HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.0604.HCAC_Packet
NOTICE OF MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
Chairman Tim Yoder
Vice Chairman Susan R. Obst-Dworkis
Commissioner Bonnie Kline
Commissioner Toni LePoer
Commissioner Bob Burns
Commissioner Peter Gallagher
Commissioner VACANT
TIME:4:00 P.M. – REGULAR MEETING
WHEN:WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025
WHERE:FOUNTAIN HILLS COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16705 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference
call; a quorum of the Town’s Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in
attendance at the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory
exceptions, parents have a right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a
video or audio recording of a minor child. Meetings of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded
and, as a result, proceedings in which children are present may be subject to such recording. Parents, in
order to exercise their rights, may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such a recording,
or take personal action to ensure that their child or children are not present when a recording may be
made. If a child is present at the time a recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights
afforded parents pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9 have been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the back
of the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item, if
possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
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TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to Comment
card, indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or AGAINST and
agenda item, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
History and Culture Advisory Commission Meeting of June 4, 2025 1 of 3
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
3.CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to
reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on
matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action.
At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff
to review a matter, or (iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
4.REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS
5.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of History and Culture Advisory
Commission May 7, 2025 Verbatim Meeting Minutes
6.UPDATE: Historical Registry for the Fountain
7.UPDATE: 250th Anniversary of USA
8.UPDATE: Historical Art and Essay Contest
9.UPDATE: Public Art Identification
10.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Public Art Applications
11.REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Future Agenda Items and Presentations
12.UPDATE: Next History and Culture Advisory Commission Meeting September 4, 2025
13.ADJOURNMENT
History and Culture Advisory Commission Meeting of June 4, 2025 2 of 3
13.ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted in accordance
with the statement filed by the Historic and Cultural Advisory Commission with the Town Clerk.
Dated this 28th day of May, 2025
___________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities.
Please call 480-816-5100 (voice) or 1-800-367-8939 (TDD) 48 hours prior to the meeting to request a
reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain agenda information in large print
format. Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Commission with this agenda are
available for review in the Community Services' Office.
History and Culture Advisory Commission Meeting of June 4, 2025 3 of 3
ITEM 4.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): REPORTS BY
COMMISSIONERS
Staff Summary (Background)
Reports by Commissioners will allow commissioners to share information about town events attended
and information related to the History and Culture Advisory Commission. This time is purely for
reporting, no discussion or comments from the public are taken, and cannot be used to address any
item on the agenda.
ITEM 5.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION AND
POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of History and Culture Advisory Commission May 7, 2025 Verbatim
Meeting Minutes
Staff Summary (Background)
The intent of approving meeting minutes is to ensure an accurate account of the discussion and
action that took place at the meeting for archival purposes. Approved minutes are placed on the
town's website and maintained as permanent records in compliance with state law.
Attachments
HCAC May 7, 2025 Verbatim Meeting Minutes
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025
A Regular History and Culture Advisory Commission meeting was convened at 16705 E. Avenue of the
Fountains at 4:04 p.m. in an open and public session.
Members Present: Chair Tim Yoder; Vice-Chair Susan Obst-Dworkis; Commissioner Bob Burns;
Commissioner Peter Gallagher; Commissioner Bonnie Kline; Commissioner Toni LePoer; Vacant Seat
Staff Present: Recreation Manager Ryan Preston; Executive Assistant Patti Lopuszanski
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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YODER: I'd like to call May 7, 2025, meeting of the History and Culture Advisory Commission to order
at 4:04 p.m. May I get a Roll Call, please?
LOPUSZANSKI: Chair Yoder?
YODER: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Vice Chair, Obst-Dworkis?
OBST-DWORKIS: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Burns?
BURNS: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Kline?
KLINE: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner Gallagher?
GALLAGHER: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Commissioner LePoer?
LEPOER: Here.
LOPUSZANSKI: Thank you.
YODER: Next item is a Call to the Public. Do we have anybody for a Call to the Public?
LOPUSZANSKI: We have no Call to Public.
YODER: Okay. Next up, we have Reports by Commissioners.
LEPOER: I attended the Music on the Avenue, all four of them, we keep our office open, and obviously,
the team and the REMAX are big supporters of it. It's always very well attended, and it's always
amazing to watch the people and all four of them, even the last one that was, you know, a little bit later
in April, was extremely well attended and got a lot of good comments, so there was a lot of fun and
energy.
YODER: That’s great. Anybody else?
KLINE: I attended the River of Time Museum event about their new exhibit, and it looks like a very
interesting one that will entertain people. It's about the big band music and the park, and Peter, I think
you were there as well.
GALLAGHER: Yes, I was. It's all the famous performers that have come to Fountain Hills and played in
the park, not just big bands, but orchestras as well. The last one, I think, was more of a popular music
group, but yeah, it's an interesting little exhibit that has six different buttons you can push and listen to
the music played by those different performers.
BURNS: For work, I got a little bit of a hard hat for her at the Discovery Center, and I came along pretty
good. I talked to Joe and Nancy briefly about the plans for public art around the outside, but you know,
nothing is too definitive at this point. Inside, it sounds like it's going to be a great place.
YODER: If there are no other comments, let's move on to the next item, which is a Presentation by
Ryan Preston: See My Legacy.
PRESTON: That's me. I think a presentation may be a bit of a stretch for this one. On page six in front
of you in your agenda, if you want to scroll down, what I'm going to do is click and kind of take you to
the website. I was going to do that on the big screen. Unfortunately, due to my tardiness, I did not have
a chance to set that up. So, I apologize. I'll kind of explain how we're using this and what we're doing
with it. We haven't purchased it yet. We do have a meeting this week to kind of go over and make the
final decision on exactly what and how much we're going to purchase, and I'll talk about that here in a
second. So, it's page 6, you see the link, see my legacy.com when you click that, it should take you.
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
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To their web page. You can allow it. And I'll kind of just talk my way through this briefly. It's basically,
you can kind of scroll around while I do a quick overview. It's, it's in the staff summary as well, but it's,
it's a way to get information quickly about people where and when they want it. So, one of the main
things you'll see is QR code plaques and things like that. So, if you click on QR plaques on the top tab,
the QR plaques are the main thing; that's where a lot of our focus is. And if you see here, they use it a
lot for Memorial benches and things like that. One of the first things we're going to do with it is to use it
as our public art. And so, people will be able to click the QR code, and it will go right to information
about that art piece. And the great thing about this, the software is it's all integrated. It's all linked to
their end. It's not us on their government website. This is held on the See My Legacy website, and so it
will immediately say, do you want to take an art tour, for example? And it'll pull up a map of every single
piece of art that we have labeled and coded with this, and they'll be able to walk from one piece to
another. It'll help direct them from one piece to another. And every QR code will be unique on each
piece, and it will pop up information about that art, which is information that our public art group is going
to be helping me put together. We do have a few pamphlets and printouts on that already. Some of it
will want to expand upon some of it. There's very little to begin with. Others will probably just keep it as
it is and add it to this software. This is also possibly what we're looking at for your Points of Interest as
well. If you recall, we have 5 Points of Interest. We have not forgotten that these plaques can most
likely be used for that purpose as well. But we're looking into whether we want to use this or go a
different direction with that. In addition, also there be your signs that you came up, for example, for
Fountain Park, this will be, there will be QR codes associated with that as well. They can get you
information about where you are on time, about what you're looking at, or what you want. And all that
information will be housed in one spot and easy to navigate. You know, we've even talked about it, so
again, Tim, your idea with the overlays of the maps, this is probably where we would put that within
spots where you can see those, that in time as well. And so that's our main use for this. You'll see on
this website, there are a lot of likes, donor things, and things like that, which probably won't push too
heavy in that direction. It's going to be a lot of our art pieces and things like that. And Toni, what your
group is going to help us with, as well, is figure out what is going to be our first X amount that we're
going to start with these, which ones do we want to highlight? Are we going to do 20, 30, 50, off the
bat? Which is one of the reasons we haven't purchased this yet. We kind of want to have a bulk price
for as many of these plaques and QR codes as we want to order ahead of time. And so that's what this
is. That's the, See, My Legacy, that's about this art tours information and way above and beyond that,
right? They'll be able to scan at a Ramada and see when it's reserved. They'll be able to scan at a
pickleball court, see when those are reserved, and be able to book themselves into a league from
there. So, it's all this just information at your fingertips, one click away, that is the goal of this process.
So, does anybody have any questions about what we're looking at with that, or anything in relation?
BURNS: Is this something you've already acquired?
PRESTON: No, we're waiting, but it will be before July 1. We are waiting to get together and figure out
how many of the plagues and things we want to order, because we want to do all that in the same
purchase, as it will be discounted, a bulk discount that way, and trying to save a little money. Apologize,
I didn't have anything formal set up for you guys. But the big one is if you click, like I said, on the QR
plaques, and then, if you just hover over that on the top, and then, as you're hovered, go to the left and
click on QR plaques again, you'll kind of see what those look like. The little square one by the tree,
we're going to use that for a lot of just the art that already has information on it.
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And then anything where we want to have a story along with it, like points of interest, will be the larger
plaque with the details on it.
YODER: It looks great. I am impressed by the concept. And it just brings to mind lots of questions
about these companies that do this and that kind of thing. Cool.
PRESTON: Yep, and we've had a lot of conversations with the company already. We've had
conversations about, if they go under, who's the owner of these links and everything, and we have
established that those are held for us, either way, in the cloud. So even if the company goes under, we
have a 10-year window where we own websites and things like that, so they would turn over to us. So,
longevity and everything have been looked at with this as well. Thank you.
YODER: Any other comments or questions about that? Sounds great? Thank you. Okay, moving right
along, the next agenda item is Approving the Verbatim Minutes from the last meeting, April 2,
2025. Does anybody have any comments? Can I get a motion to approve?
OBST-DWORKIS: I make a motion to approve the minutes.
GALLAGHER: I second the motion.
YODER: All those in favor?
ALL: Aye.
YODER: Any opposition?
LOPUSZANSKI: Motion passes 6-0.
YODER: All right, next to the agenda is the Historical Registry for the Fountain. Think we have some
things to say about that. Bob, would you like to start?
BURNS: I guess looking for a little direction at this point. I know we still have some time that we're
working, but the item that I have written is right now, about 1000 words, and it brings me up to about
where we can make a transition into the listings that you have. And I wanted some discussion as to
how we wanted to approach that, because, you know, mine is a narrative writing and not a list. Just
trying to figure out how to make a segue there, and if I don't know if we need to get together and look at
what you've got and see if it needs to be pared down, or what, or anything like that. I also had a
question. I don't know if Ryan can provide directions or anything there, but I know you and I talked
about including information about the Veterans Memorial, and then I got to thinking about that, you
know, that's been 20 years since there. Does that cut into the legacy of the fountain in the park that
have been around for 50 and I don't know how that might impact, the thinking of someone who's
looking at that and considering, I mean, it's a great Veterans Memorial, but it doesn't have quite the
same historical legacy that the park and the fountain do at this point. I'm wondering how somebody
might look at this, as it isn't part of the overall landmark thing. But, I mean, it's part of the overall
landmark, but it doesn't have that same legacy.
PRESTON: I would probably lean toward agreeing to leaving it out. It's also just given when the town
was incorporated, as well as the timing of the wars and things like that. I think, as far as the historical
significance, like you said, it doesn't carry a lot of weight, specifically, if you're looking at the Town of
Fountain Hills. So, I would say it would be good. I don't think you would need to highlight that. And
again, if anybody has a different opinion.
BURNS: No, okay, like I said, I love the facility, and I think it's nice and warm, probably one of the
nicest ones in the country, but it doesn't really fit for somebody who's trying to consider whether this is a
50-year-old Historic Landmark.
GALLAGHER: In what year was the Veterans Memorial constructed?
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
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BURNS: 2005.
GALLAGHER: Thanks.
BURNS: This May is the 20th anniversary of the dedication.
LEPOER: Would it just be considered an enhancement, like so many other pieces of the park, like the
Instrument Museum and the kids' water thing? I would just think it would be considered an
enhancement, like all the additions that they've made.
PRESTON: I think it could be a mention, like I said, I wouldn't see it as far as it being a highlight.
GALLAGHER: Bob, is your 1000-word story going to tell the story of the park from beginning to end, or
just the founding of the town?
BURNS: No, it doesn't get into the founding of the town at all.
GALLAGHER: I’m sorry, I’m missing the point.
BURNS: I’m sorry. I got Tim a copy, but I was having problems with my email, and I don't know
whether I sent Ryan and Patti a copy of it or not. No, I guess not. So, I guess it is available for
distribution.
GALLAGHER: My question is, if this story had a headline, what would it be?
BURNS: I'm sorry.
GALLAGHER: If your story had a headline, what would that headline say?
BURNS: Basically, and I kind of took a cue from a comment Ryan made to me, basically started with
the people who were behind it, Robert McCullough, CB Wood, Lorne Pratt, to some extent, and talked
about their involvement and these guys who have a much broader Historic Environment in the
Southwest, and as an industrialist and community designer and I got into, you know, how that led to the
development of the fountain, and then that kind of fed off, you know, McCullough's imagining the
London Bridge at Lake Havasu and bringing it over. And then just kind of turning around when the
opportunities showed themselves or the idea came up for the fountain, how they seized on that and
took it to some people who could make it spectacular, and then that is kind of an overall, broad picture
of it.
GALLAGHER: Okay, thank you. With that understanding than mentioning anything other than how the
Fountain Park came to be is irrelevant.
BURNS: No, I'm thinking, yeah. And I did get into, you know, from Lorne Pratt's aspect, get into,
because I think it's significant, is the marketing of the community. Because you're talking about
somebody starting with dirt and turning it into a city, and, you know, using the fountain as a drawing.
YODER: I had a few thoughts I'd like to share, and I don't care either way, but I would feel negligent if I
didn't speak to the subject. So, if you look at the application, to have some places listed as national
landmarks. It talks about property, and so the property of the fountain is not, you know, it's not just the
water in the lake. I think it's always been one unit, the park and the lake, and the fountain itself as a
unit. That's my opinion, and so based on that, if you examine some of the other narratives that you
guys were kind enough to share with us, that were written about certain buildings back East or in
Boston or whatever. It's my opinion that the evaluators are interested in both what you are putting
together, Bob, but also what it looks like today, and how it gets there. So, like paraphrasing it down to
the real thing related to this, this timeline that was just a fancy of mine. You know, I think that some of
what exists at the Fountain Park should be mentioned. I don't think there's any need to talk about this
guy who did a concert there. That person did a concert there. But a phrase like, there have been many
Arizona Phoenix Symphony concerts, or it has been a venue for entertainment at all levels. You know,
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The park is a spot for disc golf. It's ranked number one or two in the world, or at least in the top five
now, and there's been the World Championships have been held there. I think that's the only athletic
thing at the park. It seems like it should be mentioned that it was installed on this date, and that the
park continues to be a host of athletic championships, you know? And then the art, for example, the
park is used as a venue to display public art. And then maybe, I don't know, whatever somebody thinks
is the most notable first piece that was put there, or first project, I just off the top of my head, I think of
the President's. It also hosts bronze art of the presidential bronze art that was started in 1996 or
whatever year it was. I don't know that. So that's just, you know, the big things, it seems to me like this,
the storefront there too, that's technically on the property. And somebody in Washington, DC, to me,
would want to know what this place looks like, you know, on paper. But I, you know, disagree with other
thoughts on this. That's just my opinion.
GALLAGHER: I guess my confusion comes from, are we supposed to be talking about how the park
got to be where it is today, or are we just talking about how the park originated? Yeah, and I don't know
the answer to that question.
KLINE: I would just like to maybe point out that originally, Fountain Hills was going to be called
Chaparral City, and it was going to be based on Orem Lake, which, you know, was for it would be
formed by Oren Dam, until that got defeated, and that the organizers of the town needed a new focal
point, and so it gave them a chance to pivot and choose a new focal point to bring the town into being.
And having the world's highest fountain. It was a big enough attraction to fly people in from all over the
country and attract world-renowned performers, not just local performers.
BURNS: Tim, I have not had an opportunity to read what you have there, and I'd love to be able to so I
don't know, but, I'm not sure how broad a range of stuff you're looking at there, but I can see A
considerable difference between a structure building back east and this fountain and park, because I
can see, okay, what does this building look like today? As in, has it been restored? Was it restored as it
should have been? That kind of stuff, and we don't have that to work with. Bonnie, I understand what
you're saying from the historical standpoint. But again, you know, from what kind of what Ryan was
thinking here too, going hesitating to go too far afield, from what we're talking about the fountain in the
park, and not necessarily getting started wandering off into the history of Fountain Hills too much. I've
been trying to avoid that. And so, you know, that's my thoughts on that.
PRESTON: To add to this. And I think, you know, obviously the history of the fountain, the found in the
history of the town are tied closely together, and I think we can, we could pull those strings. But like you
said, not going too far. The good news is, this is not a test, and we have access to somebody at the art
historical registry, who I'm pretty sure would be very willing to help look at, look at drafts and see if
we're going in the right direction and provide suggestions. I'm going to reach out to him, probably
tomorrow, and see if maybe Tim, who's in the work group again. Okay, so maybe Tim, I'll put you in
contact with him as a point of contact, he seems very willing to bounce ideas off him as far as what
should work with this fountain and the park. He's the one suggested to do the whole park, not just the
fountain. He's also the one who suggested that maybe the personality of the people behind it was a
good angle to take their historical significance throughout the southwest, like you mentioned, and just
the people who brought this together. This is historically significant, specifically McCullough and CV
Wood, and so he provided a lot of these suggestions in the framework, which I know Bob and I talked
about, and that you're going off now. So, I'll do my best to put you guys in contact as a good reference
to check if we're on the right track.
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
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YODER: Thank you. That sounds good.
BURNS: And I think what Ryan's just saying there Tim might in my, from my perspective anyway, is
why is it, or why it might not be a bad idea or kind of a good idea to, you know, name drop on some of
the people that have performed at the park, because those are some pretty big names. You know that
not too many young people probably recognize them, but, from a historical perspective, significant in
my mind.
KLINE: So, Bob, you may know the answer to this, but there was a famous competition between Billie
Jean King, was that in Fountain Park?
BURNS: (Inaudible recording)
YODER: Okay, any other comments on that? I'm trying to think if I have something,
KLINE: Do you have an idea when this might be completed, and would it be next year? And could an
event be made around the presentation of that status?
PRESTON: Yeah, it’s a great question, one that was brought up by somebody else recently as well. I
think the great timing would be July 4, 2026. I'm not quite sure of the timeline for this. That is a question
I also have for our contact, and, you know, it wouldn't be a bad time to shoot for basically, you know, a
year and a couple months from now, the state was a quick turnaround. I'm sure the national is a little
different, and so I'll investigate that for you guys when we touch base.
BURNS: I guess I'd be interested in there. As far as timing goes, when should we plan to submit? You
know?
PRESTON: Yeah, I think it's early fall, by the end of the year, what, you know, I kind of
right. Well, I mean, our meetings are limited at this point. What we have before fall, we have just one
more, and then we're out till September, I believe. And so, I think, the end of fall would be a good time
frame to aim for. Maybe by November, we're reviewing as a commission, and then looking to push it
forward through that.
YODER: Another thing, I'll ask this, this contact, you know, we do kind of a cool, technical water saving
thing with this aquifer storage and recovery. Well, that makes us look smart. And I think one of those, at
least, is on the fountain property, in the park property, three of them are so that, like, along the lines
with maybe name dropping like this is, seems to me something that should possibly be considered to
go in.
BURNS: I did touch on that in the narrative. I don't recall how much I spoke about it.
YODER: Very good. Okay, moving right along. Let's go to the 250th Anniversary Update. Anybody
want to speak on that?
BURNS: I received something, and I tried to get it to my cohorts here in the community. But this is the
250th National and I, you know, I looked this over, but I thought we probably ought to try to get together
in a meeting sometime. And, you know, kind of bounce some of these ideas, because it goes in
somewhat specific as to what kind of programs they're hosting and sponsoring, and different ideas that
we might be able to latch on to. I think I forwarded this to Patti.
KLINE: So, I received it, Bob, but I haven't had a chance to look through it in detail yet.
BURNS: You did get it? Okay?
LOPUSZANSKI: No, I didn’t receive it because I would have attached it to the packet, so if I may, I'll
take that, and then I'll send an email to everybody.
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PRESTON: That was going to be one of my notes for this. This agenda item is, you know, looking at
what is being done nationally and what maybe we can adapt to locally, or just spark ideas for things
that we want to maybe tackle here as well.
KLINE: I talked to the regent of the local DAR and I know they're planning an event at the community
center on February 7 next year, and it's Toast to Liberty, and they're going to have a well-known author
as a speaker and a silent auction and kind of a USO theme as a happy birthday to the country, big
band music and that kind of thing. So, and I know I didn't get a chance to talk too much to the River of
Time Museum, but I know they're planning some events, and it sounds like different groups in town are
planning events, and maybe the town could take a, you know, gather them all together under one
heading or program, so like a year of events,
BURNS: Give me some information, Bonnie, and you can send it to me an email at the office, and I'll
put something together today that we can put on the paper and say, “Hey, you know, if you're planning
something, reach out,” okay.
KLINE: I'm thinking the VFW and the American Legion may also have events that would tie in. I don't
know if we want to include state events or just keep it to what's happening within the boundaries of
Fountain Hills.
PRESTON: Yeah, if you guys want to begin compiling that information, that could be great. Just about
the note in the paper. Obviously, if it's coming from you, it's fine. If it's under the name of the
Commission, we want to approve any postings that would go in there first.
GALLAGHER: What makes sense is the suggestion to have the town weigh in.
PRESTON: Just, you know, if it's coming from the commission or the paper, just making sure if it's from
the Commission, that we just have a quick look at it.
LEPOER: There are also different things around town that have local events, like you've got the Desert
Vibe, and I think I love Fountain Hills and experience Fountain Hills. So, we could work with those
people, too, to see if it could get posted on their different event calendars.
PRESTON: Experience Fountain Hills is our version of the catch-all, everything, and that's anybody can
put on that at any given time. So, we can always do what we do if we encourage the event organizers
to put that on themselves, to add it to that calendar.
KLINE: So, I was also looking into like reenactors and that kind of thing, if there's still an interest in
having that, either for the President's Day and something revolving around the President's statues or
maybe some other event. I'm just wondering whether to go ahead and pursue talking to people like the
Arizona Historical Society and different speaker organizations.
PRESTON: Yeah, it never hurts to talk to them. I think I don't have your vision. I don't know what that
would look like as or within an event or as a standalone event. So, if you have some more details, you
could share some thoughts that you put together, we'd be happy to hear, I think, as a group.
KLINE: I was quite excited about one group, and then I found out that it's only for school kids or home-
schooled kids. It's not that they don't go out and do events, but it's all about the 18th century, mainly the
Civil War or the Revolutionary War, and they have George Washington as a speaker, and colonial
ladies and a whole bunch of events that would be nice to tie into, and they have them at Schnepp
Farms. I didn't know if they branched out and brought it out to other places, but it sounds like it's mainly
for school children and not the public.
YODER: Let's move on to the next subject, then, and that is Public Art Identification. Does anybody
have anything about that?
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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LEPOER: About all I can say is I have all kinds of information. I've got public art, some public art
information, and I can pull it all as well as I have a book. I have, like, tons that we already registered.
What I'm more curious about is that there's also a lot of big private pieces. Is that something we're
considering or not, maybe not the first round?
PRESTON: No, we wouldn't. We wouldn't do anything with the private pieces. Most likely I can, I can
confirm that, but I'm pretty sure we would stay with the public art. So, our side would be completely
public art.
LEPOER: Okay, well, I have a full list of all that. I have a book that lists every piece of public art, from a
painting to everything. And so, I've got all that already.
PRESTON: Okay, perfect. And a question, have you been able to look through the descriptions, see if
any of them need a little updating, if any of them need a little help?
LEPOER: I think they all could use a little bit of help. And I know that there are also new pictures that
were taken, and that I don't have yet, but I know that we had a new Jenny Willigrod who had new
photos taken. And I'm going to have to reach out to Jenny to see where those are stored, and I'll grab
all that.
KLINE: Is that the Docent Handbook?
LEPOER: I'm not sure if it's a Docent Handbook or not, but I know that we have a full list of, I mean, I
think she had all the new public art photos taken of all the public art after it was cleaned last time. Is it
the docent Handbook of that?
KLINE: I have Docent Handbooks, but they're not up to date.
LEPOER: Well, I mean, a lot of art, I mean, it's about it, doesn't change. We haven't had anything new
in a while. So, I think it's probably about as up-to-date as it can be. And I think if we pull it all together,
we could probably look at, if we want to fluff, some of the copy about each piece, descriptions.
LOPUSZANSKI: Do you know the date of your book? We've had some pieces that have been
decommissioned. So, I was just wondering, how current is it?
LEPOER: I’m not sure. I know. I just got it like in the fall. So, I mean, it may still have some pieces that
have been decommissioned. I mean, it's not like a formal book. It's just like somebody puts it together,
like little descriptions about all the pieces of art, and puts it all together. So, I haven't walked around
and made sure that, you know, every one of them is still there. Yet. I haven't verified that. But when
public art was then brought into the town. I was given this book, like, here, you're going to need this
now.
LOPUSZANSKI: So sorry, because we do have a listing as well, like, you know, past kind of, again,
kind of, in paper form that pictures taken. But we have gone through, we did have some, quite a few
pieces that have been decommissioned, some pieces returned to the original artist if they wanted it,
and then also some that just were ill-repaired, just we couldn't do anything with them. So maybe we
can, you know, bring that in, or we can take a look and see how current it is, and then we can go there.
LEPOER: Absolutely, I think that's a good idea, yeah. And like I said, I have all kinds. I have some
information that was pulled together the last time that they did the QR codes that are, yeah, obviously
no longer working. I’ve got recordings from videos of some of the artists that were done. I've got a lot of
information.
PRESTON: Perfect, I encourage everybody who's in the work group, or anybody who wants to check it
out, to have a public art web page. There are a few PDF links on there. One of the things I think is the
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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The town has the full list of public art in the descriptions within that. And that's probably what we'll look
to kind of maybe base a lot of this off, as far as updating things like that. So, on the public art page,
there
is a PDF with the full listing, at least at the time of the creation of public art, and information about each
piece as well.
YODER: Related to this, it looks like the next agenda item is Public Art Applications.
LOPUSZANSKI: So, at this point, we do not have anything coming forward as an application from a
developer.
YODER: All right, then moving on to Future Agenda Items and Presentations, I'd like to me. To make
a note that I think, I think this is pertinent to this. Peter and I went to a school board meeting last month
after our commission meeting, and it was so delayed. We sat there, I think, for about two hours, and we
left without having the ability to speak to the board. So, unfortunately, the school board meets on the
first Wednesday of every month, and they have another second Wednesday. Well, since I missed I
personally, maybe Peter can join me again. I've, I'm going to go to the June 18 school board meeting to
propose next year's essay and art contest. That's the last meeting of this year before, you know, the
summer break for school. And I think that should be adequate, and hopefully not too crazy busy. The
one late, I asked the superintendent about may not today, but the next one in two weeks, and he said
that'll be, that'll be crazy, because it's just it's right before graduation, and there will not be a good
opportunity for the public to speak there. So, I'll do that on June 18, and if you want to join me.
GALLAGHER: I'd be happy to we can get ourselves put on their agenda so that we have space
reserved for us to speak to.
YODER: Let me talk to the Superintendent.
GALLAGHER: Not sure how their process works.
YODER: Okay? Any other comments about future agenda items and presentations, so that my report
will be at the first meeting back in September.
LOPUSZANSKI: Toni, did you want to be put on the agenda for June, for the art book, and bring that
forward? Other things. Okay,
LEPOER: And yes, please do All, I do some good I've all figured out, okay?
YODER: And can we do, do? Should we do another continued update on the historical registry and 250
anniversary and all that just rolls over without being said, okay, all right, then, if there's nothing further,
the next history and culture Advisory Commission meeting will be June 4. 2025, I'm looking at it.
Any other further comments? Okay, can I get a motion to adjourn?
OBST-DWORKIS: I am making a Motion to Adjourn the Meeting.
KLINE: I'll second that motion.
YODER: All in favor?
ALL: Aye.
YODER: Any opposition?
LOPUSZANSKI: Motion to adjourn passes 6-0.
Having no further business, Chair Yoder adjourned the Regular Meeting of the History and Culture
Advisory Commission on May 7, 2025, at 4:48 p.m.
HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 7, 2025, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
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HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
__________________________________________________
Tim Yoder, Chair
ATTESTED AND PREPARED BY:
____________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the verbatim minutes of
the History and Culture Advisory Commission held in the Town Hall Council Chambers on May
7, 2025. I certify that the meeting was duly called, and a quorum was present.
Dated this 4th day of June 2025
________________________________________
Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
ITEM 6.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Historical
Registry for the Fountain
Staff Summary (Background)
Attachments
Fountain Narrative 06.04.25
Historic Registry Subsection Proposals
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 1
National landmark status for Fountain/Fountain Park, Fountain Hills, Arizona
The fountain is a little like a natural wonder enthralling people the first time they see it. It is
visible for miles approaching Fountain Hills from either direction along the highway that
passes near the town’s eastern boundary. On a clear day the bright white stream spouting
into the air is visible from 20 miles away and about 5,000 feet up on a saddle of Four Peaks
in the Mazatzal Mountains.
For over half a century the fountain at Fountain Hills, Arizona has been like a lantern in the
night, attracting visitors and future residents alike.
Post World War II the Phoenix, Arizona area, as well as the rest of the United States, was in
a historic economic and population boom unrivaled in U.S. history. Veterans who received
aviation training at the numerous air bases in the state returned after the war remembering
the hospitable climate.
Between 1950 and 1960 Phoenix experienced a decade with more than 15% growth and
ranked 29th in population among U.S. cities. By 1970 it had climbed to the 20th spot.
During his administration in the early 1960s President John F. Kennedy placed a priority on
housing for the growing population. He sought urban renewal and construction of
affordable housing units for young families and offered government help to cities to
accomplish this.
Among those responding to the challenge was a creative and innovative team that included
industrialist Robert P. McCulloch, inventor of centrifugal supercharger technology to
increase power in automobile engines.
McCulloch was a graduate of Stanford University and started McCulloch Engineering in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin to manufacture the superchargers. He sold that company to Borg
Warner and moved west where he started McCulloch Motors and found a niche in making
motors for chainsaws used for cutting wood and lake ice. His factory for this enterprise was
on land where Los Angelas International Airport is now located. He made a significant
windfall when he sold that property.
McCulloch expanded his motor manufacturing to include outboard motors and began to
seek out a location where he could develop a complete city for company employees as well
as have a location for testing the outboard motors.
In searching out a top land planner to assist, McCulloch teamed with Cornelius Vanderbilt
Wood (CV), a former executive of Disney Corp. and was instrumental in the development of
Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 2
Wood was hired by Disney from the Stanford Research Institute to help with the planning
and development of Disneyland theme park in California. He was made vice president and
general manager responsible for land acquisition for the park as well as construction
oversight.
Wood worked for Disney for 22 months between 1954 and the end of 1955 when he was
abruptly and mysteriously dismissed. The history of the Disney company and the original
theme park makes no mention of Wood.
Wood continued in the amusement park business through the end of the 1950s developing
Freedomland in New York City, Pleasure Island in Massachusetts and Six Flags, Texas
before connecting with McCulloch in the 1960s.
McCulloch and Wood teamed up to create Lake Havasu City, Arizona along the Colorado
River. It became the company town McCulloch wanted for the manufacture and testing
outboard motors. With this venture McCulloch became the first entrepreneur of new cities
in Arizona, according to William S. Collins in his book about development in Phoenix, “The
Emerging Metropolis, 1944-1973.” The development enterprise became a subsidiary of
McCulloch Oil the included oil, gas and mining operations from Alaska to Colombia in
South America.
Seeking to make Lake Havasu City a tourist destination rather than just a manufacturing
city, McCulloch purchased the London Bridge from London, England and shipped all the
stones to Lake Havasu where it was reconstructed over an inlet along the river. With the
relocation of London Bridge, McCulloch became a great believer in symbols as selling
points. Something that would come into play with his second Arizona development
venture.
Seeking to add to his development portfolio McCulloch purchased 12,000 acres of former
ranch land in the desert northeast of Phoenix for a new city there. He also moved ahead at
the same time with the development of Pueblo West in Colorado.
Initially the planned community in Arizona was christened Chaparral City on a site in the
desert near Scottsdale, Arizona.
According to Collins, there were significant challenges to developing a new city in a
populated metropolitan area. Neighboring cities were not pleased with the proposed
encroachment into areas that were potential expansion opportunities. Such was the case
with Chaparral City and the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale challenged McCulloch’s planned
use of irrigation bonds for development financing. It was a court challenge and McCulloch
did not want to press the issue in court due to time and costs. He went to the Arizona State
Legislature.
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 3
McCulloch was looking for a new law that would allow private developers to issue
municipal bonds for public facilities. A bill passed into law but included an oversight
provision which McCulloch also found to be a time constraint. He turned to a 1941 law that
had not been used in nearly 30 years to form special districts, including road districts to
accelerate road construction. The road districts for the new development proved difficult to
manage right up until the time of incorporation as a town in 1989 when they were no longer
needed.
McCulloch also took advantage of the opportunity in early development to form a sanitary
district for wastewater management as well as a school district for the community. Being
still the largest property owner and having employees as residents made operations of the
districts on behalf of the developer a relatively simple matter.
By the end of 1969 development activity had begun in Chaparral City when a new idea
presented itself to McCulloch and Wood as they were working to design the community. In
October 1969 the Phoenix Gazette, the metro area afternoon newspaper printed a news
column suggesting Phoenix needed a monument to its success as a growing city in the
middle of the desert. The writer proposed using a large fountain of water as a symbol of that
success.
According to an article by Keith McMahan, a long-time employee of McCulloch Properties
and its successor MCO, published in 2009 in Vista Magazine, the Gazette article was seen
by the president of Page Land & Cattle Company who had brokered the sale of the ranch
land to McCulloch. He sent the article to Wood whose reaction was “immediate and
enthusiastic,” according to McMahan. Wood contacted the project engineer at Chaparral
City and asked about the feasibility of a large lake where such a fountain could be created.
He was told there was a location about 60 acres in size that formed a natural basin near the
eastern edge of the property that just might work.
This information set McCulloch and Wood on their next international project, creating a
fountain that could reach the tallest height in the world in the Arizona desert. They went to
the Institute of Hydraulic Research in Zürich, Switzerland for help in designing the nozzle for
the fountain. At that time the tallest fountain in the world was the Le Jet d’Eau on Lake
Geneva in Switzerland that reached a height of 400 feet.
While the nozzle was being developed work went forward to create a 32-acre lake to hold
100 million gallons of water to create the fountain. Wood had gone to J.S. Hammel
Engineering of Pasadena, California for help with the lake design. It was a company he had
worked with creating the Rivers of America attraction around Tom Sawyer’s Island at
Disneyland.
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 4
The fountain operates using three 600 horsepower electric motors necessary to create the
velocity to power the water over 550 feet into the air. The two-ton nozzle is designed to mix
with air to create a pure white column of water when conditions are calm.
The fountain was turned on for the first time on December 15, 1970, and was in place to
attract potential homeowners as well as tourists to the development now rechristened
Fountain Hills after the introduction of the fountain.
The motors for the large pumps have been rebuilt over time along with the necessary valve
replacements and other components. During 1999-2000 Fountain Lake was drained and
the liner that retains the water was replaced. The park and fountain are now operated by
the Town of Fountain Hills, which updates technology and control systems.
Over the years the fountain, lake and Fountain Park have also become an integral part of
the wastewater treatment system managed by the Fountain Hills Sanitary District. With the
growth of the community the sanitary district, as the entity charged with treating
wastewater, developed a recharge and recovery system where treated water is injected into
underground storage wells beneath Fountain Park. The water is stored when effluent is
more plentiful and is pumped back out for irrigation use during hot summers.
According to the late Alan Cruikshank, one of the founders of the Fountain Hills Times
newspaper and co-author of Rising Above the Rest, a history of Fountain Hills, the original
marketing program for the Fountain Hills community was conceived by Loren Pratt, another
innovator with strong Southern California ties and knew McCulloch and Wood. Pratt had
served as president of Holly Development Corp, a land sales company and developer of
communities in Southern California. Well known for his promotional expertise, Pratt was
part of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce team that expanded and developed the
Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Pratt joined McCulloch with the marketing plan for Lake Havasu City. Since the city was
isolated along the Colorado River, Pratt came up with and advertising campaign reaching
out to metropolitan areas in the Northwest and Midwest of the United States. The program,
known as “See Before you Buy,” flew potential homebuyers to Lake Havasu expenses paid.
McCulloch implemented this by purchasing an airliner from TWA.
The plan was a success and fit perfectly into a marketing and sales plan for Fountain Hills,
which was initiated in 1968 at the same time Pratt’s operations moved from California to
Scottsdale, Arizona. Lot sales began for Fountain Hills in 1972 with advertising splashed
across major cities in the Midwest as well as Portland, Seattle and Vancouver in the
Northwest. McCulloch had expanded his McCulloch International Airlines fleet to five
airliners to accommodate the interest.
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 5
McCulloch also put the park surrounding the lake and fountain to good use in attracting
visitors, and potential property buyers, to the community. Throughout the ‘70s the
development company brought some of the top name artists of the day to perform
concerts at the park drawing thousands to enjoy the music.
The artists included Boston Pops Conductor Arthur Fiedler conducting the Phoenix
Symphony. Andre Kastelanetz and John Green each directed the Phoenix orchestra with
newsman Walter Cronkite a guest performer with Kastelanetz.
Henry Mancini, popular for his theatrical and television theme music also conducted the
Phoenix Symphony, as did Count Basie who also brought his band. In1989 a Fourth of July
country and western artists, the Gatlin Brothers performed before an estimated 170,000 in
Fountain Park, according to reports from organizers.
Major political stories also played out at Fountain Park. President Ronald Reagan’s
Secretary of Interior James Watt used the park as a staging area for helicopters for his
announcement of the cancelling of the Orme Dam project (part of the federal Central
Arizona Project) that would have created a lake along the eastern edge of Fountain Hills
that would have inundated the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation forcing the relocation of
hundreds of Native Americans.
In 2016 President Donald Trump drew thousands to the park for a campaign event in March.
