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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 01/27/2000 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER JANUARY 27, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman Mr. Alan Belcher Ms. Betsy Chapman Mr. Michael Cleary Ms. Lisa Garza Ms. Grandis Lenken Mr. Mark Luddeke Mr. Kevin Maraist Mr. Elmon Phillips MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Sharon Brower (Excused) Mr. Terry Orf (Excused) Ms. Elizabeth Rentz (Excused) Mr. Jerry Wagoner (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Director of Planning Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Mr. Mike Gordon, Assistant Director of Park & Recreation Ms. Pamela Gooby, Park & Recreation Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. ACTION ITEMS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 18. 1999 MEETING: The minutes for the November 18, 1999 meeting were approved as distributed. OLD BAYVIEW CEMETERY PROGRAM INCLUDING FLAGPOLE AND TREE PLANTING INSTALLATION: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, stated that Mr. Mike Gordon, Assistant Director of Park and Recreation, and Ms. Rosie Gonzalez met with the Master Review Committee on Thursday, January 20, 2000 in the Planning Department conference room. The purpose of the meeting was to review the proposed plans on installation of several flagpoles and planting of eight Live Oak trees in the Bayview Cemetery. Ms. Macon continued that Mr. Gordon is attending today's meeting to do a short presentation on the proposed project. At this point in the meeting, the floor was turned over to Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gordon stated that Park and Recreation staff has been working with The Spanish American Genealogical Association and Descendants of Mexican War Veterans on a project for the Bayview Cemetery. Ms. Rosie Gonzalez, representative of the organization, SCANNED w Landmark Commission Meeting�� January 27,2000 Page 2 was introduced to the commission. Mr. Gordon continued that Ms. Gonzalez contacted staff regarding the project in wanting to raise the level of awareness of not only the Bayview Cemetery, but also some of the historical significance that the cemetery represents. Mr. Gordon continued that the project was very simple - it Included installation of several flagpoles and planting of eight Live Oak trees. At this point, Ms. Macon passed out copies of two site plans -Schemes A and B showing the location of the proposed Improvements. The drawings also indicated a sidewalk because at some future date, more enhancements could be added in and around the area where the flagpoles, benches and historical markers are located. Adding the sidewalk, along with the benches, will create an area where people can sit and enjoy the Information that is available on the historical markers and also enjoy the solitude and serenity of the cemetery. Mr. Gordon referenced Schemes A and B. Mr. Gordon continued that all of the proposed improvements occur on the Ramirez Street side of the cemetery; which is the south side. Mr. Gordon went on to say that there are two differences between Schemes A and B. Scheme A indicates a sidewalk coming into the cemetery off of an existing 10-foot wide gate. Once entry is made and turning to the right, the scheme shows the sidewalk, historical markers, three flagpoles, and two benches located at the end of the sidewalk. Scheme B has the same components, but a marker and bench are placed together at each end of the sidewalk. The flagpoles are in shown in the same location. Mr. Gordon stated this particular phase recommends only two flagpoles and planting of the eight Live Oak trees paralleling Ramirez Street. The eight trees represent the eight sailors that were killed on the Dayton Steamship accident at the end of the war. Mr. Gordon continued that phase two could possibly include benches and the historical markers currently existing in the park would be relocated to be a little more part of the sidewalk, flagpoles, and benches. Mr. Gordon stated he wanted to present an overall concept of the proposed improvements and not just come back to the Commission each time for approval of sidewalks and benches. After Mr. Gordon's presentation, the floor was opened for questions and comments. Mr. Phillips asked where is the current location of the markers and Mr. Gordon answered the markers were located basically to the right and left of the 10-foot wide gate opening. Mr. Gordon continued that the markers are for the Dayton Steamship accident and Old Bayview Cemetery. Mr. Phillips asked for clarification if these were the markers to be relocated and Mr. Gordon stated that once the benches and flagpoles were added, the markers would be out of place and relocating the markers would be done in the future. Mr. Phillips stated that the Nueces County Historical Commission will take part in the February 5, 2000 marker dedication, along with the County Judge. Mr. Gordon stated that if the commission wanted more information or had any questions regarding the marker ceremony, Ms. le Landmark Commission Meeting January 27, 2000 Page 3 Gonzalez could provide more information. At this point in the meeting, the floor was turned over to Ms. Rosie Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez stated she was a member of the Descendants of Mexican War Veterans organization. Ms. Gonzalez continued that the organization Is co- sponsoring the flag raising and planting ceremony to commemorate 152 years of peace after signing of the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty. The treaty was signed February 2, 1848 ending the war between Mexico and the United States. Ms. Gonzalez stated that the group would be honoring the gravesites of the first eight casualties, with planting of the eight oak trees, since their original burial sites are unknown in the cemetery. The flag raising will include both flags to commemorate the peace between the two countries and unveiling of the markers will be done by the Nueces County Historical Commission for the steamship. Ms. Gonzalez continued the ceremony will be Saturday, February 5, 2000 at 10 a.m. and speakers will be from both Mexico and the United States. The keynote speaker is a State Representative from the state of Nuevo Leon. Congressman Solomon Ortiz will also be one of the speakers along with Senator Carlos Truan, Mayor Loyd Neal, Colonel Dawkins from the Corpus Christi Army Depot, and Captain Guerrero from the Coast Guard. Mr. Phillips asked if the Veterans Band would be participating and Ms. Gonzalez answered yes and also Judge Richard Borchard will be at the ceremony. Thanks were expressed to Ms. Gonzalez for attending today's meeting. At this point, the floor was given back to Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gordon stated in his closing remarks that staff was recommending Scheme B and the Master Review Committee concurs with that recommendation. After all comments and discussion concluded, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS. CHAPMAN AND SECONDED BY MR. PHILLIPS THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION ACCEPT AND APPROVE THE MASTER REVIEW COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION OF SCHEME B FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE TWO FLAGPOLES AND PLANTING OF THE EIGHT LIVE OAK TREES IN THE BAYVIEW CEMETERY. MOTION PASSED. PRESENTATION ON GRANT APPLICATION FOR COPPINI FOUNTAIN: Ms. Pamela Gooby, Park and Recreation, addressed the commission. Ms. Gooby stated she was the Staff Liaison to the Art and Cultural Commission, in addition, she also commission works of art for public places in the city, and oversees a grant program that provides financial assistance to arts and cultural organizations within the city. Ms. Gooby continued that as part of her work as staff liaison to the Art Commission, she is also responsible for the maintenance of the City's permanent art collection. Ms. Gooby stated she was at today's meeting to talk about the Coppini sculpture, whose actual Landmark Commission meth' January 27, 2000 Page 4 name is "Queen of the Sea." The sculpture was the first commissioned art piece for the city. Ms. Gooby stated she brought slides to show what she has been doing in the way of explaining what restoration work will take place on the sculpture. Ms. Gooby stated the sculpture is reinforced from the inside and has been there since 1914. Ms. Gooby continued that behind the sculpture are wire, rebar, and metal stubbing which creates the look of granite for the sculpture; but actually it is a composite. Over the years, the reinforcing rebars and steel components have oxidized because of the environment, and in addition, in 1938, someone thought the best idea was to clean it through sandblasting to remove the old paint. The sandblasting accelerated oxidation of the internal rebar and, as a result over the years, it caused swelling of the inner materials to break and crack the surface of the sculpture. Again over time, pieces of the sculpture have fallen off. Ms. Gooby continued that about ten years ago, a restoration on the sculpture was undertaken by a local artist, but the restoration was done without the information that was recently revealed through x-rays taken of the sculpture and having material samples analyzed. Ms. Gooby stated that after this information was obtained, she applied to an organization in Washington, D.C. called Save Outdoor Sculpture. Ms. Gooby continued that Mr. Doyle Willis Informed her of the organization. Ms. Goody stated that for the new millennium, the organization teamed up approximately $1.5 million from Target Stores and the National Endowment for the Arts, along with the White House Millennium Council to offer grants to restore historical sculptures with a commitment to restore at least one in each state. The City of Corpus Christi's "Queen of the Sea" sculpture was the only recipient for the State of Texas. Ms. Gooby continued that it is a matching grant. Before receiving the grant, a significant amount of study was conducted, including having x-rays taken of the sculpture and analyzing material samples to know exactly what the composites were made of. Also, services of a professional restoration expert were obtained to look at the sculpture to provide advice and different options as to the best way to restore it. John Dennis, Senior Conservator of objects for the Dallas Museum of Art, came to Corpus Christi about a year and one-half ago to do the original assessment and to advise us on how to gather the needed information. Mr. Dennis has been designated, through the application to Save Outdoor Sculpture, as the Conservator for this project. Ms. Gooby stated she has a marketing strategy plan to make the public aware of the value and significance of the sculpture and its historical references to the growth to the City of Corpus Christi. Ms. Gooby continued that she has compiled a slide presentation that was shown to the Nueces County Commission several weeks ago. At this point, the slide presentation was given. Ms. Gooby stated she was unaware that she had to present the proposal to the Landmark Commission, but after the Nueces County Commission meeting and later talking with several staff members, she was told that the Landmark G Landmark Commission Meeting January 27,2000 Page 5 Commission had to be notified since it was the CLC for the City. The slide presentation provided visual background and historical information regarding the public art sculpture. The sculpture was the first public art piece commissioned in the city. In 1909, The Daughters of the American Revolution obtained the services of an Italian artist to make the sculpture. After the slide presentation, Ms. Gooby continued that the overall plan the restoration of the sculpture was three-fold: 1) Remove the sculpture from its current location in the bluff balustrade area so it can be treated. The sculpture is in six (6) pieces. 2) once removed, it will be taken to the conservatory studio in Dallas, Texas and a mold will be made in a more permanent material; and 3) The original sculpture will be replaced with a replica and the original one will be placed in a climate control environment. Ms. Gooby stated she spoke with Rick Stryker, Director of the Museum, about possibly placing the sculpture In the museum and he suggested that it be placed within the expansion of the convention center or at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. After Ms. Gooby's presentation, the floor was opened for discussion. Ms. Macon asked if any contact had been made with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) about removing the sculpture from the bluff area, since it was part of the bluff balustrade and was listed on the National Register and Ms. Gooby stated she had not contacted anyone at THC. Mr. Phillips interjected that contact person at THC was Garron Hyte. Mr. Phillips continued that after Ms. Gooby left the County Commission's meeting, there was discussion about removing the sculpture from Its original location and whether or not there would be enough funds to do the restoration project. Mr. Luddeke asked if the x-rays were used to determine the steel locations or did they determine that there was a void space behind the sculpture and Ms. Gooby answered no the x-rays did not. Ms. Gooby continued that one of the reasons the x-rays provided just enough information to know about the metal involved is because the wall behind the sculpture is almost a foot thick and it was hard to get an x-ray through that denseness. Ms. Douglas asked how much was the grant for and Ms. Gooby answered that the grant was for $14,300 and it was being matched with about S14,400. Ms. Gooby continued that the grant funding had already been allocated. Ms. Douglas asked if there was a history on the County Historical Commission approving the substitution of the original piece with a reconstructed piece in order to preserve It so that it does not deteriorate. Landmark Commission Meet% • January 27,2000 Page 6 Ms. Douglas also asked if this practice was commonly done in other places where sculptures were deteriorating and Ms. Gooby responded that she did not how often something like this was done. Ms. Gooby continued she did not know how many public sculptures were made of this type of material. Ms. Gooby stated the Save Outdoor Sculpture Review Panel is made up of approximately fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) conservators from around the nation and courtiers and historians reviewed all of the grants before the awards were allocated. Mr. Luddeke asked if the original sculpture was repaired and placed back in its original location was there an anticipated life span of the sculpture for another fifty to one hundred years with today's technology and composite materials for repair work to an original piece. Mr. Luddeke continued he thought it would be best to have the original restored and left at its original location rather than having an original and a replica. Ms. Gooby's response was that once the metals began to oxidize, the process couldn't be reversed or stopped. The only thing that can be done was to slow it down by removing it from a watery and salty environment. Mr. Phillips stated as an example of an original public art statue being removed from its outside environment was the David Statue in Florence, Italy and a replica was placed outside. The reason for the removal of the statue was because of the pollutants, acid rain, and smog that contributed greatly its deterioration. Ms. Garza asked what was the time period in starting the restoration project and Ms. Gooby answered that a kick-off event is tentatively scheduled for April 14, 2000; which coincides with the original dedication date in 1915 and the previous restoration dedication was celebrated on April 14, 1991. Ms. Gooby continued that ceremonially, she would like to begin the restoration at that time. Ms. Gooby stated she and John Dennis had spoken about a tentative time line, originally he was thinking about what was best for the city and when was the best time to finish it. Ms. Gooby stated she felt springtime would offer better conditions for working on site of the sculpture since it was cooler rather than starting in July. Ms. Gooby continued it was at that time that Mr. Dennis suggested moving the sculpture to Dallas to do the restoration. He felt it would be more expeditiously and convenient for him and climate controlled in the studio. Ms. Macon asked Mr. Phillips what was the County Historical Commission's response on the presentation and if they were comfortable with the suggestion of moving the sculpture to Dallas. Mr. Phillips stated in response to Ms. Macon's question that the commission agreed with the restoration project, but concerns were voiced about the idea of moving the sculpture to Dallas and again, whether there was enough money to restore it. The County Commission wanted to make sure that Ms. Gooby Landmark Commission Meeting January 27, 2000 Page 7 Interfaced with city officials and possibly obtain a sign-off since the city has a vested interest in this sculpture. Ms. Chapman asked how would the sculpture be transported and Ms. Gooby answered it would be crated and transported by truck. Ms. Gooby continued that Mr. Dennis is a professional and has a great deal of experience and we will be relying on that experience. Ms. Douglas asked Ms. Gooby what did she want the Landmark Commission to do at today's meeting. Mr. Belcher stated if it was appropriate, he wanted to take the following action: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. BELCHER THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE RESTORATION PROJECT ON THE COPPINI FOUNTAIN, PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION. MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND. Ms. Garza stated the restoration project is a good idea, but when will it be disclosed where the original sculpture will be relocated. Ms. Garza continued that the original sculpture has been at this location for so many years and it is a great part of the bluff attraction to the downtown area. Ms. Gooby's response was that she wanted to give a press release, and other articles through the media, stating that a permanent home is being sought for the sculpture. Ms. Gooby continued that out of protocol, she did not want to issue a press release until all of the organizations had been spoke with. The question was asked when would the replica be in place and Ms. Gooby responded that if the time lines were adhered to with an April 14 starting date, it might be possible to have it in place by the fall. Ms. Macon stated that before the Landmark Commission take any action on the restoration project, she suggested the Landmark Commission direct Planning and Park and Recreation Staff to contact THC to ensure they are in agreement with and approve removal of the sculpture from the bluff area. After further discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION TENTATIVELY APPROVE THE RESTORATION PROJECT, PENDING STAFF CONTACTING CARRON HYTE AT THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION. MOTION PASSED. Mr. Phillips clarified that Garron Hyte is the contact person he spoke with at THC and he is responsible for the National Register of Historic Places program. 404 t Landmark Commission Meg January 27, 2000 Page 8 Thanks were expressed to Ms. Gooby for attending today' meeting and presenting the restoration project. Ms. Macon requested a copy of for commission records of the grant proposal project. ITEMS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Ms. Macon stated for the February meeting, she would like to place the historical plaques on the agenda, since the plaques have come in. Ms. Macon stated she had previously spoken with Mike Gordon regarding park crews installing the plaques and he had mentioned that it would be possible. Staff has to develop a legal document allowing entrance onto private property to install the plaques. Ms. Macon stated the Commission should also review what has been added to the historical brochure and possibly update it so that it can be completed and sent to the printers at the next meeting. Ms. Macon stated she had not received official written notification from the Texas Historical Commission regarding the grant proposal to develop a web site. The grant was for $7,000. Ms. Douglas stated she received a copy of a letter from THC stating the grant proposal was approved and she would fax a copy of the letter to her since the letter was written to Ms. Macon. Mr. Phillips asked if the Commission had received any additional information on the Gold Star Court and Ms. Macon answered she had spoken with Mike Gordon and was told that he did send a letter to the Gold Star Court Committee informing them that the Landmark Commission approved the plan presented by Park and Recreation in November 1999; and they could proceed with the sidewalk and installation of the eternal light back on the bluff. Ms. Macon continued that Mr. Gordon stated he left documentation in the file that there were two items, not included In the plan, and they will need approval from the Landmark Commission to approve those items before they can be added to the bluff area. Mr. Maraist asked if any additional financial incentive surveys had been received and Ms. Macon answered no. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. • p Lind- Wil lams 1Vl pMa 1�' Faryce de-Macon, City Planner Recoring Secretary i Staff Lial on to Landmark Commission (H:WOR D\LMNANMINSO)