Chair Zwiener tabled this item. The ESL ordinance list should include the consultant’s specialties as required by the ordinance.
Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner reported that Linda Mayro with Pima County has not yet received the report but will contact the Town when she obtains it. Chair Zwiener requested that this item be placed on the agenda as soon as the report is available.
Ms. Legner stated that Linda Mayro is working with the Pima County National Resources, Parks and Recreation office to prepare the signage recommended by this commission. As soon as the signs are ready to go up, Ms. Mayro plans to contact the Town.
Ms. Legner stated that the commission had asked staff to research the possibility of obtaining a certificate of occupancy. One of the strategies for receiving the certificate of occupancy was to bring in prison labor from a special trades program with specialized skills. That has not worked out to date. One additional option was to have the restrooms located in the Proctor Leiber house instead of in the bunk houses. Staff is also looking at the prison program for other tasks such as clearing brush. The requirements that Building Official Suzanne Smith had presented to the commission are still in place.
Further discussion followed regarding:
~ Ms. Legner discussed the option of working with partners on fund raising.
~ Chair Zwiener stated that he believes that the amount was approximately $35,000 but that may have been only for the restrooms.
~ The two main improvements necessary are a separate handicap accessible permanent men’s and ladies restroom and accessible parking.
~ Provisions have been made with the fire department to access the existing fire hydrant until another fire hydrant is obtained.
~ Public tours are not permitted at this time so there are no items in the buildings. Displays should be acceptable as long as they are not a fire hazard.
~ No timeline has been established since there is currently no funding available.
~ Commissioner Hannon pointed out that not having the certificate of occupancy will affect the centennial celebration.
Chair Zwiener stated that there has not been any progress on this item. He suggested that the commission revisit the original plan because there have been several items that have changed. He asked that a representative from the Town Manager’s office attend the next meeting. Chair Zwiener plans to meet with Commissioner Hannon and Commissioner Pullara and the Town Manager’s office representative to draft a plan.
Councilmember Solomon stated that if it is only a $30,000 cost to begin using the facility, it does not make sense to continue to own this capital asset and not use it. He asked about considering the time it would take to recoup the $30,000 if spent. He added that the prison labor has some skilled people and they work inexpensively. Councilmember Solomon discussed the possibility of having a new ordinance or a temporary variance to allow DG or a dirt parking lot.
Ms. Legner suggested that the issues mentioned this evening be discussed with the representative from the Manger’s office and the cost will be confirmed.
Chair Zwiener stated that the first step will be to review the plan and get the alternatives prepared. He suggested that the whole commission address the funding issue.
Vice Chair Nagy reported on the following items:
~ An author was conducting research and contacted the Town Clerk’s Department to search the chicken coop collection.
~ Copies of photographs from the chicken coop collection will be used by the Oro Valley Historical Society for their holiday display in the Library.
Vice Chair Nagy stated that this year the Oro Valley Historical Society planted a three sisters garden at Steam Pump Ranch and an October harvest is planned. She distributed photos of this year’s crops and additional information, including a map showing where the garden is located. She stated that a larger garden area is planned for the future once funding becomes available.
Commissioner Strandskov asked about water for the gardens. Vice Chair Nagy explained that the natives used only water from the monsoons, but water is added to this garden.
Recreation Manager Lynanne Dellerman explained that Joyce Rychener has requested to add an additional garden since efforts to recruit volunteers was a success and she now has a large volunteer system. Ms. Legner invited the commission to the harvest.
Oro Valley resident Roxy Johnson asked if the Oro Valley Historical Society should ask permission from the Historic Preservation Commission when they wish to add a garden. Ms. Legner explained that there needs to be permission given by the Town and staffing coordination needs to be arranged.
Oro Valley resident Bill Adler stated that any questions having to do with garden costs generally relate to protecting the garden as well as the cost for seeds but the Town should not pay those expenses.
Commissioner Guyer discussed the progress on this item:
~ The job description has been finalized.
~ An application is being reviewed by the Town’s Human Resources Department.
~ Town’s internship has been approved to be on the list for the University of Arizona College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture’s graduate certificate program.
~ Once the application is finalized, the internship will be posted at the University of Arizona’s career development center.
~ The job description has already been posted at the interdisciplinary program’s site.
~ It is more common for students to do internships in the summer.
Ms. Legner stated that she received two calls from Pima Community College students who are interested in becoming interns immediately. Chair Zwiener asked how many positions will be available. Commissioner Guyer suggested waiting until applications are received before determining the number of positions.
Ms. Legner explained that this summer, Development Infrastructure Services staff reviewed the plan and made several comments to consider for change. Most comments pertain to the timeline and staff required. Ms. Legner plans to have the comments organized and brought back to the commission. Chair Zwiener requested that the comments be prepared by the next meeting.
Ms. Dellerman reported that the three range hike portion of the program is underway. The final day will be an outdoor dinner at Steam Pump Ranch with no use of facilities. Certificate of occupancy permitting, there will be tours one week prior. The tour portion would be February 4, 2012 and the awards ceremony would be February 12, 2012.
Ms. Dellerman elaborated on the three range hike. The Town had sanctioned the event and it will hopefully become a signature event. To tie it into the centennial, the dinner will be at Steam Pump Ranch and there will be period piece music playing. The Town is partnering with Marana and Catalina State Park for the three mountain range hikes.
Ms. Legner stated that monthly or bimonthly, a group of stakeholders with centennial events meet. The Town will host the next meeting.
Commissioner Hannon discussed the importance of concentrating on the connection between the ranch and the statehood of Arizona in order to showcase the property.
Vice Chair Nagy commented that the Oro Valley Historical Society has several of George Pusch’s authentic documents. He was on the territorial legislature and he was involved in drafting the final documents declaring Arizona statehood. She stated that she hopes to also have a PowerPoint running at the Library illustrating connections with Arizona’s centennial. The two glass display cases in the Library will go up after the new year.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 3, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in the Hopi conference room.
~ Certificate of Occupancy for Steam Pump Ranch
~ Preservation Plan
~ Centennial Celebration
The commission plans to hold a joint meeting on November 14, 2011 with the Oro Valley Historical Society.
Ms. Legner discussed the new training requirements:
~ Board and commission members are required to attend the Community Academy and additional training is supported but no longer required.
~ There is training specific to the individual boards and commissions along with the Community Academy that is required. The Historic Preservation conference this year counted towards the requirement but next year there will be special training scheduled directly before future meetings.
MOTION: A motion was made by Member Hannon and seconded by Vice Chair Nagy to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
MOTION carried, 6-0
Prepared by:
Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist