Chair Zweiner called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Daniel Zwiener, Chair
Lois Nagy, Vice-Chair
Ed Hannon, Commissioner
Sam McClung, Commissioner
Valerie Pullara, Commissioner
EXCUSED: Ellen Guyer, Commissioner Commissioner McClung exited at 6:04 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Steve Solomon, Town Councilmember
Ainsley Legner, Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director
Lynanne Dellerman, Recreation Manager
James Gardner, Parks Manager
Linda Mayro, Pima County Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Director
Loy Neff, Pima County Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Program Manager
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner McClung and seconded by Vice-Chair Nagy to approve the May 2, 2011 regular session minutes.MOTION carried, 5-0
Loy Neff, the program manager for the Honey Bee Project explained that there was a parallel planning move toward developing a preservation park in a core area of Honey Bee Village. He is in charge of the archeological data recovery project. The current status of the project is that the field work was concluded years ago and analysis has been going on for a long time. The project is in the final stages. The contract expires in January, 2012. By that time, the final report should be reviewed and approved.
Mr. Neff stated that the occupational history of Honey Bee has been expanded and it now appears to go earlier and later than originally thought. Henry Wallace is the Director of that project for Desert Archeology. Structural timbers in excavated pit houses appear to be high altitude species plants which could have come from the Catalina Mountains. Mr. Wallace has embarked on a study with a masters student and they are trying to identify the route these timbers were taken. Mr. Neff stated that he will be happy to share the final report results with the commission.
Vice Chair Nagy asked which pit houses were older and by how much. Mr. Neff responded that the houses are on the north side of Moore Road and he is not sure how much older they are but it would be in the sedentary period of the Hohokam sequence.
Vice Chair Nagy asked if the artifacts found by Desert Archeology would go to the state museum. Mr. Neff confirmed that they would after the final report is filed. Mr. Neff stated that once these items go to the museum, then they can be loaned to the Town for display after a negotiation with the museum. Councilmember Solomon stated that the original agreement with the Arizona State Museum stated that they would loan those items back to the Town of Oro Valley for display.
Councilmember Solomon stated that originally the date range was thought to be approximately 400 - 1250 and he asked if this has changed. Mr. Neff stated that the early range is about the same and the end range could go into the mid 14th century. Councilmember Solomon stated that it was good working with Pima County and with Tohono O’odham. Desert Archeology found great ways to illustrate the data and the data collection will be wonderful. We are hopeful to get a cultural center on site but it is a matter of raising funds. There will be an enormous amount of display and interpretation resources.
Vice Chair Nagy stated that the Oro Valley Historical Society has two lockable glass showcases in the Oro Valley Library which would be a good venue to display these items.
Chair Zwiener asked when the draft will be prepared. Mr. Neff responded that they are hoping for early January.
Ms. Mayro suggested inviting the consultants to a future Historic Preservation Commission meeting to provide a presentation of the final report.
Chair Zwiener asked about the next steps for the commission after the final report is submitted. Ms. Mayro stated that there are funds recommended in the next bond cycle for interpretation on site pathways following a concept plan. That would be a good time to revisit the concept and see if it is consistent with the Town’s goals. The results of the work will be completed so there will be more opportunity for interpretation and we will have more factual data.
Mr. Neff stated that Pima County has several properties which were acquired and are being managed for preservation and interpretation purposes which include historic and prehistoric archeological remains. Los Monteros was the 2004 bond project for Marana. There are security signs around the perimeter of the site along with other signage which has been effective against trash dumping. There is an entrance sign which is interpretive signage that Pima County would like to expand into a full interpretive program. Los Morteros is a potential future bond project for interpretive and security work and they would like to develop an ADA compliant pathway with waste stations and interpretive information. Mr. Neff would also like to explore getting a dedicated phone with a recording providing frequently asked questions. Recreation Manager Lynanne Dellerman suggested QR codes as another option.
Ms. Mayro explained that prior to there being any fencing, people drove across the site. Now there is pipe rail fencing and wire fencing but it has been cut in the past.
Commissioner McClung indicated that he is encouraged by how this property is being used but he is discouraged by what is happening in the Tucson Mountain Park verses the Saguaro National Park West. Those two areas are managed differently. The Saguaro National Park West has good signage and maintained trails and no use of social trails. At the Tucson Mountain Park, the signage is torn down and there are social trails in abundance. He hopes that there is a different view by Pima County Parks and Recreation between what he sees being done over the last 5-8 years verses Los Morteros. Ms. Mayro indicated that she would share this information with their Parks Department. Mr. Neff stated that a couple of years ago, the Parks Department commissioned a management plan for Tucson Mountain Park and the trails have been GPS mapped and there is sensitivity to it.
Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner asked if the interpretive signage was mirrored after natural resources interpretive signage for Parks and Recreation. Mr. Neff explained that they were working with Parks and Recreation so that the signage would be consistent. Ms. Mayro stated that there is a national design style. Mr. Neff suggested that signs be made out of fiberglass instead of aluminum because they will be safer from thievery. Commissioner Pullara suggested creating interpretive signs for visually impaired patrons such as audible signs or signs with braille.
Chair Zwiener asked how to make the designated trails and signage visible at Honey Bee. There is an area now that has been disturbed that could be a trail area. Councilmember Solomon stated that the plan maps out where the trails should be located. Mr. Neff added that those trails are based on the looping old ranch road and they branch off to interpretive areas. He suggested that it be done with signage. Ms. Mayro suggested a sign including a map marking the stops. In the interim, a sign could be posted telling the public to stay on the old roadways. Posting signs which explain rules would be helpful.
Councilmember Solomon stated that when the plans were developed, the premise was that the preserve would not be opened until it and the commercial site were fully developed. Now it is protected from vehicle access except that a person is technically trespassing to get to the site. He suggested posting a sign asking the public not to access the property. Ms. Mayro indicated that when areas are restricted, it makes them more attractive for vandalism. Los Monteros is similar to Honey Bee and it is better to put out a message that it is a conservation area and rules should be posted. At Los Monteros, people respect the rules. Mr. Neff stated that they chose the locations for pedestrian areas to help restrict traffic. Most people stay on ranch roads and it is an effective strategy.
Chair Zwiener asked about the housing development east of Los Morteros. Mr. Neff explained that the fence took care of some of the issues and there was an extensive program. Ms. Mayro expanded that there was a neighborhood cleanup in that area with community service workers to remove bufflegrass and trash and approximately 40 people helped. This recognized that the Pima County has an interest in the neighborhood.
Parks Manager James Gardner explained that the Parks Division is in charge of maintenance at Steam Pump Ranch and the Town has secured the site with a temporary perimeter fence. He recommended the installation of a permanent barb wire fence around the property. It would be approximately five feet high with five strings of wire with no barb on the bottom string. If the budget passes, it would be installed in July. The temporary fence currently costs $6,000 per year. The Development Infrastructure Services Department confirmed that there is no requirement for a permit unless the fence is six feet or higher.
Commissioner Hannon asked if the Master Plan specifies a fence material. Chair Zwiener responded that it does not unless it is in a historic corridor.
Commissioner Hannon asked if the Town plans to clean up the landscaping on the side of the road that obscures the view of the ranch. Mr. Gardner responded that he plans to work on that corridor on Oracle Road this winter. Staff is currently working on safety issues and irrigation.
Mr. Gardner discussed the following:
~ There are two water lines in the 1870’s house. There are no other operational faucets on the property.
~ There were extensive leaks when the Town first obtained the property.
~ The Leiber house has no electricity or water. The fuse box is locked and turned off for safety.
~ The Mini Mobile contents will be moved into the tack house which will save $70 per month.
~ The main gate access code will be changed in July, 2011.
Vice Chair Nagy asked for clarification on the gate locations at the site. The three she knows of are the south gate, the north gate and the one toward the commercial area. Mr. Gardner stated that the fourth gate is the access to the CDO Linear Trail and there will be another access gate to the Pima County triangular corner.
Vice Chair Nagy stated that the Oro Valley Historical Society has a contract to store items in the Tack House. Mr. Gardner agreed and stated that those items are stored on the south side.
Commissioner Hannon suggested that marketing should be discussed at some point.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hannon and seconded by Vice-Chair Nagy to accept the installation of the permanent fence replacing the existing rented fence.MOTION carried, 5-0
Recreation Manager Lynanne Dellerman spoke with Joyce Rychener and she is working on the three sisters Native American heritage garden. Ms. Rychener would like to continue involvement with the gardens but would like another person involved. The agreement between the Town and the Oro Valley Historical Society states that there should always be a member of the Oro Valley Historical Society present. Ms. Dellerman stated that Parks staff can take an emergency backup role.
Commissioner Pullara commented that it is a good safety measure for someone to be aware of the schedule of the person on the site. Vice Chair Nagy stated that she is the Vice President of the Oro Valley Historical Society and she offered to stop by the ranch when needed. She suggested that the names of the volunteers and the schedules be in writing.
Ms. Dellerman reported that Ms. Rychener feels that community involvement is important and she wants to get the Native Seed/SEARCH and the local food movement involved.
