2023 12 11 CSC MinutesCALL TO ORDER
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023
A regular quarterly meeting of the Community Services Commission (Commission) was
called to order by Chair Biondi at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Chiaperrini, Shelton, Gordon, Blakeley, and Chair Biondi
STAFF PRESENT: Community Resources Deputy Director Calderon, Community
Resources Analyst Calderon, Public Works Maintenance and Operations Superintendent
Hansen
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Gordon led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS — None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blakeley/Gordon to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECOMMEND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT DESIGN FOR LA QUINTA PARK
PROJECT NO. 2023-24 FROM PLAYCRAFT SYSTEMS, INC. TO CITY
COUNCIL
Maintenance and Operations Superintendent Hansen presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Community Services Department.
The Commission expressed support for Option 1 presented because they found the
whimsical butterfly/insect themed playground equipment design to be more suited for the
desert area and it was less expensive than Option 2 presented, which featured a nature -
inspired design with trees.
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MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Gordon/Blakeley to
recommend playground design Option 1 to City Council. Motion Passed unanimously.
Staff noted that upgrades will also be made to the fitness equipment located along the
walking path of La Quinta Park and a large shade structure will also be installed over the
new playground.
2. RECOMMEND A RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 SENIOR INSPIRATION AWARD
(SIA) TO CITY COUNCIL
Management Analyst Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in the
Community Services Department.
The Commission discussed the qualifications and merits of the two SIA nominees and
reached a consensus to nominate Marge Dodge.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blakeley/Chiaperrini to
recommend Marge Dodge as the 2024 SIA recipient. Motion Passed unanimously.
3. RECOMMEND MODIFICATIONS TO COMMUNITY AWARDS PROGRAMS TO
CITY COUNCIL
Management Analyst Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's
Office.
The Commission discussed the proposed changes to the Pillars of the Community
Awards program, including their disagreement with the residency qualification
requirement to be a minimum of one year, but expressed a consensus to increase it to a
minimum of three years; expressed support for the establishment of the three new award
programs as proposed: (1) Distinguished Citizen Award, (2) Junior Inspiration/Youth
Achievement Award, and (3) Community Service Award.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Biondi/Blakely to
recommend Council approval to:
A. Modify the Pillars of the Community Award program as presented by the
Subcommittee, except to increase the residency qualification requirement from
a minimum of one year to a minimum of three years:
B. Establish the following three new community awards programs as presented by
the Subcomittee: (1) Distinguished Citizen Award, (2) Junior Inspiration / Youth
Achievement Award, and (3) Community Service Award.
Motion Passed unanimously.
4. RECOMMEND NAME CHANGE AND EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION TO CITY COUNCIL
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Community Services Deputy Director Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file
in the Clerk's Office.
The Commission expressed interest in being more involved in community initiatives;
discussed its powers and duties as outlined in the Commissioner's Handbook; noted its
interest to establish goals and develop plans to accomplish special projects and
assignments within the Commission's purview; said they feel underutilized and that as a
group, the Commission has a particular set of skills that can contribute and assist staff in
developing community programs; supported a possible name change to "Arts and
Community Services Commission;" noted "arts" includes a myriad of categories, not just
fine arts; opposed increasing its membership from five to seven without assessing their
current involvement and evaluating how they can do more to serve the community; and
opposed opening a Commissioner seat to a La Quinta High School student and noted it
would be more appropriate to explore establishing a Youth Task Force or internship
program in which high school students can participate.
The Commission reached a consensus in support of changing the Commission name to
"Arts and Community Services Commission" and opposing its membership from five to
seven.
MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Chair Biondi/Commissioner Chiaperrini
to recommend Council approval to rename the Commission to "Arts and Community
Services Commission" and to expand the Commission's membership from five to seven
members. Motion failed unanimously.
CHAIR BIONDI CALLED FOR A BRIEF RECESS AT 5:33 P.M
CHAIR BIONDI RECONVENED THE COMMISSION MEETING AT 5:39 PM WITH
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT
STUDY SESSION — None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Staff provided verbal updates on the following items:
CIVIC CENTER ART COMMITTEE PURCHASES
The Civic Center Art Committee, consisting of Vice Chair Blakeley, Commissioner
Gordon, Council Member Fitzpatrick, and Mayor Evans attended the La Quinta Art
Celebration on November 16, 2023. The Committee selected three art pieces to be
included in the City's Art in Public Places program. The artwork will be displayed at City
Hall, Fritz Burns Park, and the Silverrock Park Event Building.
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2. PUBLIC ART TOUR AND CATALOGUE UPDATE
Staff are documenting the City's signature public art pieces using GIS to create a virtual
art tour. The project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2024. Staff are also working
with an art conservator and an art appraiser to develop a thorough condition report and
obtain an accurate appraisal of the City's public art collection.
3. CULTURAL CAMPUS UPDATE
Architectural firm HGA continues to develop the preliminary plans for the Cultural
Campus. Staff meets with HGA on a regular basis to discuss progress and provide
feedback on the design of the courtyard, "oasis", archive, and museum improvements.
4. FRITZ BURNS PARK IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE
Staff continue working with architectural firm Insight to design enhancements to the Fritz
Burns Park parking lot, playground equipment, and pool areas.
5. CITY EVENTS RECAP
Staff provided a recap of the recent City events including the 9/11 Vigil, Concerts in the
Park, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Indian Wells — La Quinta Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The
Commission commended the holiday decorations displayed at City Hall, the La Quinta
Museum, and Casita.
COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS
Chair Biondi and Commissioner Shelton commented on the Civic Center Art Committee
process. Instead of purchasing six small art pieces from the Art Celebration every year,
they expressed that it may be more impactful to save the funding and apply it to a larger
art piece. Commissioner Gordon added that it would be helpful to have a finite location
and specific criteria when selecting art. A consensus was reached to evaluate the
frequency of Art Committee purchases and postpone the purchase of artwork from the La
Quinta Art Celebration after March 2024.
Chair Biondi is interested in learning more about the CV Link, Art and Music Line, and
Highway 111 Corridor projects, and how they all interconnect. The Commission would
like to be involved in the planning process as these projects move forward to offer input
on any public art opportunities. Staff discussed the process for how developers
incorporate public art in their plans and will get more information on how to include or
update the Commission. Commissioner Chiaperrini suggested that the Commission
should also offer input concerning the City's entry monuments including locations and
design. A consensus was reached to discuss this during an upcoming Commission
meeting.
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Vice Chair Blakely summarized the Commission's discussion during Business Item No. 4
on this Agenda; the Commission reached a consensus and expressed support to rename
the Commission to "Arts and Community Services Commission" and to form a
subcommittee to discuss the Commission's goals and objectives. These items will be
added to the agenda for an upcoming Commission meeting.
Commissioner Biondi discussed Commissioner Shelton's efforts to assist an Ironman
Triathlon athlete whose bicycle was damaged during transit. Coordinated efforts by City
staff and Ironman staff resulted in locating a bicycle and the athlete was able to continue
his participation in the race.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Blakeley/Gordon to adjourn the meeting at 6:11 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
�I
MICHAEL CALDERON,
Community Resources Analyst / Community Services Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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