HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes AIPP 092401�a
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
i MUNICIPAL COMPLEX ART TASK FORCE
September 24, 2001
The regular meeting of the Municipal Complex Art Task Force of the
City of Palm Beach Gardens, started at 4:39 P.M. in the Council
Conference Room at City Hall, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach
Gardens, FL
Present
David Porter
Cynthia Grey
Raymond Katz
Caren Hackman (arrived 4:44 pm)
Jeff Blakely (arrived 4:45 pm)
Howard Ostrout
Sheryl Wood
Garri Katz (arrived 5:25 pm)
Absent
Ted Thoburn
• also present: GardensArt Specialist: Amy Stepper
Vice Mayor: Eric Jablin
Art Consultant: Joel Straus
Artist: Costas Varatsos
Artist Representative: Costas Grimaldis
Approval of Minutes
D.Porter made a motion to approve the minutes of August 20, 2001. H.Ostrout did 2 "a the
motion. All members were in favor. Motion passed with 7 -0 (G.Katz had not arrived yet)
Discussion: Meet the Artist
J.Straus made introductions. Costas Varatsos is the artist chosen for the outdoor sculpture
project. He lives in Greece and traveled here for this meeting and one other private
meeting in Palm Beach. Costas Grimaldis lives in Baltimore and met him down here for
these meetings.
Varatsos and Grimaldis both visited the intended site earlier in the day. The area for the
• new sculpture sits out on Military Trail just slightly north of the City Hall building.
Varatsos was made aware of our concerns pertaining to a glass and steel structure.
Weather conditions with respect to wind, moisture and mold were discussed.
• Maintenance issues were also addressed. Varatsos said the metal would be aluminum and
the wind and dirt issues would be addressed.
D. Porter, at this time showed his plans for the band shell on the plaza. The rough
drawings were laid out on the conference table. Varatsos shared his concerns for sound
and acoustics on the plaza. No `sound testing' has been done to date. Until the funds for
the band shell are secured, no formal sound testing would be done. The Task Force does
feel that the sound would project out towards the fields. The Police Station and City Hall
would buffer the sounds from going out toward the side. The band shell panels would
buffer the sound from heading back onto Military Trail. The fact that the band shell is
outdoors, the acoustics could never be perfect.
Discussion: Task Force and Artist Walk the Site
Group walked outside to see and measure the site. J. Straus thought that some of the
recently installed coconut palm trees might have to be removed. E. Jablin said that the
palm trees could be moved and replanted. J. Blakely asked if there was a master
landscape plan available. Varatsos would need to consider this. Project would need to be
collaborative process with landscaper involved.
There was concern to hide the `backflow' preventor with high hedges or other
landscaping. The zoning code was also questioned. Certain `set- backs' from the street
• may be necessary. E.Jablin said he would find out about it.
Artist said the piece could easily extend 100 feet in length parallel with Military Trail.
The sculpture would begin in the park area to the north, cross over the semi - circle center
area and then end over into the grassy area to the south. Task Force seemed very pleased
that the piece might be larger than originally thought. J. Straus said that the artist needs to
be very free with his ideas. Not to confine his plans to the space that exists now. Trees
can be moved and concrete areas may need to be re -done. It was also determined that a
lot of the vertical poles in the plaza would need to be removed. E. Jablin thought if the
city could not use them elsewhere, they could be auctioned. They are expensive and we
would need to think about a suitable place to put them.
J. Straus requested that the artist provide structural engineering plans. There is concern
for wind, etc. D. Porter would get that information. Varatsos shared his ideas for lighting.
The piece should be built with the existing `light' in mind. Sunlight, moonlight and
existing building lights should illuminate the sculpture. Lots of lighting should not be
necessary although we would enhance the sculpture with subdued lighting if necessary.
There are lights already in place in the ground but they might need to be moved to
properly light the sculpture.
D.Porter left at 6:00 pm
• Group moved back indoors to the conference room. Light dinner was served.
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Meeting reconvened at 6:35pm. A. Stepper asked when concept plans would be
presented. J. Straus said that plans were due to be complete by November 15`h. At that
point a presentation of concepts to the Task Force would be arranged.
New Business:
J.Blakely made a motion to end the meeting. R. Katz did 2 "a the motion.
Meeting adjourned at 7pm
Adiournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:OOpm
Approved: 41 1 .�/1 A 1/
David Porter
Raymond Katz—
Caren Hackman
Sheryl Wood
Cynthia Grey
Howard Ostrout
Jeffrey Bla
Garri Katz
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