HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-2008 HPC Minutes
City of Saratoga
H ERITAGE P RESERVATION C OMMISSION
MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:00 a.m.
Place: Warner Hutton House, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Type: Regular Meeting – Please meet at Warner Hutton House by 9:00 a.m.
1. Routine Organization
A. Roll Call
PRESENT: Commissioners Gomersall, Koepernik, McCarty, Louden, Tai,
Chair Kellond, and Vice Chair Marra
STAFF: Senior Planner Christopher Riordan
GUESTS: Ms. Nancy Anderson, Mr. Chuck Schoppe
B. Approval of minutes from January 8, 2008 meeting - Approved
C. Posting of Agenda – Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the
agenda was posted on February 7, 2008.
D. Oral & Written Communication - Any member of the public may address the
Commission about any matter not
E. Oral Communications – Historic Preservation Commission direction to Staff –
Instruction to staff regarding actions on current Oral Communications. - None
on the agenda for this meeting for up to
three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter but may
choose to place the topic on a future agenda. - None
2. Old Business
A. Discuss National Registry & Saratoga Landmark Plaques – Not Discussed
B. Discuss Heritage Orchard Signage – Not Discussed
C. Discuss Historic Incentives – Not Discussed
D. Discuss Mustard Faire – Item discussed. Chair Kellond stated that the
Mustard Faire had been a success and that the Mustard Faire was “turning
the corner” and getting better. Commissioner Tai also expressed her
agreement that the Mustard Faire was a success and that she has received
positive emails about the event. Commissioner Louden asked if there was an
attendance count. Chair Kellond expressed his belief that attendance was at
least 2,500 people. Ms. Anderson agreed and said that she had told the
Saratoga News that attendance estimates were at least 2,500 people. Chair
Kellond said that the event was well organized and laid out well.
Commissioner Koepernik mentioned that next year the food booths should be
located adjacent to the City Hall building. Ms. Anderson said that there did
not appear to be much conflict with the theater group and was happy that
arrangements had been made to avoid conflicts next year. Commissioner
McCarty said that she had received a complaint about the Gunfighters and
that they should not be included in next year’s event. Chair Kellond said that
the Mustard Faire could be larger next year and he would recommend that it
start being planned now. Ms. Anderson stated that the event has grown to a
point that is to big for the HPC to plan. Ms. Anderson said that planning the
event had been nearly a full time job since Christmas and that she would not
be involved in planning the event next year but would help out at the mustard
table and would put the White Book together. Chair Kellond recommend that
the HPC appoint a Mustard Faire Committee that works with the HPC in
planning the event. Ms. Anderson said that planning should include the
immediate reservation of the Warner Hutton house, table and chairs, and
banner location in the Village. Ms. Anderson said that the events in the
orchard were great. Commissioner Koepernik stated that the animals were
very popular and that the only problem he observed was that lines of people
could have been better organized. Ms. Anderson said that portable toilets
should be ordered for next year. Commissioner Koepernik said that the fierier
was fabulous, the demonstrations and stories were great, the fierier made a
trophy for the Mustard Princess, and that they were looking forward to
returning next year. Commissioner Koepernik also said that the Clydesdale
horses and the beekeepers were very popular and that the master gardeners
should be closer to the Warner Hutton House. Mr. Shoppe said that the food
vendors should arrive earlier next year. Ms. Anderson said that the tractors n
the orchard were very popular with the children. Commissioner Koepernik
said that the balloons were good and were successful in guiding people to the
orchard. Commissioner McCarty that there is need for a device to open up
package materials. Ms. Anderson said that there were no problems with
activates that were located in the Warner Hutton house. Ms. Anderson said
that the members of the Youth Commission did not show up as planned to
help set up tables and that next year more effort should be placed on getting
them to assist. Commissioner Tai mentioned that it would be helpful if
somebody from the City was present at next year’s event. Ms. Anderson said
that PA system was not loud enough. Chair Kellond said that an alternate
location of the state was needed that would be centrally located and that it
would be helpful if there was somebody to act as Master of Ceremonies. Ms.
Anderson said that the opening ceremony should be at noon instead of 11:00
A.M. since that time was too early. Commissioner Koepernik said that he did
not believe that the HPC should depend on the City for organizing the even.
Chair Kellond said that there was a need to increase the budget. Ms.
