Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

CAPITOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Date:11/18/2011
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:33 PM to 02:44 PM
Eddins
E
Green
X
Place:SCR 354
Hoeft
E
Lee
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Markwell
X
Georgianna Contiguglia
Nichols
X
Nunnally
E
This Report was prepared by
Patterson
X
Jennifer Thomsen
Sill
*
Stephens
E
Newell
E
Contiguglia
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Approval of Minutes
Proposal to Restore Liberty Bell
Request from Treasurer to Display State Seals
Other Business
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01:34 PM -- Approval of Minutes
BILL:Approval of Minutes
TIME: 01:34:32 PM
MOVED:Nichols
MOTION:Moved to approve the summary of the committee's October 21, 2011, meeting. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Eddins
Excused
Green
Hoeft
Excused
Lee
Markwell
Nichols
Nunnally
Excused
Patterson
Sill
Excused
Stephens
Excused
Newell
Excused
Contiguglia
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 6 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


01:34 PM -- Proposal to Restore Liberty Bell

Sue Johnson, Mount Rosa Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), presented a proposal to restore the Liberty Bell replica that is displayed in Lincoln Park. Ms. Johnson described DAR's special projects grant program, saying the Mount Rosa Chapter will apply for a grant, which will require matching funds, to restore the bell. She noted that she has obtained a bid for the restoration work, and that securing multiple bids would be difficult because most restorers are out of state so the cost of obtaining a bid would be prohibitive. Ms. Johnson provided the bid in handout form (Attachment A). She discussed the condition of the bell, referring the committee to the photo in the handout. She noted that it could be a two-part project: first to restore the bell; then to repair the concrete pad. She said the bell shows surface deterioration consistent with the age of the bell and the conditions under which it is displayed. She noted that the wood yoke is showing some deterioration, and discussed possible fixes for this damage. Ms. Johnson explained that there are two options for the work on the bell: 1) remove the bell and transport it for refinishing (labeled "option 2" in Attachment A); or 2) do the work on-site (labeled "option 1" in Attachment A). She said if the bell is restored, it needs to be maintained, probably twice a year, at a cost of about $200.

Attachment A.pdf

Ms. Johnson reviewed the estimated treatment cost for the concrete pad, which would be about $9,500. She reiterated that the first phase of the project would be the restoration of the bell, and the concrete work would be done later. Finally, Ms. Johnson referred the committee to the restorer's qualifications as listed in the handout.

01:47 PM

Ms. Johnson responded to committee questions. Mr. Nichols asked Ms. Johnson to speak to DAR's objectives in proposing to restore the bell.

There was consensus among committee members that they are interested in pursuing the proposal. Mr. Nichols suggested a prioritization of the needs related to the bell, saying cracked portions and missing plaques may be at the top of the list. He noted the bell is an historic element, and creating a new patina may not be desirable. He also suggested that DAR explore what proper maintenance would look like. Ms. Contiguglia asked Mr. Lee whether there is a plan for maintaining outdoor art, and asked what would be involved in creating such a plan. Mr. Lee described the process, saying he would need to find someone in the preservation field to provide information about the scope of work. He said he would have to explore whether it could be done through the state bidding system. Mr. Lee said he would contact the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) procurement office with this inquiry. The committee discussed the pros and cons of using the state bidding system.

02:01 PM

Ms. Green said that, from a preservation viewpoint, it would be desirable to have a complete restoration of the bell and the wood elements rather than to make stop-gap repairs. Ms. Sill noted that it would be interesting to know how the original Liberty Bell looks, using that as a cue to the restoration. She said she likes the patina, and the committee seemed to agree on that issue. Ms. Contiguglia asked if the DAR could look into the status of the original Liberty Bell. Has it been restored? How is it maintained? Mr. Nichols suggested exploring whether other states have restored their replica bells and whether there is a common denominator set for those restorations. Ms. Sill suggested a granite, rather than concrete base, saying it would wear better and look nicer. Mr. Patterson asked for information on the maintenance of the other states' replica bells. Mr. Nichols said he would get feedback from the state preservation community on the proposed project.

02:13 PM

Ms. Contiguglia asked Ms. Johnson to come back to the committee with the requested information and with feedback from DAR about their objectives. Ms. Johnson noted that the grant proposal deadline is February 1, so an application for this proposal would likely not be submitted until late in 2012. The committee discussed the state bidding process, with Mr. Lee offering to get more information on whether it could be used for this project. Kori Donaldson, Legislative Council Staff, provided information about whether the project would qualify as capital construction.

Ms. Sill suggested that the committee's guidelines be amended to require on-going funding for maintenance for proposed projects. Ms. Johnson agreed to return at a later date with more information.

02:29 PM -- Request from Treasurer to Display State Seals

Ms. Anna Fitzer, State Treasurer's Office, came to the table to speak to the request that state seals manufactured by Colorado Correctional Industries be hung outside of the State Treasurer's Office in the public areas in the west wing and the north wing of the first floor. Committee members viewed photos of the seals and of the proposed locations (Attachment B). Ms. Fitzer explained that the plaques are wood, so they are not very heavy. Mr. Lee expressed opposition to hanging anything on the oak woodwork, and noted that the committee's guidelines preclude anything but governors' portraits in the west wing. Ms. Sill said she believes the signage for each office should be consistent. Mr. Nichols asked whether the treasurer considered placing the seals inside the office. Ms. Fitzer noted that there are two plaques inside the office. Mr. Patterson noted that a recent request to display tribal flags was made with the utmost attention to consistency. Ms. Contiguglia said the committee seems to agree that they are opposed to the proposal to hang the seals as presented. Ms. Fitzer noted that the Treasurer's Office is willing to work with the committee on other placement options. Mr. Patterson said he and Mr. Lee would work with the Treasurer's Office to find another solution.

Attachment B.pdf

BILL:Request from Treasurer to Display State Seals
TIME: 02:39:40 PM
MOVED:Patterson
MOTION:Moved that the committee table the proposal for the time being and that Mr. Patterson and Mr. Lee work with the Treasurer's Office on alternate placement options. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Eddins
Excused
Green
Hoeft
Excused
Lee
Markwell
Excused
Nichols
Nunnally
Excused
Patterson
Sill
Stephens
Excused
Newell
Excused
Contiguglia
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 6 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

02:40 PM -- Other Business

Jennifer Thomsen, Legislative Council Staff, reported that the thank you gift for the volunteer photographer who took photos of the art and memorials in the building that was approved by the committee at the October meeting has finally been received and will be mailed to the photographer next week.

Ms. Donaldson reported on the recent meeting between visitor services staff and the Colorado Quilting Council. She noted that the quilting council is willing to explore the possibility of a weekend installation and will consider hosting the exhibition in the fall, but has expressed opposition to shortening the length of the exhibition.

With regard to the Share in the Care campaign, Ms. Green reported the James Hare has resigned his position at Colorado Preservation, Inc., and Marie Patterson of AngloGold Ashanti North America will be taking over Mr. Hare's work on the campaign. She further reported that work on the campaign has not been interrupted by this development.

Ms. Contiguglia announced that the committee would not meet in December. The next scheduled meeting is Friday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m.

02:44 PM

The committee adjourned.