Capitol Building Advisory Committee (01/20/2012)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

CAPITOL BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Date:	01/20/2012	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:34 PM to 02:13 PM	Eddins	X
		Green	X
Place:	SCR 354	Hoeft	E
		Lee	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Markwell	A
	Georgianna Contiguglia	Nichols	X
		Nunnally	X
This Report was prepared by		Patterson	*
	Jennifer Thomsen	Sill	E
		Stephens	E
		Newell	E
		Contiguglia	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Approval of Minutes Building Updates Designation Civic Center as Ntl Historic Landmark Update on Gift Shop Sales		- - - -

01:35 PM -- Approval of Minutes


BILL:	Approval of Minutes
TIME:	01:35:23 PM
MOVED:	Nichols
MOTION:	Moved to approve the summary of the committee's November 18, 2011, meeting. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Green
		VOTE
	Eddins
	Green
	Hoeft	Excused
	Lee
	Markwell	Absent
	Nichols
	Nunnally
	Patterson
	Sill	Excused
	Stephens	Excused
	Newell	Excused
	Contiguglia

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 4 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION:

01:35 PM -- Building Updates

Lance Shepherd, Division of Central Services in the Department of Personnel and Administration, came to the table to provide an update on several building issues. He began by talking about the dome renovation project, noting that the first phase is underway. Mr. Shepherd reported that the presidential portraits will be taken down, cleaned, and relocated to the east wing on the first floor for the duration of the dome renovation project. He explained that the governors' portraits that are currently in the east wing will be moved to the west wing to make room for the presidential portraits.

Mr. Shepherd reported that the critical needs plumbing assessment that the committee discussed in July of 2011 is underway. Next, Mr. Shepherd reported on the project underway to repair and restore the doors in the building. He explained that to repair all of the doors in the building, it would cost about $10 million, so the repairs will be made over time. So far, he said, about 15 doors have been repaired/restored at a cost of about $15,000 per door. He reported that the locks alone cost approximately $5,000.

Next Mr. Shepherd provided an update on the geothermal project, saying that it is under review by the state controller's office.

Finally, Mr. Shepherd reported on talks with AT&T, which wants to install cell repeaters in the building. He reported that AT&T has been told they cannot install repeaters in public areas of the building, and that a new plan is pending. Mr. Shepherd responded to committee questions about the AT&T project and its impact.

Ms. Contiguglia reported that the dome fund-raising task force accepted the donation of a Share in Care logo, which will be installed on the scrim that will cover the scaffolding for the dome project.

Mr. Shepherd responded to questions about the door project and the need for the replacement of the locks. He also responded to questions about the AT&T project, saying that no other carriers seem to have coverage issues in the building.

01:42 PM -- Designation of Denver Civic Center as a National Historic Landmark

John Olsen, Annie Levinsky, and Tom Simmons came to the table to talk about the nomination of Denver Civic Center as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). They provided a handout (Attachment A). Ms. Levinsky provided background information about the Civic Center District, and the nomination submitted to the National Park Service.

Mr. Olsen talked about why historic landmarks are important to the state and to the city. He explained that historic places are given the designation because they are found to possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating the heritage of the United States. Mr. Olsen said the Denver Civic Center was listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1974, with a boundary revision in 1988, noting that National Register sites have local or state significance rather than national significance. He referred the committee to the handout, which contains maps of the existing NRHP and proposed NHL boundaries. He noted that NHL designation means that projects involving federal licensing, permitting, or funding that might impact the landmark require review, but, because Civic Center already has an NRHP designation, that requirement is already in place. Mr. Olsen said the Civic Center District also enjoys a local designation as an historic district.

Tom Simmons came to the table to provide historical information about the Civic Center District and its state and national importance. Mr. Simmons explained that he and his wife, Laurie Simmons, prepared the NHL nomination. He described the Denver Civic Center District as an important "City Beautiful" era civic center. He said it was designed by nationally and regionally prominent architects, landscape architects, and artists. Nearly all plans for a civic center, he said, started with the State Capitol. Mr. Simmons said the Civic Center District is riddled with western iconography and themes, and he provided information about the buildings and monuments in the district.

Mr. Simmons, Mr. Olsen, and Ms. Levinsky responded to committee questions about the nomination and the current Denver Civic Center Historic District Local Designation. Mr. Patterson reported that the Governor is supportive of the NHL designation.


BILL:	Designation Civic Center as Ntl Historic Landmark
TIME:	01:58:45 PM
MOVED:	Eddins
MOTION:	Moved that the committee send a letter of support regarding the nomination of Denver Civic Center as a National Historic Landmark. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Nichols
		VOTE
	Eddins
	Green
	Hoeft	Excused
	Lee
	Markwell	Absent
	Nichols
	Nunnally
	Patterson
	Sill	Excused
	Stephens	Excused
	Newell	Excused
	Contiguglia

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

01:59 PM -- Update on Gift Shop Sales

Betsy Holdredge and Simon Maghakyan, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to provide an update on gift shop sales. They provided a handout detailing revenue and expenditures from the Gold Fund (Attachment B). Ms. Holdredge walked the committee through the handout. Mr. Maghakyan responded to committee questions about gift shop sales. Ms. Contiguglia reminded the committee that she, as chair of the committee, approves reorders of items for the gift shop. She said the primary goal is not to make money, but to provide a courtesy to the public.

The committee discussed various items relating to the gift shop and the tour operation. Ms. Eddins reported that there is a bill proposing a new state emblem. Mr. Nichols asked whether there is an official count of visitors to the building. He suggested it would be interesting to know per capita sales amounts. Mr. Maghakyan reported that about 250,000 people visit the building each year, and about half take a tour. He said very few visitors make a purchase at the gift shop, and said Visitor Services staff are very selective in offering new items for sale. Ms. Holdredge clarified what information about the number of visitors to the building is available.

02:09 PM -- Other Business

Ms. Contiguglia introduced former committee member and former Senator Pat Pascoe and invited her to the table. Senator Pascoe told the committee about her recently published book about the first woman legislator in Colorado.

02:13 PM

The committee adjourned.