APPMIN 03 03 1997REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
NORTH CONFERENCE ROOM
March 3, 1997
3:00 P.M.
This regular meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission was called to order by Chairman John
Walling at 3:05 p.m., who asked Commissioner Shamis to lead the flag salute. Chairman Walling
asked for the roll call:
L ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Judi Cothrun, Johna Davis, Sharon Kennedy,
Michelle Klein, Elaine Reynolds, Rosita Shamis, and Chairman Walling.
Staff: Community Development Director Jerry Herman and Executive
Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Minutes -Chairman Walling asked if there were any changes to the Minutes of
February 3, 1997. Commissioner Cothrun asked that the minutes be amend to show
that she was in attendance. There being no further changes, it was moved and
seconded by Commissioners Klein/Kennedy to approve the minutes as amended.
Unanimously approved.
B. Financial Statement -There being no changes, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Shamis/Reynolds to accept the Financial Statement as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
C. Department Report -None
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Art Proposal for the La Ouinta Car Wash by Marcia Gibbons
1. Chairman Walling introduced artist Marcia Gibbons who presented her
drawings for the carwash. Ms. Gibbons stated she was resubmiting her
design due to the controversy of the subject of the painting. In regards to the
cost of installation of the artwork, she had no objection to overseeing the
installation, but she did not want to be in charge of the installation; she did
not want to subcontract the installation.
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March 3, 1997
2. Ms. Gibbons went on to explain her drawings. She stated she understood the
Commission's concern that the car motif was the wrong subject for this
location. It could appear to be advertising and this is not the intent of the
Commission or public art. What she was submitting were two alternative
landscape themes for the Commission's consideration..
3. Chairman Walling asked Ms. Gibbons if her bid and the installation costs
would be within the $10,000 budget. Ms. Gibbons stated they v~ould.
4. Commissioner Kennedy asked what size tiles would be used. M[s. Gibbons
stated she would be using six inch tiles as they were the easiest to work with.
Commissioner Kennedy asked how many tiles it would take. N[s. Gibbons
stated she was unsure of the exact number, but it would be a lot.
5. Commissioner Shamis asked how many students would be involved. Ms.
Gibbons stated she would want the teachers from the La Quinta Middle and
High School to make recommendations. She would be able to use as many
as they recommend. The number was not important as she teaches 200
students a day and most classes have 35 students. As long as the leachers are
recommending the students, they will be motivated and there should be no
problem.
6. Commissioner Kennedy asked where the students would be working. Ms.
Gibbons stated it would need to be a building that was empty but had lights,
water, air conditioning, and someplace on site to store all the supplies. The
high school may be a possibility, but she was unfamiliar with the facility.
7. Following discussion, it was determined that Ms. Gibbons would check with
the high school and staff would check with the owners of the One: Eleven La
Quinta Shopping Center.
8. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Reynolds to
recommend to the City Council that a Contract for Services be entered into
with Ms. Marcia Gibbons for the design, construction, and overseeing of the
installation of an art piece to be located on the south-facing parapet of the La
Quinta Car Wash, contingent upon the approval of middle and high school
students being involved; the total cost not to exceed $10,000; and the subject
to be determined by the City Council from a selection of four designs to be
submitted by Ms. Gibbons. The four designs would be subject to the
Commission's review prior to being taken to City Council on April 1st.
Unanimously approved.
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B. Discussion of Potential Art Locations within the City
Community Development Director Jerry Herman explained the problems that
had been incurred by the City due to the passing of Proposition 218. He
stated that before temporary art could be considered for installation in the
City medians, the medians would need to be constructed and a determination
made as to the effects of Proposition 218 on the City's ability to nnaintain the
medians. Commissioners discussed potential artists who had. expressed
interest in displaying artwork. They included John Weidenhamer, Snake
Jagger, John Kennedy, as well as art pieces from the Sculpture Garden/Open
Art Museum.
2. Commissioner Klein asked if the medians would have lighting. (:ommunity
Development Director Jerry Herman stated staff anticipated lighting would
be installed, but it was still uncertain.
3. Commissioner Cothran stated it was her understanding that the medians had
been approved and budgeted a long time ago. Staff stated that was true, but
with the passing of Proposition 218 everything was being reconsidered.
4. Chairman Walling asked if the installation of the pads would be clone with
the use of Art in Public Places funds? Staff stated the cost of the pads should
have been included in the cost of the medians.
5. Staff informed the Commission that the City would be constructing, Avenida
La Fonda and the grass seeding of the Civic Center Campus should be done
at the same time. This would allow the installation of the Louis DeMartino
art piece. A time frame was yet to be determined; it would depend upon
when the funds could be allocated.
6. Commissioners reminded staff that Mr. Bernardo, of the Sculpture Garden
had volunteered artwork from this Sculpture Garden to be installed in the
medians as part of the temporary program. Staff was directed to obtain a list
of artists that are on display at the Sculpture Garden as well as a list of other
artists who would be available from other areas.
Commissioner Shamis asked if the Commission was to be involved in the
selection of an entry sign for Highway 111. Staff stated it was up to the City
Council and explained that an entry sign was being considered for the east
and west ends of Highway 111. The City Council had reviewed four designs
at a recent study session.
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March 3, 1997
8. Commissioner Klein asked if the sign being considered was anything like the
entry sign for Indian Wells. Staff stated that should the Commission want to
be involved in the design of the entry sign, it would probably mean the use
of APP funds.
9. Commissioner Shamis asked if the Commission shouldn't be inl:rusted to
lend some expertise to the design of the sign. Discussion followed regarding
how or if the Commission would like to be involved in the selection of a City
entry sign.
10. Commissioner Cothrun stated that due to the limited APP funds and time
commitment involved, she believed it would be best not to get involved.
11. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the entry signs for Palm Desert had been
determined by their Art Commission. She would like to think that as a
Commission they represented the City. She would like to approach the City
Council and see if they would allow them to be involved in the selection of
an entry sign. Staff reiterated that if the Commission wanted to be involved,
it would probably require a financial commitment.
12. Commissioner Cothrun asked if the decision was entirely up to the City
Council or could each member of the Commission offer their suggestion as
a resident of the City. Community Development Director Jerry Herman
stated that they were certainly entitled to offer their opinion to the Council.
13. Chairman Walling stated his concern that this could expose the Commission
to a lot of areas that the Commission does not want to be involved in and in
his opinion it would be better to keep the art separate.
14. Commissioner Shamis stated it was hard to make any decisions or plans when
they have no direction from the Council as to what they are planning.
I5. Commissioner Klein stated she would like to think the Commission had a
plan in mind as to how the City was developing. The streetscape is a large
part of the City's development and the Commission should be involved.
16. Commissioner Kennedy stated that the City of Palm Desert is a~ very "user
friendly" City as you enter from either entrance. The Commission needs to
offer its expertise and services to the City Council and see if they accept.
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17. Chairman Walling stated the Commission obviously wants to be involved
and in his opinion, they could do this one of two ways. Either by helping to
design the entry sign or by involvement in the streetscape. Should the
Council not want to be involved in the entry sign, they could be'.involved in
the enhancement of the area where the signs are installed.
18. Commissioner Shamir stated the Council should be notified of their interest
early enough to allow time for the Commission and Council to work together
on the entire design. Staff stated that if Council agrees to the Commission's
request, would the Commission want to design the sign or would they retain
an artist. Commissioners determined that a competition would probable be
the best method.
19. Commissioner Klein asked staff how far along the Council was on the
designing of the sign. Staff stated that four signs had been considered by the
Council in addition to the original sign recommended by the Planning
Commission. To date, no decision had been made and Council had directed
that additional designs be submitted.
20. Following discussion, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Walling/Shamir that staff inform the City Council that the Commission
would like to be involved either directly, or as an advisor, with the Council
to assist with the design and installation of the City entry sign.
21. Commissioners informed staff that they would still like to take a tour of the
City to review locations for artwork. Staff was to make arrangements for the
tour at the next meeting of the Commission.
B. Civic Center Art Purchase -Potential sites
Commissioners took a ten minute recess to review possible locations for
artwork to be purchased at the La Quinta Arts Festival for the City Hall. It
was determined that the artwork should be a sculpture for either the courtyard
or Council Chambers.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
A. Community Development Director Jerry Herman informed the Commission that they
were invited to participate in the "Road Map to the Future" Workshop to be held on
March 7, 1997, at the Palm Desert City Hall regarding Enhancement Opportunities
for the Interstate 10 & State Route 86 Interchange.
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VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: None.
VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
A. Field trip
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Kennedy/Klein to
adjourn this meeting of the Art in Public Places Commission to a regular meeting of the Ari in Public
Places Commission on April 7, 1997 at 3:00 P.M. Unanimously approved. This regular meeting
of the Art in Public Places Commission was adjourned 4:20 at P.M.
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