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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 09/22/2011 MINUTES 15°E* CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ��®f LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING D1r �® CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 23 ?0,11 SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 . C/TYSr. ' '11/113()pp MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Craig Thompson, Chairman Ms. Laura Commons Ms. Anita Eisenhauer Mr. Anthony Gavlik Ms. Marie Guajardo Ms. Karen Howden Mr. Herb Morrison Mr. John Olson Mr. Leo Rios Dr. Mark Robbins MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Kim Charba (Excused) Ms. Kris Cardona (Excused) Dr. James Klein (Excused) Ms. Susie Rucker (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Andrew Dimas, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary } The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Mr. Craig Thompson, Chairman. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. ACTION ITEMS: Approve July 28 & August 25, 2011 Minutes: The July 28, 2011 minutes were approved as distributed. The August 25, 2011 minutes were approved with one correction. A correction was made to the spelling of Commissioner Mike Pusley's name. The minutes read "Pulsey." Motion to approve the minutes with the noted correction was made Dr. Robbins and seconded by Mr. Olson and the motion passed. Recommendation to Fill the Vacancy of Mary Lou Berven, Historian: Mr. Thompson stated that Ms. Berven submitted her letter of resignation several months ago and the vacancy needed to be filled. Mr. Thompson continued that in viewing minutes from the July meeting, one option discussed was to realign Ms. Howden from a regular member to the competency of historian since she was a retired history teach and once additional applications were received, submit a recommendation for a regular member to be appointed. Mr. Thompson continued that no action was taken at the August meeting because there was not a quorum. After Mr. Thompson's comments, the floor was opened for discussion. Ms. Eisenhauer stated she had spoken with Christina Crouse, a history teacher with the Calallen Middle School and felt she would be an asset to the commission. Ms. Eisenhauer continued she extended an invitation to Ms. Crouse to attend today's meeting and she accepted. Mr. Thompson acknowledged Ms. Crouse's attendance and asked if she would like to address the commission. Ms. Crouse introduced herself and stated she was an eighth grade history teacher with the Calallen Middle School and was very interested about serving on the commission. Ms. Crouse continued she had completed and submitted her application to the City Secretary's office to be considered for appointment to the commission and was looking forward to working commission members. Mr. Thompson expressed his thanks to Ms. Crouse for her willingness to serve on the commission and for attending today's meeting. After further discussion, the following action was taken: SCANNED Landmark Commission Meeting September 22,2011 Page 2 ) IT WAS MOVED BY MS. EISENHAUER AND SECONDED BY DR. ROBBINS THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION FORWARD THE RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT CHRISTINA CROUSE TO THE LANDMARK COMMISSION TO FILL THE COMPETENCY OF HISTORIAN FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. MOTION PASSED. Public Art Project (Mural) on the Bluff Balustrade Tunnel at the Intersection of Upper Broadway Street & Starr Street: Mr. Thompson stated that Mr. Michael Morris, Director of Parks and Recreation, along with Ms. Reba George from Parks and Recreation, were at today's meeting to provide details regarding a proposed mural project for Starr Street bluff balustrade. Mr. Thompson continued that since the balustrade was one of the city's properties that was designated and listed on the National Registry, approval had to be obtained from both the Landmark Commission and the Texas Historical Commission. At this point in the meeting, Mr. Thompson requested Ms. George to provide details regarding the project. Ms. George addressed the commission. Ms. George stated that K Space Contemporary was a local non-profit organization and they had already submitted their presentation and proposal to the Arts & Cultural Commission to paint the mural at the Starr Street tunnel in conjunction with celebration of the Dia' De los Muertos Festival on Friday, October 28, 2011. Ms. George continued that the Arts and Cultural Commission approved the organization's proposal and would be submitting a recommendation to City Council that the art donation be accepted. Ms. George further stated that local Artist Ricardo Ruiz created the theme for the mural; which will also highlight Corpus Christi life and it would be the centerpiece of the festival. Ms. George continued that the group was on a very strict timeline in which to get all of the necessary approvals for the project since the artists were planning to have the mural completed within thirty (30) days. Ms. George continued that the project had already received written approval from the Texas Historical Commission -- a copy of the letter was presented to Mr. Thompson. Ms. George stated the project was scheduled as an agenda item for the September 20 and 27, 2011 city council meetings. For more detailed information regarding the project, Ms. Michelle Smythe, Director of K Space Gallery was requested to address the commission to provide additional information regarding the project. Ms. Smythe emphasized that their organization was non-profit and they were very excited about the art project. Ms. Smythe provided a brief description of the murals. The left side of the mural would be images of day time activities - skeletons biking, relaxing on the beach, playing music and fishing, jogging, horseback riding and skateboarding with paint colors of bright yellow and blues; which were all typical activities in the city. Ms. Smythe continued that the right side of the mural would depict night time activities under the starts in darker colors of blues and green — musicians, dancers, fishermen, and in the background would be a scene of the refinery. Day and night themes will be represented on the altar. Left would include the sun representing day and the right—the moon and starts representing night and in the center would be hands representing blessings. The date of the festival is Friday, October 28, 2011, 4 p.m. to 12 p.m. with the dedication of the mural at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Smythe stated she was also requesting the Landmark Commission to approve the mural for placement on the bluff balustrade. After Ms. Smythe's comments, the floor was opened for questions and discussion. Mr. Olson asked if the mural would be mounted and Staff answered no, the mural would be painted onto the wall leading into the tunnel. Mr. Olson asked if there was a way to protect the mural and Ms. Smythe responded that the artists would be using UBV coating for the paint that should help protect the mural. Mr. Morris added that the Parks and Recreation Department has an agreement with K Space Gallery that if any repair or retouching to the mural would be needed, the painting would be done with no cost to the city. Mr. Morris restated again that the proposal had already received approval and endorsement from the Arts and Cultural Commission and they were excited about the project. After all comments and discussion concluded, the following action was taken: ) Landmark Commission Meeting September 22,2011 Page 3 IT WAS MOVED BY MR. GAVLIK AND SECONDED BY MR. MORRISON THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE PUBLIC ART PROJECT MURAL FOR PLACEMENT ON THE BLUFF BALUSTRADE TUNNEL AT THE INTERSECTION OF STARR STREET AND UPPER BROADWAY. MOTION PASSED. Mr. Thompson expressed thanks to Mr. Morris, Ms. George and Ms. Smythe for attending today's meeting to present their proposal for the mural and he was looking forward to seeing the finished project. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Ms. Karen Howden shared with commissioners that an article had been written on the New Bay View Cemetery. Ms. Howden stated there was no sign for the cemetery; which was created in 1896 by the Bay View Cemetery Association. Ms. Howden continued that by 1920, the Rose Hill Cemetery was opened and there has been a decline with the cemetery and the cemetery was no longer used. Ms. Howden stated she has been working on trying to get a marker for the cemetery; but according to the Texas Historical Commission, a marker cannot be placed unless it was already on the Texas Historical Cemetery listing. Ms. Howden continued that with the significant job cuts with the THC, the thought was to get the project going before job duties are increased and staff would not be able to Mr. Olson stated years ago, the New Bay View Cemetery was an addition to the Crossley Elementary School and there was no physical separation between the school and the cemetery. Mr. Olson continued that the cemetery was segregated and it all looked the same. Mr. Thompson asked when was Crossley Elementary School built and Mr. Olson answered the school was built in 1911. Ms. Eisenhauer stated that since there is a proposed project to realign the high bridge, the cemetery needs to be protected. Ms. Eisenhauer continued that the steps Ms. Howden has taken in getting the process started, there was still more information to be gathered and compiled for the application submittal. Ms. Howden stated she had spoken with THC staff regarding the project and that because of recent budget and cuts in staff, now would be an excellent time to get the project submitted before more staff is cut and job duties are increased. Mr. Olson asked who writes the narrative once the information has been compiled and submits it to THC and Ms. Howden answered that the listing of who was buried in the cemetery has already been compiled. This project was done several years ago by two retired historical gentlemen who were interested in historical cemeteries. Ms. Eisenhauer stated the application required a two-page double spaced narrative with supporting documentation. Ms. Howden stated this information was previously compiled for the Old Bay View Cemetery, Sunshine Cemetery and the Duncan Cemetery. Ms. Howden extended an invitation to commissioners to attend the next "cemetery walk" scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The walk will be in honor of Veterans' Day. Mr. Rios stated the Friends of Heritage Park will have a fundraiser selling corn-on-the-cob at the annual Texas Jazz Festival scheduled for October 21, 22 and 23, 2011. Mr. Rios continued that as last year, the site for the festival will be Heritage Park. Memberships to the organization are$20.00. Mr. Thompson gave an update on the Landmark Commission awards recognition that was held in September at the Rotary Club's monthly meeting. Mr. Thompson added that all of the honorees had l representatives at the meeting to accept their awards. Mr. Thompson continued he appreciated the Tory I Club for lending the platform for the awards recognition. Landmark Commission Meeting September 22,2011 Page 4 Ms. Eisenhauer stated about three (3) months ago, she voiced concern regarding graffiti on the bluff balustrade and the removal of several historical plaques from the area and staff was requested to look into the situation and she would like an update on that request. Mr. Andrew Dimas, Staff Liaison, addressed the commission. Mr. Dimas stated he contacted Parks and Recreation staff regarding the missing plaques and to find out if anything had been done. Mr. Dimas continued that he was told that the department knew the plaques were missing and a policy report would be submitted. Park staff felt the plaques were removed for their copper. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. 411 Linda Williams Andrew K. Dimas, City Planner Reco,•ing Secretary Staff Liaison to Landmark Commission 1 SUMMARY SHEET LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 1. The Landmark Commission approved the recommendation to appoint Christina Crouse to the Landmark Commission to fill the competency of historian. 2. The Landmark Commission approved the public art project mural for placement on the Bluff Balustrade Tunnel at the intersection of Starr Street and Upper Broadway in conjunction with the "Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) Festival on Friday, October 28, 2011.