MINUTES
ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
July 12, 2010
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
 
CALL TO ORDER: 5:01 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Lois Nagy, Vice-Chair
Bob Baughman, Commissioner
Ed Hannon, Commissioner
Valerie Pullara, Commissioner
Ellen Guyer, Commissioner

EXCUSED: Daniel Zwiener, Chair
Sam McClung, Commissioner
 
CALL TO AUDIENCE

Bill Adler, Oro Valley resident, expressed concern about funds being withdrawn from Steam Pump Ranch. A lot of the money has been restored but the $100,000 which was targeted for the pump building was not restored. He indicated that the ranch property does not have an advocate from the Town Council and that this commission, Linda Mayro and Scott Nelson need to lead privately and see what initiatives can be undertaken. He has lost confidence in the Town’s interest in restoration of this property. The Town is waiting for the Pima County bond issue and it is uncertain if the ranch project will be on the ballot initiative.

1.

REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 14, 2010 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES


MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Guyer and seconded by Commissioner Hannon to approve the regular session minutes from June 14, 2010 as presented.
 
MOTION carried, 5-0
 
2.

STEAM PUMP RANCH - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Commissioner Baughman stated that he met with the Mayor today regarding the money for the pump house and the Mayor assured him that the money will be available and that the $109,000 will go towards the pump house.

a.

STEAM PUMP RANCH BUDGET UPDATE


Parks, Recreation, Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner reported on the following:
~ The $410,000 was removed from Steam Pump Ranch at the end of June when the budget was reviewed. At the last Town Council meeting, $301,000 was restored to go forward with the contracts and fulfill the existing projects at the ranch house and the Proctor Lieber house. She will provide a more comprehensive report on the projects at the next meeting.
~ At the last Town Council meeting, the Council approved the Certified Local Government Matching Grant to help with phase 2 and allow for $4,000 of in-kind staff time and an additional $4,000 of funding already allocated in the budget. 
~ Staff submitted a $10,000 grant application to the Tohono O’odham Nation and staff will be notified on the status by the end of August. This money is to be used for education and resources to augment the existing historic gardens. Ms. Legner will provide an update on this item at the next meeting.

b.

GRANT APPLICATION UPDATE


Ms. Legner reported on the grant applications in part A. 

3.

ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Ms. Legner stated that the commission was sent a query to determine meeting date preferences. Bayer Vella is heading up the Town’s energy conservation efforts and boards and commissions are being asked to move into smaller venues if they do not use the larger spaces. Mr. Vella had recommended the Hopi room. Chair Zwiener is supportive of this change.

The Hopi conference room is available on the first and third Monday of each month. The query results indicated that the majority of the commission preferred the first Monday of each month.

The commission reviewed the proposed meeting schedule. The first Monday in September is a holiday so Ms. Legner suggested that this meeting be held on the third Monday. Ms. Legner will be out of the office on the first Monday in November so she requested that this meeting be held on the third Monday which would be November 15, 2010.

Vice-Chair Nagy stated that the commission will review the schedule and this item will be added to the next meeting agenda. Commissioner Baughman requested that the commission hold a study session in early September because of the long time period between meetings during an active time.

The commission decided to hold the next meeting on September 13, 2010 in the Council Chambers and this item will be tabled until the next meeting. The only proper meeting rooms for public access are the Hopi, Council Chambers and the Water Utility room.

4.

COMMISSION MEMBER TERMS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Ms. Legner reviewed the commission member term dates spreadsheet. Commissioner Baughman suggested that Parks and Recreation staff read the Historic Preservation Ordinance because the ordinance states that member terms are three years with no limit. Ms. Legner explained that the way it happened for Commissioner McClung was that his term was established as a two year term by the Council in order to stagger the terms. Hence forth, it will be three year terms. Commissioner Baughman stated that it was decided at a work session between the commission and the Town Council that there would be no term limits because it takes so long to learn historic preservation. Ms. Legner stated that staff will look into that particular meeting and get back to the commission on the findings.

Ms. Legner explained that at the last Town Council meeting, the Council determined that although all board and commission terms generally expire on June 30th, they would extend the terms of all members currently rotating off to a possible December 31st date. This was decided since many Council members are new and would like more time to review the applicants and give thoughtful consideration to who may be appointed. The Clerk’s Office sent letters last week to all of the people expecting to cycle off, informing them of the term extensions. 

5.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


~ Details on Environmentally Sensitive Land Ordinance
~ Election of Historic Preservation Commission chair
~ Election of Historic Preservation Commission vice-chair

Commissioner Baughman stated that full copies of the ordinance should be sent to each commission member for review as soon as it becomes public.

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Commissioner Pullara to table items 6 and 7 regarding election of the chair and vice-chair until the next regular or special meeting.
 
MOTION carried, 5-0
 
6.

ELECTION OF ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


This item has been tabled until the next meeting.

7.

ELECTION OF ORO VALLEY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION VICE-CHAIR - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION  ANNOUNCEMENTS


This item has been tabled until the next meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Legner announced the following:
~ Council Member Solomon will be the new liaison for this commission.
~ The Historical Society will have a historic corn harvest at Steam Pump Ranch on July 15, 2010. It is open to Historical Society members. 

Vice-Chair Nagy announced the following regarding the document scanning project:
~ The project is going nicely.
~ No two commissioners volunteer on the same day. 
~ A contemporary map was found with an outline of the original Pusch Zellweger ranch of 1875. Mr. Baughman requested that the commission receive copies.

Further discussion followed regarding:
~ There will be no regular meeting in August. 
~ "Announcements" should be a standing item on the agendas. 
~ "Director’s Report" should be at the top of each agenda.
~ Commissioner Baughman asked that Ms. Legner look into the limitation of comments permitted during a report.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Commissioner Hannon to adjourn the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
 
MOTION carried, 5-0
 
Prepared by:


Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist