HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/2005 Study Session MinutesMINUTES OF MARANA STUDY SESSION
MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
PLACE AND DATE
Marana Municipal Complex, November 8, 2005.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
By Mayor Honea at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL
Ed Honea
Herb Kai
Bob Allen
Jim Blake
Patti Comerford
Tim Escobedo
Carol McGorray
STAFF
Mike Reuwsaat
Gilbert Davidson
Jim DeGrood
Frank Cassidy
Jocelyn Bronson
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Honea
C. PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Present
Vice Mayor Present
Council Member Present
Council Member Present
Council Member Present
Council Member Present
Council Member Present
Town Manager Present
Assistant Town Manager Present
Assistant Town Manager Present
Town Attorney Present
Town Clerk Present
a. Santa Cruz Valley National Historical District Designation, Marana Cultural and
Heritage Park, and Producer's Cotton Oil Office Building (Ron Smith)
Ron Smith, Parks and Recreation Director, addressed the Council and introduced
Barbara Strelke, presenter for the Marana Heritage Park, and Harris Sobin, presenter
for the Producer's Cotton Oil Office Building.
Ora Harn, Town of Marana, addressed the Council and presented the plans for the
Heritage Park and Museum. She stated that many historic items are being displayed
throughout the Town Complex until the museum is built. Ms. Harn introduced
Jonathan Mabry, Chairman, the Santa Cruz Valley National Historical Alliance. Rich
Delinsky, Larry Marshall, John Bridges, Fe Tom, WLB, and Bob Sharp were also
introduced.
Jonathan Mabry gave the Council a lengthy presentation on the historic natural
environment of the Santa Cruz Valley. Some of the highlights included: Sky Island
mountain ranges, 90 miles of streams, more than 400 bird species, cattle ranching,
copper mining, and U.S. Military posts on the Mexico Boarder. Mr. Mabry also
MINUTES OF MARANA STUDY SESSION
MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
recognized several national treasures including the Saguaro National Park and
Tumacacori National Historical Park.
Mr. Mabry stated that there is an effort to designate a 3,300 square mile area in
Southern Arizona as a National Heritage Area. Currently, there are 27 existing
National Heritage Areas in the United States with only one in Arizona; that being the
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. He listed some of the benefits of a National
Heritage Area, including the eligibility for federal match-funding, economic growth,
and the increase in national and international recognition.
Mr. Mabry stated that the Santa Cruz Valley National Historical Alliance has a
website which provides information for the public, www.santacruzheritage.org. Mr.
Mabry presented the Mayor and Council with a Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage
Area Feasibility Study Summary, which was put together with donated funds from
local governments, including the Town of Marana.
Barbara Strelke, Encore Planning, addressed the Council and introduced Jerry
Collins, Aspen Engineering, and Lizavet Blank, VBI Designs, as part of the Marana
Heritage Park planning team. Ms. Strelke thanked staff and elected officials for their
collaborative efforts with the Marana Heritage Park. She stated that the Heritage Park
is a vision for celebrating the past and embracing the future. Ms. Strelke gave a
power point presentation summarizing the Master Concept Plan Phase I and
introduced the site plan refinements of the northern portion of the park as Phase II.
She said the planning process included visions with different perspectives, data
collection and research, site analysis, and identifying key heritage park elements. The
Heritage Park is located adjacent to the Santa Cruz River.
Ms. Strelke stated that in the process of understanding the site, conversations were
held with archeologists and material was researched. The key heritage resources in
the park will be the Producer's Cotton Oil Company Office and adobe storage
building. Ms. Strelke showed a list of many activities that would be available at the
Heritage Park which included interactive exhibits, special educational art, and
recreational events. Changes in Phase II were based on site conditions, additional
research, visits to other heritage facilities, and public participation and input. Some
of the changes include renovating existing site features, a new road alignment,
additional park property which provides a new boundary and new utility
considerations. Ms. Strelke ended her presentation stating that the Heritage Park
should be fun learning environment for families.
The Mayor and Council adjourned for a ten minute break at 7:56 p.m.
The Council Study Session reconvened at 8:06 p.m.
Harris Sobin, AIA, addressed the Council and stated that prior to the Producer's
Cotton Oil Company, ten thousand acres of cotton had been planted on the land in
1930. He then showed a power point presentation with several pictures of the
Producer's Cotton Oil office building as it looked in 1938 and how it currently looks.
MINUTES OF MARANA STUDY SESSION
MARANA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
He also showed original and existing floor plans for the office building, pointing out
the many changes that have taken place throughout the years.
Mr. Sobin presented a Conceptual Cost Estimate for adobe building alternative
treatment options. Option one would be to move the buildings to the new Heritage
Park with the cost of more than $908,000. The moving estimate was provided by
McCullough Move-A-Home, Inc. Option two would be to reconstruct the buildings
using the existing adobe units with the cost around $620,000. Option three would be
to rebuild the buildings using new cement stabilized adobe with his new
measurements at a cost around $695,000. Mr. Sobin's recommendation is to use the
cement stabilized adobe to prevent future weatherization.
Mike Reuwsaat, Town Manager, addressed the Council and stated that the bonds
allocated for the Park site were sold and are ready to be spent.
Mayor Honea thanked the presenters and stated that he is very interested in the
Heritage Park. He said that the planning process should be done soon and he agreed
with Mr. Sobin's recommendation to rebuild using cement stabilized adobe.
D. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Honea adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council
meeting held on November 8, 2005. I further certify that a quorum was present.
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