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Home My WebLink AboutItem 2DJuly 15, 2024 Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Re: Current Marilyn Loca2on Significantly Impairs Views and Se=ng of the Art Museum When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. The Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural disRncRon and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural insRtuRon, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly presRgious NaRonal Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addiRon, her massive presence negaRvely impacts the overall seXng of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s disRnguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s lisRng in the NaRonal Register is Red to its design to fit within, and be compaRble with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Commi[ee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Commi[ee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to conRnue to block views and impact the seXng of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist a[racRon. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another locaRon such as the northeast porRon of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. It’s Rme to move Marilyn to another site. Courtney Newman Courtney Newman President, Palm Springs Modern Commi[ee www.psmodcom.org |. P.O. Box 4738, Palm Springs, CA 92263 The Palm Springs Modern commi[ee is a 501c(3) non-profit organizaRon, Tax I.D. #02-0607200. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Larry Mathews To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Cc:Alyssa Chavez Subject:Public Comment for July 25th City Council Meeting Date:Tuesday, July 16, 2024 8:41:17 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To The Palm Springs City Council: I am a permanent Palm Springs resident and have repeatedly expressed my opposition to the permanent placement of the Marilyn statute in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Not only do I think the way in which the street was closed was illegal and violated local rules, I think the statute hurts the image of Palm Springs and diminishes our role as a world destination for architecture, art and culture. Having said that, it’s clear that the team in favor of keeping Marilyn there has more money than does the opposition; I think you could easily solve this and keep both sides happy by just moving the statue a few feet north, to the park. By moving Marilyn to the public park she would still be a destination for tourists but she would no longer block the architecturally significant museum or necessitate closure of a public thoroughfare. Please resolve this controversy in a way that will please both sides of the issue: just move Marilyn over and let’s stop wasting all of this time and money on unnecessary culture wars. Thanks for your consideration. Larry Mathews 2431 S. Yosemite Dr. Palm Springs CA 92264 (415) 860-6080 larrymathews@mac.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Louise Eccard To:City Clerk Subject:Please Move Marilyn Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 3:55:55 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear City Clerk for Palm Springs I am writing in opposition to the current location of the huge Marilyn statue. I remember when she was originally closer to Palm Canyon at the old site of the Bank of America. There she stood tall and drew crowds to downtown. But when she was placed, blocking the museum, she became an eyesore. She’s too kitsch to be placed at that location. She definitely belongs in our beautiful city, but not there. Please move her to a more suitable location that crowds can enjoy but not blocking the museum. Thank you, Louise Eccard Palm Springs resident since 1991 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Moving Marilyn Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:10:57 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Louise Eccard <leccard@sbcglobal.net> Subject: Moving Marilyn Date: July 17, 2024 at 3:48:27 PM PDT To: <jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Councilman Bernstein, I am writing in opposition to the current location of the huge Marilyn statue. I remember when she was originally closer to Palm Canyon at the old site of the Bank of America. There she stood tall and drew crowds to downtown. But when she was placed, blocking the museum, she became an eyesore. She’s too kitsch to be placed at that location. She definitely belongs in our beautiful city, but not there. Please move her to a more suitable location that crowds can enjoy but not blocking the museum. Thank you, Louise Eccard Palm Springs resident since 1991 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Brad Kuhns To:City Clerk Subject:Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:21:52 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall Palm Springs, CA 92262 Re: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. The Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. It’s time to move Marilyn to another site. Brad Kuhns bradkuhns@me.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:39:09 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Ramona Skola <rjskol@gmail.com> Subject: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date: July 17, 2024 at 4:28:40 PM PDT To: Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As a taxpayer and resident of Palm Springs, it was my understanding that when the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, and one of it's main goals was to improve driving circulation in downtown Palm Springs and improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. Palm Springs draws thousands and thousands of visitors due to our international fame as the "jewel box of mid-century modern architecture" and the Palm Springs Art Museum, designed in 1976 by one of our most important architects, E Stewart Williams, is a focal 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D point of our architectural fame. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. Three years is up and It’s time to move Marilyn, out of the street and to the park location designed for her or to another site designated by the City. Tourists will visit her wherever she goes. Best regards, Ramona Skola 1120 S. Calle Rolph Palm Springs, CA 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Museum Way Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:39:43 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Mark Driscoll <mnjdrs@gmail.com> Subject: Museum Way Date: July 17, 2024 at 4:32:09 PM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov, lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov Cc: info@psmodcom.org NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members I’m not a resident, but have been a visitor multiple times during Modernism Week. I understand that next week you will have a public hearing on whether or not to vacate Museum Way as a permanent site for Forever Marilyn. From what I’ve read, a vote to vacate would reverse part of a downtown plan approved by voters less than ten years ago. If the intention was to make this a pedestrian way, surely it would have been put to voters as such in 2016. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D This seems like a poor way to plan. The street itself can’t be more than six or seven years old. vacating it seems like a major waste of taxpayers’ money. For what it's worth, leave the street a street as intended; move the statue to the adjacent park as has been proposed by locals. This solution seems to be a win- win. Those who want the street to remain and the siteline to the museum restored, get what they want. Those who want Marilyn in Palm Springs, still have what they want. If tourists are coming to town just to see the statue (which doesn’t seem likely to me, but could be true), they will still find it easily. Good luck and I hope you can get back to more important work soon. Regards Mark Driscoll 2401 Pennsylvania Ave Apt 9B31 Philadelphia PA 19130 cell 334 294 6663 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Location Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:46:15 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Ramona Skola <rjskol@gmail.com> Date: July 17, 2024 at 4:43:20 PM PDT To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Current Marilyn Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As a taxpayer and resident of Palm Springs, it was my understanding that when the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, and one of it's main goals was to improve driving circulation in downtown Palm Springs and improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. Palm Springs draws thousands and thousands of visitors due to our international fame as the "jewel box of mid-century modern architecture" and the Palm Springs Art Museum, designed in 1976 by one of our most important architects, E Stewart Williams, is a focal point of our architectural fame. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. Three years is up and It’s time to move Marilyn, out of the street and to the park location designed for her or to another site designated by the City. Tourists will visit her wherever she goes. Best regards, Ramona Skola 1120 S. Calle Rolph Palm Springs, CA 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Museum Way Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:46:23 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Mark Driscoll <mnjdrs@gmail.com> Date: July 17, 2024 at 4:32:25 PM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: info@psmodcom.org Subject: Museum Way NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members I’m not a resident, but have been a visitor multiple times during Modernism Week. I understand that next week you will have a public hearing on whether or not to vacate Museum Way as a permanent site for Forever Marilyn. From what I’ve read, a vote to vacate would reverse part of a downtown plan approved by voters less than ten years ago. If the intention was to make this a pedestrian way, surely it would have been put to voters as such in 2016. This seems like a poor way to plan. The street itself can’t be more than six or seven years old. vacating it seems like a major waste of taxpayers’ money. For what it's worth, leave the street a street as intended; move the statue to the adjacent park as has been proposed by locals. This solution seems to be a win- win. Those who want the street to remain and the siteline to the museum restored, get what they want. Those who want Marilyn in Palm Springs, still have what they want. If tourists are coming to town just to see the statue (which doesn’t 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D seem likely to me, but could be true), they will still find it easily. Good luck and I hope you can get back to more important work soon. Regards Mark Driscoll 2401 Pennsylvania Ave Apt 9B31 Philadelphia PA 19130 cell 334 294 6663 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:46:31 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Brad Kuhns <bradkuhns@me.com> Date: July 17, 2024 at 4:19:57 PM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall Palm Springs, California Re: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. The Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. It’s time to move Marilyn to another site. Brad Kuhns bradkuhns@me.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Move Marilyn Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:46:41 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Louise Eccard <leccard@sbcglobal.net> Date: July 17, 2024 at 3:53:39 PM PDT To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Move Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Councilwoman Christy Holstege, I am writing in opposition to the current location of the huge Marilyn statue. I remember when she was originally closer to Palm Canyon at the old site of the Bank of America. There she stood tall and drew crowds to downtown. But when she was placed, blocking the museum, she became an eyesore. She’s too kitsch to be placed at that location. She definitely belongs in our beautiful city, but not there. Please move her to a more suitable location that crowds can enjoy but not blocking the museum. Thank you, Louise Eccard Palm Springs resident since 1991 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Extend the license agreement for Marilyn to stay in the current location Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 6:48:14 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Sherman <shermaninps@yahoo.com> Subject: Extend the license agreement for Marilyn to stay in the current location Date: July 17, 2024 at 6:07:50 PM PDT To: "jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov" <jeffrey.bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, "Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov" <ron.deharte@palmspringsca.gov>, "grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov" <grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov>, "lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov" <lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, "christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov" <christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov> NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Honorable Mayor and Council Members, 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new life and attract visitors to the area especially to become customers of local businesses. I support the extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to stay in place which hasn't caused any financial or traffic issues. In fact, everyone that visits me in Palm Springs asks to go see Marilyn and takes pictures with her which is then shared with many other people. Marilyn has become a highly popular tourist attraction that draws people to the downtown area and has become a symbol of our city to help it thrive! Thanks, Sherman Tam 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn Monroe statue Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 6:48:24 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Brandon Hoskins <theshopsat1345@gmail.com> Subject: Marilyn Monroe statue Date: July 17, 2024 at 5:15:23 PM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov, lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Council Members, When the new downtown plan was approved with a sight line from Palm Canyon to the museum, the architectural community was elated. Now we are arguing about whether the Marilyn statue is in an appropriate place. It is not and it blocks the view of our amazing museum. Moving Marilyn would be a win-win for the city. We still would have the statue as a tourist attraction and we would have the beautiful view of the nationally recognized architecture of the museum. I urge you to do the right thing and have the statue moved and the street reopened. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Having a sophisticated environment is important to me because I am a Palm Springs commercial property owner as well as a business and homeowner. Palm Springs matters. Let’s take it up a notch. Thank You, Brandon Hoskins 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 9:30:57 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Barb Kaplan <barb_kaplan@hotmail.com> Date: July 17, 2024 at 7:26:09 PM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Council Members, Keeping it short, ditto Courtney Newman. Paraphrasing for me-This is a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time and a lot of money on both sides that could be put to far better use. You know the street installation was illegally extended. You know the installation closed a public street. You know the installation blocks the site line of one of the major architecturally significant buildings in our town. You know that some love the installation. You know that some hate it but can live with it if moved out of the museum’s site line. Just resite it out of the museums site elsewhere in the park and this nonsense will be over. Respectfully, Barb Kaplan 2490 N Cardillo Ave. Palm Springs, CA 92262 Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 9:31:15 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Daniel Bourgoise <gobodan2@gmail.com> Date: July 18, 2024 at 3:04:28 AM PDT To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Kelley Ryan <kelleypie19@gmail.com> Subject: statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Please vote to move the Marilyn statue off the street and into the adjacent park. It should not block the view of the museum. Thank you. Dan and Kelley Bourgoise 1200 Vista Vespero Palm Springs, CA 92262 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn Monroe statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 9:31:34 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Brandon Hoskins <theshopsat1345@gmail.com> Date: July 17, 2024 at 5:15:56 PM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn Monroe statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Council Members, When the new downtown plan was approved with a sight line from Palm Canyon to the museum, the architectural community was elated. Now we are arguing about whether the Marilyn statue is in an appropriate place. It is not and it blocks the view of our amazing museum. Moving Marilyn would be a win-win for the city. We still would have the statue as a tourist attraction and we would have the beautiful view of the nationally recognized architecture of the museum. I urge you to do the right thing and have the statue moved and the street reopened. Having a sophisticated environment is important to me because I am a Palm Springs commercial property owner as well as a business and homeowner. Palm Springs matters. Let’s take it up a notch. Thank You, Brandon Hoskins 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Keep Marilyn in place Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:04:48 AM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Steven Crofut <video.steven@mac.com> Subject: Keep Marilyn in place Date: July 18, 2024 at 9:47:07 AM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As frequent visitors to Palm Springs, we have found the Marilyn statue delightful and find its current location perfect for the town. Thanks for considering. Steve Crofut, Atlanta ________________________________________ delivered via Verizon internet tubes 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Please Move the Marilyn Statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:05:15 AM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Ken MacIntyre <kncm@shaw.ca> Subject: Please Move the Marilyn Statue Date: July 18, 2024 at 10:02:41 AM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov, lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Council members: I understand you’ll be meeting next week to discuss the future of the Marilyn Monroe statue. I’m writing to urge you to move the Marilyn Monroe statue out of Museum Way and into the downtown park where she should have been placed many years ago. It’s only a few dozen feet. The statue will still have the picturesque mountain views behind her for photo opportunities (which is my understanding as to why she was “temporarily” placed in this current location). For Marilyn to continue to block the road, not to mention, obscure the view of such a prestigious Palm Springs landmark (the Art Museum), is not the legacy I 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D would imagine anyone (Marilyn included) would want to be remembered for. Thank you for your consideration, all the best, Ken MacIntyre @modtraveler 778-990-4772 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:05:51 AM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: "malanbrown@aol.com" <malanbrown@aol.com> Subject: Marilyn statue Date: July 18, 2024 at 9:38:14 AM PDT To: "jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov" <jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, "Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov" <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, "grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov" <grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov>, "lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov" <lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, "christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov" <christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov> NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As a full time resident of Palm Springs, I would like to share my objection to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, I do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What I want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Thank you for your consideration. Marshall Brown Deep Well Ranch 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:33:39 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: malanbrown@aol.com Date: July 18, 2024 at 9:40:21 AM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As a full time resident of Palm Springs, I would like to share my objection to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, I do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What I want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Thank you for your consideration. Marshall Brown Deep Well Ranch 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:33:48 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Steven Crofut <video.steven@mac.com> Date: July 18, 2024 at 9:49:05 AM PDT To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As frequent visitors to Palm Springs, we have found the Marilyn statue delightful and find its current location perfect for the town. Thanks for considering. Steve Crofut, Atlanta ________________________________________ delivered via Verizon internet tubes 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Please Move the Marilyn Statue Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:34:06 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Ken MacIntyre <kncm@shaw.ca> Date: July 18, 2024 at 10:02:53 AM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Please Move the Marilyn Statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Council members: I understand you’ll be meeting next week to discuss the future of the Marilyn Monroe statue. I’m writing to urge you to move the Marilyn Monroe statue out of Museum Way and into the downtown park where she should have been placed many years ago. It’s only a few dozen feet. The statue will still have the picturesque mountain views behind her for photo opportunities (which is my understanding as to why she was “temporarily” placed in this current location). For Marilyn to continue to block the road, not to mention, obscure the view of such a prestigious Palm Springs landmark (the Art Museum), is not the legacy I would imagine anyone (Marilyn included) would want to be remembered for. Thank you for your consideration, all the best, Ken MacIntyre @modtraveler 778-990-4772 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location Date:Thursday, July 18, 2024 11:19:27 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: David Conklin <DConklin@renault-handley.com> Date: July 18, 2024 at 11:16:22 AM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers, I am writing to you as a Palm Springs property owner and resident concerning the controversy surrounding the siting of the Marilyn Monroe statue. Though I don’t dispute the popularity of the Marilyn statue with tourists and the economically beneficial pedestrian traffic it creates Downtown, the statue would attract attention in any environment heavy with tourist traffic. For instance, if it were moved one hundred feet to the north of Museum Way to the area between the Museum parking garage and Belardo, it would capture the same interest from tourists. As it stands, it is in the middle of an expensive roadway that the City of Palm Springs decided to construct at taxpayer expense to improve downtown circulation and provide a prominent visual entry corridor to the architecturally important and culturally significant Palm Springs Art Museum. In a City known internationally as the epicenter of mid-century modernism, I don’t think any serious person would argue that the artistic and cultural importance of the 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Marilyn statue to Palm Springs surpasses that of the Museum, or that the statue should remain where it is because it deserves the visual corridor it receives in the middle of Museum Way. If the statue was moved as suggested above, the original purpose of Museum Way would be realized and both sides of the issue could be satisfied. Like the spirit of Palm Springs, the choice of opening Museum Way and saving the Marilyn statue is non-binary. Why make this a Faustian bargain? The original intent of the Museum Way is as relevant now as it ever was and does not need to be sacrificed to accommodate the Marilyn statue in the Downtown area. Both can exist and provide their intended benefits to the City. Sincerely, David Conklin 1155 S Camino Real Palm Springs, 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D City Council Mayor July 19, 2024 Dear Mayor Bernstein and Council members, When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive. This was such a win because the Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site, and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. That kind of appreciation and recognition does not just happen. It took real effort to get this local landmark recognized nationally. We are justifiably proud of our city’s architectural heritage and assets. Out of town friends and visiting architects alike are stunned that we have allowed the museum to be blocked by this statue. Since the Marilyn statue was “temporarily” placed in the middle of Museum Way, it has become painfully evident that it blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. It is such a shame to block the view we were so lucky to have for a few months before the hotel/resort lobby successfully got the statue planted in the middle of the new street. Noted preservationists, architecture aficionados, community members and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to the Marilyn statue itself – it is a popular tourist attraction. What we want is simply for Marilyn to be moved to another that does not block the museum. There are spots available. We implore you to consider this a great compromise. With great affection for our city, and hopes for our future, Debra and Richard Hovel Founders Palm Springs Architectural Alliance Founders Palm Springs Center for Creativity Founders ND2KNW Futurist Conference 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Forever Marilyn Sculpture / Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date:Saturday, July 20, 2024 2:53:29 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: "mosaicmod (null)" <mosaicmod@aol.com> Subject: Forever Marilyn Sculpture / Views and Setting of the Art Museum Date: July 20, 2024 at 1:17:41 PM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov, lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. I support moving the Forever Marilyn sculpture to a better location that would bring benefits for all. I appreciate and recognize that Palm Springs is noted for many things of beauty, especially for its open spaces and its architectural modern built environment. When the Palm Springs downtown plan in 2016 featured a new street, Museum 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Way, it’s creation provided visibility for the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive. So, why set a large sculpture in a place that blocks Museum Way - the street designed and built as an open sight line to the Palm Springs Art Museum? Placing the sculpture here sets a terrible precedent. Instead of providing open space to celebrate our mountain views and the architecture of E. Stewart Williams, it could initiate an awkward clutter of other outdoor sculptures all along this walkway, in direct opposition to Museum Way’s purpose. A giant sculpture in the middle of this pathway does absolutely nothing to enhance the view to the museum. And the museum’s view of the sculpture truly does nothing to enhance the view of Forever Marilyn, backside first. This is not a critique of Forever Marilyn’s aesthetics or undeniable popularity. I have visited Seward Johnson’s “Grounds for Sculpture “ in New Jersey and it is fabulous. There, you can walk among approximately 300 contemporary sculptures, sited across 42 beautifully landscaped acres. Each artwork is placed strategically - nothing gets in the way of seeing and appreciating each sculpture. A more natural and open location would definitely create a better Forever Marilyn experience for everyone. And Palm Springs has many alternative possibilities. I support moving Forever Marilyn to a space more like its original Palm Springs location in 2012-2014 , with plenty of beautiful open space for people to gather and take photos. And I object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Forever Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. Thank you for your time and consideration in hearing my concerns. Sincerely, Mimi Smith Sent from my iPad 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location Date:Saturday, July 20, 2024 4:31:00 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: David Conklin <DConklin@renault-handley.com> Subject: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location Date: July 18, 2024 at 11:16:07 AM PDT To: "'jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov'" <jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, "'Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov'" <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, "'grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov'" <grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov>, "'lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov'" <lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, "'christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov'" <christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov> NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers, I am writing to you as a Palm Springs property owner and resident concerning the controversy surrounding the siting of the Marilyn Monroe statue. Though I don’t dispute the popularity of the Marilyn statue with tourists and the economically beneficial pedestrian traffic it creates Downtown, the statue would attract attention in any environment heavy with tourist traffic. For instance, if it were moved one hundred feet to the north of Museum Way to the area between the Museum parking garage and Belardo, it would capture the same interest from tourists. As it stands, it is in the middle of an expensive roadway that the City of Palm Springs decided to construct at taxpayer expense to improve downtown circulation and provide a prominent visual entry corridor to the architecturally important and culturally significant Palm Springs Art Museum. In a City known internationally as the epicenter of mid-century modernism, I don’t think any serious person would argue that the artistic and cultural importance of the Marilyn statue to Palm Springs surpasses that of the Museum, or that the statue should remain where it is because it deserves the visual corridor it receives in the middle of Museum Way. If the statue was moved as suggested above, the original purpose of Museum Way would be realized and both sides of the issue could be satisfied. Like the spirit of Palm Springs, the choice of opening Museum Way and saving the Marilyn statue is non-binary. Why make this a Faustian bargain? The original intent of the Museum Way is as relevant now as it ever was and does not need to be sacrificed to accommodate the Marilyn statue in the Downtown area. Both can exist and provide their intended benefits to the City. Sincerely, David Conklin 1155 S Camino Real Palm Springs, 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Marilyn Date:Saturday, July 20, 2024 4:37:23 PM Thank you! Jeffrey Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Barb Kaplan <barb_kaplan@hotmail.com> Subject: Marilyn Date: July 17, 2024 at 7:25:45 PM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Council Members, Keeping it short, ditto Courtney Newman. Paraphrasing for me-This is a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time and a lot of money on both sides that could be put to far better use. You know the street installation was illegally extended. You know the installation closed a public street. You know the installation blocks the site line of one of the major architecturally significant buildings in our town. You know that some love the 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D installation. You know that some hate it but can live with it if moved out of the museum’s site line. Just resite it out of the museums site elsewhere in the park and this nonsense will be over. Respectfully, Barb Kaplan 2490 N Cardillo Ave. Palm Springs, CA 92262 Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jonathan Horowitz To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Subject:The proposed closure of Museum Way Date:Sunday, July 21, 2024 3:20:05 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To the Palm Springs City Council: I strongly oppose the closure and vacating of Museum Way - a tax payer financed street - to permanently install the Marilyn Forever statue. Walking out of the museum, an architectural landmark which was supposed to be a centerpiece of the downtown redevelopment project, and being confronted by the sight of a woman’s dress being blown up to expose an enormous figure’s behind, is insulting to women, insulting to the museum, and just generally appalling. I implore the city council to move the statue to the location for which it was planned and end this divisive, costly, and possibly illegal special interest giveaway. To vacate a street paid for by tax payer money at the behest of P. S. Resorts - funded by Grit Development/Tom Wessman - is a very sad abdication of civic duty. Jonathan Horowitz 1985 S Camino Monte Palm Springs horowitzjp@mac.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jay Nailor To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Subject:Museum Way permanent closure for Marilyn statue - request/opinion Date:Sunday, July 21, 2024 7:46:06 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Everyone, Thank you for all the time and thought that's gone into the great things the City of Palm Springs has done and is still doing. My wife MiShell Modern and I realize that there's only so much that can be analyzed and done when you're only meeting on occasion. While people, especially tourists, really seem to love the Marilyn Forever sculpture on Museum Way (which is great for the city), MiShell and I strongly feel that it should be permanently moved to a more suitable location that doesn't block off an entire street, especially one that leads to the Museum (a definite Palm Springs attraction). I would think the graffiti park (a tragic idea in my opinion, especially as someone in the art industry for over 20 years) would be a much better permanent location for the sculpture. While doing the right thing isn't always easy or convenient, I truly believe the right thing for the Marilyn sculpture is for the City of Palm Springs to spend the additional time and money to move her to a more suitable location. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your consideration. Have a fantastic week ahead! Best, Jay Nailor & MiShell Modern owners: The Shag store, Nailor Wills Publishing & The Church Studios https://shagstore.com https://nailorwills.com https://Instagram.com/TheChurchStudios 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: The proposed closure of Museum Way Date:Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:57:14 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: Jonathan Horowitz <horowitzjp@mac.com> Date: July 21, 2024 at 3:20:05 AM PDT To: City Clerk <CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov>, Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: The proposed closure of Museum Way NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To the Palm Springs City Council: I strongly oppose the closure and vacating of Museum Way - a tax payer financed street - to permanently install the Marilyn Forever statue. Walking out of the museum, an architectural landmark which was supposed to be a centerpiece of the downtown redevelopment project, and being confronted by the sight of a woman’s dress being blown up to expose an enormous figure’s behind, is insulting to women, insulting to the museum, and just generally appalling. I implore the city council to move the statue to the location for which it was planned and end this divisive, costly, and possibly illegal special interest giveaway. To vacate a street paid for by tax payer money at the behest of P. S. Resorts - funded by Grit Development/Tom Wessman - is a very sad abdication of civic duty. Jonathan Horowitz 1985 S Camino Monte Palm Springs horowitzjp@mac.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Katharine DeShaw To:City Clerk Subject:For July 25, 2024 Palm Springs City Council Meeting: Remove the Marilyn Statue Date:Sunday, July 21, 2024 4:07:37 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. For Public Record: To Palm Springs City Council, I join legions of citizens regarding our desire to see the removal of the Marilyn statue on Museum Way. When the statue was first being considered in this location, I led the effort to secure 45,000 signatures of local citizens and regular visitors protesting this decision. This petition was presented to City Council. Sadly, our protests were ignored by you and this insulting statue was installed. Last December I spoke to the City Council in person underscoring our continued disappointment of your decision. We believe: City Council wasted Measure J sales tax revenue that was used to buy the land and build Museum Way The public was lied to by the City Council in announcements saying that the statue location was “temporary” Museum Way has been closed illegally for 3.5 years The 2016 Downtown Plan was created over the course of many, many meetings with citizen input, and led to the creation of Museum Way, which at the time was deemed necessary and important. It is now being thrown by the wayside. City Council has refused to listen to a growing number of voices who are beginning to understand the corrupted process that led to going backwards and proceeding with the official street vacation process after the fact. This is what City Council should have done years ago, and perhaps if you had allowed for real public comment at that time, it would never have happened in the first place. The City’s has refused to acknowledge that midcentury modern architecture (The Palm Springs Art Museum) brings in tourist dollars and should be not be disrespected with this grotesque statue which in no way connects to that architectural period. Our stance remains unchanging: please remove this disrespectful and misogynistic sculpture of Marilyn Monroe. Thank you. Katharine DeShaw 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D ………………………………………………………… katharinedeshaw.com katharine.deshaw@icloud.com 323-791-7788 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:camahon (null) To:City Clerk Subject:Museum Way Council Agenda July 25. 2024 Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 7:36:36 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and Council Members I have been a resident of Palm Springs for 15 years. The City Council should reject the application by P.S. Resorts to vacate Museum Way. Museum Way was intended to provide a clear sight line and a through access to the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive to Museum Drive. When a “temporary” permit was granted for the closure in order to place the Marilyn statue in the public right of way, it was in conflict with the original feedback from the community that it remain open. The statue should be moved to the adjacent park as originally conceived and where space still exists (or some other location within the City) and Museum Way should be re-opened to allow the access that was intended by its construction. Thank you, Catherine Mahon 2495 East Sonora Road Palm Springs CA 92264 Sent from my iPad 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:David Marino To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Subject:objection to closing off Museum Way Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 8:13:39 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. As a home owner in Vista Las Palmas, I completely object to the closing off of Museum Way. Museum Way is “Museum Way” for a reason, as it is the gateway to the Palm Springs Art Museum (PSAM), one of the most important cultural institutions in the City of Palm Springs. Without Museum Way, visitors and guests have to arrive at the PSAM through convoluted means, and if it weren’t for Google Maps, no one would ever figure out how to get to the PSAM. More important, the Museum is a historic building, and the view corridor and arrival experience coming from Palm Canyon looking/driving west requires critical protection. Museum Way was created to connect Palm Canyon Drive to the PSAM for this arrival experience, and historic photos document this intention. Not only will the closing off of Museum Way end this opportunity, but the erection of “The Marilyn” in the foreground is now what people see. The closing off of Museum Way, and the visual and vehicular interference that current or any future objects that might be erected create, is not supportable or legal. The Court of Appeals has ruled that the current street closure has been illegal for 3 1/2 years and there is no good purpose to close off Museum Way. To me it’s clear that the closing off of Museum Way is a means to an end for those that want to protect The Marilyn statue, which was installed with a permanent concrete base, acting as a de facto “land grab” at that time. Support to permanently close off Museum Way is The Marylin supporters’ final act, as there cannot be any other functional or historic precedent as to why supporters of this closure have gone into action. You must vote not to do something illegal or detrimental to our historic and cultural heritage by acting to close of Museum Way. Respectfully, David Marino Home owner at 1475 N. Rose Avenue 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Brooke Hodge To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Subject:Objection to the permanent vacation of Museum Way Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 12:26:07 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To the City Clerk, Mayor, and Members of Council, I write to express my strong objection to the permanent vacation of Museum Way for the Forever Marilyn statue. The City of Palm Springs used Measure J tax funds not only to purchase the property for Museum Way from Grit Development, but those funds were also used to build Museum Way, which at that time was deemed necessary and important to provide an unobstructed view corridor to the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Art Museum is one of our city's most significant cultural resources and Palm Springs residents and voters embraced the plan to make it more visible by using Measure J taxpayer funds to create Museum Way\. The unfortunate placement of the Forever Marilyn statue on Museum Way already obscures the view of the museum and the permanent vacation of Museum Way will mean that the view, which also encourages visits to the museum, is permanently obstructed. And, equally as important, if the street is closed, it’s not only a waste of public funds but a betrayal of the public trust. I strongly encourage the Mayor and Members of Council--officials who were elected by the public--to take an important step toward regaining the trust of your constituents by not voting for the permanent vacation of Museum Way, by supporting our treasured museum, and to stop being beholden to special interest groups. Thank you, Brooke Hodge -- Brooke Hodge 1852 Sandcliff Road Palm Springs, CA 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 11:59:32 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3352155 IP Address:72.132.216.51 Submission Date:07/22/2024 11:59 Survey Time:21 minutes, 43 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Robin Abrahams City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) (206) 335-0509 Email (optional/opcional) Robin@AbrahamsArchitects.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios Mayor Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem deHarte, Council Members Garner, Holstege & Middleton, Move the Marilyn sculpture off the street. No part of this idea (to block Museum Drive between Belardo & Museum Way) reinforces the goals of the Palm Springs General Plan, including its circulation goal (CR1.2) to: "Preserve & extend the City's fine grid of streets to the greatest extent possible." And shame on the City of Palm Springs government. No inclusion of an Historic Preservation element in its General Plan (?) --- when, along with the city's natural beauty, its historic & cultural resources are THE HEART of Palm Springs? & now choosing to block the view of the Palm Springs Art Museum FOREVER? We can have it all for our community. And THAT is the goal of the General Plan. Move the Marilyn sculpture from this location, and re-open the road --- to follow the carefully approved goals of the Palm Springs General Plan. Thank you, Robin Abrahams architect & Palm Springs resident Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:FW: Marilyn statue Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 4:20:43 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov -----Original Message----- From: juli Cavnar <julic574@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 4:15 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Mayor Bernstein: I am writing to voice my opposition to the Marilyn sculpture being placed permanently on Museum Way. Museum Way was seen as a great way to focus on our beautiful E Stuart Williams Museum. A focus on the beauty of midcentury architecture brings so many tourists to Palm Springs. This was why taxpayer funds were used to create this road. Violating the use of taxpayer funds violates the trust of that has been in place between taxpayers and the City Council. I have heard the current site is not see as being in opposition to the city plan. Seriously? The plans states the need to maintain open street grids— like Museum Way. My final point is about about feeling so disrespected as a female in this town because of this sculpture. In a town that has worked so hard to respect everyone I can’t believe the Bogart sculpture had to go while Marilyn can stay. Everytime I drive by and I see grown men posing between her legs and looking up my heart breaks. So you have to two points that drive my vehement opposition to this sculpture and its placement on Museum Way. Thank you for your time. Juli Cavnar Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Matt Robinson To:City Clerk Cc:Jeff Ballinger-C Subject:STREET VACCINATION Date:Monday, July 22, 2024 8:40:13 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Greetings I an requesting information as to who will own the section of roadway scheduled to be vacationed at this week's council meeting known as block two of Museum Way? There are several ways a city can assign ownership after a street vacation. 1)City maintains ownership 2)Land split down the middle and half to each property owner adjacent 3)Entire street given to a single adjoining property owner 4)In this case it appears the street could also be vacationed and given to PS RESORTS. Please clarify future ownership before Council action. Matt Robinson 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Anne To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Subject:Marilyn input from a resident Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 7:41:25 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Good morning, There is a fantastic book we studied in the Harvard Museum management master's program. It's called, The Power of Placement. It's all about elevating, or degrading items through how you place them whether on a pedestal, at the top of a staircase, or in the middle of what seems to be a street. Marily is wildly popular. No question. Let's find her the right spot so everyone can enjoy her. She is currently mooning a museum that is recognized as having an important modern collection. The good folks at the museum strive to reach the level of popularity of LACMA or other important art museums in Southern California. They work hard for their place in the art world and Marilyn's placement seems like it's an extension of the museum. It's discordant. Marilyn's current placement does not look correct on many levels. If you watch the tourists there, they have to back up quite a way to get her in full view when photographing. To get a great shot, you have to stand in the thoroughfare. It is not ideally placed. It looks out of scale with where it was placed on that stretch of the road. It is too close to the cross street. Also, Marilyn itself is not aligned with the Williams building aesthetic as a backdrop. I liked Marilyn in her former placement. You could see her against the mountain where she was before. It made for great photos. She looked like an amazon climbing the mountain and it was fun. Having obscured, important architecture seen through her skirt as she moons the building is not ideal. I appeal to you to open that street back to the public. Didn't we just pay for that street through our taxes? Let's be Paris, not Disneyland. This is a moment to improve our stature. Add some cafe tables on that street. Let's see Marilyn across from Just Fabulous or some other park setting (as was originally understood). Let's replace the outdated water feature artwork across from Just Fabulous. Can you imagine seeing her out the window of your hotel room across the street. These are the photos that will be iconic. Photos of her in her original placement were farther reaching than the ones that are happening now. That is for a reason. The photos aren't that great with a building through her skirt. Along Palm Canyon, she would welcome all to the city and that placement would be in every travel article and magazine. I argue that better placement would increase tourist interaction with her which I believe is the goal. She's cramped where she is. It looks rushed and temporary which, we thought it was. It doesn't look thought out. It's as if someone with no eye for art placement or installation set it there. It's not scaled properly. Thank you for your time. I hope you're open to the discussion. I'm not sure I understand why it is so important to close that new street. This isn't about art snobbery, it's about placing Marilyn where she can better shine, people can get close and distant photos of her, and we can honor that corridor that should highlight strolling and our hard-fighting museum. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Thank you, Anne Rowe Palm Springs resident and curator for Sunnylands. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: For July 25, 2024 Palm Springs City Council Meeting: Remove the Marilyn Statue Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:13:26 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Katharine DeShaw <katharine.deshaw@icloud.com> Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2024 4:09 PM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: For July 25, 2024 Palm Springs City Council Meeting: Remove the Marilyn Statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. For Public Record: Dear Ms. Holstege, I join legions of citizens regarding our desire to see the removal of the Marilyn statue on Museum Way. When the statue was first being considered in this location, I led the effort to secure 45,000 signatures of local citizens and regular visitors protesting this decision. This petition was presented to City Council. Sadly, our protests were ignored by you and this insulting statue was installed. Last December I spoke to the City Council in person underscoring our continued disappointment of your decision. We believe: City Council wasted Measure J sales tax revenue that was used to buy the land and build Museum Way The public was lied to by the City Council in announcements saying that the statue location was “temporary” Museum Way has been closed illegally for 3.5 years The 2016 Downtown Plan was created over the course of many, many meetings with citizen input, and led to the creation of Museum Way, which at the time was deemed necessary and important. It is now being thrown by the wayside. City Council has refused to listen to a growing number of voices who are beginning to understand the corrupted process that led to going backwards and proceeding with the official street vacation process after the fact. This is what City Council should have done years ago, and perhaps if you had allowed for real public comment at that time, it would never have happened in the first place. The City’s has refused to acknowledge that midcentury modern architecture (The Palm 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Springs Art Museum) brings in tourist dollars and should be not be disrespected with this grotesque statue which in no way connects to that architectural period. Our stance remains unchanging: please remove this disrespectful and misogynistic sculpture of Marilyn Monroe. Thank you. Katharine DeShaw ………………………………………………………… katharinedeshaw.com katharine.deshaw@icloud.com 323-791-7788 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Current Marilyn Statue Location Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:03:11 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Susan Secoy <susan@secoyarchitects.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 9:40 AM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Current Marilyn Statue Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 I wholeheartedly agree with the following letter from Courtney Newman, President of the Palm Springs Modernism Committee. During the design process of the new downtown, I was on the Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee. We fought to implement the linear vehicular street from the center of town to the Art Museum. It works to improve the overall traffic flow in the area, and creates a beautiful, unimpaired, vista towards the mountains and museum. Please consider the relocation of the statue to another area of Palm Springs for tourists and locals to enjoy. Thank you, Susan Re: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the Art Museum When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. The Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. It’s time to move Marilyn to another site. Courtney Newman President, Palm Springs Modern Committee Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA 2362 Southridge Drive Palm Springs, California 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 714.926.7812 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: “Forever Marilyn” Location Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:00:02 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Joan Peightal <pegitian@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 3:20 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: “Forever Marilyn” Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members, My first memories of Palm Springs are from long ago, as I grew up in Indio from the mid 50’s thru the 60’s. It was a very special treat to be taken into Palm Springs, because Palm Springs WAS special then. It seems to me you are at a significant juncture as to the direction Palm Springs is headed. Is your beautiful mid-century modern architecture, through which the renewed appreciation and restoration of brought a resurgence to Palm Springs, to be respected? Or is kitsch the new symbol for Palm Springs? The Marilyn statue is kitsch, in my opinion. In an article on NPR.org dated May 16, 2021, in reference to the Marilyn statue, Mr. Dada is quoted “‘she’s an attraction, in our opinion’ Dada says, ‘She’s not an art.’” Do you think an “attraction” should have precedence over a significant architectural building, the beautiful Palm Springs Art Museum? That’s the view that should be unobstructed, not Marilyn. (By the way, “Forever Marilyn” would have worked, turned a bit, quite nicely in the “barcode babies” space. Too bad that land wasn’t available.) You know all of the pros and cons, but I think it boils down to what you choose to be the vision of Palm Springs going forward, and how Palm Springs will be remembered in the future. Is the symbol of Palm Springs to be the prominence of a kitschy (my opinion) attraction, which blocks the view of the architecturally significant PSAM from Palm Canyon, or is it to be the prominence of the perfectly sited and beautiful Palm Springs Art Museum? THIS is your choice. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Sincerely, Joan M. Peightal Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Public hearing, placement of Marilyn statue Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:59:31 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Joan Sotomayor <sotomayor.joan@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4:07 PM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Re: Public hearing, placement of Marilyn statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. July 23, 2024 To the Mayor of Palm Springs and council members: I strenuously object to the degrading of the Palm Springs downtown plan for Museum Way by the slow march forward to vacate the street and make permanent the Marilyn statue placement which was presented to the public as temporary three years ago. The consistent kowtowing to downtown business interests over the last few years, seems to me a thinly veiled "bait & switch" deal for the residents of PS. Marilyn was planned for the Downtown Park, in the first place, and then, seemingly overnight without a lot of notice to the public, a "temporary" concrete pad was poured in the middle of Museum Way, blocking our grand PS Art Museum from view. Now the temporary status could be permanent by an act of vacating Museum Way and making placement permanent. That wasn't the deal! I don't object to Marilyn or presume to debate the merits of public art. Simply do the right thing, the placement promised to Palm Springs residents and downtown businesses. Place her in the park. As a resident who drives Belardo frequently, I DO object to the poorly planned location, which not only obscures a lovely and well-planned street, but invites people to pull up in cars & block Belardo at times, for their photo ops and has attracted street vendors and performers hanging around. With her move out of the middle of the street, the downtown park would become much more attractive inviting people to actually use it, and might even encourage visitors to park and see a bit more downtown rather than just pulling for a one-minute photo op with the car running. I hope forward-thinking and sound city planning will prevail on this issue. Thank you, 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Joan E. Sotomayor Palm Springs resident 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Museum Way Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:57:56 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:41 PM To: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Museum Way NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Greetings Council members We are writing you as Palm Springs residents of 29 years In the past we attended the community listening sessions that led to the Downtown Plan and included Museum Way. Measure J funds were used to construct it. But the street isn’t being used for its intended purpose. It’s an insult to our intelligence to suggest that the placement of the Marilyn was to be “temporary” It’s our understanding that the statue was to be in the downtown park. We’ve seen plans that placed it there. We’re also concerned that P.S. Resorts has enough clout to dictate how our public spaces are used. We didn’t elect them. And we’re disappointed that our elected officials are acquiescing to them Please consider putting Marilyn in her original proposed designation Thank you for your consideration William and Bonnie Ruttan 1111 Abrigo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Adam Lerner To:City Clerk Subject:Vacating Museum Way Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:00:38 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. SENT ON BEHALF OF JANE EMISON, CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM Dear City Council, As the Board Chair of the Palm Springs Art Museum, I speak for the entire board in expressing our gratitude to you for your ongoing support of the museum. We value the museum's role in the public life of Palm Springs and appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on vacating the right- of-way for vehicular traffic on Museum Way. The position of the Palm Springs Art Museum Board of Trustees remains the same: We believe the City should maintain its commitment to the 2016 Downtown Palm Springs plan, which created an unobstructed corridor to the museum from Palm Canyon Drive. We recognize that a tremendous number of residents and visitors enjoy the Forever Marilyn statue. However, we are opposed to vacating the street for it. We support relocating the statue in the adjacent park where it was originally intended to be or to another location where the public can continue to view it. Sincerely, Jane Emison 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D City Council Mayor July 19, 2024 Dear Mayor Bernstein and Council members, When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive. This was such a win because the Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site, and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. That kind of appreciation and recognition does not just happen. It took real effort to get this local landmark recognized nationally. We are justifiably proud of our city’s architectural heritage and assets. Out of town friends and visiting architects alike are stunned that we have allowed the museum to be blocked by this statue. Since the Marilyn statue was “temporarily” placed in the middle of Museum Way, it has become painfully evident that it blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. It is such a shame to block the view we were so lucky to have for a few months before the hotel/resort lobby successfully got the statue planted in the middle of the new street. Noted preservationists, architecture aficionados, community members and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to the Marilyn statue itself – it is a popular tourist attraction. What we want is simply for Marilyn to be moved to another that does not block the museum. There are spots available. We implore you to consider this a great compromise. With great affection for our city, and hopes for our future, Debra and Richard Hovel Founders Palm Springs Architectural Alliance Founders Palm Springs Center for Creativity Founders ND2KNW Futurist Conference 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:25:37 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3356549 IP Address:172.56.179.230 Submission Date:07/23/2024 6:25 Survey Time:2 minutes, 5 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Charlie Ciali City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) charliepsca@gmail.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios To: Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem Ron de Harte, Grace Garner, Chrisy Holstege, Lisa Middleton As a 23 resident of Palm Springs I have seen many disgraceful actions by the members of various Councils that have served this city. And as always it involves people or organizations with deep pocket to persuade and in some cases by-off Council Members. In this case PS Resorts and Afdab Dada obviously have very deep pockets. The travesty surrounding the Marilyn Sculpture on “MUSEUM WAY” is yet another example of blatantly ignoring the voters will for your own bought off gain wether it be under the table by offs or the promise of future advancement or a threat to your position. And now your ill advised actions have costs the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees even after you lost in court and continue to allow the interest of a powerful few lead you around like the sheep that you are. PUT HER WERE SHE WAS INTENDED TO GO AND OPEN OUR STREET! Sincerely, Charlie Cia Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:28:10 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3356556 IP Address:172.56.179.230 Submission Date:07/23/2024 6:27 Survey Time:1 minute, 38 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Charlie Ciali City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) charliepsca@gmail.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios As a 23 resident of Palm Springs I have seen many disgraceful actions by the members of various Councils that have served this city. And as always it involves people or organizations with deep pocket to persuade and in some cases by-off Council Members. In this case PS Resorts and Afdab Dada obviously have very deep pockets. The travesty surrounding the Marilyn Sculpture on “MUSEUM WAY” is yet another example of blatantly ignoring the voters will for your own bought off gain wether it be under the table by offs or the promise of future advancement or a threat to your position. ees even after you lost in court and continue to allow the interest of a powerful few lead you around like the sheep that you are. PUT HER WHERE SHE WAS INTENDED TO GO AND OPEN OUR STREET! Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: RELOCATE Marilyn Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:29:42 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov From: charliepsca <charliepsca@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:20 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: RELOCATE Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To: Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem Ron de Harte, Grace Garner, Chrisy Holstege, Lisa Middleton As a 23 resident of Palm Springs I have seen many disgraceful actions by the members of various Councils that have served this city. And as always it involves people or organizations with deep pocket to persuade and in some cases by-off Council Members. In this case PS Resorts and Afdab Dada obviously have very deep pockets. The travesty surrounding the Marilyn Sculpture on “MUSEUM WAY” is yet another example of blatantly ignoring the voters will for your own bought off gain wether it be under the table by offs or the promise of future advancement or a threat to your position. And now your ill advised actions have costs the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees even after you lost in court and continue to allow the interest of a powerful few lead you around like the sheep that you are. PUT HER WERE SHE WAS INTENDED TO GO AND OPEN OUR STREET! Sincerely, 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Charlie Ciali 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:John Cates To:City Clerk Subject:Marilyn Statue Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 9:58:39 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Please keep her where she is now. Thank you, John C. Cates 760.460.6566 1703 E. Sonora Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264 Sent using Zoho Mail 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:Brenda Pree; Brent Rasi; Cassandra Edney; Evelyn Beltran; Roxanne Rodriguez Subject:Fw: “Forever Marilyn” Location Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:30:06 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov From: Joan Peightal <pegitian@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 3:20 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: “Forever Marilyn” Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members, My first memories of Palm Springs are from long ago, as I grew up in Indio from the mid 50’s thru the 60’s. It was a very special treat to be taken into Palm Springs, because Palm Springs WAS special then. It seems to me you are at a significant juncture as to the direction Palm Springs is headed. Is your beautiful mid-century modern architecture, through which the renewed appreciation and restoration of brought a resurgence to Palm Springs, to be respected? Or is kitsch the new symbol for Palm Springs? The Marilyn statue is kitsch, in my opinion. In an article on NPR.org dated May 16, 2021, in 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D reference to the Marilyn statue, Mr. Dada is quoted “‘she’s an attraction, in our opinion’ Dada says, ‘She’s not an art.’” Do you think an “attraction” should have precedence over a significant architectural building, the beautiful Palm Springs Art Museum? That’s the view that should be unobstructed, not Marilyn. (By the way, “Forever Marilyn” would have worked, turned a bit, quite nicely in the “barcode babies” space. Too bad that land wasn’t available.) You know all of the pros and cons, but I think it boils down to what you choose to be the vision of Palm Springs going forward, and how Palm Springs will be remembered in the future. Is the symbol of Palm Springs to be the prominence of a kitschy (my opinion) attraction, which blocks the view of the architecturally significant PSAM from Palm Canyon, or is it to be the prominence of the perfectly sited and beautiful Palm Springs Art Museum? THIS is your choice. Sincerely, Joan M. Peightal Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Ben Fenn To:City Clerk Subject:Please Move Marilyn Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:34:04 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear City Council, I remain displeased with the presence of Marilyn on Museum Way. I have never appreciated her. Please move her. Let her be part of the airport expansion, or let her mark an exit off the 10. Ben Fenn 686 N Plaza Amigo 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Museum Way Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:42:45 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov From: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:41 PM To: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Museum Way NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Greetings Council members We are writing you as Palm Springs residents of 29 years In the past we attended the community listening sessions that led to the Downtown Plan and included Museum Way. Measure J funds were used to construct it. But the street isn’t being used for its intended purpose. It’s an insult to our intelligence to suggest that the placement of the Marilyn was to be “temporary” It’s our understanding that the statue was to be in the downtown park. We’ve seen plans that placed it there. We’re also concerned that P.S. Resorts has enough clout to dictate how our public spaces are used. We didn’t elect them. And we’re disappointed that our elected officials are acquiescing to them 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Please consider putting Marilyn in her original proposed designation Thank you for your consideration William and Bonnie Ruttan 1111 Abrigo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Bonnie Ruttan To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Museum Way Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:44:47 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:43 PM Subject: Re: Museum Way To: Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com>, <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov>, <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov> On Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM Bonnie Ruttan <bonnieruttan@gmail.com> wrote: Greetings Council members We are writing you as Palm Springs residents of 29 years In the past we attended the community listening sessions that led to the Downtown Plan and included Museum Way. Measure J funds were used to construct it. But the street isn’t being used for its intended purpose. It’s an insult to our intelligence to suggest that the placement of the Marilyn was to be “temporary” It’s our understanding that the statue was to be in the downtown park. We’ve seen plans that placed it there. We’re also concerned that P.S. Resorts has enough clout to dictate how our public spaces are used. We didn’t elect them. And we’re disappointed that our elected officials are acquiescing to them Please consider putting Marilyn in her original proposed designation Thank you for your consideration William and Bonnie Ruttan 1111 Abrigo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Museum Way Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:30:21 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Mark Driscoll <mnjdrs@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:32 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: info@psmodcom.org <info@psmodcom.org> Subject: Museum Way NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members I’m not a resident, but have been a visitor multiple times during Modernism Week. I understand that next week you will have a public hearing on whether or not to vacate Museum Way as a permanent site for Forever Marilyn. From what I’ve read, a vote to vacate would reverse part of a downtown plan approved by voters less than ten years ago. If the intention was to make this a pedestrian way, surely it would have been put to voters as such in 2016. This seems like a poor way to plan. The street itself can’t be more than six or seven years old. vacating it seems like a major waste of taxpayers’ money. For what it's worth, leave the street a street as intended; move the statue to the adjacent park as has been proposed by locals. This solution seems to be a win-win. Those who want the street to remain and the siteline to the museum restored, get what they want. Those who want Marilyn in Palm Springs, still have what they want. If tourists are coming to town just to see the statue (which doesn’t seem likely to me, but could be true), they will still find it easily. Good luck and I hope you can get back to more important work soon. Regards Mark Driscoll 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 2401 Pennsylvania Ave Apt 9B31 Philadelphia PA 19130 cell 334 294 6663 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Marilyn Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:28:34 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Barb Kaplan <barb_kaplan@hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 7:25 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Council Members, Keeping it short, ditto Courtney Newman. Paraphrasing for me-This is a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time and a lot of money on both sides that could be put to far better use. You know the street installation was illegally extended. You know the installation closed a public street. You know the installation blocks the site line of one of the major architecturally significant buildings in our town. You know that some love the installation. You know that some hate it but can live with it if moved out of the museum’s site line. Just resite it out of the museums site elsewhere in the park and this nonsense will be over. Respectfully, Barb Kaplan 2490 N Cardillo Ave. Palm Springs, CA 92262 Sent from my iPhone 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: statue Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:28:18 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Daniel Bourgoise <gobodan2@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2024 3:04 AM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Kelley Ryan <kelleypie19@gmail.com> Subject: statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Please vote to move the Marilyn statue off the street and into the adjacent park. It should not block the view of the museum. Thank you. Dan and Kelley Bourgoise 1200 Vista Vespero Palm Springs, CA 92262 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Please Move the Marilyn Statue Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:28:00 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Ken MacIntyre <kncm@shaw.ca> Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:02 AM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Please Move the Marilyn Statue NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Mayor and City Council members: I understand you’ll be meeting next week to discuss the future of the Marilyn Monroe statue. I’m writing to urge you to move the Marilyn Monroe statue out of Museum Way and into the downtown park where she should have been placed many years ago. It’s only a few dozen feet. The statue will still have the picturesque mountain views behind her for photo opportunities (which is my understanding as to why she was “temporarily” placed in this current location). For Marilyn to continue to block the road, not to mention, obscure the view of such a prestigious Palm Springs landmark (the Art Museum), is not the legacy I would imagine anyone (Marilyn included) would want to be remembered for. Thank you for your consideration, all the best, Ken MacIntyre @modtraveler 778-990-4772 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:27:42 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: David Conklin <DConklin@renault-handley.com> Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2024 11:16 AM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Current Marilyn Monroe Statue Location NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers, I am writing to you as a Palm Springs property owner and resident concerning the controversy surrounding the siting of the Marilyn Monroe statue. Though I don’t dispute the popularity of the Marilyn statue with tourists and the economically beneficial pedestrian traffic it creates Downtown, the statue would attract attention in any environment heavy with tourist traffic. For instance, if it were moved one hundred feet to the north of Museum Way to the area between the Museum parking garage and Belardo, it would capture the same interest from tourists. As it stands, it is in the middle of an expensive roadway that the City of Palm Springs decided to construct at taxpayer expense to improve downtown circulation and provide a prominent visual entry corridor to the architecturally important and culturally significant Palm Springs Art Museum. In a City known internationally as the epicenter of mid-century modernism, I don’t think any serious person would argue that the artistic and cultural importance of the Marilyn statue to Palm Springs surpasses that of the Museum, or that the statue should remain where it is because it deserves the visual corridor it receives in the middle of Museum Way. If the statue was moved as suggested above, the original purpose of Museum Way would be realized and both sides of the issue could be satisfied. Like the spirit of Palm Springs, the choice of opening Museum Way and saving the Marilyn statue is non-binary. Why make this a Faustian bargain? The original intent of the Museum 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Way is as relevant now as it ever was and does not need to be sacrificed to accommodate the Marilyn statue in the Downtown area. Both can exist and provide their intended benefits to the City. Sincerely, David Conklin 1155 S Camino Real Palm Springs, 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Move Marilyn out of the street Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 12:18:38 PM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: Robin Abrahams <abrahamsarchitects@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 12:06 PM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Move Marilyn out of the street NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. City Council Member Christy Holstege, Move the Marilyn sculpture off the street. No part of this idea (to block Museum Drive between Belardo & Museum Way) reinforces the goals of the Palm Springs General Plan, including its circulation goal (CR1.2) to: "Preserve & extend the City's fine grid of streets to the greatest extent possible.” And shame on the City of Palm Springs government. No inclusion of an Historic Preservation element in its General Plan (?) --- when, along with the city's natural beauty, its historic & cultural resources are THE HEART of Palm Springs? & now choosing to block the view of the Palm Springs Art Museum FOREVER? We can have it all for our community. And THAT is the goal of the General Plan. Move the Marilyn sculpture from this location, and re-open the road --- to follow the carefully approved goals of the Palm Springs General Plan. Thank you, Robin Abrahams architect & Palm Springs resident Cell/text/all: #206-335-0509 Robin@AbrahamsArchitects.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 5:39:33 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3356479 IP Address:72.132.2.88 Submission Date:07/23/2024 5:39 Survey Time:13 minutes, 57 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Henry Connell City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) hconnellny@aol.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios Please relocate the Marilyn statue from its current location in the middle of Museum Way. I'm concerned and disgusted that a private interest group swayed the City Council to capitulate to their request to close off what was to be an open thoroughfare from Palm Canyon to the PS Art Museum-- a street payed for by the citizens of Palm Springs. Moving the very popular statue a few hundred feet north to the sandy lot in front of the Parking facility, for example, would afford exactly the same views and access from Palm Canyon, allow exactly the same number of selfies for Marilyn fans, and would allow Museum Way to be open as was always intended. With all best intentions for the best for Palm Springs, Henry Connell Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Mike Cushner To:City Clerk Subject:Marilyn Statue Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 8:47:21 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Sir or Madam: I have lived in Palm Springs full-time since 2001. I believe the Marilyn statue should stay where it is on Museum Way. The area is busy every time I drive through. Those who want the statue moved claim it reduces access to and attendance at the Art Museum. Is there any evidence this is true? The statue's location unifies the new city park with the attractions on the other side of Museum Way. The cost to possibly move the statue must also be considered. Unless there is some clear data- based advantage, I believe the statue is where it should be. Thank you, Michael Cushner 1627 E. San Lucas Road 92264 Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fw: Relocate Marilyn Date:Wednesday, July 24, 2024 11:58:06 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember City of Palm Springs, District 4 Tel: (760) 323-8200 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Fax: (760) 323-8207 Palm Springs, CA 92262 www.palmspringsca.gov christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov From: charliepsca <charliepsca@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:20 PM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Relocate Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. To: Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem Ron de Harte, Grace Garner, Chrisy Holstege, Lisa Middleton As a 23 resident of Palm Springs I have seen many disgraceful actions by the members of various Councils that have served this city. And as always it involves people or organizations with deep pocket to persuade and in some cases by-off Council Members. In this case PS Resorts and Afdab Dada obviously have very deep pockets. The travesty surrounding the Marilyn Sculpture on “MUSEUM WAY” is yet another example of blatantly ignoring the voters will for your own bought off gain wether it be under the table by offs or the promise of future advancement or a threat to your position. And now your ill advised actions have costs the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees even after you lost in court and continue to allow the interest of a powerful few lead you around like the sheep that you are. PUT HER WERE SHE WAS INTENDED TO GO AND OPEN OUR STREET! Sincerely, Charlie Ciali 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Joan Sotomayor To:City Clerk Subject:Re: Public hearing, placement of Marilyn statue Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4:13:34 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Copy of comment for 7/25/2024 public hearing below: July 23, 2024 To the Mayor of Palm Springs and council members: I strenuously object to the degrading of the Palm Springs downtown plan for Museum Way by the slow march forward to vacate the street and make permanent the Marilyn statue placement which was presented to the public as temporary three years ago. The consistent kowtowing to downtown business interests over the last few years, seems to me a thinly veiled "bait & switch" deal for the residents of PS. Marilyn was planned for the Downtown Park, in the first place, and then, seemingly overnight without a lot of notice to the public, a "temporary" concrete pad was poured in the middle of Museum Way, blocking our grand PS Art Museum from view. Now the temporary status could be permanent by an act of vacating Museum Way and making placement permanent. That wasn't the deal! I don't object to Marilyn or presume to debate the merits of public art. Simply do the right thing, the placement promised to Palm Springs residents and downtown businesses. Place her in the park. As a resident who drives Belardo frequently, I DO object to the poorly planned location, which not only obscures a lovely and well-planned street, but invites people to pull up in cars & block Belardo at times, for their photo ops and has attracted street vendors and performers hanging around. With her move out of the middle of the street, the downtown park would become much more attractive inviting people to actually use it, and might even encourage visitors to park and see a bit more downtown rather than just pulling for a one-minute photo op with the car running. I hope forward-thinking and sound city planning will prevail on this issue. Thank you, Joan E. Sotomayor Palm Springs resident (503)-201-2576 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Nickie McLaughlin To:Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Lisa Middleton; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; City Clerk Subject:Letter to Mayor + Council Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4:03:30 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Good Afternoon Mayor and Council, As I reflect on my own personal history in preservation, be it land or architecture, it is astounding how long it took to get an appreciative city council who would realize the benefits of supporting the preservation of both Chino Canyon, as the entry way to our city, along with Palm Springs’ midcentury modern architectural heritage. Unfortunately, while all these issues should now be in the past, this is not the case I, along with the organizations that I represent, have supported each and every one of you, either financially or verbally who sit on the council today. Furthermore, the support was based on your shared, joint appreciation, of preserving the architectural legacy that is now enjoyed by tourists across the globe. How fortunate that almost 30 years ago a small group of people had the foresight to fight to save these very buildings. And boy was it a fight! And now there is Measure J. The revitalization of downtown Palm Springs, including the construction of Museum Way was paid for through taxpayer funds, on a voter-approved sales tax increase. Closing this portion of Museum Way is a waste and misuse of taxpayer funds. A major concern, particularly in light of the fact that the City seeks to make the Measure J sales tax increase permanent. It all appears to be so senseless, leaving so many questions as to why. Why does Aftab Dada and his organization Palm Springs Resorts wield such power over you? Why is it that one man decides his personal interest in moving the Marilyn Statue can override all past council decisions? What made you decide that moving the statue to its current location was a good idea, when so many people had supported and voted to have that road open as the entryway to the Palm Springs Art Museum, an iconic building that had been hidden from the public eye for decades? Do the opinions of your constituents matter less than one man’s desire? There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that the statue is a tourist attraction, but why should it be at the cost of losing a valued asset i.e., the road that gave a clear and open view to the museum, when there are alternative locations, that would not deter from the statue or the 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D museum? And ask yourselves, is a statue of this magnitude really something that should be in this location “forever?” As I’m sure you are aware, I am involved in the lawsuit against the city to stop the installation of the statue in this location, while friends organized CReMa, the Committee to Relocate Marilyn. The court case continues, with the next hearing scheduled for October, with no apparent end in sight for the foreseeable future. At a city council meeting several months ago, councilmember Middleton expressed her concerns that “hundreds of thousands of dollars” were being wasted by the city having to fight the lawsuit. Well perhaps if we could agree to a “give and take approach” there may be a solution on the horizon. If the city council is willing to agree to condition the vacation of the portion of Museum Way on a set end date for the Marilyn statue occupying this location of five years from its original installation (which could provide the opportunity for installing new art exhibits where the statue currently stands) it would be a strong starting point to find a compromise for all parties concerned. Thank you for your time and please reach out if you feel this conversation is a worthwhile proposition. Sincerely, Nickie McLaughlin 760.835.5628 nixmac1@icloud.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Sarah Bloss To:City Clerk Cc:Amy Minteer Subject:CReMA Comments Letter on Museum Way Project Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 10:12:56 AM Attachments:CReMa Comments on Museum Way Project.pdf NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Good morning, Please see the attached comment letter from Amy Minteer regarding the above captioned matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. Thank you, Sarah Bloss Paralegal CARSTENS, BLACK & MINTEER LLP 2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 318 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 T: 323-347-7228 Ext. 8 F: 310-798-2402 smb@cbcearthlaw.com www.cbcearthlaw.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Main Office Phone: 310-798-2400 Direct Dial: 310-798-2409 Carstens, Black & Minteer LLP 2200 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 318 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 www.cbcearthlaw.com Amy C. Minteer Email Address: acm@cbcearthlaw.com July 22, 2024 Via Email (CityClerk@palmspringsca.gov) Honorable Mayor and Council Members Council Chamber, City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Re: Traffic Expert Comments re Street Vacation and Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan EIR Addendum #3; Agenda Item #2D On behalf of the Committee to Relocate Marilyn (“CReMa”), we provide the enclosed comments from traffic engineer Tom Brohard regarding the proposed permanent closure and vacation of Museum Way between Museum Drive and Belardo Road and the installation of the Forever Marilyn statue in this location (the “Project”) and the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan (“MMPSP”) EIR Addendum #3 prepared to address this Project. These comments provide expert evidence demonstrating the need for a subsequent environmental impact report due to the Project’s impacts from increased vehicle miles traveled and the traffic safety impacts associated with the installation of the statue in this location. Sincerely, Amy Minteer 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:barbara Lamprecht To:City Clerk; Lisa Middleton; Christy Holstege; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner Subject:Marilyn statue relocation Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 10:36:25 AM Attachments:Letter to PS City Council re Marilyn statue 07232024 Barbara Lamprecht.pdf NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Palm Springs City Council, Attached please find my letter of support to relocate the Marilyn Monroe statue. Thank you for your consideration. Barbara Lamprecht barbara lamprecht, m.arch., ph.d. bmlamprecht@gmail.com 626 264 7600 550 e. jackson st. pasadena ca 91104-3621 modern resources research restoration and rehabilitation barbaralamprecht.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D modern resources barbara lamprecht, m. arch., ph.d. 550 jackson st. pasadena ca 91104.3621 bmlamprecht@gmail.com barbaralamprecht.com 626.264.7600 July 22, 2024 Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Dear Mayor, Council Members, In my capacity as a qualified architectural historian who regularly evaluates the impact of a project on the environment, I am joining those who urge you to relocate the statue of Marilyn Monroe. Framed against the San Jacinto Mountains, the Museum’s sense of permanence, power, and rich materiality matches the mountain’s own silent monumentality and earthiness, each alert to one another. They have been compañeros since 1976 , two years short of a half-century, a historic visual and physical relationship. Architecturally, the Museum is an example of New Formalism, a Late Modern style reserved for large public buildings, many built in the 1970s. One of the style’s anchoring tenets is that of a building set apart, something like the Parthenon, in its setting. New Formalist designs depend on open, unimpeded surroundings to convey their historic significance. Long hidden behind the shopping mall built in the 1980s, Museum Way was created to revive the connection between the Museum and the City. However, the insertion of the massive statue disrupts that effort. The setting is one of seven attributes of integrity, known as character-defining features, that historic resources, like the Museum, must retain. Collectively, a resource retains integrity or it does not. For a New Formalist building, set against the landscape, the setting becomes a vital feature, more important, perhaps, than for other styles. CEQA asks, does the installation of a large, flamboyant statue c reate a substantive adverse change in the Museum’s significance? While I don’t believe the statue eradicates the Museum’s significance, its precise—and perverse—location does seriously undermine that significance. Marilyn’s panties and pout are in the direct line of sight along the primary axis to the Museum’s entrance. Compounding the disrespect to the Museum, the location diminishes the historic quality of the view and further alienates the Museum from civic discourse and even meaning. Marilyn is fun and irreverent, qualities that also speaks to the City’s sparkle and spirt. Keep her, but put her where she has her own setting and does not harm another’s. Don’t suffocate the Museum’s setting. Sincerely, Dr. Barbara Lamprecht, M.Arch., Ph.D. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Current Marilyn Statue Location Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 9:55:44 AM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov Begin forwarded message: From: Susan Secoy <susan@secoyarchitects.com> Subject: Current Marilyn Statue Location Date: July 23, 2024 at 9:40:12 AM PDT To: jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov, Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov, grace.garner@palmspringsca.gov, lisa.middleton@palmspringsca.gov, christy.holstege@palmspringsca.gov NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor and Council Members Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 I wholeheartedly agree with the following letter from Courtney Newman, President of the Palm Springs Modernism Committee. During the design process of the new downtown, I was on the Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee. We fought to implement the linear vehicular street from the center of town to the Art Museum. It works to improve the overall traffic flow in the area, and creates a beautiful, unimpaired, vista towards the mountains and museum. Please consider the relocation of the statue to another area of Palm Springs for tourists and locals to enjoy. Thank you, Susan Re: Current Marilyn Location Significantly Impairs Views and Setting of the 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Art Museum When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive because, since the 1970s, it had been blocked by the massive Desert Fashion Plaza. The Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Since the Marilyn statue was placed in the middle of Museum Way several years ago, it has become painfully evident that she blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. In addition, her massive presence negatively impacts the overall setting of the Museum and diminishes the Museum’s distinguished presence. It must be noted that the Museum’s listing in the National Register is tied to its design to fit within, and be compatible with, the surrounding mountains and environment. That’s why this has become a major advocacy issue for the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS ModCom). A key part of our mission is to enhance visibility and access to significant historic landmarks such as the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Palm Springs Modern Committee and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to Marilyn herself – a highly popular tourist attraction. What we want is for Marilyn to be moved to another location such as the northeast portion of the new downtown park. Overall, the Palm Springs Art Museum is too important historically, architecturally, and culturally to be concealed by an enormous statue. It’s time to move Marilyn to another site. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Courtney Newman President, Palm Springs Modern Committee Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA 2362 Southridge Drive Palm Springs, California 92264 714.926.7812 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D (YI^``` #2ZE6`!ES4C(PN7V` `/C2NNPN`12^` +2IK`/QSENBV` " `` 62ZE63FE]N7W4PK5PK` `KP3EI7 %PNPS23I7`*2^PS`2N6`"PYN4EI`*7L37SV` ,2IK`/QSENBV`"EW^`%2II` `$`02CRYEW_`"2N^PN`12^` +2IK`/QSENBV` " `` -7`"YSS7NW`*2SEI^N`)P42WEPN` 0C7`1SPNB`)P42WEPN` 0C7`/W2WY7`/CPYI6`!7`*PZ76` 1C7N`&`>SVW`ZEVEW76`+2IK`/QSENBV`?S`2`RYE4H`[77H7N6`B7W2[2^``^72SV`2BP `&N6E2N` "2N^PN`[2V`2`[2^`VWS77W`&`:8II`EN`IPZ7`[EWC`WC7`4EW^`2N6`Z242WEPN76`C7S7`P@7N` 0C7N `[C7N`&`KPZ76`C7S7``^72SV`2BP `EW`WC7`6P[NWP[N`QPSWEPN`P9JN6E2N`"2N^PN`C26` 377N`4C2NB76`WP`[2^` V`^PY`HOP[ `WC7`PSEBEN2I`E672`WP`WYM`WC7`6P[NWP[N`QPSWEPN`P9`&N6E2N`"2N^PN`WP`[2^` WYU76`PYW`WP`37`NPW`2`BPP6`E672 `2N6`NP`VK2II`VYK`P9`KPN7^`[2V`VQ7NW`WP`S7Z7SW`EW`324H` WP`37ENB`2`QSPQ7S`[2^`VWS77W` *^`QPENW`EWV `KEVW2H7V`C2QQ7N `2N6`C2ZENB`WC7`VW2WY7`VW2^`QYW`EV`PN7`KPS7`3EB`KEVW2H7` &`AII^`VYQQPSW`WC7`7;PSWV`P9`WC7`+/`*P67M`"PKLEWW77`[7S7`K7K37SV`2N6`0SEN2` 0YSH"S7*2`'`K267`2`5PNWSE3YWEPN`WP`KPZ7`WC7`VW2WY7`&`2IVP`2 BS77`[EWC`WC7` SW`*YV7YL` [7S7`L7K37SV`WC2W`WC7`VW2WY7V`QS7V7NW`IP42WEPN`EV`[SPNB` 1C2W`&`6P`NPW`VYQQPSW`EV`K^`W2]`6PII2SV`BPENB`WP`Q2SWE2II^`AN6`+/`.7VPSWV`1CEI7`&`AII^` 24HNP[I76B7`WC7`EKQPSW2N57`P9`WC7`CPVQEW2IEW^`EN6YVWS^`EN`PYS`4EW^ `&`V77`NP`N776`?S`W2]` 6PII2SV`BPENB`WP`VYQQPSW`WC7ES`QSPKPWEPN2I`7<PSWV`0C7^`42N`72VEI^`2<PS6`WP`QSPLPW7` WC7KV7IZ7VWC7ES`3YVEN7VV7V`PN`WC7ES`P[N` V`WP`WC7`EWV`4C72Q7S`E9[7`VEKQI^`BEZ7`EN`WP`WD7`EII7B2I`Q7SL2N7NW`QI257L7NW`P9`WC7` VW2WY7`2SBYK7NW `[7II `WC2WV`GYVW`[SPNB`&9`EIIE5EW`VCPSX5YWV`2N6`P=WC7S75PS6`324HTPPK` 672IENBV`[EWC`+/`.7VPSWV`C26NW`C2QQ7N76`EN`WC7`>SVW`QI247 `[7`\PYI6NW`37`[C7S7`[7`2S7` WP62^` 07/25/2023 Public Comment Item 2D 'JgK:;cg.MgFA7dgFCg(F.g)KgBgWQNgQFgFgR*gL4%(QgX.C%gAg@F_gQ+gOQT^ g !S)g2Yg`Pg8gRFgIKQ3<=cg$CgS+gOQSZOgGZK)Mg0A gQ,g#KOTgG9gR,Cg/QgBfg "FKgQFgG[Ug.QgCJdg Q)gDFKV+ORgHFKT0FDgF gQ,g FaCRFaEgGK6g.Ng5\NQgPg&FFggMHFQg MgAdg PG3>?egb1R(gQ)g g O] MRS0FDgK/%-Qg S(Kg 07/25/2023 Public Comment Item 2D From:Steve Winters To:City Clerk Subject:E-Public Comment - For City Council Meeting to be held on July 25, 2024 Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 8:35:33 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear City Council Members: I am a voting resident of District 4 in Palm Springs. For some time I have watched, with great concern, the City’s march toward vacating the portion of Museum Way between Belardo and Museum Drive in order to accommodate the request of PS Resorts that the current location of the Marilyn sculpture be made permanent. PS Resorts has not shown that the current location, as opposed to a location in the park that is immediately adjacent, would result in a significant decrease of tourism and patronage of downtown businesses. As has been expressed by numerous Palm Springs residents, the current location blocks the view of the iconic front facade of the Museum. And for what compelling reason? Surely a location immediately adjacent in the park would allow the city to achieve its goal of enhancing tourism and supporting downtown businesses, while also addressing the very real concerns of those, like I, who are very concerned about blocking the view of the museum. In addition, vacating the portion of Museum Way would be a significant waste of taxpayer dollars used to fund the cost of constructing Museum Way. I urge the Council to work out a compromise that would allow for the statue to remain, but just not in the current location that blocks the view of the facade of the Museum and results in such a waste of the taxpayer dollars used to construct Museum Way as a through street. Respectfully submitted, Stephen R Winters 1850 Smoke Tree Lane Palm Springs 92264 312-607-7040 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:freddiepsla@icloud.com To:City Clerk; Jeffrey Bernstein; Ron deHarte; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Lisa Middleton Cc:trina@trinaturk.com Subject:Opposition to Marilyn Forever Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 7:06:47 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Dear Councilpersons: I have been a homeowner in South Palm Springs since 2016. I want to share with you a succinct objection to the placement of Marilyn Forever that goes beyond the legal arguments found in the June 25th memo from Cartsens, Black & Minteer. Museum Way had not yet opened when I first bought my house, but I had been familiar with the Palm Springs Art Museum for years prior to buying in the desert. The fact that this new to street would beautifully frame the midcentury facade excited me. Just as Modernism Week does. Palm Springs is exciting and vibrant. I thought the idea of calling the new street "Museum Way" to be very clever by city planners. The museum is a cultural resource that includes in its permanent collection works of a broad array of important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. It deserved to be showcased and celebrated. The work of Seward Johnson, the man who created Marilyn Forever, cannot be found in the permanent collection of any reputable art museum in North America. Not one. That is because no one who takes art seriously considers his work art. That is because it is kitsch. Or, in some cases, schmaltz. Please don’t get me wrong. There is a place in the world for kitsch — and chachkis and trinkets and cheap T-shirts. And those things can be found in Palm Springs. The issue is that the placement of Marilyn Forever in the middle of Museum Way implies, through its scale alone, an association with the art museum. It completely blocks the view of the museum. Most of all, it dumbs down a city that reaps the benefits of Modernism Week — a time when thousands of people flock to our city with their tourist dollars to embrace our architecture and art. Clearly some people love Marilyn. There is a compromise here — if the people who are dug in can hear it. Move Marilyn. While there are misogynistic elements to the work that each of you councilpeople must come to terms with, there is certainly plenty of open space in downtown Palm Springs where she could be relocated. Leaving her in the middle of Museum Way makes our city look tacky in the eyes of the sophisticated travelers who come for all the culture and intellectualism we have to offer. Our city is better than that. I urge you to consider moving the statue. Sincerely, Fred Anawalt 1034 Bella Vista Palm Springs, CA 92264 323-659-9141 freddiepsla@icloud.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Ron Amos To:City Clerk Subject:Keep Marilyn where she is! Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 6:45:12 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. I just read that you are having a meeting today (again) about the Marilyn statue. It's in a great place, leave it there. It's location draws people toward the PS Art Museum as well. Thanks, Ron Amos 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 10:39:47 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3360701 IP Address:72.132.14.200 Submission Date:07/25/2024 10:39 Survey Time:1 minute, 29 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Manuel Padilla City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) (818) 298-0947 Email (optional/opcional) mpadillajr@icloud.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios Please create a permanent variance so that the Marilyn statue can remain as is. Tourists love it and in a resort town that is important. I cannot believe the owner of a local business has wasted so much of thee city's resources for a personal gripe. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:57:40 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3361586 IP Address:75.85.222.123 Submission Date:07/25/2024 2:57 Survey Time:2 minutes, 28 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Scott Connelly City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) scottdesert@gmail.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios What effect will the road closure have on emergency and other access issues when construction is completed for the planned hotel or any other structure that may occupy the vacant lot adjacent to Museum Way? How will the closure affect traffic flow and parking when future construction is completed: What are the environment impacts? Desert Water Agency will seal off a main water line if the closure is enacted. What is the cost of this water main construction and who will bear the cost? How will this affect the future construction on the vacant lot? The plan does not address an alternative to move the statute 100 feet into the park as per original plans and concept contained in the original general plan. Consider the cost of continued litigation and look for a solution to resolve it. I urge you to keep the Museum Way open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and restore the magnificent view corridor. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:19:24 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3361642 IP Address:47.158.2.223 Submission Date:07/25/2024 3:19 Survey Time:43 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Mark Coleman City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) markcolemanstudio@gmail.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios I appreciate the City Council's record on infrastructure, delivering services and protecting the community. Please refocus on these issues and leave urban design in the hands of experienced practitioners. Key features of the 2016 Downtown plan were haphazardly erased by the Council amidst unsubstantiated claims of increased tourism revenue attributed to the Marylin statue. I have made several requests to view the data supporting those claims. My councilmember replied that she doesn't have any data but would ask Aftab Dada's office to send it to me. It's been several months since our last exchange and I'm still waiting to receive the data. It's disheartening to observe the council's fealty to directives from PS Resorts, Grit Development and Aftab Dada. Vacating a recently constructed city street to house a privately owned statue deserves more thoughtful deliberation. Please share the vision, goals, traffic safety implications and expected benefits of the proposed street closure. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:scott correa To:City Clerk Subject:Comments from Scott Correa Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:24:55 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Greetings to the Council. I have followed the Forever Marilyn debate with much interest. I enjoy the current placement of the statue. Tonight we are gathered due to the opponents of the Statues location using the method of road closure as their only actionable path forward to statue removal. As a retired Engineer, I have always looked for alternate thoughts that accomplish the tasks required. Tonight's task is to preserve the statues location while at the same time preserving the roadway. We CAN accomplish this and remove statue location opponents only actionable path to statue removal with a bit of lateral thinking. Concurrent with the reinstatement of the street, all one needs to do is create a single lane roundabout circling the statue. This 360 degree traffic circle when added would create a pedestrian island around the statue while giving those that were so offended with the street vacation their street back. It is a simple method of ending the craap litigation over street vacation while at the same time improving access to the statue. I would hope the Engineers at City Hall would give this a hard look as a potential solution, especially since existing pavement mods are a lot cheaper than attorneys throwing around billable hours. Scott Correa Rancho Mirage 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Mark Coleman To:City Clerk Subject:E-Public Comment Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:28:57 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. I appreciate the City Council's record on infrastructure, delivering services and protecting the community. Please refocus on these issues and leave urban design in the hands of experienced practitioners. Key features of the 2016 Downtown plan were haphazardly erased by the Council amidst unsubstantiated claims of increased tourism revenue attributed to the Maryln statue. I have made several requests to view the data supporting those claims. My councilmember replied that she doesn't have any data but would ask Aftab Dada's office to send it to me. It's been several months since our last exchange and I'm still waiting to receive the data. It's disheartening to observe the council's fealty to directives from PS Resorts, Grit Development and Aftab Dada. Vacating a recently constructed city street to house a privately owned statue deserves more thoughtful deliberation. Please share the vision, goals, traffic safety implications and expected benefits of the proposed street closure. Mark Coleman 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Jeffrey Bernstein To:City Clerk Subject:FW: Move Marilyn Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:26:10 PM Jeffrey Bernstein Mayor City of Palm Springs cell: 442-305-9942 Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov From: Clayton Koppes <clayton.koppes@oberlin.edu> Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:18 PM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Move Marilyn NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. The city created Museum Way, which showcases the architecturally significant art museum, the valley's major cultural attraction. Now the view is ruined by the Marilyn statue. And coming out of the museum, what do we see? Her ass! Would New York put Marilyn's ass in front of the Met? Would Chicago put her in front of the Art Institute? Would Cleveland? No, they have Rodin. The positioning of Marilyn destroys Palm Spring's pretensions to culture. We look like a hick town. Move the statue to the park. It would still be a tourist attraction. If that doesn't work there's a plinth waiting for her in front of city hall. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 1M Sincerely yours, /ck/ Clayton R. Koppes 2858 Belleza Ct Palm Springs 92264 440 935 3128 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 1M From:City of Palm Springs To:City Clerk Subject:*NEW SUBMISSION* Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 3:19:24 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Submit Public Comment to the City of Palm Springs Submission #:3361642 IP Address:47.158.2.223 Submission Date:07/25/2024 3:19 Survey Time:43 seconds You have a new online form submission. Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login. Full Name/Nombre Mark Coleman City of Residence/Ciudad de residencia Palm Springs, Phone (optional) /Teléfono (opcional) Email (optional/opcional) markcolemanstudio@gmail.com Your Comments/Sus comentarios I appreciate the City Council's record on infrastructure, delivering services and protecting the community. Please refocus on these issues and leave urban design in the hands of experienced practitioners. Key features of the 2016 Downtown plan were haphazardly erased by the Council amidst unsubstantiated claims of increased tourism revenue attributed to the Marylin statue. I have made several requests to view the data supporting those claims. My councilmember replied that she doesn't have any data but would ask Aftab Dada's office to send it to me. It's been several months since our last exchange and I'm still waiting to receive the data. It's disheartening to observe the council's fealty to directives from PS Resorts, Grit Development and Aftab Dada. Vacating a recently constructed city street to house a privately owned statue deserves more thoughtful deliberation. Please share the vision, goals, traffic safety implications and expected benefits of the proposed street closure. Thank you, City of Palm Springs This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D City Council Mayor July 19, 2024 Dear Mayor Bernstein and Council members, When the new downtown plan was approved by voters in 2016, a key goal was to create a new street, Museum Way, to improve the visibility of the Palm Springs Art Museum from Palm Canyon Drive. This was such a win because the Palm Springs Art Museum was designed in 1976 by one of Palm Springs’ most important architects, E Stewart Williams. Due to its architectural distinction and monumental presence as the city’s premier cultural institution, it was officially designated a Palm Springs Class One Historic Site, and also listed in the highly prestigious National Register of Historic Places. That kind of appreciation and recognition does not just happen. It took real effort to get this local landmark recognized nationally. We are justifiably proud of our city’s architectural heritage and assets. Out of town friends and visiting architects alike are stunned that we have allowed the museum to be blocked by this statue. Since the Marilyn statue was “temporarily” placed in the middle of Museum Way, it has become painfully evident that it blocks the central view of the landmark Museum building. It is such a shame to block the view we were so lucky to have for a few months before the hotel/resort lobby successfully got the statue planted in the middle of the new street. Noted preservationists, architecture aficionados, community members and many others object to any extension of the City’s license agreement to allow the Marilyn statue to continue to block views and impact the setting of the Art Museum. To be clear, we do not object to the Marilyn statue itself – it is a popular tourist attraction. What we want is simply for Marilyn to be moved to another that does not block the museum. There are spots available. We implore you to consider this a great compromise. With great affection for our city, and hopes for our future, Debra and Richard Hovel Founders Palm Springs Architectural Alliance Founders Palm Springs Center for Creativity Founders ND2KNW Futurist Conference 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Move Marilyn! Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 4:20:08 PM Christy M. Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs From: Clayton Koppes <clayton.koppes@oberlin.edu> Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2024 2:23:48 PM To: Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Move Marilyn! NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. The city created Museum Way, which showcases the architecturally significant art museum, the valley's major cultural attraction. Now the view is ruined by the Marilyn statue. And coming out of the museum, what do we see? Her ass! Would New York put Marilyn's ass in front of the Met? Would Chicago put her in front of the Art Institute? Would Cleveland? No, they have Rodin. The positioning of Marilyn destroys Palm Spring's pretensions to culture. We look like a hick town. Move the statue to the park. It would still be a tourist attraction. If that doesn't work there's a plinth waiting for her in front of city hall. Sincerely yours, /ck/ Clayton R. Koppes 2858 Belleza Ct Palm Springs 92264 440 935 3128 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Mark Higden To:City Clerk Subject:Please move Marilyn! Date:Thursday, July 25, 2024 4:28:09 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello I believe a couple of years ago the City Council, under pressure from a private interest group, agreed to close off the recently built Museum Way (paid for by the citizens of PS) to put the hugely popular Marilyn statue in the middle of the street that was specifically designed to lead from Palm Canyon to the WONDERFUL and under-visited PS Art Museum. There are several other options for a location for the statue so that everyone can get that selfie, but that doesn’t obstruct MUSEUM WAY. I would ask the City Council to MOVE this statue to another location so as NOT to block the road to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Thank you. Mark Higden Palm springs resident 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D From:Christy Holstege To:City Clerk Subject:Fwd: Prescott Preserve Date:Friday, July 26, 2024 8:12:09 AM Christy Gilbert Holstege, Esq. Councilmember District 4 City of Palm Springs Begin forwarded message: From: hwbranch@aol.com Date: July 26, 2024 at 2:54:31 AM PDT To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>, Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>, Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>, Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov>, Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>, Alyssa Chavez <Alyssa.Chavez@palmspringsca.gov> Subject: Prescott Preserve NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Our family has lived in Sunrise Villas near the old Mesquite Golf Course for about 35 years. At night we often hear coyotes and we occasionally will see one during daylight hours. We never see outdoor domesticated cats. A while back I was on the deck enjoying the abundance of songbirds, ravens, rabbits and a road runner. A neighbor walked by, smiled and commented "management by coyote". We both smiled. I understand the HOA and residents adjoining the old golf course are upset about the coyotes and want the managers of the Prescott Preserve to do something about them. Is this so they can let their cats run around and kill wildlife? I prefer not. These folks need to live here a while and learn to appreciate what they have. Harry Branch 1946 Grand Bahama Drive E. 360-890-2949 hwbranch@aol.com 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D Palm Springs City Council 7/24/24 Re; City Council meeting 7/25/24 Item: 2D Dear Council Members, I am totally opposed to the vacating of Museum Way. You spent a million dollars of taxpayer money putting that street in so that there would be direct access to the Art Museum and there would be an enhanced view of it. Then you give it away to a private enterprise that erects a statue blocking said view. That is not acceptable. The Marilyn statue should be moved and the street returned to what it was meant for. Thank you. Sincerely, Michele Johnson Palm Springs 92264 07/25/2024 Public Comment Item 2D