Some of the residents had already used some creative methods to
design the obelisks on their streets. It was suggested that they not be emphasized as
street signs, but more a historical landmark.
9. Chairman Walling asked the Commissioners, after discussing the options, if they felt
this was a project for the APP. It was decided that if the Commission clicl accept to
do the project, they should work in conjunction with the Historical ]'reservation
Commission, the Historical Society, and the Arts Foundation to acquire community
support.
10. Commissioner Cothrun stated she would be more comfortable with the APP
involvement if the obelisks were finished in an artistic method and became an art
project that involved the community.
11. It was suggested that Commissioner Davis speak with the Foundation rel;azding their
participation in the project and report back to the Commission at their next meeting.
12. Chairman Walling asked staff to write a letter to the La Quinta Historical Society and
inform them of the APP plans and ask the Society how they would like to be
involved. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Reynolds/Kf;nnedy to so
direct staff. Unanimously approved.
APP6-]0
Art in Public Places
June 10, 1996
13. Discussion followed as to what the project should consist of. It was recommended
that Commissioners Davis/Kennedy, after meeting with the Arts Foundation Boazd,
prepaze a draft plan to present to the APP at their next meeting. It was felt that any
corporate money raised should be used for the construction of the obelisks„ and APP
funds should be utilized for the creativity portion of the obelisks.
D. Discussion of Cit,~ry Signs
Chairman Walling asked why the construction had not started on the City entry signs.
Staff explained that the Council had directed staff to contact Caltrans re:gazding the
necessazy access to install the sign in the right-of--way. Staff was in the process of
doing this and would be reporting back to the Council. Discussion followed as to the
exact location of the west entry sign and the sign that had been approved by the
Council.
2. Commissioners discussed the request of the Historical Society to place the obelisk
at the entrance to the City at all major streets. Discussion followed as to whether the
obelisk would be an appropriate City entry sign and how the City entry sign had been
designed.
3. Commissioner Reynolds asked if the City could obtain the right-of--way and then
place the program on hold till the Commission had the opportunity to make the
request to Council. Commissioners discussed the number of projects tlae APP was
currently involved with and wondered if the City Council would want to wait for an
artist to be selected.
Chairman Walling suggested continuing the discussion until the next, meeting. In the
interim, staff could obtain more information from the Historical Society as to their
ideas regazding the obelisks and entry signs.
Commissioners discussed using the same artist that is involved with the design of the
obelisks for the entry sign.
6. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Reynolds to ask the City
Council if they are firm with their design for the City entry sign.
E. La Quinta Art in Public Places Major Event Plan
Chairman Walling asked if there were any comments regarding the Pla~l. Members
stated they had not seen the plan before and had several questions regazding what the
Plan was for. Community Development Director Jerry Herman gave an explanation
of how the Plan was formulated. The projects listed were potential aze;as for public
art. The amounts listed were anticipated revenue.
APP6.10
Ar[ in Public Places
June IQ, 1996
Following discussion, staff was asked to rename the Plan to "Community Art Site
Locations" and use it as an inventory of sites to select locations for public art. Staff
would prepare a new list and bring it back to APP.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Report on Earth Day -
Commissioners Kennedy and Reynolds stated they had never been contacted.
Commissioner Reynolds stated she had contacted the representative from Indio and
was told she had been in a very serious accident and the project would be on hold till
next yeaz.
B. Report on the Fritz Burns Park Dedication -
Commissioner Kennedy gave a report of the activities that took place at the
dedication. Discussion followed regazding the public response to the artwork.
C. Report on City Council report on Boards and Commissions -
Community Development Director Jerry Herman reported on what was discussed at
the last City Council meeting regarding Boazds/Commissions.
D. Commissioner Klein asked for clazification on the City Council Minutes of May 21, 1996,
regarding a statement made by artist Bill Waze. From his statements it appeased that the
Commission had approved the project instead of the developer. Following discussion, it was
moved and seconded by Commissioners Klein/Reynolds to direct staff to prepare a letter to
the City Council for Chairman Walling's signature stating that the developer had initiated
the art piece not the APP.
E. Commissioner Davis gave a report of the Awards Banquet and reported that June 30th
would be the.Childrens' All Work Programs installation. In addition, she annowrced that the
new Director of the Foundation was Heidi Land Wilson.
Items to be placed on the next Agenda:
1. Art proposal by Art Fernandez
2. Car Wash art project
3. Obelisks
4. City entry signs
5. Major Event Plan
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners K1eiI>/Cothrun to
adjourn this meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission to a regular meeting of the .Art in Public
Places Commission on July 1, 1996, at 3:00 P.M. Unanimously approved. This special meeting of
the Art in Public Places Commission was adjourned at 4:23 P.M.