HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Historic Preservation Commission - 6/13/2006 MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
JUNE 13, 2006
TOWN OF ORO VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM
11000 NORTH LA CANADA DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM
PRESENT: CHAIR PAMELA SARPALIUS
COMMISSIONER NANCY MAGER
COMMISSIONER JIM KRIEGH
COMMISSIONER PATRICIA STURMON
COMMISSIONER SYBIL NEEDHAM
ALSO PRESENT:
AL KUNISCH, COUNCILMEMBER
BRENT SINCLAIR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
MARGOT HURST, PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
JENNIFER JONES, RECORDING SECRETARY
ABSENT: VICE CHAIR ROBERT BAUGHMAN
STUDENT LIAISON, EMILY GRAVES
CALL TO AUDIENCE
Opened and closed with no comment.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2006 MEETING
Commissioner Kriegh requested that a spelling correction be made, the name Conny Alan Bacon should read
Connie Allen Bacon.
MOTION: Commissioner Needham MOVED to approve the minutes as amended, Commissioner
Sturmon SECONDED the motion. Motion carried (5-0).
II. HISTORY READING BY JIM KRIEGH
Commissioner Kriegh read an article from the Tucson Daily Citizen, dated August 29. 1975, "Oro Valley now
has own Marshall Dillion""We understand, Marchall Dillion. You cleaned up Dodge City, and neither you nor
your peacemaker's getting any younger. But Oro Valley? Marshall Dillion of Oro Valley? It just doesn't have a
ring to it, sir. On the other hand, the folks in Oro Valley do get hot under the collar over whether to stay a Town,
so maybe Marshall Dillion on the scene was a good idea."
"Marshall John Dillion, that is. The 27 year veteran police officer did retire at Oro Valley from Kansas-Topeka,
not Dodge. And the Oro Valley Town Council did name John Dillion Town Marshall and tax collector last night.
They also picked attorney Royal G. Bouschor II as Town Magistrate."
'Walt Henderson, Oro Valley's acting legal representative, said Dillion's duties will include supervision of law
enforcement in the 2 1/2 square mile Town of 1200 residents north of Tucson. The Town has a newly created
six-man police force. Dillion also will be responsible for collecting town taxes, Henderson said. Bouschor, a
practicing lawyer in Arizona since 1964, will take charge of the Town's judicial system including Oro Valley's
police court which was created last night."
Mr. Kriegh stated that more of this article could be found on page 3.16 of Book 3 Scrapbook in the Oro Valley
Library.
III. REPORT FROM THE ORO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Commissioner Kriegh reported the following:
• The next meeting will be held on July 20, 2006, Bill Doelle, President of Desert Archaeology will
provide up-to-the minute information about their ongoing excavations at Honey Bee Village
Archaeological Site. In addition, there will be a public tour of the site on the morning of Friday, July
21, 2006 led by Henry Wallace of Desert Archaeology who is directing the field work. Mr. Kriegh
stated that they have permission to tape the tour of the site, so that it is a permanent record.
• Some members are getting ready to do oral histories, it has not been decided whether they are
going to do the recording on their own or if they will hire Epic Productions.
• Archive Committee is becoming active.
•The Historical Society purchased 20 DVD's of the Town History and they will be donating the DVD's
to the Schools to be used in History Classes.
IV. REPORT FROM STUDENT LIASION
No report for this meeting.
V. REPORT FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Margot Hurst reported that PRAB was tasked by Mayor and Council to come up with a policy for
branding/naming parks. Ms. Hurst stated that they basically came up with a policy that covers three different
aspects:
• Naming or renaming a park in general
• How to deal with the donations that comes to the park, both restrictive and non-restrictive
donations
• Branding—Where a facility, amenity, program or event for sponsor and looking at corporate
sponsorships.
Ms. Hurst stated that PRAB had a study session with Mayor and Town Council and PRAB has been tasked with
going back and doing some revisiting some parts of the policy.
