HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCAC.2025.0402.MinutesHIST�RY AND C[]LTUAE ADVISDAY COMMISSION
APRIL 2, 2fl25, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
T�WN UF FDUNTAIN HILLS
MINLiTES �F THE R�GULAR MEETING
HISTaRY AN� CULTURE ADVISORY C�MMISSIDN
APRIL 2, 2025
A Regular Histary and Culture Ad�isory Commission meeting was con�ened at 167�5 E. A�enue ofthe
FQuntains at 4:OQ p.m. in an open and pub�ic sessi�n.
Members Present: Chair Tim Yoder; Commissinner Bob Burns; Commissianer Peter Gallagher;
Commissioner Bonnie Kline; Vacant Seat
Absent: Vicc-Chair Susan Qbst-Dworkis; Coinmissioner Toni LePner
Staff Present: Recreation Manager Ryan Prestan; Executi�e Assistant Patti Lopuszanski
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HISTORY AN€] CULTU�ZE ADVISDRY COMMISSION
ELPIZiL 2, 2025, VERI3ATIM MEETING MFNUTES
YDDER: I wauld like to Calt to �rder the Apri12, 2025, meeting of the History and Cutture Ad�isory
Cammission at 4:�0 pm. May I ha�e a Roll Call, please`?
LOPC]SZANSKI: Chair Yoder?
Y�DER: Hcre.
LOP[]SZANSKI: Vice Chair Obst-Dworkis is absent today.
LDP[]SZANSKI: Commissi�ner Eurns`?
BURNS: Here.
LnPLTSZANSI�I: Commissioner Klinc?
KLII�E: Here.
LQP[TSZANSK�: Cammissioner Gallaghcr?
GALLACHER: Here.
LQPLTSZANSKI: Commissioncr Lapore is currently absent.
YQDER: All right, we ha�e thc public is not present. Let's bypass the �all to Pu�li� and mo�e on to
Reparts by Commissioners. �o tivc have any reports by cammissianers?
GALLACHER: I went ta the Dark Sky Festi�val. That was yuite an e�ent. I spoke with se�eral of the
principals, and they were very, �ery satisfied with the turnout.
KLINE: I in�ited se�eral of my friends out frorn the �alley, and one af them was abie to rnake it, but a
coupie ❑f the other ones said, "Yau ha�e such interesting e�ents out in Fountain Hills." And I especially
enjoyed the talk by the astranaut. Sa that was well attended, tao. Peaple were sitting on the flaor in the
�ack.
Y�DER: I heard there were o�er 500 people present far that.
GALLAGHER: Yes, and I ran inta se�eral people from all a�er the �alley because I was helping at one
of the tables, and it drew a crawd from all o�er the place.
Y�DER: Anyb�dy else? Anything else?
PREST�N: No real repart. We had Irish Fest since the last time we spake. Thank you for coming out
for the greening. That was nice. I think, you know, we handed out some information and some peaple
stopped by, and then we go# some Music Fest coming up this weekend, if anybody's interested, before
we meet again. Concours in the HiIIs, which had been rno�ed, will be on the 19th. So, a bunch nf stuff is
still coming up with Eggstra�agan�a on the 12th as well.
Y�DER: So, i�ack to that comment from the participant or listcncr. We ha�e a lot of interesting things
going on in the town. All right, moving on ta possihle action, Appro�al of the Histnry and Culture
Commissian March 5 Verbatim Meeting Minutes. Can I get a matian to appro�e the minutes?
KLYNE: Sn, mnved.
BURNS: I'll second.
YaDER: All thase in fa�or.
ALL: Aye.
Y4DER: Any opposed`'
L�PUSZANSKI: Mntinn passes 4-0.
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HISTDRY AND CUI�"[ UR� A�VISDRY C�MMISSI�N
APRIL 2, 2025, VERBA-I'EM MEETING MINUTES
YQDER: Exccllent. Okay, the next item on the agenda is the Histary Registry far the Fountain. I
k�clic�e this �crtains to the Natianal Landmark Registry. Is that correct'? Yes, so Bob and I m�t about
this. Susaz� was unablc to attend. Would you like to talk about this`? Bnb, I'll do it. Yau can add in if I
forget anything. Anyway, we had a�aod meeting the other day. I think it'd be fair to say we set out
some obje�ti�es and sct a great course to create this narrative on the fnuntain. I belie�e, so far, we've
agreed that Sob's going to do the writing of the narrati�e. It's kind of a cool backstary to that. Can I talk
ahout that for a quick second?
