Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

CAPITOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Date:09/17/2010
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:27 PM to 02:26 PM
Eddins
E
Goldman
A
Place:SCR 354
Hite
X
Hoeft
E
This Meeting was called to order by
Lee
X
Georgianna Contiguglia
Nichols
E
Nunnally
E
This Report was prepared by
Sill
X
Jennifer Thomsen
Weingardt
E
Weissmann
E
Bacon
X
Contiguglia
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Approval of Minutes
Dome Restoration Project Update
Geothermal System Well Heads
Display of Moon Rocks
Update Items
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01:28 PM -- Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of July 23, 2010, could not be approved because a quorum was not present; however, those in attendance indicated their approval of the minutes.

01:29 PM -- Dome Restoration Project Update

Mr. James Hare, Colorado Preservation, Inc. (CPI), reported that the contract between CPI and the General Assembly has been signed by CPI (Attachment A). Mr. Bart Miller, Office of Legislative Legal Services, said the contract was approved by the Capital Development Committee (CDC) at its September 8, 2010, meeting, and he is in the process of getting signatures from legislative leadership. Ms. Contiguglia thanked Mr. Miller and Mr. Hare for their work on the contract.

Attachment A.pdf

Mr. Hare announced that AT&T has made a gift of $10,000 to the dome fund-raising campaign. He also reported that the campaign website will be launched soon and said Historic Denver Inc. received a State Historical Fund grant, matched by a donation from CPI, to make a documentary film about the dome. He explained that the documentary will be used during the dome campaign.

Mr. Hare also mentioned the food-can model of the Capitol on display in the southeast corner of Mr. Brown's Attic. The cans in the display are failing and need to be disposed of. Mr. Hare said the space that will be left empty when the food-can model is disposed of could be used for a display about the dome restoration project. The committee briefly discussed the food-can model.

Mr. Hare reported on the task force that is working on the details of the campaign. He said they are considering a celebrity face for the campaign. Ms. Contiguglia asked Mr. Hare to describe the task force that has been established to oversee the campaign. He responded, saying that interested parties, including members of the CPI board and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry are serving on the task force. Ms. Contiguglia asked Mr. Hare to provide the task force roster to the committee. Mr. Hare said he would like to invite Ms. Theresa Holst, Dome Tour Supervisor, to serve on the task force. He clarified that state employee members of the task force would serve in an informational capacity and not be asked to solicit donations. Mr. Lee asked for further information about the idea of the public face. Note: Mr. Hare provided the task force roster shortly after the meeting (see Attachment B).

Attachment B.pdf

Senator Bacon thanked Mr. Hare for his work to date on the dome project.

01:38 PM -- Geothermal System Well Heads


Mr. Lance Shepherd, Department of Personnel and Administration, came to the table to provide an update on the installation of the geothermal system on the Capitol grounds. He reminded the committee that in January of 2010, a grant was awarded by the Department of Energy for the project. He explained that the plan is to drill the first well this fall, as it needs to be completed prior to the beginning of the dome restoration project next spring. Mr. Shepherd said the original plan was to have a well head about two feet above grade, but a variance was approved, so the well heads will be below ground in a concrete vault. He described the approximately 4' x 6' grates that would be located one each in the southeast quadrant and the northeast quadrant of the inner circle. He said the well heads will impact the Armenian Gardens. Rather than putting the gardens back the way they are now, he said, a value would be placed on the damage and money given to the Armenian Garden Fund for use in upgrading the garden.

Ms. Contiguglia asked for clarification of the position of the well heads in the inner circle grass area. Ms. Contiguglia suggested that information about the geothermal project be added to the solar panel display in Mr. Brown's Attic. Mr. Shepherd said that addition is in the works.

Senator Bacon asked for information about the depth of the well. Mr. Shepherd responded, saying the wells will be about 900 feet deep and 18 inches in diameter with a 12-inch pipe. He explained that the system will be an open-loop system.

01:43 PM -- Display of Moon Rocks

Ms. Eddins reported that the moon rocks that were previously on display in the cabinet on the third floor near the steps to the dome have been removed and are locked away due to recent publicity about the value of moon rocks and the lack of security for that display. She explained that there are two sets moon rocks, the one that was given to Governor Vanderhoof and the other that was given to the state. Ms. Eddins said she does not know where the moon rocks can be safely and securely displayed in the Capitol. In response to a question from Ms. Sills, Ms. Eddins said the newspaper reported a value for the moon rocks of $5 million.

Senator Bacon asked whether the moon rocks could be displayed at the new Colorado History Museum when it is complete. Ms. Eddins described the display, saying it is quite small. Ms. Sill asked whether a geological museum might be interested in the moon rocks. Ms. Contiguglia explained that the second set, the set that had been in the possession of Governor Vanderhoof, is now displayed at the Colorado School of Mines museum.


01:47 PM

Mr. Hite referred the committee to section VI of the Criteria and Procedures for the Gift or Loan of Objects of Art and Memorials. He talked about the general and specific criteria for the acceptance of items for the collection. He mentioned the state key issue and said the criteria apply to the moon rocks as well.

