HomeMy WebLinkAbout1Q Public CommentAnthony Mejia
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Dear Dennis -
Ann Sheffer <annsheffer@gmail.com>
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 6:46 PM
Dennis Woods; City Clerk; Justin Clifton; Cindy Cairns
Christy Gilbert Holstege; Geoff Kors; Lisa Middleton; Grace Garner
Items Q and S on May 6 Council Consent Agenda
Thank you for reaching out to me before the meeting regarding the two items that are on the Consent Agenda on May 6
-I appreciate the opportunity to explain, rather than having the item pulled for questions, which are difficult to
address during a meeting.
I'd like to sum up our discussion for you, as well as the other Council members.
For Item S -the temporary placement of a Totem Pole by artist Tysen Burton on the Crescendo property:
In response to your question of why we were not purchasing the artwork for permanent display -in order to respond
quickly during COVID to requests from downtown businesses and neighborhoods for art installations to draw traffic and
enhance the streetscape, the Public Arts Commission has felt that temporary installations were more appropriate,
because they could be effected quickly, and then removed when businesses reopened or properties were sold.
However, in each case, we have asked that the Council allow us to consider making these installations permanent at the
end of 12 to 18 months -and that would be the case with Tyler Burton's piece, which we would consider purchasing if
requested by the Little Tuscany Neighborhood association.
For Item Q -agreement with Nail-to-Nail LLC to create a collection management system for the City's public art:
I'm glad that I had a chance to explain why a collection management system is needed to account for the more than 80
pieces of art that belong to the City, with a data base that has not been updated since 2015 (including valuations for
insurance purposes, since the City art is self-insured ... ) The contractor, Alicia Thomas, is an museum professional with
experience in this field, and a deep knowledge of Palm Springs, having worked at the Palm Springs Art Museum for many
years.
We need this updated information if we are to be competent stewards of this multi-million dollar City resource -and
before we purchase any additional art.
On a related note: As you know, we have submitted for your consideration a small number of amendments to the Public
Arts and Mural Ordinances, which would allow the Commission to take better care of the artwork that is our
responsibility -while allowing more flexibility for the sort of temporary, quick, and inexpensive projects that have been
so successful during COVID (benches, traffic boxes, murals) but still giving the Council oversight of permanent additions
to the City's growing artistic heritage.
I look forward to working with the Council on these revisions -and thank you for allowing us to finish the year with the
'street art' projects that have been part of the economic and cultural revival of Palm Springs.
Ann Sheffer \
ITEM NO. \ ~ j \ S
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