Ms. Legner stated that last year, staff submitted for a Tohono O’odham Nation Grant which was not accepted but staff will resubmit the grant this year adding Ms. Rychener’s educational component. Ms. Dellerman stated that Ms. Rychener had indicated that the garden is maintenance ready other than ensuring it gets water and annual replanting. Chair Zwiener suggested that the garden become an important part of the interpretive plan in the future.
Commissioner Pullara asked if staff has spoken with the Pima Community extension of the Master Gardeners. Ms. Dellerman stated that Ms. Rychener first wanted to work with the Native Seed/SEARCH. Commissioner Pullara pointed out that there may be local master gardeners who want to volunteer. Chair Zwiener encouraged staff to contact the group as soon as possible.
Ms. Dellerman confirmed that there is enough assistance for planting this current season.
A. DOCUMENT SCANNING
Vice Chair Nagy reported that she is working with documents and photographs from the early days of Steam Pump Ranch. The Oro Valley Historical Society has two glass cabinets in the Library which they plan to use for an exhibit called the "Steam Pump Ranch Arizona Territory Cattle, Life and Land". Nothing has been done with the chicken coop collection of Leiber family information.
The commission discussed the following:
~ Vice Chair Nagy indicated that the substance of the document is fine.
~ Chair Zwiener agreed with the changes to this updated draft.
~ Commissioner Pullara stated that the plan follows state goals which will help with relation to certified local governments.
Ms. Legner explained that once the commission accepts the plan, it will go to the Town Manager’s office, the Council and then to the state. It may come back to this commission if the Town Manager or the Council has revisions. The project does not need to be finished until September 2012.
Chair Zwiener stated that he would like the commission to see any additions or revisions.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair Nagy and seconded by Commissioner Pullara to recommend the plan to the Town Manager's office.MOTION carried, 4-0
Assistant Recreation Manager Robert Carmona created a brochure for the Steam Pump Ranch tour. Ms. Dellerman read the flyer and offered to email it to the commission members for feedback. Vice Chair Nagy pointed out that the booklet states that there is "newly completed restoration" which should be corrected. Commissioner Hannon stated that there needs to be wording explaining that there is no building access.
The following was discussed:
~ The Explorers are lined up to help direct traffic.
~ Portable toilets will be available.
~ Signage for parking will be available.
~ There will be photographs displayed.
~ A poster will be displayed at the garden and Ms. Rychener will be there.
~ Ms. Dellerman will see if Poster Frost has posters to be used.
~ Chair Zwiener suggested obtaining photos taken of the stabilization project at the pump house. Poster Frost also created a PowerPoint for the commission which included good photographs.
~ Vice Chair Nagy recommended informing the nearby hotel.
Commissioner Hannon reviewed the following:
~ There continues to be coordination with Marana.
~ There will be a four day Marana Founder’s Day event.
~ There is planning being done on the Four Corners hike with three ranges.
~ There is expected to be a Steam Pump Ranch tour.
~ The Arizona Daily Star is very involved.
~ Amphitheatre School District will have an art contest and a learning cycle.
~ The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance will be involved with the display of the art contest.
~ The Oro Valley Historical Society plans to have displays at the library.
~ The Marana Heritage Conservancy will be involved.
~ Oro Valley Municipal Pool will have a Splash N’ Dash competition.
~ The website is www.az100years.org. Town related events should show up on the website soon.
Commissioner Hannon stated that there is a push to raise $56 million dollars for a new museum, signage, historic plaques, etc. He encouraged the Town to focus on the history during the 100 years that Arizona was a state for the tour of Steam Pump Ranch. Chair Zwiener stated that baseball history could be significant. Vice Chair Nagy offered to gather baseball memorabilia from the chicken coop items to be part of the collection. She added that George Pusch was on the constitutional convention and he was part of the legislators to draft prior to statehood. There are good pictures that may be included in the Library displays.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in the Hopi room.
~ Draft report Honeybee Village.
~ Certificate of Occupancy for Steam Pump Ranch. Ms. Legner stated that she and Chair Zwiener will look into opportunities for making the certificate of occupancy allowable.
~ Ms. Legner offered to provide name badges for any commissioners who are interested.
~ Effective June 10, 2011, Jerene Watson is no longer acting as the Town Manager. Greg Caton is the Acting Town Manager until the end of the month and then he will be the Interim Town Manager until a new Town Manager is selected.
Chair Zwiener expressed appreciation for the work that Ms. Watson has done with this commission and her work with the Steam Pump Ranch Task Force.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hannon and seconded by Vice-Chair Nagy to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.MOTION carried, 4-0Prepared by:
Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist