Historic Preservation Commission

City of Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, November 23, 2020 6:00 PM Regular Meeting ZOOM URL: https://zoom.us/j/91954893079 Historic Preservation Commission Chair Patrick Boyd Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, LEED, AP, BD+C Commissioners: Robin Goldbeck, Christopher Rocha; Paul Halajian, AIA; Don Simmons; C. Kristina Roper, M.A.; Staff: Mike Sanchez, AICP, MCRP, Assistant Director; Rina Gonzales, Senior Deputy City Attorney Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 23, 2020 Commission I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Present 5 - Chair Patrick Boyd, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig, Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Don Simmons, and Commissioner Christopher Rocha Absent 1 - Commissioner C. Kristina Roper At 6:03PM the meeting was called to Order by Chair Patrick Boyd. Also present on behalf of the Commission, Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales, and Management Analyst II, Karnell Grijalva. Assistant Director, Mike Sanchez, and Deputy City Attorney III, Rina Gonzales, were absent. II. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES A. ID Minutes for October 26, 2020 20-001580 On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Simmons, that the October 26, 2020 minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Rocha and Chair Boyd Absent: 1 - Commissioner Roper III. APPROVE AGENDA On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Rocha, that the agenda for November 23, 2020 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair Boyd, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner Rocha. Absent: 1 - Commissioner Roper IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. ID 2021 Historic Preservation Committee Meeting Calendar 20-001602 On motion of Commissioner Simmons, seconded by Vice Chair City of Fresno Page 2 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 23, 2020 Commission Hatwig, that the 2021 Historic Preservation Commission Calendar be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian, Commissioner Simmons, Commissioner Rocha and Chair Boyd Absent: 1 - Commissioner Roper V. OLD BUSINESS A. ID Subcommittee update regarding the Fresno City Council Resolution 20-001289 directing the Historic Preservation Commission to review the names of all City facilities and provide recommendations regarding any facility named after a controversial historical or cultural figure. Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales, informed the Commission of the following updates regarding Resolution 2020-272 directing the Historic Preservation Commission to identify City facilities that are potentially named after controversial historical figures: At the October 26, 2020 HPC meeting, the Commission appointed a subcommittee consisting of Chair Boyd, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Roper and Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales. The goal of the subcommittee is to develop the research methodology and to identify which City facilities are potentially named after controversial historical figures. The subcommittee, with assistance from City staff, is presently working through an exhaustive list of names and eliminating those facilities that clearly do not warrant additional investigation. Research tracking has been initiated with ancestory.com, library records, google searches, and with internal City resources such as past Council Resolutions, Planning and Development records and respective department records. City of Fresno Page 3 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 23, 2020 Commission Staff conferred with District 1 Chief of Staff Terry Cox to request an extension of the research report deadline identified in Resolution 2020-272. The revised list identifying properties that warrant investigation was shared with the Commission. The subcommittee currently has (2) additional meetings scheduled in December of 2020. Currently, City staff is leading the research efforts but will reach out to the Commission with any potential red flags or assistance requests. VI. COMMISSION ITEMS None VII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None VIII. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS A. Members of the Commissioin City of Fresno Page 4 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 23, 2020 Commission Commissioner Simmons shared with the Commission: 1) Desires the Historic Preservation Commission to have the opportunity to review recommendations from the General Plan Implementation Committee in regards to the City's Historic Districts prior to going before City Council for review. 2) Historical property HP#231, 1458 E. Divisadero, Fresno, known as the Hopkins Home - concern regarding construction on the property without obtaining appropriate permits. Mr. Simmons has notified Code Enforcement. 3) Request update at next meeting regarding demolition of the Cheese Factory located on the Producers Dairy - 450 E. Belmont, Fresno. 4) Request that a letter be sent to City Council Chair requesting that Old Armenian Town be placed on the Council agenda to be recognized and designated as a historical district. Commissioner Rocha shared with the Commission: 1) Concern for the Fresno Water Tower and the ongoing issue of the homeless breaking into the property. With the cold months approaching, inquiry of what can be done to protect the property and prevent future damage. 2) Request City staff to follow up with property owner of 743 E. Floradora with an update on completed mitigation and the Mills Act Program. Historic Preservation Specialist, Alicia Gonzales, informed the Commission that she will begin training shortly and the transfer of the Mills Act Program will be given over to her. Chair Boyd requested that City staff provide a status update to the property owner. B. Staff None C. General Public City of Fresno Page 5 Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes - Final November 23, 2020 Commission Lilia Chavez, Executive Director of the Arts Council, shared concerns with the Commission regarding the homeless population encamping in the alcove area of the Fresno Water Tower. Ms. Chavez presented the option to have iron gates installed at the doorway of the Fresno Water Tower. Ms Chavez ensured the Commission that the gates would be consistent with the building structure and would eliminate the access to the alcove area from the homeless population possibly encamping in the area, defacing the structure, causing damage and possibly a safety hazard. With the cold months upon us Ms. Chavez requests that the matter be dealt with quickly. Ms. Chavez noted that the Arts Council could potentially assist with some of the costs to install the iron gate. The Commission discussed the concerns presented by Ms. Chavez. Chair Boyd requested that Assistant Director of Planning and Development, Mike Sanchez, be contacted on this issue and for input on how to move forward. IX. NEXT MEETING The next Historic Preservation Meeting is scheduled for December 21, 2020 at 6:00PM. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to bring before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 7:10PM. City of Fresno Page 6