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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Historic Preservation Commission - 7/10/2006 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 10, 2006 ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11000 NORTH LA CANADA DRIVE CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM PRESENT: CHAIR PAMELA SARPALIUS VICE CHAIR ROBERT BAUGHMAN COMMISSIONER NANCY MAGER COMMISSIONER JIM KRIEGH COMMISSIONER PATRICIA STURMON ALSO PRESENT: AL KUNISCH, COUNCILMEMBER K.C. CARTER, COUNCILMEMBER BRENT SINCLAIR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AINSLEY REEDER, PARKS AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATOR MARGOT HURST, PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD JENNIFER JONES, RECORDING SECRETARY ABSENT: COMMISSIONER SYBIL NEEDHAM STUDENT LIAISON, EMILY GRAVES CALL TO AUDIENCE Opened and closed with no comment. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2006 MEETING MOTION: Commissioner Kriegh MOVED to approve the minutes as submitted, Vice Chair Baughman SECONDED the motion. Motion carried (5-0). II. HISTORY READING BY JIM KRIEGH Commissioner Kriegh read an open letter to Oro Valley residents from Dis-incorporation Candidates. Mr. Kriegh explained that this letter went out in 1974 just before the first official election and after the Board of Supervisors appointed the first Council. Mr. Kriegh pointed out before he read the letter that Kenneth Holford was appointed as a "neutral" member to the Council by the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Kriegh stated that he tried to get a restraining order to try to keep him from being appointed because Mr. Holford was anti-incorporation, but it did not hold in court and he was appointed. Mr. Kriegh read the letter as follows: "If you have been told that a pro-incorporation member of the Town Council made a quick unplanned trip to Phoenix on his own volition to save our share of stated revenues, you have been given false information. The truth is that that individual was dispatched at the request of the Mayor who had uncovered the problem. Mr. Kriegh stated that statement was not true. "If you have been told that our revenues are half of what they should be because application for a special census was not made, you have been given false information. The truth is that a special census was requested and denied by the Federal Government." "If you have been told that the Town of Oro Valley is financially sound, you have been given false information." "The truth is that the Town is$6,500 in debt, is acquiring new debt at the rate of about$3,000 per month, and has only collected $20 from internal sources. Collection from the Business Privilege Tax and Building Permits is $0. If Oro Valley disincorporated today the assessment to each homeowner will be about$20. At this rate, by the end of the year, the average assessment per homeowners will be about$140." "If you have been told that Oro Valley is threatened with annexation by the City of Tucson, you have been given false information. The truth is that a recent study conducted by the city shows that public services would cost more that the revenue generated by an area such as Oro Valley. Furthermore, state law says that a city can only annex land adjacent to its own city limits and that owners of over 50% of assessed valuation in the area to be annexed must favor annexation." "If you want any other complete information, contact a member of the disincorporation committee." "If you want to return to a peaceful, less expensive lifestyle, vote for the disincorporation candidates, Robert Hanson, Kenneth Holford and Paul Sherick. Polls open 6AM to 7PM, September 13, 1974 at Canyon Del Oro High School." Mr. Kriegh concluded by saying that four of the disincorporation candidates got elected and Lauren Rhude, the only one for incorporation got elected on a recount and was elected by one vote. III. REPORT FROM THE ORO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Commissioner Kriegh reported the following: •The next Historic Society meeting will be held on July 20th at 6:30pm in the Oro Valley Library Conference Room. Bill Doelle from Desert Archaeology will be giving up-to-date information on the excavations at Honey Bee Village and will be giving a public site tour on July 21st . •The Oro Valley Historical Society will be having a general membership meeting on Septemeber 21st, in the Oro Valley Public Library Conference Room and Architect Richard Fe Tom will be discussing restoration of historical buildings. Mr. Kriegh stated that Mr. Fe Tom has done some of the restorations of the buildings downtown. Commissioner Kriegh stated that he received a copy of a grant that has been allotted to Desert Archaeology. Mr. Kriegh read the Summary of Proposal: "A unique convergence of activities in Oro Valley provides an opportunity to engage the public in developing a multicultural interpretive plan for an archaeological preserve. The preserve includes the core of a Hohokam ball court village dating from A.D. 500 to 1200. This grant proposes a combination of tours, lectures, panel discussions, and interpretive plan preparation with community members and humanities scholars. Identifying and addressing issues regarding interpretive themes, respecting diverse cultural values, enhancing heritage tourism, and planning for future operational costs can establish a vision to guide long-term