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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cultural Resources Preservation Committee 02/28/2017 Aa: C2 . ? ' N CITY OF PALM DESERT • 'fiti BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT • ° fP y :::'./ INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary Date: December 12, 2017 Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting held on February 28, 2017 Attached is a copy of the February 28, 2017 Minutes of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on December 12, 2017. Please include on the next City Council agenda. Thank you Attachment G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Meeting Items\Memo-City Clerk-Minutes 12-12-17 doc CITY OF PALM DESERT tKilt ► I CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE i ems tstl. ;N ' Minutes ..... " February 28, 2017 Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Pamela Williams called the meeting of the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee to order at 9:01 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Paul Clark Don Graybill Kim Housken Thomas Mortensen K. Gary Olesen Bob Pitchford Pamela Williams Also Present: Susan Marie Weber, Council Member Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety Jason Finley, Supervising Plans Examiner Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 31, 2017 Motion was made by Committee Vice Chair Thomas Mortensen to accept the Minutes as is. Committee Member Bob Pitchford seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 7-0, all accepted with Williams, Housken, Pitchford, Graybill, Olesen, Mortensen and Clark voting AYE; none dissenting. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2017 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2017 Committee Vice Chair Thomas Mortensen nominated Pamela Williams for the Committee Chairperson position for 2017, so that she will stay in her position. Committee Member Kim Housken was willing to entertain that as long as Committee Vice Chair Thomas Mortensen was willing to remain in the Vice Chair position. Motion was made by Committee Member Don Graybill to nominate current Committee Chair Pamela Williams for the 2017 Committee Chair position. Committee Vice Chair Thomas Mortensen seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 7-0, all accepted with Williams, Housken, Pitchford, Graybill, Olesen, Mortensen and Clark voting AYE; none dissenting. Motion was made by Committee Chair Pamela Williams to nominate current Committee Vice Chair Tom Mortensen to the 2017 Vice Chair position. Committee Member Kim Housken seconded the Motion. Motion carried by 7-0 with Williams, Housken, Pitchford, Graybill, Olesen, Mortensen and Clark voting AYE; none dissenting. B. DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC SITE MAP FOR TOUR AND HISTORIC STREET SIGNS Committee Chair, Pamela Williams introduced Christy Lane. Ms. Lane noted that she lives at Shadow Mountain Golf Club. She grew up in Palm Springs and came here in the early 60's with her family. About 10 years ago she moved to Palm Desert. She attended a Shadow Mountain Golf Club meeting and learned about the Club's amazing history. This led her to join the Palm Desert Historical Society. She produces educational products for schools all over the country. Ms. Lane mentioned that she works as a consultant for Disney. She volunteered to help the Palm Desert Historical Society with their Facebook page and other exciting projects. She is working on a historical property tour map. She requested information about the Cultural Resources Preservation Committee's last tour. Ms. Lane shared an example of her map for the Palm Desert Historical Society. Ms. Lane inquired if she would need to have the map approved through this committee. Ms. Lane is not seeking any funding from this committee. Ms. Lane would like to name the map, "Historic Palm Desert." The map covers areas from Silver Spur Ranch down to Highway 111, Monterey Avenue and a little area past Portola Avenue. She wanted it to look cartoon-like and fun. She emphasized that the map would not be to scale. She is seeking feedback about her idea. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety explained that there is a G\BldgSfty\Suzanne C,cchim\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 02 28 Minutes docx Page 2 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2017 distinction between the Palm Desert Historical Society and City of Palm Desert Cultural Resources Preservation Committee. Mr. Grance informed that not all of the sites Palm Desert Historical Society considers historic have been officially recognized by the City of Palm Desert, through the process of our ordinance. City of Palm Desert has seven sites, two of which are historic districts. The others are historic landmarks. Ms. Lane noted that this is all very new to her and she is extremely excited, and has a lot of ideas about marketing City of Palm Desert. She asked if she could continue working on this map through the Historical Society. Mr. Grance approved of her continuing to work with the Historical Society. Committee Member Paul Clark applauded her enthusiasm and noted that it was immense. He pointed out that she is covering a lot of bases within the City and recommended that Ms. Lane speak with David Hermann, City of Palm Desert Public Information Officer. Mr. Clark inquired if she had spoken with the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Lane noted that she was used to working with private businesses and is not used to the protocol here. It was suggested she come to this Committee and the City of Palm Desert Marketing Committee. Mr. Grance explained that the role of this Committee is different than that of the Historical Society. He would not object to the map and thinks it's a great idea. Mr. Grance recommended that the map to contain a notation highlighting the locations of specific City of Palm Desert historic sites. This could be accomplished with a note: "Site Number One, through the City of Palm Desert Cultural Resources Preservation Committee." The Landmarks and Districts should be noted differently than the historic sites noted by Palm Desert Historical Society. Committee Member Paul Clark thought the Marketing Committee was a good place to start and appreciated that she is emphasizing history as a part of the map. Other entities may want to have some