Ms. Contiguglia asked staff to inquire with the Colorado Historical Society to see if the moon rocks could be displayed at the new Colorado History Museum. She also noted that the Museum of Nature and Science might be interested in displaying the moon rocks. Ms. Contiguglia asked the committee to forward any other suggestions to staff to share with the group. Ms. Sill suggested checking with the School of Mines as well.

01:50 PM -- Update Items

Display of State Key.Mr. Norm Brisson, Governor's Office, reported that Michael Pollak of Hyde Park Jewelers, who designed the key, agreed to pay for the display. He said Hyde Park Jewelers will also pay for repairs to the base of the bust of Governor Knous, which is damaged and must be fixed before it can be moved to make room for the key. He reported that it has been determined that the base cannot be repaired, so a new granite base is being fabricated. Mr. Brisson said he has met with Larry Zachin, who worked at the Colorado Historical Society as preparator for many years, for help in designing the display. Mr. Brisson said there is an issue with the security cameras in that area of the first floor, so the State Patrol will program the camera to pan back and forth. Mr. Brisson explained that the stand for the key will weigh about 200 pounds.

The committee discussed the value of the key, which has been determined to be approximately $15,000. Ms. Contiguglia asked how the key would be insured. Mr. Brisson agreed to get that information. Ms. Contiguglia also asked for a current appraisal of the item.

Mr. Lee expressed concern about whether the marble niche will support 200 pounds. Mr. Brisson responded, saying Mr. Zachin is comfortable with the 200 pound stand. Ms. Sill asked whether the L-bracket that is already in place in the niche could be used to secure the base. Mr. Brisson said that possibility had not been considered.

The committee ended their discussion with a request from Ms. Contiguglia that Mr. Brisson pass on the committee's thanks to Mr. Pollak for agreeing to bear the cost of the display.

Symbols and Emblems Brochure. Ms. Jennifer Thomsen, Legislative Council Staff, reported on the status of the work on the State Symbols and Emblems brochure. She provided a handout containing the text for the brochure (Attachment C). Ms. Contiguglia mentioned that Mr. Thomas Buchanan is working on the artwork for the winter sports symbol. The committee agreed to changes to the text describing the winter sports based on recommendations from Mr. Hite (Attachment D) and instructed Ms. Thomsen to make the changes and forward them to the committee to review.

Attachment C.pdf Attachment D.pdf

Gift Shop Subcommittee. Ms. Eddins reported that she and Mr. Lee made a list of items being sold by the tour desk and by the cafeteria. She said the cafeteria reports that their sales of Colorado-themed items are very good. Ms. Eddins reminded the committee that the federal Randolph Sheppard Act only allows the committee to help the cafe to expand, but she noted there is no room for expansion, nor is there start-up money from the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for expansion. She said the BEP is aware that they are entitled to a percentage of what is sold on the first floor by the tour guides. Ms. Eddins said Representative Stephens has not yet responded to the information Ms. Eddins supplied to her.

Capitol Etching. Ms. Eddins reported that the etching is hanging in room 271 and her staff mounted a light above it. The committee agreed that the etching should remain in room 271, but the light should be removed as it is not appropriate from a preservation standpoint.

Presidential Portraits. Ms. Contiguglia reported that $10,000 has been raised for the portrait of President Obama. She said Creative Industries (formerly known as the Council on the Arts) is working on a contract with Ms. Sarah Boardman, who was chosen to paint the portrait. Ms. Contiguglia said the committee that chose the artist will be called upon to chose the image from which the portrait is painted. Ms. Sill asked for an update on the portrait of President Clinton. Ms. Contiguglia said the portrait has now been permanently donated to the state.

2011 Quilt Show. Senator Bacon reported that the CDC approved the 2011 quilt show. Ms. Contiguglia said the memorandum of understanding related to the quilt show has been updated and will be signed soon.

Food-Can Model of Capitol in Mr. Brown's Attic. Ms. Theresa Holst, Dome Tour Supervisor, asked for permission to dismantle the food-can model of the Capitol because the cans are failing and food is leaking out. The committee agreed that the display should be disposed of. Ms. Holst said she will put in a work order to dismantle it next week. She said she will keep the base for another display when it is chosen. She reiterated Mr. Hare's idea of an exhibit related to the dome restoration project. Ms. Contiguglia asked for an update on the status of the voting desk that is to be installed in Mr. Brown Attic. Ms. Thomsen reported that the latest update was that a new programmer was finishing work on the desk.

Other Business. Senator Bacon said the committee should do something to recognize the service of Ms. Edna Pelzmann, Manager of Visitor Services, who will be leaving her position in October. Ms. Contiguglia said recognition is forthcoming at the October meeting. She said members who want to contribute to a gift for Ms. Pelzmann can do so with Ms. Betsy Holdridge, Legislative Council Staff. Ms. Eddins reported that a party for Ms. Pelzmann would be held on October 28.

Mr. Lee said he had been approached about a marker recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Mr. Lee said he had nothing new to report about the Bike Sharing program.

Mr. Hite said he met this week with the jurors choosing art for the Creative Capitol exhibition. He said the show will include Denver-area artists.


02:26 PM

The committee adjourned.