community investment in this interpretive program and the archaeological preserve." Commissioner Kriegh listed the personnel involved with this as follows: •William Doelle, Douglas Gann and Henry Wallace from Desert Archaeology 'Bruce Hilpert from the Arizona State Museum •Joe Joaquin and Peter Steere from the Tohono O'odham Nation •Pat Spoerl, a community member with experience in archaeological research. Commissioner Kriegh stated that they are planning some meetings and will be setting up Honey Bee site tours weekly early on Friday mornings from July to August, but the dates have not been set yet. Commissioner Kriegh continued his report stating that some of Desert Archaeology's meetings conflicted with the Oro Valley Historical Society at the Oro Valley Public Library and one of Desert Archaeology's meetings is scheduled for the same day as the September 21st Oro Valley Historical Society meeting. Mr. Kriegh stated that the Historical Society can not give up the meeting room that day, but they're considering, if Desert Archaeology accepts it, suggesting that they combine their meetings for a panel session on November 16th at the Oro Valley Public Library. IV. REPORT FROM STUDENT LIASION No report for this meeting. V. REPORT FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD JULY 10, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION • No report for this meeting. VI. REPORT FROM THE SANTA CRUZ NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ALLIANCE LIAISON Commissioner Mager reported the following: The last meeting was on Friday, July 7, 2006 and most of the discussion centered around, now that they have commitments from all of the Towns and Pasqua Yaqi Tribe, the Board has decided to pull back and do a retreat and start doing some strategic planning of what the next steps will be. Ms. Mager reported that the Federal Designation is held up until after the election, several of the candidates have expressed a lot interest in getting behind this thing, but the Alliance does not want to use it as a political apparatus, so their feeling is anyone can participate and talk to them, but they are not choosing sides. Ms. Mager stated that they will start to see more movement after the election. Ms. Mager stated that they are having a strategic planning meeting/retreat on August 11, 2006. VII. REPORT FROM THE HONEY BEE VILLAGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PLANNING GROUP LIAISON Vice Chair Baughman stated that they are anticipating public tours and the first public tour will be on Friday, July 14, 2006. Mr. Baughman explained that the plan was to do the tours every Friday morning until they saw what the demand was and if there was too much of a demand then they would increase the tours and maybe do tours twice a week. Mr. Baughman stated that he understood that a VIP tour was going to be set up for the Town Council, Board of Supervisors and the Historic Preservation Commission, but inquired if the Commission could go ahead a set up a separate tour so that they can what is going on. Mr. Baughman stated that he did not want to get ahead of the Town Council, but he did not want to get held up in scheduling difficulties. Vice Chair Baughman stated that the planning group has been partially out of touch with one another for the last two to three weeks, but they are very much on schedule to have the wall around the preserve built sooner rather than later, with the anticipated date of construction in late August. Mr. Baughman stated that the Tohono O'odham have provided a grant of several hundred thousand dollars to accomplish this and they have a deadline in September. Mr. Baughman also stated that Steve Solomon, the developer of this site, continues to be very helpful and cooperative in working with the task force and deserves some substantial credit for the successes so far. Mr. Baughman asked Mr. Sinclair to report on additional Honey Bee Village information. Mr. Sinclair stated that the Phase I report has been completed by Desert Archaeology and he has sent a copy to the Town Council and he will also be sending a copy to the Commission. Mr. Sinclair replied that they have found a lot of pit houses and burials, not mass burials but burials in proximity of the pit houses. Mr. Sinclair stated that Phase II has now been started, which is going about mitigating the site. Mr. Sinclair stated that what they have found, because there was so much out there than previously thought, it is going to cost more to do the mitigation and that one million dollars was allocated for the bond amount, but it is going to be exceeded. Mr. Sinclair informed the Commission that representatives from the Town and Pima County will be getting together in the next week or two to find out how to come up with additional funds. Mr. Sinclair indicated that possible funding sources are two different Indian Nations (tribes). Mr. Sinclair stated that it looked like it was going to cost 1.5 million to do the whole site. Mr. Sinclair mentioned that there is an effort to get the Board of Supervisors, Town Council, Historic Preservation Commission and Tohono O'odham Nation together for a tour, but since it is difficult to get multiple groups to agree on a date, he suggested that the Commission plan on doing their own tour and if the other tour with Town Council and everyone gets organized, they could also participate in that. Chair Sarpalius suggested since there will be tours every Friday morning