Ms. Hurst stated that when PRAB, is looking at something that involves the Historic Preservation Commission,
for example, Steam Pump Ranch, then the Commission would be involved with PRAB in terms of how it is
named. Ms. Hurst stated that she feels the same involvement would apply in terms of any donations that would
come in that are designated for specific sites. Ms. Hurst stated that PRAB is expecting this kind of situation to
occur. Ms. Hurst also stated that PRAB needs to be clear on what level they need to go through to get approval
to run with things and a lot of things will have to go through Mayor and Council.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that what Ms. Hurst has indicated is correct and as far as the Oro Valley Historical
Society, they have some people that think that they can get large donations for the Steam Pump Ranch, but the
Oro Valley Historical Society has to come up with some sort of agreement of what PRAB would have to set up
so that the Historical Society can turn over the money to the Town. Mr. Kriegh stated that this is something that
they are going to be working on.
Mr. Sinclair stated that PRAB is trying to set up a structure as to how to access funds that are donated and how
to use the funds for the purpose it was given. Mr. Sinclair stated that Steam Pump Ranch, is already named by
the geographic significance, but the features within the park could be named after someone depending on a
specific dollar amount, the idea is to come up with a structure for donations and branding.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that the Oro Valley Historical Society would certainly want to be able to turn funds
over to the Town and the decisions as to whether it is branded would be up to the Town.
MAY 8, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
VI. REPORT FROM THE SANTA CRUZ NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ALLIANCE
LIAISON
Commissioner Mager reported the following:
• Jonathan Mabry approached the Pascua Yaqui Tribe for Prop 202 money and the Council approved
a gift of$50,000 as a one time,which brings the monies raised in the past few months up quite a bit.
•The Alliance is planning on hiring a full time staff person to help with getting things going.
•The Alliance is also researching what other heritage areas are doing in terms of fund raising.
VII. REPORT FROM THE HONEY BEE VILLAGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PLANNING GROUP
LIAISON
Mr. Sinclair reported that the work is proceeding with the archaeological site and planning of the Preservation
Plan for the site. Mr. Sinclair stated that they are finding a lot more pit houses, trash mounds and features
outside the core area. Mr. Sinclair stated that they have found about twice as much as they thought and they
are doing a lot of trenching and the scope of work has increased a little beyond what they originally thought. Mr.
Sinclair stated that everyone is working hand in hand and some of the site may morph a little bit from the original
core area, it will be 13 acres, but other areas that may be included. Mr. Sinclair stated that they are finding
whole structures in tact.
Mr. Sinclair stated that it would be worth a trip out to the site and that it is their intent to have some more open
houses.
Chair Sarpalius stated that she would like to get a tour set up for the Historic Preservation Commission.
Mr. Sinclair stated that the working group is figuring out the plan and the right context in designing the wall,
amenities, and pathways. Mr. Sinclair stated that Steve Solomon is currently going through approval for his plat
and development plan and as they find features on the periphery, he is trying to work around them or integrate
the findings so that it can be a hands on displayed area.
Mr. Sinclair stated that the true preservationist wants to keep the site in its state without disturbing it, but on the
periphery is all of the excavation work, so the hope is that some of the work on the periphery can be discovered
and displayed in a tasteful way.
Commissioner Kriegh inquired if they are documenting what they are finding by photograph.
Mr. Sinclair stated that they document everything they find.
Commissioner Mager asked if this is going to cost more money.
Mr. Sinclair replied that they are approaching the end of their million dollars and they are going to be looking for
additional funds from the Town, County or the Tohono O'odham Nation. Mr. Sinclair stated that the group will
be getting together in the next week or so to see what they can do.
Commissioner Kriegh asked if some of the bond money that has not been used, for example, Kelly Ranch, if
those funds could be transferred.
Mr. Sinclair stated that there were several options that are being looked at.
Commissioner Kriegh asked if they have found any grave yards.
Mr. Sinclair replied that they are not finding a defined grave yard, but they are finding family burials within 50
feet of pit houses. Mr. Sinclair also stated that they are finding that there is a combination of cremation and
inhumation, the portion of cremation to inhumation to be about 50/50, which cancels the theory that they did
things one way or the other.
MAY 8, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Chair Sarpalius stated that she would like to get a tour set up for the Commission and requested that it be
discussed at the July meeting.
VIII. DISCUSSION OF MEETING PROCEDURES
Chair Sarpalius stated that the Council sometimes asks for copies of the meeting tapes and wants to make sure
that everyone is fully aware that that everything is recorded and wanted to gently remind the Commission that
they need to adhere to the meeting procedures.
Chair Sarpalius stated that the event in May for the Farmers Market attracted some interest. Ms. Sarpalius
thanked Commissioner Sturmon for bringing her laptop so that the DVD could be watched. Ms. Sarpalius also
stated that the Oro Valley Historical Society got quite a few memberships that day.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that as a result of the Farmers Market they are up to 103 members.
Chair Sarpalius thanked Jennifer Jones for getting everything together for the Commission.
IX. UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE STEAM PUMP RANCH ACQUISITION
Mr. Sinclair reported that on or about January 2006 the Town Council made a decision to proceed with
condemnation of 15.2 acres of property on the Steam Pump Ranch, which is a bigger area than what was
previously looked at which was the core area.
Mr. Sinclair stated that the property is owned by two entities, OV Partners and Mr. Leiber. Mr. Sinclair stated
that since that time, the whole idea of the condemnation was to get the owners to the table and talk about
settling for the purchase price. Mr. Sinclair reported that a tentative agreement has been worked out and it
looks as though, if things follow the right process, acquisition and ownership will happen within 90 to 100 days.
Mr. Sinclair stated that he could not discuss the dollar amount, but of the five million dollars that was allocated
for the entire site, there will be monies left over from the purchase to do planning and restorations. Mr. Sinclair
stated that it will not be a whole lot of money, but it will be in the hundred thousands range.
Commissioner Kriegh added that Chuck Sweet, Bob Kovitz and he met with Bob Shelton and he is still
considering the whole thing possibly at Steam Pump Ranch and he even suggested in developing a master plan
that Bob Shelton might be one to participate. Mr. Kriegh stated that Mr. Shelton would be willing, because of his
abilities and what he did with Old Tucson in making it so attractive.
Mr. Sinclair stated that one of the obvious things that the Town will do if they do get ownership is to initiate a
master plan process. Mr. Sinclair stated that the Historic Preservation Commission can be as hands on as they
want to be, however they might want to designate a representative like they did with Honey Bee Village.
Commissioner Mager asked if the Town was looking at grant money to help with the planning.
Mr. Sinclair replied that the Town did catch the latest round with the Transportation Enhancement, but the piece
that they included was the trail development and feels that the Town will get that, because it is the last piece of
the CDO that has not been developed.
Commissioner Mager asked if that falls into Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Sinclair explained that the Historic Preservation Commission will be charged with being the umbrella on
master planning and pulling in resources from Parks and Recreation, Pima County, State Museum and Bob
Shelton. Mr. Sinclair stated that Parks and Recreation will be involved in that; there are opportunities not just for
passive types of things, but very active types of things. Mr. Sinclair stated that Parks and Recreation will be
involved in the maintenance of the site, but the Historic Preservation Commission will be charged with
maintaining the site.
Commissioner Mager inquired if the site currently has heritage or any sort of designation.
MAY 8, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Mr. Sinclair replied that there is no designation yet, but his understanding is that all of the paperwork has been
done; basically all that is left is a willing owner to submit the consent.
Commissioner Kriegh added that they also have some architectural works on both the old steam pump building
and the old ranch house. Mr. Kriegh stated that the Town has the benefit of that to show what the old structure
was and what has been added on.
Mr. Sinclair stated that there are a lot of possibilities and ideas than can be done.
Commissioner Kriegh stated that the Oro Valley Historical Society has some people that will be looking for ideas
to pass along to the Town, toward the master plan.
Mr. Sinclair stated that the Historic Preservation Commission will be hearing a lot of ideas and there will be a
plan and ideas brought to the Table.
X. ADJOURN
Chair Sarpalius stated that before adjournment she wanted to point out that Al Kunisch is no longer a
Commissioner, but a Councilmember now. Ms. Sarpalius congratulated Mr. Kunisch on behalf of the Historic
Preservation Commission on all of his work that he did as a Commissioner on the Historic Preservation
Commission and on his win in the election.
MOTION: Commissioner Kriegh MOVED to adjourn the Historic Preservation
Commission at 6:50 p.m. Commissioner Needham SECONDED the
motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Prepared by:
Jennifer Jones
Recording Secretary
MAY 8, 2006 DRAFT MINUTES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION