QUARTERLY MEETING

February 13, 2007 | Thorsen House, Piedmont Way, Berkeley

Minutes:

1. Introductions and Welcome

   After introductions Tom Saxby of Tom Saxby Architect gave a history of the Thorsen House. Thorsen house was built in 1909 and was the last of four "ultimate bungalows" designed by the firm of Greene and Greene. The original owner occupied it until 1943 when it became the Sigma Phi fraternity house. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, it is a Berkeley City Landmark, and has been on the State Historic Register since 1998. Most of the original artwork by Charles Greene is intact though in need of rehabilitation.

   Mr. Saxby's firm has prepared a $9 million rehabilitation plan that will: provide access, upgrade the seismic and life safety systems, make code improvements, some exterior improvements, plus cleaning and painting. A fund raising campaign is underway. There was a brief discussion of possible resources to assist with the campaign.

2. Kaiser Roof Garden Nomination Status Report

   Measured Drawings: Cathy Garrett presented the draft Measured Drawings package. PGA and Marlea were successful in obtaining a copy of most of the original contract drawings (plans and details) for the garden. These are the documents prepared by the office of Osmundson and Staley. The current owners of the Kaiser Center, the SWIG Company, gave them to us.

   The plan set is almost complete. All sheets have been scanned. Copies will be included in our HALS submission as supporting documents and will be provided to the Environmental Design Archive at Wurster Hall.

   PGA is now using these documents as our base information for the Measured Drawings. We are in the process of preparing 3 sets of plans: 1) as designed, 2) as constructed and 3) existing conditions. PGA staff is in the process of measuring, recording, and drafting the existing conditions. Current conditions are shown as overlays on the original plans, so it is easy to see what is different. We have also completed the cover sheet.

   The "as constructed" documents will be done based on the research Marlea is heading. PGA also intends to produce sections and some details.

   Research: Chris Pattillo reported on oral interviews she and Marlea had done with John Sue and Cornell Maier. When the written transcripts are complete they will be made available to our members.

   John Sue prepared the working drawings for the garden as an employee of Osmundson and Staley. He had primary responsibility for documenting the master plan prepared by David Arbegast. John prepared the plans and details including researching soil mixes and designing and detailing the site furnishings.

   Cornell Maier is a retired executive from Kaiser and served as Chairman and Chief Executive of Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Company. He recounted his personal recollections related to the garden and several stories about founder, Henry J. Kaiser and the early years of Kaiser industries.

   Marlea reported on her on-going research and committee meeting. Tom Brown will work on scheduling interviews with Lisa Guthrie and John Staley, if he can be located. Ernest Wertheim was suggested as someone else who might have first-hand information on the garden. Bill Robbins offered to try to make a connection with the Trefethan family for an interview.

3. Web Site Committee

   Steve reported that we now have a web mistress for our site. Emily Miller, daughter of HALS member Deborah Lindsay, who is a professional web designer, has agreed to work with us. UC Berkeley has committed $5000 to pay for those services. Emily will create the web site based on our program and teach us how to maintain it. Hopefully, once the site is set up there will be students available to do the maintenance.

   Betsy Flack reported that no new progress has been made towards compiling the comprehensive list of historic gardens and cultural landscapes.

   Steve said that one of his committee members has left the area; so he would welcome an additional volunteer.

4. Piedmont Way Nomination Status Report

   Fredrica Drotos reported that they have completed the current conditions plans, site photos to HALS standards, and started the research. They are applying for a second Chancellors Grant to prepare construction documents.

   The project has been presented to the City of Berkeley, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Landmarks Board, and the community and has received unanimous support, which is almost unheard of in Berkeley. The Design Review Committee of UC Berkeley will also review it in April. No one has opposed the rehabilitation plan for Piedmont Way. Discussion has focused on details of the plan; not whether or not it should happen.

   There was some discussion of the strategies being considered to actually get the planned improvements constructed. Designating Piedmont Way as a historic district, which could enable them access to historic tax credits, is considered highly desirable. Adjacent property owners might also consider establishing a special tax assessment to pay for the improvements.

   Betsy asked, "What is HALS role in providing protection for the historic landscapes we document?" Answer: Limited, but having HALS recognition will facilitate a site's ability to garner grants and funding from other sources intended to do that.

5. Olomopali State Historic Park Status Report

   Diane Einstein reported that she, Betsy Flack and Jill Johnson went to Sacramento to review the work that Goodrin Baxter had done for the restoration of the Burdell Victorian garden. They met with five state employees to discuss the scope of the CCHE grant. For a while it appeared that some of the grant money would need to be diverted to pay for ethnographic and anthropological studies, a Cultural Resources Report (CRR) and CEQA documentation. This could have jeopardized the grant, which was given specifically for the preparation of a design and contract documents.

   Ultimately, the state representatives agreed to do the CRR and CEQA and other documentation themselves. Olomopali will provide the studies and research they have already done to the state.

   At this point Diane has been told that they should have an approved contract in approximately two weeks. They have established March 1 as a start date.

   Tom asked if the scope includes preparation of a maintenance manual for the restored garden. No, it only includes plans and contract documents.

   Betsy noted that though the Sacramento meeting was somewhat difficult it did focus attention of the need for a historic and cultural resources study. She also noted that having Jill Johnson, one of our members, present was tremendously helpful because while not a landscape architect Jill has tremendous knowledge from her architectural background and involvement with HABS.

   Anthony Veerkamp suggested CPF as a source of support and offered assistance with identifying funding sources. Tom suggested that California State Garden Clubs might lend financial support as well.

6. HALS Lobby Day

   Chris Pattillo reported great success in identify volunteers to participate in the March 5th in-District lobby day for HALS funding. Margaret Mori and Waverly Lowell will meet with Dianne Feinstein, Diane Einstein and Mary Anne Hurley will go to Barbara Boxer's office, Fredrica Drotos and Chris will visit Barbara Lee, Carol Rowland Nawi will meet with Mike Honda, Tom Brown is scheduling with Lynn Woolsey and Margaret and Waverly also hope to meet with Nancy Pelosi.

   Heather Morris of ASLA National reports that of 234 targeted national legislators only 46 are covered plus 3 non-targeted members. ASLA reps from only 16 states have committed to this effort.

7. HALS Funding Opportunity

   Chris reported that one of the unexpected outcomes of the interview with Cornell Maier is an opportunity to secure seed money that would help support our chapter activities. Mr. Maier was somewhat insistent that Chris submit a letter to the Kaiser Permanente Foundation seeking financial support. He has agreed to present it personally and is coaching Chris on what the letter should say. If the request were successful we would need a fiscal agent with a 501c3 corporation. Two members offered possible assistance with this.

8. Announcements

   Betsy announced two upcoming Garden Conservancy programs: A tour at Alcatraz on Feb. 23, and Gardens of the Mind on March 30-31. For more information contact Betsy at: bflack AT gardenconservancy DOT org

9. Next Meeting

   Tuesday May 15th 4PM at a TBD location. Please make a note on your calendar.