Parks & Recreation Director Kristy Diaz-Trahan discussed the following:
- Summer "Art at the Ranch" program was a success.
- Arizona Historic Preservation Conference will be in Flagstaff next year on May 13-15, 2015.
- The Town was awarded $10,000 for a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) grant for the Steam Pump Ranch building condition assessment. The Town was not awarded the $125,000 request for irrigation at Steam Pump Ranch from the Tohono O'odham Nation. The Town submitted another request for irrigation to Freeport-McMoRan for $125,000.
- Steam Pump Ranch programming and circulation plan update team will have their first meeting on September 12, 2014.
Recreation Manager Lynanne Dellerman reviewed the following:
- Oro Valley Historical Society fundraiser on October 10, 2014, called "Boots & Spurs" at the Hilton El Conquistador. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Steam Pump Ranch.
- Oro Valley Historical Society is discussing signage for the Steam Pump Ranch garden.
Chair Guyer explained per Open Meeting Law, subcommittees are not permitted to collaborate in the manner done previously by this Commission. Instead, she requested individuals report back to the group for discussions on their researched topic during regular meetings.
Ms. Guyer explained the City of Mesa has an annual historic writing contest for grades 4-6. Commissioner Lane offered to investigate this topic and report back to the Commission.
Chair Guyer asked to keep aware of grant opportunities. Commissioner Thomae offered to take some responsibility for this topic in conjunction with the Certified Local Government (CLG) item.
Chair Guyer explained after attending the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference, she is more comfortable with CLG requirements. She thanked Commissioner Trail for the annual report preparation.
Chair Guyer and Commissioner Thomae agreed that a Commissioner could work with staff to update the Oro Valley historic properties inventory in the future.
Chair Guyer suggested a member of the Commission become the official liaison to meet with a member of Oro Valley Historical Society and share information periodically. Vice-Chair Strandskov volunteered to be the liaison. Commissioner Thomae offered to occasionally attend the Oro Valley Historical Society meetings.
Ms. Dellerman reported that Pat Spoerl and John Ravensloot are interested in talking with the Historic Preservation Commission about potential historic districts and properties within the Town. Commissioner Thomae suggested they give a presentation in December and provide a tour later, if needed. Ms. Dellerman will extend the request and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Thomae reported SHPO approval is not required to restore the building, but if something was done beyond what SHPO wanted, they could request the building be delisted as a contributing structure. He presented historic photos of the Pump House building and photos from the Fort Lowell Historic District. He recommended the Town continue to have experts determine if the Pump House can be restored.
Town Council Member Zinkin and Town Manager Greg Caton clarified the charge the Town Council issued to the Historic Preservation Commission regarding $125,000 funding for the steam pump.
Discussion ensued regarding options for the Pump House building. Ms. Diaz-Trahan provided the order of the options (Preservation, Renovation, Restoration and Reconstruction). She distributed a picture of a ghosted structure from Architect Corky Poster's cost estimate.
Commissioner Thomae asked that the end result be provided in writing from SHPO or Mr. Poster.
Council Member Zinkin requested the Commission provide a recommendation at the October 15, 2014 Town Council meeting. Ms. Diaz-Trahan suggested that the Commission's recommendation be brought to the Town Council by staff.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lane and seconded by Vice-Chair Strandskov to recommend preservation of the Steam Pump House using the monies allocated of $125,000 so that it can be preserved and will no longer be deteriorating.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Thomae and seconded by Commissioner Lane to Amend the motion to specify that the moneys allocated are for the cover.
MOTION carried, 5-0
Vice-Chair Strandskov suggested applications be available at the Pusch House.
Ms. Diaz-Trahan announced there are two candidates interviewing for the vacant position.
Ms. Dellerman reviewed educational opportunities:
- The Archaeological and Historical Society of Tucson meets at University Hospital once a month. Next meeting is September 15, 2014.
- Archaeology Southwest and Desert Archaeology lectures at Western National Parks and Monuments. Next dates are October 4, 11, 18, and 25.
- Tuesday lecture series at the Arizona State Museum on September 16, 2014.
- Town budget requests with review of draft strategic plan (November).
- Order of recommendations and work flow.
Since Chair Guyer and Commissioner Trail are not available on October 6, the Commission changed the date to Monday, October 13, 2014.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lane and seconded by Vice-Chair Strandskov to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
MOTION carried, 5-0
Prepared by:
Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the Historic Preservation Commission of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 8th day of September, 2014. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.