QUARTERLY MEETING

February 9, 2016 4PM | Conference Call

Chair: Chris Pattillo (filling in for January Tavel, who was out of town on a business trip)
Recorder: Janet Gracyk
Participants: Cate Bainton, Cathy Garrett, Chris Pattillo, Fred Rachman, Janet Gracyk, Melissa Mourkas, Thomas Eddy

Old Business

1. Chapter Finances + ASLA Proposal Update - Chris Pattillo

   The agreement for the HALS Challenge funds from ASLA is for five $1000 stipends.

   Chris sent information to three professors at UC Berkeley and two other people, saying that students are being sought. Caren Yglesias, an instructor at UC Berkeley and at the Academy of Art, has several students who are interested in this year's HALS documentation. They will be invited to participate in the HALS Hero program or in the HALS national challenge. See item 1 under "New Business."

   Cate reminded us that the website hosting expense comes due again next year. There is a small amount of money available from other sources that can be used for that purpose.

2. HALS Liaison Report - Chris Pattillo

   January 19th was a HALS Liaison meeting. Topics covered included:

   • Chris Stevens, ASLA, NPS HALS Landscape Architect, and Past Chair of the Historic Preservation PPN, and HALS chapter liaison coordinator, received an ASLA Award for Outstanding Service.
   • David Driapsa has been made a Fellow in the ASLA .
   • Thaisa Way has been working on a documentary called "The Making of Ten Parks that Changed America," part of a series called "10 that Changed America." Release date was not known.
   • Historic Preservation PPN had a new format at the annual ASLA meeting, asking for 3-minute success stories.
   • Paul Dolinksy reported that Congressional approval for landscape architects being included on the Secretary of the Interior's list of qualified Historic Preservation Professionals continues to percolate.
   • ASLA's "The Field" asked Chris to write an article on the HALS Challenge.
   • This year's ASLA annual meeting will be in New Orleans. Cathy Garrett, Nancy Brown, and Robert McGinnis have proposed a session on the 50th Anniversary of National Historic Preservation Act and how landscapes have been affected.
   • Liaison member Nancy Wyatt said there are efforts under way to get more programs between HALS groups and SHPOs going in other parts of the country.
   • Finally, ASLA, NPS, and the Library of Congress -- the three groups that share responsibility for the HALS program -- have scheduled a meeting for this year.

3. 2016 HALS Challenge Update - Chris Pattillo

   A question was raised about the intent of the current HALS Challenge: if a property must be listed on the National Register, or just be eligible. According the NPS HALS landscape architect Chris Stevens, "the landscape must be part of a site or district already listed on the National Register. National Historic Landmarks are listed on the NR, so the site or district may be a NR or NHL listing.

   It matters not if the NR nomination form sufficiently described its associated landscape(s). You may choose one well documented by the NR or insufficiently documented. Typically though the landscape(s) of NR sites is inadequately described in the forms.

   We hope to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NHPA by having folks explore the NR/NHL databases/forms and then document these treasures for HALS."

   For HALS Challenge documentation projects that our group could undertake for 2016: see item 1 under "New Business" for some possibilities. In non-group projects, three people, so far, have submitted their sites:

   • Doug Nelson will do Golden Gate Park
   • Janet will do a short form for Sutter's Fort
   • Cate Bainton will document Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

   Members are encouraged to print and post the new flier in their place of business.

1. Martinez Potter's Field Project - Chris Pattillo. This discussion morphed into additional project sites.

   Joseph Palmer, director at two historic properties, has contacted Chris (by way of Jennifer deGraaf) regarding Rodger's Ranch Heritage Center in Pleasant Hill and the Martinez Historical Society's Potter's Field Restoration Project in Martinez. He discussed the two very different and interesting properties as needing documentation. Each property has a good volunteer base. Chris thought that the students mentioned above might take on one or both projects, but they will need mentoring. She is seeking people who can mentor students and assist their professors. Fred Rachmann volunteered to be a mentor. Additional mentors are sought.

   Another possible project is the Cohen-Bray House in Oakland.

2. ASLA Funding/Project Concepts Discussion - All

   ASLA funding is to be used for the HALS Hero program. An ambitious student, or emerging professional, could submit to the HALS Hero program, the HALS Challenge, and to the Holland Prize.

3. Communication alternatives to Yahoo Groups - All

   Yahoo may spin off parts of their businesses, so we need a backup plan. Google Groups was suggested, but members may know of other choices. Google Groups will require members to have a Google account.

   Cate manages the e-group. Melissa maintains the backup member list. Cate will be the point person on the question of a possible new Group application for HALSncc.

4. Announcements - All

   Cathy reported that she received a proposed agreement the US Bureau of Land Management, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officer on renewable energy developments by BLM. The bureau is seeking input and support. Members may contact Cathy for more information.

   Melissa reported that the California Energy Commission in Sacramento will post two job openings: one will be for an archeologist and one will likely be an architectural historian.

Saturday, May 7th in Sacramento. 10:30, possibly to 4:30. A tour of the State Capitol grounds is set. Sutter's Fort is being considered. Capitol Towers and its Halprin landscape will be demolished, and that property is being considered for the tour.

Melissa, living in Sacramento, is considering other possibilities and members are requested to send their suggestions. Are there members who can help plan the day?

Are there other groups that might be interested in joining us? Students? The group Preservation Sacramento? The Historic State Capitol Commission will be invited, as will the California Garden & Landscape History Society.

Conclusion

We agreed that the phone-in meeting was successful and a good way to conduct alternate meetings.