One of the first disc golf courses was built within Fountain Park. It was proposed by Van
Miller and Ed Headrick who is known as the father of the modern-day Frisbee, the inventor
of the basket catch and founder of the Pro Disc Golf Association.
What is considered by many to be one of the finest small town veterans’ memorials in the
county occupies a portion of Fountain Park along its southern edge. Built by volunteers who
were veterans themselves or descendants of veterans the memorial includes bronze
artwork and a centerpiece Vietnam era howitzer cannon. The memorial was dedicated in
2005.
“With the culmination of the twenty-five-year trend toward larger and more integrated
developments, Fountain Hills remains fairly unique,” Collins wrote. “In general, new cities
in isolated areas like Lake Havasu City are more problematic ventures than development
such as Fountain Hills that can take advantage of the established employment base and
other facilities and amenities in a nearby metropolitan area.”
Collins added that developers of later planned communities in the Phoenix Valley rarely
anticipated incorporation because it became the policy of all Valley cities to annex any new
development.
Fountain Landmark Narrative
HCAC Meeting Review – June 4, 2025
Page | 6
It took three elections before accomplishing the incorporation of Fountain Hills in part
because of a lack of support and cooperation from neighboring City of Scottsdale. The
residents of Fountain Hills chose specifically to incorporate as a town rather than a city due
to the friendlier and more neighborly image of a town over a city.
Robert McCulloch passed away at his home in California in 1977, before Fountain Hills
became an incorporated town. C.V. Wood continued with various development projects
until his retirement. He died in 1992. Although he was never recognized by the Disney
Company, Wood was inducted into the hall of fame for his alma mater Hardin Simmons
University, Abeline, Texas where he attended on a trick roping scholarship. He is also a
member of the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame in Fountain Hills, being inducted with its
fifth class in 2008.
It has been noted that McCulloch, along with Wood, had achieved a couple of unique world
records during their business career. One was acquiring and relocating the world’s largest
antique (London Bridge), and creating the world’s tallest fountain, a distinction held by the
fountain for about 15 years before it was surpassed.
Historic Registry Form — Highlighted sections.
For Patti, Ryan, Bob, Susan
Hello,
Patti asked that we submit answers/proposals for highlighted areas on the
Historic Registry form. In an effort to contribute, I submit the following for
consideration.
Thank you,
Tim Yoder
6. Function or Use:
RECREATION AND CULTURE, “Monument/Marker” (for the fountain itself)
RECREATION AND CULTURE, “Outdoor Recreation” (for the park)
LANDSCAPE, “Park”
Current Function: Same as above.
7. Architectural Style:
OTHER, “Fountain”
OTHER, “Fountain Park”
Materials: (The formal instructions make this particular section
challenging for us. I suggest more guidance from the Dr. Collins?)
Foundation: CONCRETE (Pumphouse?)
Walls: BRICK
Roof: PLYWOOD/PARTICLE BOARD
Other: N/A
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria
(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property
for National Register listing.)
• A Property is associated with events that have made
a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history.
• B Property is associated with the lives of persons
significant in our past.
• C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics
of a type, period, or method of construction or
represents the work of a master, or possesses
high artistic values, or represents a significant and
distinguishable entity whose components lack
individual distinction.
• D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield,
information important in prehistory or history.
Area of Significance:
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION
EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
INVENTION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
ART
Period of Significance;
December, 1970 to Present (?)
Significant Dates:
I submitted a timeline to the subcommittee and Ryan and Patti last week. A
few of those dates would be appropriate to add here.
Maybe the commission can discuss and select the dates?
Significant Person: (Refer to Criterion B which will have been check
marked in #8 above I believe. It is copied/pasted from the formal app.)
Robert McCulloch
CV Wood
?
Cultural Affiliation:
Criterion D dependent. I believe this should be left blank or N/A
Architect/Builder:
Bob Burns would have the best information on this.
Submitted for review.
Tim Yoder
ITEM 7.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: 250th
Anniversary of USA
Staff Summary (Background)
Workgroup discussion ideas:
Provide US flag pins to all Fountain Hills volunteers to wear while volunteering. May be
able to find a couple of donors to help cover this (you can count me in)
1.
Also seek donors who might provide flags to install for residents assisted with the Make
a Difference Day in 2026. Resident would have the option to accept of course.
2.
Work with Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills for a 250-mile hiking challenge over
the year. Start in January and pick up again in the fall. Also allow participants to log
summer hiking activity.
3.
Would like to urge all citizens to get as many US flags as possible attached to homes
around Fountain Hills. Possible to talk with Paul's and Target to participate with
discounts or promotion?
4.
ITEM 8.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Historical Art
and Essay Contest
Staff Summary (Background)
We were able to get added to the front end of the school board agenda for June 18, 2025, to promote the art
and essay competition beginning late this coming fall, with a hand-in date sometime in March of 2026.
ITEM 9.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Public Art
Identification
Staff Summary (Background)
Toni will bring in art books and materials that she has collected from the public art committee.
ITEM 10.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): CONSIDERATION AND
POSSIBLE ACTION: Public Art Applications
Staff Summary (Background)
Attachments
Brush with the West
Gem Saturn
International Dark Sky Proposal
Revised Map Location for Cowboy Artist
22 | P a g e
ARTWORK DONATION APPLICATION
Please attach additional sheets. The Town reserves the right to request additional information
in order to process a donation proposal.
DONOR
Name(s)
Organization (if applicable):
(Please check one: Individual(s) Corporation Not-for-Profit
Other (specify: )
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
(Please check one):
Donation of artwork to be commissioned
Donation of existing artwork
Donation for Development Percent for Public Art (Please go to Percent for Development Option)
Conflict of Interest: Disclose whether the donor has any active contracts with the Town or is involved
in any stage of negotiations for a Town contract.
ARTIST
Name Alias (If applicable)
Nationality Birth Date Death Date (If applicable)
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
Website
Use this form to submit proposals for permanent artwork donations or short-term or long-term
loans. Thank you for your interest in donating artwork to the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Please direct any questions, and complete and submit this application to:
Name: Joe Bill
480-200-8289
International Dark Sky Discovery Center
12845 N La Montana Blvd.
Fountain Hills AZ 85268 USA
x
Doug Katonak
American
14844 E Golden Eagle Blvd.
Fountain Hills AZ 85268 USA
(480) 540-3550
480-200-8289
Address:
Email Address:
12240 N Barrel Cactus Way
joebill@darkskycenter.org
X
Phone:
joebill@darkskycenter.org
RECEIVED 5/28/2025
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Artist Representation/Gallery Name (If applicable)
Artist Representation/Gallery Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
Website
For donations of commissioned artwork, please explain the method used in the selection of the artist.
ARTWORK
Title
Artwork type (e.g., painting, print, drawing, sculpture)Medium: include all materials
Description of Artwork
Creation Date Dimensions and Weight
Anticipated Life Expectancy of the Artwork
Finishes applied to surface
Construction technique(s)
If this artwork is part of a series or group, what is the total number in the series or group?
If this artwork is part of an edition, what is the edition number of this piece, and the total edition size?
Describe frame, if any. Describe base or pedestal, if any.
N/A
Sculpture Bronze
Photo included in Public Art Proposal
100+ years if not vandalized or stolen
N/A
%UXVKZLWKWKH:HVW
IW[IWDQGIWKLJK About 400 lbs.August 2015
N/A
N/A
N/A Similar to photo included with attached bio
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Describe any accompanying accessories
Current location of artwork
Proposed site for placement (if applicable)
For memorials, describe the person or event to be commemorated, and explain why this person or
event deserves special recognition.
ARTWORK HISTORY
Provenance/Past Owners: List all past owners and period of ownership for each. A separate page can
be submitted.
Exhibition History: List the exhibition history including exhibition titles, venues, and dates for each.
Publications and References: List all publications about and references to the artwork.
COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP
Name of current copyright owner Title
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
If the donor is the current copyright owner, does the donor intend to transfer the copyright to the
Town of Fountain Hills should the donation be accepted by the Town?
ARTWORK VALUATION (per appraisal)
Place where new sidewalk between the library/museum and IDSDC adjoins Centennial
Circle. This is in the triangular area that formerly was grass.
N/A
Fountain Hills
N/A
Exhibited from 2015 to 2022 at 16810 E Avenue of the Fountain
In storage from 2022 to present
See attached bio
Dan Kauffman from 2015 to 2022
Doug Katonak
Same as entered above for Doug
25 | P a g e
Fair Market Value $
CONDITION
Describe the current condition of the artwork noting any existing breaks, tears, scratches, abrasions,
paint losses, or other insecurities or defects in the artwork.
If the artwork has been conserved, describe the conservation treatment and name of the conservator.
Provide recommendations for routine maintenance of artwork. Indicate whether these recommendations
were provided by a conservator.
(Optional) Provide recommendations for security, installation, transportation and/or
storage.
For donations of commissioned artwork, please outline the installation plan.
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS
Please submit the following materials along with this completed form.
Artist’s résumé and bio
Digital, color images of past artwork by artist
For commissioned artwork, color renderings or maquettes of proposed artwork
Maps or images of proposed site for artwork
Itemized list of any costs to be borne by the Town for transportation, installation, exhibition,
operation, maintenance, conservation, and/or security
maintenance, conservation, and/or security
For commissioned artwork, an itemized budget for design, fabrication, and installation
For commissioned artwork, a timeline for design, fabrication, and installation
Foundry cost was over $20,000 in 2015. Artist and asst. artist donated their time and must add value.
How was this fair market value determined and by whom?
With inflation, $20,000+ in 2015 is worth $28,000+ today. Artist costs would add significantly to this amount.
Excellent
Same as for all other bronze sculptures
N/A
x
x
See bio in Public Art Proposal document
26 | P a g e
Exhibition catalogs, publications and/or references, if available
Formal, written appraisal for any artwork with a fair market value of $10,000 or more
Condition report, if available
Conservator’s report, if applicable
Proof of authenticity, if available
Any other information relevant to the artwork
DEVELOPMENT PERCENT FOR PUBLIC ART
( )
Development
Description
Total Construction Cost * as Determined by Town Staff
The Town will determine the Total Construction Cost using objective standards from the most recent
edition of the International Code Council (ICC) Building Valuation Data for percentage calculations. The
Total Construction Cost will not be based on the actual cost of construction, ensuring uniform application
of objective criteria across all projects. The calculated amount will be posted on the permit application.
For the latest ICC Building Valuation Data used in these calculations, please contact the Building Safety
Office at 480-816-5123.
Total Calculated Percent Requirement as Determined by Town Staff
1% of Total Construction Cost* for projects of $1 million or less;
¾% of Total Construction Cost* for projects with a value between $1 million and $10 million; or
½% of Total Construction Cost* for projects with a Total Construction Cost over $10 million.
International Dark Sky Discovery Center
[6HHDWWDFKHGELR
Nonprofit, 23,000 sq. ft. science facility with observatory, planetarium, theater, and exhibit hall.
Darkskycenter.org
27 | P a g e
(Please check one):
Developer chooses to make donation to Public Art Fund
Amount Received $ Payment Type
Developer chooses to meet percent requirement with on-site art installation (please fill out Artwork
Donation Application and reference the Town of Fountain Hills Public Art Master Plan.)
Developer chooses to donate an artwork to the Town of Fountain Hills (please fill out Artwork Donation
Application and reference the Town of Fountain Hills Public Art Master Plan.)
DONOR’S AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE A DONATION REVIEW
Authorized signature Title
Print name Date
STAFF ONLY
Received by Date
X
Board President, International Dark Sky Discovery Center
Joe Bill May 28, 2025
22 | P a g e
ARTWORK DONATION APPLICATION
Please attach additional sheets. The Town reserves the right to request additional information
in order to process a donation proposal.
DONOR
Name(s)
Organization (if applicable):
(Please check one: Individual(s) Corporation Not-for-Profit
Other (specify: )
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
(Please check one):
Donation of artwork to be commissioned
Donation of existing artwork
Donation for Development Percent for Public Art (Please go to Percent for Development Option)
Conflict of Interest: Disclose whether the donor has any active contracts with the Town or is involved
in any stage of negotiations for a Town contract.
ARTIST
Name Alias (If applicable)
Nationality Birth Date Death Date (If applicable)
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
Website
Use this form to submit proposals for permanent artwork donations or short-term or long-term
loans. Thank you for your interest in donating artwork to the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Please direct any questions, and complete and submit this application to:
Name: Joe Bill
480-200-8289
International Dark Sky Discovery Center
12845 N La Montana Blvd.
Fountain Hills 85268 USA
480-200-8289 joebill@darkskycenter.com
x
Zee Haag
American 1958
Tucson AZ USA
Many sites, as he sells through art dealers. For example: gemstoneart.net
x
x
Address:
Email Address:
Phone:12240 N Barrel Cactus Way
joebill@darkskycenter.org
X
x
AZ
RECEIVED 5/28/2025
23 | P a g e
Artist Representation/Gallery Name (If applicable)
Artist Representation/Gallery Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
Website
For donations of commissioned artwork, please explain the method used in the selection of the artist.
ARTWORK
Title
Artwork type (e.g., painting, print, drawing, sculpture)Medium: include all materials
Description of Artwork
Creation Date Dimensions and Weight
Anticipated Life Expectancy of the Artwork
Finishes applied to surface
Construction technique(s)
If this artwork is part of a series or group, what is the total number in the series or group?
If this artwork is part of an edition, what is the edition number of this piece, and the total edition size?
Describe frame, if any. Describe base or pedestal, if any.
Many Worldwide
Gem Saturn
Gem stone art Gem stones, brass box, LED lights
Gem stones are sliced and polished and then set into a laser cut frame. Gem stones used are pink
tourmaline, yellow opal, blue sodolite, rhodonite, and amethyst.
2023
100 years + All color is from gemstones; no glass, plastic, or paint is used.
Clear resin
See above. The raw materials are expensive and the process is extremely labor intensive.
N/A
N/A
N/AEntryway wall of Discovery Center
40w x 36h x 3d ~ 30lbs
24 | P a g e
Describe any accompanying accessories
Current location of artwork
Proposed site for placement (if applicable)
For memorials, describe the person or event to be commemorated, and explain why this person or
event deserves special recognition.
ARTWORK HISTORY
Provenance/Past Owners: List all past owners and period of ownership for each. A separate page can
be submitted.
Exhibition History: List the exhibition history including exhibition titles, venues, and dates for each.
Publications and References: List all publications about and references to the artwork.
COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP
Name of current copyright owner Title
Address
City State Zip Code Country
Phone Fax Email
If the donor is the current copyright owner, does the donor intend to transfer the copyright to the
Town of Fountain Hills should the donation be accepted by the Town?
ARTWORK VALUATION (per appraisal)
N/A
Fountain Hills
International Dark Sky Discovery Center
N/A
Worldwide shows. Zee is the only artist in the world using this technique.
Many publications, but none on this specific piece.
N/A
25 | P a g e
Fair Market Value $
How was this fair market value determined and by whom?
CONDITION
Describe the current condition of the artwork noting any existing breaks, tears, scratches, abrasions,
paint losses, or other insecurities or defects in the artwork.
If the artwork has been conserved, describe the conservation treatment and name of the conservator.
Provide recommendations for routine maintenance of artwork. Indicate whether these recommendations
were provided by a conservator.
(Optional) Provide recommendations for security, installation, transportation and/or
storage.
For donations of commissioned artwork, please outline the installation plan.
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS
Please submit the following materials along with this completed form.
Artist’s résumé and bio
Digital, color images of past artwork by artist
For commissioned artwork, color renderings or maquettes of proposed artwork
Maps or images of proposed site for artwork
Itemized list of any costs to be borne by the Town for transportation, installation, exhibition,
operation, maintenance, conservation, and/or security
maintenance, conservation, and/or security
For commissioned artwork, an itemized budget for design, fabrication, and installation
For commissioned artwork, a timeline for design, fabrication, and installation
$40,000
These are sold by size.
New
N/A
Remove dirt with a dry cloth. The glass protecting the piece from the sun has UV protection, but will
not be needed at the location planned.
See Public Art Proposal document
There are hundreds, see gemstoneart.net
Submitted with this Public Art Proposal
None
x
x
x
x
26 | P a g e
Exhibition catalogs, publications and/or references, if available
Formal, written appraisal for any artwork with a fair market value of $10,000 or more
Condition report, if available
Conservator’s report, if applicable
Proof of authenticity, if available
Any other information relevant to the artwork
DEVELOPMENT PERCENT FOR PUBLIC ART
( )
Development
Description
Total Construction Cost * as Determined by Town Staff
The Town will determine the Total Construction Cost using objective standards from the most recent
edition of the International Code Council (ICC) Building Valuation Data for percentage calculations. The
Total Construction Cost will not be based on the actual cost of construction, ensuring uniform application
of objective criteria across all projects. The calculated amount will be posted on the permit application.
For the latest ICC Building Valuation Data used in these calculations, please contact the Building Safety
Office at 480-816-5123.
Total Calculated Percent Requirement as Determined by Town Staff
1% of Total Construction Cost* for projects of $1 million or less;
¾% of Total Construction Cost* for projects with a value between $1 million and $10 million; or
½% of Total Construction Cost* for projects with a Total Construction Cost over $10 million.
One of a kind. None other like it.
New: excellent condition
International Dark Sky Discovery Center
Nonprofit, 23,000 sq.ft. science facility with observatory, planetarium, theater, exhibit hall, and
more. Darkskycenter.org
x
x
27 | P a g e
(Please check one):
Developer chooses to make donation to Public Art Fund
Amount Received $ Payment Type
Developer chooses to meet percent requirement with on-site art installation (please fill out Artwork
Donation Application and reference the Town of Fountain Hills Public Art Master Plan.)
Developer chooses to donate an artwork to the Town of Fountain Hills (please fill out Artwork Donation
Application and reference the Town of Fountain Hills Public Art Master Plan.)
DONOR’S AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE A DONATION REVIEW
Authorized signature Title
Print name Date
STAFF ONLY
Received by Date
X
Joe Bill
Board President, International Dark Sky Discovery Center
May 28, 2025
Public Art Proposal
Overview of Plan to Meet Town of
Fountain Hills Public Art Requirements
Overview
Three art pieces are proposed to fulfill the
public art requirements:
Cowboy Artist sculpture
Backlit semi-precious gem art piece
Ancient Man sculpture – reset
Brush with the West Gem Saturnxx
RxReset Ancient Mancc
Proposed Placement
Cowboy Artist
Place where new sidewalk between the
library/museum and IDSDC adjoins Centennial Circle
Saturn Art Piece
Install at entry to Discovery Center
Ancient Man
Return to its original location near museum
Since the International Dark Sky Discovery Center is in a long-
term lease agreement with the Town of Fountain Hills,
proposed locations are on leased town property.
Brush with the West Sculpture
This sculpture was created by
Doug Katonak, a Fountain Hills
resident.
Artist Bio – Doug Katonak
Brush with the West Sculpture
Biography of Doug Katonak and history of Brush of the West
(From FH Times 10-20-2015)
Doug Katonak has lived in Fountain Hills a long time. He has seen a myriad of changes over
the decades, but the one thing that has kept him grounded is art.
He truly loves the Sonoran Desert and what the Southwestern part of the United States has to
offer, especially Arizona. He has painted it and he has sculpted it.
Katonak’s latest creation may be his most ambitious to date – a life-size sculpture of a modern-
day cowboy hunched over painting a desert scene. If it all looks and sounds familiar, it’s not a
coincidence.
Jerry Miles, a long-time proponent of public art in town, urged Katonak to take a small clay
statue and turn it into a life-size likeness. Another sculptor, Ron Head, and a good friend of
Katonak’s, helped guide him through the process.
It all came together recently with the placement of
the as-yet-un-named sculpture at the corner of
Avenue of the Fountains and Verde River Drive.
Katonak is recognized as perhaps the first full-time
artist to live in Fountain Hills. He was offering art
lessons in Scottsdale and began conducting them
here in late 1975. He had a studio-school for more
than eight years on Enterprise Drive before closing
that and offering lessons at home for a few years.
Katonak was part of the initial organization of a fine
art festival that has grown into the February Great
Fair held annually by the Chamber of Commerce.
“I still like to paint and sculpt, but the teaching and
the art shows are a thing of the past,” Katonak
said.
And if you’ve ever wondered just how Katonak
does his work, just take a gander at the cowboy
artist working diligently at Avenue of the Fountains
and Verde River. Above plaque on Fountain of Light Sculpture
Gem Saturn Art Piece
The Gem Saturn art
piece will be backlit
and placed just
outside the front
doors to the Discovery
Center in a specially
designed case.
This semi-precious
gem representation of Saturn clearly fits with the astronomy
science that will be featured in the Discovery Center.
Artist Bio – Zee Haag
Gem Saturn Art Piece
Zee Haag (b. 1958), is a native of Tucson, Arizona who was born into the world of
gems, minerals, and fossils as the son of world-renowned mineral collectors Albert
and Bernadine Haag. Attending the Sunnyside Arts school in the 70’s Zee began
the lifelong process of integrating his two first loves, the world of minerals and
crystals that originated from his family and the world of art which took root inside
himself as a youth. After high school Zee went on to study art and develop his
style & technique at the Pima County Community College of Arts and in the
Sahvorita program.
Zee went on to become one of the most famous and flamboyant dealers in the
mineral business, sporting his instantly recognizable shoulder length blonde hair
and travelling the world collecting specimens and using them to produce artistic
creations. His art was featured in the US Trade Mission to Japan in 1979 and in the
Tokyo & Osaka TIMA shows from 1984 to the present. Also making a name for
himself in Europe and in the USA as well, Zee’s art has been featured in the
Munich Mineralflage from 1985-2005, the Paris/St. Marie Exhibition from 1995-
1998, and every year since 1977 in the world’s largest gem & mineral trade show
in Tucson Arizona (GLDA).
Gemstone Art is the culmination of Zee’s career as a prospector, miner, mineral &
fossil dealer, stonecutter, tinkerer, gallery owner and artist. No other combination
of knowledge, skills, and experience in one human being could have resulted in
the creation of this original and cutting-edge new art form. Focusing on his art for
decades has allowed Zee to refine and improve his technique and for his finished
pieces to aspire to higher and more sublime forms of expression. Zee has been
steadily gaining a following of clients, investors, and designers that have been
acquiring and collecting his finished works.
Ancient Man
Ancient Man was
removed from its
location near the
museum to
accommodate the
construction of the
Discovery Center.
This sculpture will be
returned to that
location.
Associated Expenses for all Proposed Art Pieces
The International Dark Sky Discovery Center will be responsible for
all costs related to moving, pedestal construction, installation, and
production and placement of necessary plaques.
REVISED MAP LOCATION FOR COWBOY ARTIST
ITEM 11.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): REVIEW AND
DISCUSSION: Future Agenda Items and Presentations
Staff Summary (Background)
ITEM 12.
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: 06/04/2025 Meeting Type: History and Culture Advisory Commission
Agenda Type: Submitting Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant
Staff Contact Information: Ryan Preston, Recreation Manager
Request to History and Culture Advisory Commission (Agenda Language): UPDATE: Next History and
Culture Advisory Commission Meeting September 4, 2025
Staff Summary (Background)
The History and Culture Advisory Commission does not meet in the months of July and August.