things put on the map. Discussion commenced. Ms. Lane wanted to know if the Committee was interested in historic street signs. Mr. Grance mentioned that the idea came up before. It had to do with Shadow Mountain Golf Club, as a district. The matter was brought before Executive Management with the previous City Manager, John Wohlmuth. Lauri Aylaian is our current City Manager. The idea was turned down because of concern about signs cluttering the streets. Mr. Grance suggested that the Marketing Committee would be the best tool to move the idea forward. This presents a good opportunity to plant new seeds to see if we can get any traction with signage. We have a new City Manager and some new City Council Members. We have Council representation now. We did not have that before. Mr. Grance is in favor of signage in various locations, in addition to the way finding signs we have now. The signs would direct people to the districts and landmarks. If we can strategically locate those with the signs we already have, it could be advantageous. Ms. Lane mentioned the idea of using medallions. Committee Chair Pamela Williams mentioned that G\BIdgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\WOrd Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Minutes 201 712017 02 28 Minutes does Page 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2017 the historic designations have medallions. Ms. Lane would like to create a historical week. Committee Member Kim Housken proposed that would be a great idea for the Historical Society. Ms. Housken recalled a marketing slogan from the past, "Hours more sun, loads more fun." She suggested Ms. Lane contact the Arts in Public Places Committee. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety informed that the Arts in Public Places Committee is working on an App for the Arts. Perhaps Historic Sites can piggy back on that App too. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned a book produced by City of Palm Desert, Arts and Architecture. It contains landmarks that had not been designated, but were historically significant. Ms. Housken noted that the owner of the Edgar Bergen house is very private and would not want the home to be listed on the map. The Gabby Hayes house has been totally remodeled. Palm Desert Lodge has been torn down and should be eliminated as well. Ms. Housken volunteered to help Ms. Lane with the sites. Committee Member Don Graybill explained that the Committee compiled an unofficial list of potential historic properties and noted that property owner approval is needed before a home can be designated. Ms. Lane mentioned that if she uses cartoon drawings, she does not have to obtain rights. Committee Chair Pamela Williams expressed appreciation for the presentation and Ms. Lane concluded that she will continue with the Historical Society and follow up with this Committee. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATES: PROGRESS OF POTENTIAL DESIGNATIONS Committee Member Don Graybill reported that he spoke with Holly Hoffmann about the potential designation of her home, but not since the last meeting. He stopped by the Tallest Palm Tree site at the corner of Portola Avenue and Highway 111. The owners were having a meeting. Mr. Graybill obtained blank permission forms for other potential designations. B. UPDATE: MILES BATES HOUSE Committee Chair Pamela Williams reported that the Palm Desert Historical Society Board discussed the Miles Bates House at their last meeting. The Board would like to try to purchase the property. The Board would like to have the Miles Bates House designated historic by the City of Palm Desert. Director of Building and Safety Russell Grance reported that he spoke with the City Attorney and responded to questions City Council Members asked. The City had a new title report and new estimate of property value prepared. It was determined that the value G\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Fdes\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee Minutes 2017\2017 02 28 Minutes docx Page 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2017 would be $20,000.00 more if the property were designated. Upon direction from City Council, the City Manager will direct Staff to move forward to develop the application for consideration. It has to be approved by the Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency and the State of California Department of Finance, because this property has to be sold. The City received the report information. Now the City has to start the process for a historic landmark designation. The direction has not yet been received. It will be up to the Committee to gather the information and actually complete the application. Mr. Grance informed that we would not have to go through the process that the City is going through now if the Palm Desert Historical Society had the money to purchase it. If that were the case, the Historical Society could proceed directly to the designation process. The point is to maximize the proceeds that will go to the taxing entities. The Department of Finance would like to have the property be worth more. We are just trying to see what would be best for the City and dissolution of those assets. Committee Member Kim Housken mentioned that it should be clarified for the Palm Desert Historical Society Board that the historic designation will increase the value by $20,000.00. Committee Chair Pamela Williams acknowledged that the Board knows that. Committee Member Don Graybill inquired whether there was a time limit. Mr. Grance explained that there was no time limit, but we were in a holding pattern. Committee Member Paul Clark inquired if there was a plan for the property. Mr. Grance explained that the property will be sold by the City of Palm Desert. The City could buy it, but is not interested in it. Xl. REPORTS AND REMARKS Committee Chair Pamela Williams mentioned an article about Walter White in the Desert Sun newspaper, dated November 25, 2016, written by Merilee Colton. Committee Member Paul Clark mentioned that he would be attending a presentation on Wind Energy in Newport Beach. XII. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m. t v� �C:C, L2-v Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary G\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cucchnm\Word Files Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Minutes 2017\2017 02 28 Minutes clocx Page 5