HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes AIPP 082001• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
MUNICIPAL COMPLEX ART TASK FORCE
August 20, 2001
The regular meeting of the Municipal Complex Art Task Force of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, started at 6:20 P.M. in the Council Chambers
at City Hall, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Present
David Porter
Cynthia Grey
Raymond Katz
Jeff Blakely
Howard Ostrout (arrived 6:35 pm)
Caren Hackman
Sheryl Wood
Garri Katz
Ted Thoburn
Absent
• also present: GardensArt Specialist: Amy Stepper
Mayor: Joseph Russo
Vice Mayor: Eric Jablin
Council Member: Lauren Furtado
PBG Architect: Ed Oliver
Approval of Minutes
D.Porter made a motion to approve the minutes of July 23, 2001. Request was made to
approve the minutes later in the evening so we could move on with the presentation of the
band shell. All were in favor of this delay. Minutes will be discussed at close of meeting.
Discussion: Band Shell & Concert Series on the Plaza
D. Porter began the discussion with a brief explanation of the purpose for this meeting
and reasoning for the band shell. The idea of a band shell and discussing uses of the plaza
was being brought to the Task Force since, for now, the Task Force was the defacto
group organizing activities and "built" elements for the plaza. D. Porter gave a Power
Point presentation that he created. He also mentioned E. Jablin and Eric's goal to get an
orchestra to perform there.
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• Band shell could have a dual purpose. City would benefit from a shaded area that they
could use for City events, luncheons, as well as concerts and other performances. There
would be 1,200 seating capacity. The band shell itself would have removable banners that
open and close. The poles that support a removable fabric roof would be permanent.
J. Russo said that advertising is not allowed on the banners. That would be a breach of
the code enforcement laws of the city. An announcement of each concert or event on the
backside of the banners that face Military Trail would be permitted.
C. Hackman thought it a good idea to post that type of announcement a few days prior to
the event. Passing traffic could spot this message from the street. This would serve the
same purpose as the banners that are usually done to announce city events.
C. Grey mentioned her desire to possibly have a "theatre in the round ". Task Force
agreed that could be a great look. Location of the stage would need to be considered. An
actual backdrop may be necessary for some performances. C. Grey and Task Force
agreed that a raised stage would be necessary.
L. Furtado inquired about a solid roof like the one at Abacoa and not a soft roof or
awning as presented. D. Porter said that a removable roof has it's merits. It can be
removed in the case of hurricane winds. A solid roof is possible and would be considered
as the design progresses.
isJ. Russo said that the concept of a band shell and a concert series was a great idea. He
thought the location on the plaza was perfect.
E. Jablin mentioned his relationship with Derek Carroll and his involvement with the
PBG 76 piece Concert Band. He spoke about his New York City trip to Lincoln Center.
In addition to concerts, `Swing' and ballroom dancing would be terrific events for the
plaza space.
L. Furtado said that the stage backdrops would be better for acoustics and that would be
necessary. She liked the entire idea and would support it.
E.Oliver asked to speak and present his rough ideas for a different style band shell. He
had some rough concepts to show. His band shell idea would have a hard roof and side
panels. It would have an open back as not to `close' off the structure from plaza views to
Military Trail. An open look is very desirable. The side panels could have painted panels
slipped in that could be pulled out to form back of the stage when needed. His plans also
involved re- landscaping the plaza by adding lawn. `Concert goers' would bring lawn
chairs. That would add a relaxed feel to the present hard and uninviting look of the
existing plaza. This idea appealed to everyone.
J.Russo and L.Furtado expressed their approvals as well. They both preferred a more
• `traditional' style band shell that was also sketched out on Oliver's plan. That band shell
was more a `gazebo' style with columns. They both left at 6:45 p.m. for a Gardens
• Neighborhood meeting being held in the next conference room.
D. Porter showed the John Isherwood slides. This artist being is being considered by the
Task Force for a public art installation on the plaza. His work could be integrated into the
existing `fountain' that presently is not being utilized.
S. Wood asked where the money would come from to fund the band shell project.
E. Jablin explained that funds would be raised privately. Art impact funds would not be
used for this effort.
T. Thoburn asked how much money was left in the fund. A. Stepper gave him the
balance. As of end of June, $482,500 is left. The money allocated to enhance the PGA fly
over has already been deducted.
Discussion continued about re- landscaping the plaza. Trees and poles would need to be
removed to accommodate E. Oliver's proposed plan. The size of the stage would then
dictate whether or not we would need to move the fountain.
C.Hackman suggested that we switch the locations of the commissioned sculptures that
we are considering. We could place the Costas Varatsos work on the plaza and the
Isherwood piece out on Military. No agreement was made on this suggestion.
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E. Oliver explained his sketch in detail. The noise factor from a concert was discussed.
We would need to take the actual location and placement of the band shell into serious
consideration. All music and sound would need to project out toward the parking lot and
the baseball fields.
The possibility of a `green market' was touched on. E.Oliver and J. Blakely did not think
that the location would be good for this venture. They did not think it would be
successful on our site since there was nothing else to draw people there. Others were
mixed on this. E. Jablin and C. Hackman would like to see a green market on the site.
This idea could be explored at a later date.
E. Oliver stressed the fact that any re- design and placement of a band shell would be `all
about scale' and how a permanent band shell should relate to the overall site.
4. R.Katz had suggested a modular or movable stage. E. Jablin agreed with a raised stage
and not to do anything modular. If we move ahead with this major re- design of the plaza,
we will use a permanent stage and plan the location very carefully. We will not be
moving it at any time in the future and the set -up and break down time for a portable
stage is not cost effective.
• E. Jablin asked E. Oliver if he would move ahead and take his drawings one step further.
Oliver agreed to tighten up the sketches but asked to speak with E.Jablin after the
• meeting.
J.Russo returned to the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
While E. Jablin set up the next visual presentation, Task Force gathered to approve the
minutes. C. Hackman did make one addition and asked A. Stepper to confirm one other
item. A. Stepper made necessary notes to the minutes.
D. Porter made a motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed with a 7 -0 vote.
(This number reflects the number of committee members present July 23rd)
Tim Prentice (Artist chosen for indoor lobby) video was presented to the group.
Photos of Costas Varatsos sculpture for outdoor piece was shown to group.
J. Russo was supportive of both artists chosen.( L.Furtado had already left)
D. Porter made a motion to proceed with Tim Prentice for the indoor work and Costas
Varatsos for the outdoor sculpture
$3,000 would be paid to each artist for : travel to the proposed site, a firm contract or
proposal and a model /computer animation or sketch for our approval of their proposed art
for City.Hall. This money is part of their overall budget. J.Straus would then come back
• with a presentation to the Task Force of the artist's designs.
Decision was made to hold off on Isherwood `fountain' piece. Any money we thought we
might use for this re- design would now just stay in the fund Additional art may be placed
in the plaza after any possible plaza renovations are firmed up.
J.Blakely suggested Howard Ben -Tre, artist, for a sculpture at the entrance of the plaza
from the parking lot. His `glass works' would compliment the work of Costas Varatsos.
Follow up on this to come.
T. Thoburn seconded the motion. Motion passed 9 -0.
New Business: 2nd Annual Dreyfoos School of the Arts
banner project on the plaza
D.Porter counted the poles on the plaza that did not have student banners. He came up
with 43 poles. Committee decided to request 18 poles /36 banners be done for the
November installation.
A.Stepper had spoken to Marsha Christo, Dreyfoos Artist in Residence that supervised
the last project. It was discovered that the paints used last time contained some
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4-,
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percentage of lead and using paint containing lead is an issue with the school and
Dreyfoos will not allow students to paint banners on the school site.
City will not support use of any lead based paint. A. Stepper to advise M.Christo to find
the safest paint available. R. Katz to look into other paints as well. G. Katz suggested
ordinary oil- based paints. A. Stepper to follow up with M.Christo.
D. Porter made a motion to adjourn. S. Wood seconded the motion. Motion passed
unanimously.
Adiournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:OOpm
Approved:
David Porter
Raymond Katz
Caren Hackman
Sheryl Wood
Cynthia Grey (��.
Howard Ostrout R20211P-12 u 1
Jeffrey Blakely C�
Ted Thoburn
Garri Katz (.✓ v 6