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�1��� CITY OF PALM DESERT
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BUILDING & SAFETY DEPARTMENT
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk
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From: Suzanne Cicchini, Administrative Secretary
Date: April 30, 2013
Subject: Submission of Approved Minutes for the Cultural Resources
Preservation Committee Meeting held on January 31, 2012
Attached is a copy of the January 31, 2012 Minutes of the Cultural Resources
Preservation Committee Meeting approved by the Committee on April 30, 2013. Please
include on the next City Council agenda.
Thank you
Attachment
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
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G:\BldgSfty\Suzanne Cicchini\Word Files\Cultural Resources Preservation Committee\Meeting Items\Memo-City Clerk-Minutes 04-30-13.doc
CITY OF PALM DESERT
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� � CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Minutes
January 31, 2012
Administrative Conference Room
I. CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair pon Graybill catled the meeting of the Cultural Resources
Preservation Committee to order at 10:06 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Ricki Brodie
Gale Broeker
Don Graybill
Kim Housken
William Kroonen, Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Pitchford
Kent Routh
Also Present:
Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety
Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 09/27/11
Motion was made by Committee Chair pon Graybill and seconded by
Vice Chair Kent Routh that the Minutes of the meeting of 9/27/11 be
approved as presented. Motion was unanimously approved.
V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. ELECTION: OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2012
Motion by Committee Vice Chair Kent Routh, seconded by Committee
Member Gayle Broeker to nominate Committee Member Kim Housken for
CULTURALRESOURCES
PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2012
the position of Chair. Motion unanimously approved. Committee Chair
Kim Housken complimented Mr. Graybill on the outstanding job he has
done and thanked the Committee for their vote of confidence.
Motion made by Committee Member Gayle Broeker was seconded by
Committee Vice Chair Kent Routh to nominate Committee Member Ricki
Brodie for the position of Vice Chair. Motion passed unanimously. Mr.
Routh noted that former Committee Chair pon Graybill has done a
wonderful job and he thanked him. Ms. Brodie also expressed her
appreciation to Committee Member pon Graybill.
B. DISCUSS: Information about Merging Arts in Public Places and Cultural
Resources Preservation Committee.
Committee Member pon Graybill welcomed Mayor Pro Tem William Kroonen.
The Mayor Pro Tem noted that it was a pleasure to be at the meeting and he
has great respect for their work. He acknowledged that he understood that Mr.
Graybill was going to step into a new position with the Historical Society. It is
going to be a pleasure having Mr. Graybill in that role. Mayor Pro Tem
Kroonen mentioned the Council had been thinking, in this era of reduction, of
ways to economize. The idea was to look at Committees and Commissions
and merely investigate the possibility of inergers, eliminating duplication.
Suddenly, the proposal took on legs of its own. It was the strong feeling of his
colleagues (as expressed in the Council meeting last week) that Cultural
Preservation and this Committee, particularly, is going to become more and
more important as the years go by; not less important. The issue is dead and
was never intended to gain the importance that it did. He thanked everyone
who expressed their concern about it and encouraged them to continue their
good work. Committee Chair Kim Housken expressed concern about the
numbers on the proposal and that the matter did not come to this Committee
first. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen noted that was his concern also. There was no
mal intent on anyone's part. He mentioned that the work of the Art in Public
Places Commission continues to grow and remain very prominent. Committee
Member pon Graybill inquired whether there would have been a different staff
person assigned. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen explained that the Council never
even got to that point. He remarked, "You've got finro extremely capable people
here, as you have already recognized, so we'll just keep it that way." Any
efforts along those lines should be disregarded. Mr. Graybill thanked Mayor
Pro Tem Kroonen for appeasing the Committee Members apprehensions.
Discussion continued about how passionate the Committee felt about their
role.
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CULTURALRESOURCES
PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MINUTES JANUARY 31. 2012
VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE: Status of Designation Letters. Committee Member pon Graybill
mentioned a letter of approval he received from Elizabeth Gold, Director of the
Center for Spiritual Living. It needs to be on the proper form in order to be
presented to the Council. This property was the location of the first church in
Palm Desert. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen noted that he was pleased with the
possibility of this designation; discussion commenced about the prospect of it.
The Mayor Pro Tem did not see notice of the fact that at one time this facility
was the FETCH Center. FETCH is an acronym for the Foundation for the
Education Training and Counseling of the Handicapped, which is now known
as Desert Arc. It should be noted for historical accuracy. One of Dr. Kroonen's
first assignments at College of the Desert was to monitor some classes that
were offered for the clients of what is now Desert Arc.
No other letters have been received from potential designation candidates.
Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety reported that the person he
spoke with was somewhat receptive about the site designation of the first
school in Palm Desert. Washington School is now located on the site. Mr.
Grance cautioned the Committee about the importance of making sure that the
person signing for a potential designation has the authority to sign the
document. It's very important to contact the appropriate State agency and that
the Committee is due diligent prior to taking the matter to Council. No letter
was received from the School District. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen noted that
there is always difficulty in ascertaining ownership of school property. It is all
the more complicated by the fact that there is a charter school designation. It
may require someone with a legal mind to look into it. Committee Member
Gale Broeker mentioned that in Ventura and other places, plaques are
mounted on lampposts. It would not require property owner permission
because the lamppost is on the sidewalk, which is City property. Would this be
possible in our jurisdiction? Mr. Grance responded that he did not have an
answer; it would be a legal question. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen is a member of
a group of School District and City personnel, the Two by Two Committee.
The Committee meets four times a year. He offered to bring up the topic of the
designation of the Washington School site at one of those meetings.
Discussion commenced about the Desert Magazine building. Mayor Pro Tem
Kroonen mentioned that his brother in law was a brick mason and had told him
he had laid the very first brick and the very last brick for the building. The
Mayor Pro Tem had been in the building and has followed it for a long time.
He had been there when it was a museum and John Hilton, the artist came to
do a show. It was during his early days at College of the Desert. He had
taken some students to meet the artist. It was a very special place. Committee
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MINUTES JANUARY 31, 2012
Member pon Graybill will be hand carrying a letter to San Diego to see if he
can get a response about a possible designation for the building.
B. UPDATE: Status of Bus Tour. Discussion commenced about the tour, which
will be a work shop, not a regular meeting. The date requested was Tuesday,
February 28, 2012. Two tours will be conducted if needed. Committee
Member Kim Housken inquired if budgeted money was available specifically
for the Committee. Russell Grance, Director of Building and Safety clarified
that he does not have a specific line item in his budget for this Committee. The
funds for the plaques come from the Building and Safety budget. The plaques
are over $300 each. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen indicated that the challenge for
the Council will be to make major budget cuts now and in the not too distant
future. He is sure that Mr. Grance will look at all the alternatives to carve things
out as they become identified. Mr. Grance explained the budget difficulties due
to the slowing economy and the loss of Redevelopment Agency funds. It's
going to be a challenge for the directors of each department to do more with
less. Committee Chair Kim Housken suggested that the bus route begin at
the Historical Society. Mr. Grance suggested one or two Committee Members
work on the route and highlight the areas to drive by. Committee Chair Kim
Housken penciled out the route she had in mind and sought input from other
Committee Members on important stops.
IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS
Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen mentioned a house on Ironwood Street that he would
obtain the address of that might be a candidate for the unofficial list. The house
was a former residence of the actor, William Holden.
Committee Member Bob Pitchford wanted to know if there was an issue because
he is the architect of record for a house that may eventually be designated. Russell
Grance, Director of Building and Safety understood that being on the Committee
does not prevent you from doing things on a private level, however, if a matter that
a Committee Member was involved in privately was to be brought up at a meeting
for a vote, Mr. Pitchford would abstain.
Committee Member pon Graybill shared information about a model home located
at 73745 Shadow Lake. Committee Chair Kim Housken suggested Mr. Graybill
speak with Brett Romer about the house. He has material on that residence.
Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen mentioned the author, Nina Shumway. He just read the
second of her books. She referenced living in a home very near the Shadow
Mountain Golf Club. Committee Chair Kim Housken mentioned that Matt Monica
now lives in her house. The home is on Peppergrass. Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen
mentioned the Shadow Mountain Historical Golf Foundation. He was asked to be
a member. The Foundation is seeking to raise money to preserve the golf course.
Committee Chair Kim Housken requested that a future agenda item be a
discussion of how the loss of Redevelopment Agency Funds will affect the Miles
Bates house on Santa Rosa. A discussion commenced about the property and
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CULTURALRESOURCES
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MINUTES JANUARY 31. 2012
talk of potential future plans for the area. An oversight committee will make a
determination on the Redevelopment Agency properties and the final decision has
not been made.
Committee Member pon Graybill inquired about progress on the walking tours.
Mr. Grance explained the viability was not good because the geographical
locations of the three designations are spread out. There are also liability
concerns. Committee Chair Kim Housken suggested that perhaps the Historical
Society was a better choice to set up a walking tour. Ms. Housken requested that
a walking tour be discussed when Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen is at the meeting. Mr.
Grance suggested a topic for a future agenda would be for the Committee to
determine which conferences they would like to attend and how many properties
might be plaqued for the coming fiscal year. Suzanne Cicchini, Recording
Secretary will provide membership due information for the budget.
Committee Member Kent Routh opined that he thinks designations needs to be
open, apparent and public and that means a plaque. He would try to talk with the
owner of the Edgar Bergen property again. He will also mention the Mills Act, as
an incentive.
Committee Member Gale Broeker announced an open house scheduled February
12, 2012 for the Agnes Pelton House in Cathedral City, by the Cathedral City
Historical Society.
A Bus Tour/Work Shop will be scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2012 leaving
City Hall at 10:00 a.m. This replaces the regular meeting scheduled for the same
day.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Committee Chair Kim Housken adjourned the meeting at 11:29 a.m.
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Suzanne Cicchini, Recording Secretary
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