PREST�N: Absalutely.
YDDER: I'rn doing the research and readin� a littl� bit about Keith McMahon's hist�ry of the fountain.
I learned that, or I was reminded that a Phc�enix newspaper guy in October of 1969 suggested a
m�nument be made a water rnonument somewhere in the �alley to celehrate thc Valley nf the Sun and
set us apart. So basically, this newspaper reporter was the concept man, and I thnught it was neat that
Mr. Bob Burns is a newspaper man hixnself, and he is doing this narrati�e for the national landmark
l�rings it full circle. Newspaper man thr�rugh newspaper man, I like that. Call me sentimental, �ut
anyway, we ha�e a good course set, and we're going to shoot to ha�e it finished and bc able to present it
to the Commission here, maybe early in the fall after the summer break ar something ]ike that. Does that
seem reasonable?
PRESTnN: Yeah, I chink that warks out. You said early falllsumrner break time because right now, it's
just May, and then we're off. May and .Tune. And then, well, okay, yeah, we ha�e June as wetl.
B[]RNS: Yeah, 1 think we're not understanding, and please correct me if it's different. But you guys
ha�e the hulk of the work.
PRE5TON: We ha�e all the technical answers, and it's, it's the narrati�e that's, that's going to sell it, and
that's, in my opinion, that's the hard work. I inean, we as a town, I can find the answers to thc technical
questions, right? And if you guys' �ust kind af keep me apprised of your work, just send me an etnail.
]ust making sure the objecti�es that you're outlining within that also line up with the objecti�es that yoe�
knaw the town and �ouncil would like ta see push forward as we�l. Y�u know, there's a Iat flf diffcrcnt
ways to go with that, i think. And you guys probably discussed that a little bit, whether you're going the
McCullaughlCV Waod and kind nf uniqueness aspect, I think wc taliced abaut including the entire park,
nat just the fountain, within that narrati�e, just tn make sure we'rc on the same page as yau ma�e
forward, that, you know, I'm nat wasting your time, and you're nat wasting my time when you write this
beautiful thing, and it's likc, ycah, the Coun�il doesn't want that. Sa, it's kind of keeping me as you're
gaing through just bullet points, kind of the dire�tion we're going with, it would be helpf'ul, I think as
well.
GALLAGHER: I ha�e an adininistrati�e note. This is Item 6 we're talking about, and I see my name
where Bob's name sh�uid he in this warking group in the header.
L�PUSZANSKi: I also just noticed that.
YUDER: o�ay, tl�ank ynu, Ryan, f�r that cammentary. Yes, we'll keep the lines af communicatian
open and keep you infarmed vn hnw that's going. We were just gi�en a little bit af samething here, but it
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HISTORY AND CULTi1RE ADVISC3RY ��MMISSION
APRIL 2, 2025, VERBATIM M�ETING MIN-UfES
will be more and more de�elaped as the weeks go on, and we're �oing to use a kind af well. I'm not
�oing to speak about what we're going to do, bu# it's going to be grcat. It's going to be great.
PRESTON: I ha�e no douht.
KLINE: Will there be any kind nf plaque or historic markcr, anything like that, ance this pracess is
completed?
PRESTON: Yes, 1'm sure they will. 1 belie�e one is pro�ably provided by the Nati�nal Registry as part
of it.
YODER: Dkay, so mfl�°ing on. The ncxt item on the agenda is the Z5Uth Anni�ersary af the United
States nf America. Wha wauld liicc ta speak to that?
SURNS: 1 can, ar gonnie, what�vcr we can team it up here. Yeah, Bonnie and Susan and I got together
❑n this, and we're just kind �f tossing out ideas. And I think Susan passed the�n on to Patti here, and I
think she has, you knaw, maybe candensed just a little bit, which is fine. Talking about replacing
banners on the A�enue with a 25�th Anni�°ersary of theme, I see yau just replaced #hcm out therc.
Community Ch�rus program, maybe a couple of times, dedication af the presidential statues, and trying
to see if we can find reenactment for actors far that event. In the sear�h I did, I don't know if Sonnie's
had a chan�e to do anything or nQt. But it loaks ta me like if we want to try and find something, we'll
have tn ga to the indi�idual presidents we're looking at and see if there's a reenactor and try and reach
out that way. I don't knaw if staff need to provide pride, pro�ide direction ❑n that, or soinething as far as
#hat.
PRESTUN: I can prabably say, pursue or just red light a few things if needed. I did reach out about the
President's statues, and I was told that there wan't be any kind of dedication for those. We cauld
probably mo�e beyand the idea of dedicating the Presidential statues ta the drane show instead af
firew�rks. I don't think we should use the 250th to go away from firewarks. I think if you want, we'll go
back 25D years, and there may be another re�olutian here in town if we get rid of the firew�rks for that
year. There's been a loak at maybe doing a combined drone show with fireworks, but right now it's cost-
prohibi#ive now for a drone show. So just kind of throwing those out, just kind of updating you on that. I
think reptacing the banners on the A�enue might, might be a passibility. I'll run that up and see where
we are with that. You knaw, tcchni�ally, this is FY27 we're laoking at, so tiscal year �027, so not this
upcoming fiscal year, but the next one. Sa, it's gaod tv get ahead and plan for that.
CALLAGHER: Qkay, I see samething about a ran�h trihute, but I didn't hear you comment on that.
BURNS: I'm sorry.
GALLAGHER: Sarrtething about a ranch tributc. I assume tha#'s #he P-Bar Ranch.
BURNS: That's just an idea there, and how to pursue that I'm no# sure. You know whether it's something
the town wants to pursue is up to them. Looks like they'�e already red-lighted nne af our ideas.
PRESTUN: That one I haven't really laoked into at all yet. So that's why T didn't mention that ane.
B[]RNS: And there may be different ways to do that, you know, to minimize, you know what something
like that xnight �ost, ar whate�er. I that that we can gi�e a little more discussian to this and see what
we cnme up with. Any ideas anyhody would ha�e would �e, but it's, you know, it's basically where this,
where this, how this la�id started. So, I think it's, yau know, apprapriate to taik about that.
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FII5'I'UI�Y ANT] CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION
�1PRII_ ?, 2U25, VERBEITIM M��TIIVG MINiJTES
KLINE: I think it would be maybe we could talk tQ the library or the museurn or sorneplace ahout
�reating an exhibit about the early ranch and mayi�e a map af because there's traces of the early ranching
days at the Botanical Garden. There's the monument at the high school in the chimney at the museum,
and out at McDawell Mountain Park; there's same traces of the old ranching days. So, we could, if
somebady was interested enough, put together a little map of a histaric taur.
YDDER: I'd like to add to that point. Yau know, this writing and art project that we're propasing
tonight to the s�hool hoard for the students tn work nn fnr next year has a se�tion in there related ta the
ran�h and I think that might if this kind af #hin� Gould happen, that'd be useful far the kids that are doing
their art writing projects, if thcy choosc that particular subject. So, samething to #hink about.
�{LINE: So, I just wanted ta make sure I understood, so the drane idea is tatally out, nr is it`?
PREST�N: It's not out, it wouldn't replace fireworks. And looking from thc budget side, some towns
ha�e done bath, same cities ha�e done both a drone and fircworks shaw. It's not tatally out. It's just a
mattcr of pro�aosing if we want something we want to mo�c forward wi#h. It's an idca tha�'s there, and
it's an idea that we'�e alrcady had as well. And like I said, mnre than anything, it's budgctary. I'm
concerned far that one, and the gaod news for this, tao, is we will most likely end up getting sorne Tawn
Council direction an this as we get a little bit closer. I know they'�e already mentioned it, I think at least
at one meeting, wa�lting to do samething abaut this. So, iny guess is it'll probably coine back up again.
September is next, after the 4th of July. My guess is the September meeting, after the 4th of July, that
this will probably get braught back up again in council, and we'll pro�ahly ha�e some mare direction
when we get �ack in after the suanmer hreak about this as well.
KLINE: So, the dedieation for the sta#ues is that totally out also?
PREST�N: Yes, that's sornething that we would not da.
KLINE: Sa, is it passibie that anather group cauld do samething like that? I'in thinking inaybe the DAR
or the American Legion, ar somebody lifce that?
PRESTUN: I would ha�e to loak into it. I'm not sure, and it just depends on what we end up rneaning
by the word dedication. I guess it can mean a few things. S❑ let me follaw up with that and get back to
yau.
KLINE: �kay.
Y�DER: I remember the Ei�entennial in I47fi, and you know, we're out in f`ront on this a little bit. So
are many others, but the ener�y behind Independen�e Day 2026 is just gaing ta be enormous. I think you
know, especially as you said, starting this coming ]uly 4th. So yeah, we'll see and hear ali kinds of
things. And i think nther de�eloprnents out in the atmasphcrc are �oin� to bring cancepts and energy ta
us for our fountain celcbration in 15 months or so.
KLINE: So maybe one of the things that we cauld do would be to pull togcther the e�ents and a�ti�ities
into one local sour�e, or, you know, like the Dar, the VFW, or anybady that's daing something patriotic
during that, that period, we c�uld kind af pull it together under ane heading as part of the celebration.
PREST�N: I rnean, that's a great idea, and it's something we could look into bringing e�erybady
together. The biggest issue we ha�e here is July 4, and it's Arizona, and it's 115 degrees plus, and so just
keep that in mind, as we start thinking throu�h these thin�s and knowing that there's a reason
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HISTORY AND CULTUR� ADVISORY C[3MMfSSI�N
APRIL 2, 2025, VERSATIM ME�TINC; MINU'CE5
our 4th ❑f July celebration doesn't star# until 6:3a in the e�ening. So, yau knaw, things like parades and
things like that are difficult ta pull off here during that tizne af year, which is maybe why there was some
President's Day stuff thrown out, which is an idea I can put out as well, because that's way to be able to
do s�mething in February for this, when it's not 115-12D degrees outside.
KLINE: I'd ha�e to go back and re�iew zny histary, but rnaybe there are some other e�ents in the
creation of the country that led up to ]uly 4 that we could focus on that taok place earlier in the year.
YUDER: The history tea�her in me is nod�ing �igarously. Okay, any more cornments on that? Well, I
see the ncxt thin� an thc agenda is Public Art Identificatinn.
PRESTQN: Yes, I think wc added this different from public art applicatians. We wanted to keep those
twa thin�s separate. Public art applications are something different. I think what we're taiking about here
is the work group with, is this the wark graup with Tony's work �roup. And sa just to pro�ide an update
on that, I thin.k we'�e got same directions. �n where we want #o go with that, as far as updating what we
already have, as far as the public art, and then how we're gaing to put that together. T'll probably send
more information fln that to Tony as well, but we are ha�e canfirmed we are g�ing ta be using this QR
code systern, this landing page �ornpany that we'rc going to be workin� with to help us create tours, and
what that grflup is going to be helpin� us with is, in some cases, mayhe updating and adding to what we
already ha�e. As far as public art descriptions are canGerned, some are �ibrant, and some are great.
Soine ather descriptions are "it's a dog and it's bronze." 50, for this project, ha�ing thcm laok into, yau
know, who rnade it? What is it? Why was it made? Whose dag was it? Does lae ha�e a naune? Is it
Rufus, the bronze dog, and why dic� he make it? So, adding more information ta what we already ha�e,
cornpiling it, and then being able tc� put it c�ut on this new systein.
KLINE: So is this in addition to the, I mean, thcre's quite a nice notcbook af information that the
dacents ha�e.
PREST�N: So yes, and that's the nne Z'in referring to. It's the same one that the town has. So, it's nice.
It's put together. There's a map, it's numl�cred; it's got e�erything together. And again, sorne of them are
good descriptions. And one, specifically, the dog is, it's a bronze dog, so and I'm sorry, it's a bronze
statue of a dag, I belie�e, is the description. And sa those small ones, lnoking to update those and maybe
getting more of a story behind, are mvre popular and maybe are more our center-forward pieces as well.
BURNS: Can I clarify something? The council did take actian last night. I think it was prabably just a
technical issue with re�ard ta the puhlic art actions that develapers and staff need to take, that's not
rele�ant tn anything we do.
PREST�N: No, it wouldn't be really that all will happen befare the application pr��ess, which is whcrc
we get in�alvcd.
I�LINE: flkay, back to the informatian that you're putting together. Who wouid �e the best persan to
get rnorc information about the artis#? W�uld that he yau �r....
PRESTON: Nope, that wauld be #he job af that work �raup to find that informatian.
KLINE: �kay. I ha�e written same stories about some of the local artists in the ma�azincs and for
another publication, so I might be al�le to fill in snme gaps.
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HI5TC7RY AND CULTC]RE ADViS[]RY CC7MM]SSI(7N
APRIL 2, 2025, VERSATIM MEI�'1�ING M[NU'I'�S
PRESTDN: Excellcnt, and that's basically why we make those work �roups. It's information we don't
already have. I'll gi�c ynu what we ha�e and directions on how we want to expand that, but then it
wauld be the work group that would go aut and find that information.
KLINE: Okay.
CALLAGHER: One place #h� work group might want to conta�t is the Museum be�ause they are
currently the leaders of publiG art tours limited to Centcnnial Circle, but they're cansidering expanding
that, s� they've already dane some research.
Y�DER: �kay? There are two additional sour�es: Sonnie Kline and the History Muscum. Very good.
Any other comments? Okay, let's ino�e on to the next agenda item, and that is th� Puh�ic Art
Applicatians.
PRESTU:�I: And we do not ha�e any applications today.
Y�DER: All right. Next up, we ha�e Re�iew and Dis�ussinn �f Future Agenda Items and
Presentations. Does anybody ha�e anything?
PRESTON: So, 1 will most likely, as a presentatian, ga through the new systern we're going to have, as
far as thc QR cadcs, the public art, and kind af what we're looking ta do with that. And I'll get in frant
and put it on thc screen, and I'll present that. So, if' we want to put that down, if there's no ane else that
way, I �an ga thraugh that. Because I think it'll be one of �ur big tasks, one of our priority tasks inoving
forward, along with the historical registry and the essay.
YQUER: I ha�e agrced to da some research on the �arious aspe�ts of the park itself. Regarding our
work group on the national landmark status, 1 hope to have snme infnrmatian t� share with the
cominission on that.
LDPUSZANSKI: Tim, regarding that, if you can keep me in the laop, if you'll be ahle to send that to
mc bcforc thc rc] case of the packet, so at least a week before, if you can.
YDUER: Absolutely, I']1 try to remember to do that. I tried to gct you some information ahout our
tneeting before ynu usually ask for it this last week, and I'm goin� to try to continue to.
LQPUSZANSKI: Thank you. 1 appreciate it.
Y�UER: The next Histary and C:ulture Ad�isary Cammissivn meeting is scheduled for May 7, Z�25.
If there's no further business, I guess it's timc far us to adjourn. Can I get a motion tQ adjourn?
GALLAGHER: I Ma�e to Adjourn.
KLINE: I'll secand.
YDDER: All those in fa�or?
ALL: Aye.
Y�DER: Any opposed?
LUPL152ANSKI: Motian Passes 4-�.
Ha�ing no further busincss, Chair Yoder adjourned the Re�ular Mee#ing of the History and Culture
Advisory Cammissian on April 2, 2025, at 4:23 p.m.
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HISTORY AND CULTURE ADVISORY C�MMISSIDN
APRIL 2, 2U25, VERBATIM MEETING MINUTES
HIST�RY AND CLiLTURE ADVIS�RY CQMMISSIQN
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Tirn Yader, air
ATTESTED AND PREPARE❑ BY:
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Patti Lopuszanski, Execu�e A�ssistant
CERTIFICATI�N
I hercby certify that the faregoing minutcs are a true and correct copy of the verbatim minutes af
the Hist�ry and �ulture Advisory Coxnmission held in the Town Hall Caun�il Chambers on
A�ri] 2, 2�Z5. I certify that the meeting was duly called, and a quorum was present.
Dated this 7th day of May 2025
��
atti Lopuszanski,�i�Assistant
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