Anderson said that she had invited Gene Burns to attend but had not heard
from him, that the vendors made money, and that there is a need to work with
the Village merchants and that the HPC needs to be more proactive with
vendors, and that more than one person should be responsible for organizing
the art and music. Commissioner Tai said that more advance notice is
needed for artists and that she supported giving deadlines to artists and
vendors to commit to participating in the Mustard Faire. Mr. Shoppe said that
50 antique cars were part of the event, the art cars did not fit in and should
not be included next year, the engines were popular, the model A fire engine
was good, and that there was a favorable response from the antique car
participants. Commissioner Koepernik said that the orchard tractor guy felt
neglected. Ms. Anderson asked Mr. Shoppe to write a blurb for the White
Book. Ms. Anderson said that the food court was good. Chair Kellond said
that more food vendors were needed for next year and that Luprettas was
happy. Mr. Shoppe said that more food vendors were needed along the
creek or against the building and that there was a need for chairs next year.
Commissioner Marra said that the food vendors should be located in the back
parking lot. Chair Kellond said that there was a need for a main stage.
Commissioner Tai said that a louder PA system is needed and that the music
could not be heard away from the immediate area. Chair Kellond suggested
that the stage could be located in the orchard to attract more people. Mr.
Shoppe suggested that welcoming ceremonies be held close to the gate. Ms.
Anderson suggested that marching band music be included. Commissioner
Tai said that the marching bands had already been booked at other events
and that music groups should be limited to 30 minutes so more musicians
could be given the opportunity to participate and that the quality of the PA
system should be improved. Mr. Shoppe said that the Gunfighters were not
appropriate and that people complained about their presence. Chair Kellond
said that the Gunfighters were loud at times but it did appear that people liked
it. Chair Kellond said that he thought the group was smaller and was under
the impression that the Gunfighters would be performing skits. Ms. Anderson
said that they threw their hot coals into creek. Mr. Shoppe said that they had
a bad attitude. Commissioner Marra said that he was surprised it was such a
large group. Ms. Anderson said that the Gunfighters took up too much of the
budget. Commissioner Koepernik said that we now know the pitfalls and
admitted that there was some degree of chaos in the beginning and that the
group could be improved and that they were entertaining and that we got our
monies worth. Commissioner Tai said that she like the costumes but needs
to know the limitations. Mr. Shoppe said that he thought that actual Saratoga
events would be in their show such as the bank and stage coach robbery and
that there should be no surprises. Ms. Anderson that all vendors need
deadlines so that the HPC knows what to expect. Mr. Shoppe said that the
taiko group was interrupted by the Gunfighters. Chair Kellond thanked
Commissioner Koepernik for the signs and that the HPC should increase their
signage over time and that there as a need to deal with the theater group
about the parking. Commissioner Marra said that there needs to be an
agreement with the theater group on parking and felt that the having the event
on March 1 was too late for the mustard. Commissioner Marra said that two
cars were parked at the entrance to the corporation yard and that the police
called tow trucks to have them removed and that the city needs to put no
parking signs on the gates. Chair Kellond said that the Mustard Princess
should be chosen during the welcoming ceremonies. Commissioner
Koepernik said that there was a need to promote the Mustard Princess. Chair
Kellond said that he would work on expanding the budget and that there was
a need to do follow ups and thank you letters. Mr. Shoppe said that he would
send out thank you letters to the car clubs. Ms. Anderson said that she would
write to the Saratoga News. Commissioner Marra suggested that the contact
list for the Mustard Faire be placed in an excel spreadsheet. Chair Kellond
said that the HPC should start planning next years Faire now and that there
was a need to find committee members. Ms. Anderson said that March 1 is
the best date to work around the theater group and said that the date is a
large issue. Mr. Shoppe said that he supported the March date and said that
the weather is always a question in February and it might be better in March.
Commissioner Koepernik said that he would look at the Mustard on March 1.
Chair Kellond said that the date should be fixed from year to year and should
always be the first Sunday in March
E. Discuss Sign for McWilliams House – Not Discussed
F. Discuss Orchard Pathway – Not Discussed
G. Discuss Orchard Maintenance – Not Discussed
3. Pending Items
A. Historic Resources Inventory
B. National Register Applications
C. Adopt a Tree Program for the Heritage Orchard
D. Update Heritage Ordinance
E. Review Oak Street as a Heritage Lane
F. Review additional content for Heritage Resources webpage
G. Historic Preservation Data Base
H. Review list of properties with structures 50 years and over in age
4. Adjournment
Adjourn to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008, Warner Hutton House, 13777
Fruitvale Avenue.