Capitol Building Advisory Committee (11/16/2012)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

CAPITOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Date:	11/16/2012	ATTENDANCE

Time:	09:37 AM to 10:47 AM	Bell	X
		Eddins	X
Place:	SCR 354	Green	E
		Lee	E
This Meeting was called to order by		Markwell	X
	Ms. Contiguglia	Patterson	X
		Rosentrater	X
This Report was prepared by		Sill	X
	Julia Jackson	Stephens	A
		Walter	X
		Contiguglia	X
		Newell	E
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Minutes of September Meeting Capitol Dome Fundraising Campaign Armenian Garden Updates		Pass Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Pass Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

09:37 AM -- Minutes of September Meeting


BILL:	Minutes of September Meeting
TIME:	09:37:30 AM
MOVED:	Eddins
MOTION:	Moved to approve the summary of the committee's October 19, 2012, meeting. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Markwell
		VOTE
	Bell
	Eddins
	Green	Excused
	Lee	Excused
	Markwell
	Patterson
	Rosentrater
	Sill
	Stephens	Absent
	Walter
	Contiguglia	Excused
	Newell	Excused

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 4 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

09:38 AM -- Capitol Dome Fundraising Campaign

Ms. Marie Patterson, representing the Share in the Care Colorado (SCC) campaign, provided information to the committee about the Capitol dome fundraising campaign. Committee members received a written copy of her testimony and a summary of SCC's activities (Attachment A). Ms. Patterson explained that SCC has struggled to raise offsetting contributions to repay the State Historic Fund (SHF), which has largely funded the renovation of the dome. She then discussed Colorado Preservation, Inc. (CPI), the non-profit partner that initiated the SCC campaign, and she explained that CPI's financial circumstances have deteriorated. Ms. Patterson then discussed SCC's activities to further the dome fundraising campaign. She noted that SCC will no longer be pursuing corporate sponsorships. She described SCC's proposed February event with Governor Hickenlooper.

Attachment A.pdf

09:46 AM

At the request of Ms. Contiguglia, Ms. Patterson described the pledges that the campaign may no longer receive, including a pledge from the Colorado Education Association. They also discussed the prospects of repaying the SHF and SCC's proposed letter campaign to raise money for this purpose. Ms. Patterson noted that any donations would still be processed by CPI, which maintains tax-exempt status.

09:52 AM

Committee members discussed the campaign information printed on the dome's scrim. Ms. Kori Donaldson, Legislative Council Staff, reminded the committee that legislators were concerned about advertising on the scrim. Mr. Kevin Patterson noted that there are still ongoing advertising efforts that include the SCC website. Mr. Chris Ellis, Office of the Governor, added information about the Governor's messaging and public awareness efforts. Mr. Patterson added that the Governor's office is committed to continuing to work with SCC and CPI. Mr. Ellis gave committee members a draft proposal for events (Attachment B) from the Governor's office. Ms. Donaldson and Mr. Ellis clarified that this information would be provided to the Capital Development Committee. Ms. Donaldson and Ms. Contiguglia further discussed the Dome Fundraising Task Force and its ongoing role in the dome fundraising campaign.

Attachment B.pdf

09:59 AM

Committee members discussed fundraising sales of the dome holiday ornament, and additional publicity opportunities. Ms. Patterson agreed to explore the suggestions made by the committee.

10:02 AM -- Armenian Garden

Ms. Sona Hedeshian, representing the Armenians of Colorado, introduced herself and other representatives of her group to the committee. She also introduced Ms. Michelle Cobb, of Blue Iris Designs, who presented design proposals for the Armenian garden. Committee members reviewed the design proposal, along with photos of plants that may be used in the garden (Attachment C). Committee members also received language proposed by the Armenians of Colorado for use on a descriptive plaque accompanying the Armenian khachkar in the garden (Attachment D). Ms. Cobb described the Armenians' preferred design plan. She noted that the plants proposed are all shade tolerant and that any larger plants would not encourage "hiding" in the area. She also proposed the use of rubber mulch and hardscapes in the space. The proposal would leave the existing plaque and tree in place and add two plaques on boulders, one explaining the khachkar and one acknowledging contributors to the project. Ms. Cobb further proposed relocating the USS Colorado monument to a nearby location adjacent to an existing plum tree.

Attachment C.pdf

Attachment D.pdf

10:10 AM

Ms. Eddins and Ms. Contiguglia discussed the design with Ms. Cobb, including the need for weed barriers and a drip system for watering. Mr. Walter and Ms. Cobb discussed the pavers used in the design. Mr. Walter suggested that the khachkar be placed at a 45 degree angle from the walls of the Capitol building. Mr. Lance Shepherd, Capitol Complex, came to the table to discuss the proposal. He noted the location of the geothermal well and the need to trim the existing tree in the garden. Mr. Shepherd suggested adding a pathway to the garden, and the committee was supportive of this suggestion. Ms. Contiguglia and Ms. Donaldson discussed reaching out to the individuals who donated the USS Colorado monument before moving it as part of the garden renovation. Mr. Shepherd noted that the monument mirrors a Pearl Harbor monument on the southeast side of the Capitol, and the committee might want to move both of them. Ms. Sill and Mr. Shepherd suggested that Colorado State Patrol review the design for security concerns.

10:20 AM

Committee members expressed support for a five foot, rather than six foot, khachkar, exclusive of any base. Mr. Shepherd requested that there be an agreement for maintaining the garden in the future. He also suggested that overhead lighting be considered. Mr. Patterson noted that lighting would be a useful security feature. The committee expressed support for overhead lighting and an agreement with Capitol Complex for maintenance. Ms. Sill and Mr. Shepherd discussed additional security issues in the area. The committee discussed Americans with Disabilities act compliance.


BILL:	Armenian Garden
TIME:	10:29:27 AM
MOVED:	Walter
MOTION:	Moved to approve and forward to the Capital Development Committee the proposed design for the Armenian Garden, with the following modifications: the khachkar should be 5 feet tall, rather than 6 feet; the khachkar should be at a 45 degree angle to the walls of the Capitol; the pavers on the finished paths (not the "broken" path) should be in a regular pattern, similar to the existing pavers on the east side of the Capitol; consideration should be given to including a foot path to the garden and lighting from above; the building architect will consult with Colorado State Patrol to see if any modifications to the design are necessary to improve security; and Capitol Complex and the Armenians of Colorado will eventually reach a written agreement regarding ongoing maintenance of the garden. The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.
SECONDED:	Sill
		VOTE
	Bell	Yes
	Eddins	Yes
	Green	Excused
	Lee	Excused
	Markwell	Yes
	Patterson	Yes
	Rosentrater	Yes
	Sill	Yes
	Stephens	Absent
	Walter	Yes
	Contiguglia	Yes
	Newell	Excused

YES: 8 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:31 AM

Ms. Contiguglia requested that staff reach out to the original supporters of the USS Colorado and Pearl Harbor monuments regarding their potential relocation. She further requested that the Capital Development Committee (CDC) consider the garden design at its November 27 meeting. Mr. Walter agreed to attend the meeting as a representative of the committee. Mr. Shepherd agreed to present the design to State Patrol before the CDC meeting as well.

10:34 AM

The committee reviewed the proposed language for a plaque accompanying the khachkar. Ms. Contiguglia and Ms. Eddins expressed concern for the proposed "murder of a nation" language and suggested replacing it with "event" or "genocide." Mr. Walter expressed concern with the statement that Djulfa was "deliberately and completely" destroyed, suggesting instead that the plaque say simply, "destroyed." Ms. Debbie Haskins, Office of Legislative Legal Services, reminded the committee of its interest in including such a plaque. She stated that she did not have legal concerns about the language and that it properly addressed constitutional concerns raised about the khachkar, but she recommended that the committee formally vote on any language used. Ms. Contiguglia recommended that revised draft language be distributed in advance of the committee's January meeting prior to a vote.

10:41 AM -- Updates

Mr. Patterson explained that the relocation of the Knous bust has been resolved. He noted that the logistics of the move still have to be addressed, but that the locations of the key and the bust will be switched.

10:42 AM

Ms. Markwell explained the Senate's decision to mount a television on the wall near the Senate committee rooms to provide committee meeting information. She added that a television may also be mounted on the wall of the Senate lobby. Ms. Eddins added that the House would be doing the same thing near its committee rooms.

10:43 AM

Ms. Eddins discussed her communications with former Representative Romanoff and former Representative Weissman regarding the return of the Clinton portrait from the Clinton Library. Ms. Eddins noted that the portrait may not be returned until dome renovations are complete. Ms. Contiguglia requested that the committee continue to be updated regarding the presidential portraits, and that the committee consider their permanent location.

10:46 AM

Ms. Julia Jackson, Legislative Council Staff, reminded the committee that their January 18 meeting would move back to Friday afternoon due to the start of the legislative session.

10:47 AM

The committee adjourned.