and a tour scheduled for July 21st at 7:30 a.m, the Commission could attend that one if possible. Vice Chair Baughman stated that he is confused as to why the Oro Valley Historical Society is advertising public tours for Honey Bee Village. Chair Sarpalius inquired if Mr. Baughman felt that the leadership role should be coming from the Commission. JULY 10, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Vice Chair Baughman replied no, that he feels the planning group should be actually planning and it is not. Mr. Baughman stated that the planning group is not in control of what is going on and he feels that they have a collection of loose ends rather than a bundle. Mr. Baughman stated that Steve Solomon is not a problem, he thinks the County is playing its cards close to its chest and maybe there is some discussion/negotiation necessary in dealing with the County, but he hopes that if this is what they can expect for the near future, they can find some why of negotiating with the Town, County and Steve Solomon so that there is a point rather than everyone going in its own direction. Mr. Sinclair replied that would be great, but there are different people doing different things right now. Vice Chair Baughman stated that he hopes that they can find a way to develop a central clearing house for things related to Honey Bee. Commissioner Mager stated she agrees with Mr. Baughman that there needs to be a central body. Ms. Mager stated that when people apply for grants, they need to come through the Town; the Town has to support it and commit to it. Ms. Mager stated that she feels that there needs to be a coordinated effort. Ms. Mager asked who is in charge, who is saying nay or yah to all of the initiatives, who's jurisdiction is it? Ms. Mager suggested the Rio Nuevo project as a good model, there is a central city staff member that is responsible to over see the project. Mr. Sinclair replied that the Town does not own the property and can not go on the site without permission. VIII. DISCUSSION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE Vice Chair Baughman reported that he forgot something in the draft of the ordinance. Mr. Baughman stated that the current draft ordinance has the Commissioners serving two year terms, six Commissioners are appointed and one is ex officio, the original appointed members were appointed as three for one year and three for three years. Mr. Baughman explained that they had proposed in the ordinance to have three year terms. Mr. Baughman stated that on page 4 under 1505.02 Term of Office, he added paragraph D: "Upon adoption of this ordinance the Council shall reorder the terms of the current appointed members of the Commission so that two members' terms shall expire in approximately one year, two members' terms in approximately two years, and two members' terms in approximately three years, consistent with the provisions of(A) above." MOTION: Vice Chair Baughman MOVED that the adoption of the approval of the language as part of the ordinance being sent to Town Council. Commissioner Sturmon seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Vice Chair Baughman inquired about the date the ordinance will be going to the Town Council. Mr. Sinclair replied that the ordinance will be going to the August 16, 2006 Town Council meeting. Mr. Sinclair also stated that he will provide the commission with a copy of the Council Communication. IX. STATUS REPORT ON THE STEAM PUMP RANCH ACQUISITION Mr. Sinclair reported that the Town has reached an agreement with the two different owners of Steam Pump Ranch for 4.5 million dollars. Vice Chair Baughman inquired if it was just the Town involved. Mr. Sinclair stated that because Pima County bond funds are being used, the Pima County is also involved. Mr. Sinclair informed the Commission that the Town is in process to settle and get an Intergovernmental Agreement on who gets possession of the site upon closing, which the Town is looking at a target date in October, but asked that the Commission keep in mind that things do not always go as planned and it is not 100% done deal, as nothing is signed yet. Mr. Sinclair stated that Council has made a motion decision to pursue it and he has been asked to put on the Council agenda to prompt the Town Council to go ahead and sanction a master plan process with Steam Pump Ranch. JULY 10, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Vice Chair Baughman asked if there was a way to avoid the number of loose ends. Mr. Sinclair replied that control of the site is one way to do that and when there is one property owner in one point in time it certainly simplifies it. X. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE SITE TOUR OF HONEY BEE VILLAGE This item was discussed with item VII. XI. ADJOURN Chair Saraplius inquired what the process will be in replacing Al Kunisch now that he is on the Town Council. Mr. Sinclair replied that the Town Managers office will initialize a memo to the Town Council when there is any type of vacancy on a Board or Commission. Mr. Sinclair stated that the memo goes to the Council for their determination and is not sure when that memo will be sent. MOTION: Vice Chair Baughman MOVED to adjourn the Historic Preservation Commission at 6:45 p.m. Commissioner Sturmon SECONDED the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Prepared by: Jennifer Jones Recording Secretary JULY 10, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION