HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-12-09 JHC MinutesJack House Committee
MINUTES
San Luis Obispo City/County Library
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ron Batterson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Committee Members Patrick Mayeda, Gerry Johnson, Kylie Hatch, Betty
Stockton and Bob Gordon.
ABSENT: Kathi Settle
STAFF: Christine Wallace
GUESTS: Toni Kincaid, Tom Swen, Mike McGuire, Maureen Titus, Anna Sinton, Chuck and
Louis Crotser and Terri Medyzk
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
Chuck Crotser asked if $60,000 fire sprinkler project included a contingency. Yes, 10%.
Crotser asked if someone familiar with Jack House architecture (Batterson) will be included on
planning and construction detail plans.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES AND FINANCIAL REPORT:
The minutes of June 2009 were approved with one addition.
Item #2: Stockton wanted the following information added.
Outgoing Loan Agreement, Deaccession Release Document, List of 7 items on loan agreement were
included in the paper work she had available.
The June 2008 Financial Reports were approved.
REGULAR ITEMS
ITEM #1: Foliage – Tom Swen
• Mr. Swen owns property next to Jack House & Gardens. A new multi use duplex is planned on his
property. There is foliage from Jack House gardens hanging over the property line onto his property.
• There is a concern with transient population on and around both properties. If the foliage is cleaned
and trimmed, it may be easier for police and others to monitor the area.
• Mr. Swen proposed trimming the branches of the Redwood tree high enough so that it may eliminate
a private, encampment space that is used by transient population. There is not a specific time line
requested, but working with the Jack House Committee and maintenance crew, would like to move
forward as soon as possible. Mr. Swen installed motion lights and more may be installed if needed to
help keep things safely lit at night.
• Mr. Swen would be happy to revisit the Jack House Committee to share his building plans and
progress when appropriate.
Jack House Committee
Minutes for August 12, 2009
Page 2 of 4
ITEM #2: Public Works Staff Report – Mike McGuire
• An update on fire sprinkler project was given by Mike McGuire. McGuire had a pre-bid walk
through for all contractors recently. The bid opening date is August 20, 2009. Some questions were
raised by staff and contractors.
• Issues raised:
o Liability for antiques and furnishings for house is too high for some companies to take on
the risk during the project.
Can some of the items be removed from the Jack House by the City staff or Jack
House volunteers? The contractors may be asked to do it, but may not have the
knowledge or experience to handle things properly.
Some of the tools/equipment are very dirty and there is a concern about bringing
them into the house with furnishings.
• Wallace asked if contractors or McGuire could list the items that need to be moved or removed from
the house or specific rooms.
• If the piano can not be moved it may have to be covered. The wall it rests against is a main wall for
the fire sprinklers, so it should be moved to another wall or opposite side of the room.
• McGuire reviewed the sections of the house that will have exposed sprinkler pipes.
• McGuire recommended Jack House volunteers or City staff cover and/or move the furnishings so it
is done appropriately. It is a $60,000 bid and it would add costs if contractors had to take on that
responsibility. If lowest bid is over $60,000 then it will need to go before the City Council for review
approval again and it may delay things by a couple of weeks.
• Items should be moved at least 5 feet from the walls being worked on. This would most likely just
apply to the first floor.
• On the second floor, in the nanny’s room, the plans indicate a vertical pipe to be installed and will
damage the original wall paper, because it would go inside the wall to hide the pipe. McGuire asked
if there was extra wall paper so it may be used to replace/fix anything removed. As an alternative, the
sprinkler pipe could be run down the same area or next to the electrical lines in the nanny’s room. It
would then be visible because it would not be placed inside the wall, but it would be run down the
side of the wall, as close as possible to the corner. The sprinkler pipe is approximately 1 inch
diameter.
• Several drop cloths are recommended to help combat the dust during construction.
• Access to the sprinkler heads from the front porch. The ceiling of the front porch will need sprinklers
and the plan is to have the pipe come out the second floor wall and placed through the roof of the
porch. It may come out from wall about 6 inches before going into roof of porch.
• The back flow preventer device was near the right of the driveway near the picket fence in the
original placement, but the left hand side of the driveway is now being suggested for the new
location. This is next to the back flow device for the bank next door. The new location will also help
prevent any damage to the Magnolia tree root system.
• Proposed construction start date is September 28, 2009 and should last until November 6, 2009. If
the sprinkler riser is exposed near any drive areas, it will need to be protected and bollards may
be installed along the side(s) of the riser(s).
• The sprinkler project will cover the main house, the gift shop and the utility building. Items in the
gift shop will need to be covered and protected as well. Two sprinkler heads will be placed in gift
shop and three in the service building. The new bathroom plans include the new sprinkler
system.
• McGuire suggested the house be closed to the public after the weekend of September 6th so the
prep work may be completed.
• Mayeda – need to schedule cleaners so the house may be re-opened to the public. Wallace will
follow up in November, closer to job completion.
Jack House Committee
Minutes for August 12, 2009
Page 2 of 4
• Batterson suggested a sub-committee be created to address the needs and timeline for
construction preparation. Mayeda and Batterson volunteered to meet with Parks and Recreation
staff.
• Mayeda – will City staff be available on site as work is being completed? McGuire confirmed a
City inspector will be onsite for all necessary work review/oversight.
ITEM #3: Buggy Shed Presentation – Chuck Crotser
• Mr. Crotser shared copies of the floor and electrical plans for the Buggy Shed. The focus will be to
leave the display area as low key and simple as possible. Utilizing glass cases for more sensitive or
delicate items on display. Pedestals may be used for more open items, closer to viewers.
• The doors may be open to the public, but may not want people to be allowed into the space.
• Handicap ramp(s) up to shed do not have to be permanent. It may be built as a non-permanent access
so it may be removed for other events if needed.
• May want to consider updating the flat doors with a new detailing that matches the north side doors.
Simple construction utilizing the existing doors would be easy to change.
• A hanging kick plate on a chain or a single board insert across the open doors will help keep people
and items (2’ x 12’ wind buffer) from entering the shed.
• Crotser suggest breaking everything into smaller projects components and ask for donations or gifts
from people and community organizations.
• Would like to return to another Jack House Committee meeting to do a more formal presentation for
the interior buggy shed space suggestions.
• When buggy is removed from the shed, the north doors would be utilized.
• Gordon would like to see this facility used as a lecture hall or something similar. Ideal setting for
public use.
• Proposed lighting would be track lighting and/or spot lighting, hidden behind the existing beams.
The current electrical set up is adequate for the proposed lighting.
• The proposed display cases would need to approved and within the style of the Jack House.
• The floor may need to be sealed for protection.
ITEM #4: Money for Visitor and Conference Bureau (VCB) Dues - Wallace
• Requested $480 for a one year commitment for the VCB dues. The web site gets 1 million page
views a year.
Batterson made a motion to approve $480 for the VCB web site fee for the Jack House
promotion. The motion was approved unanimously.
ITEM #5: Halloween Event - Kincaid
• Some Victorian homes in San Francisco have special flashlight tours for Halloween. Would like to
do the same type of event at the Jack House. Use the event as a decorated, story telling type of event
for family friendly activities.
• It could be something implemented for 2010. Pre-sell tickets and have tours every 30 minutes
(approximately) so it keeps people moving through the house on a regular rotation. Could open the
house on additional day/nights or keep it the same as Sunday’s regular tours. If additional night tours
are incorporated it could be several dates any time close to Halloween, just not on Halloween
evening.
• It is recommended to have docent guided tours, not self guided tours.
• May recruit drama students from local schools to help for this special event.
• A proposed name, “The Jacks Are Back..”
• Committee gave the docents approval to move forward for the Haunted House, but if there is a cost
involved with supplies or advertising, it needs to be brought back to the Committee in advance.
Jack House Committee
Minutes for August 12, 2009
Page 2 of 4
ITEM #6: Displays – Kincaid
• Item tabled for September meeting.
Reports and Updates
Monthly Activities – Staff/Public Works
Christine Wallace reported on the following:
• New Jack House postcard brochures were handed out. The postcards are used as
promotional material.
Docent Activities
Toni Kincaid reported on the following items:
• 44 guests attended the Victorian Tea on August 9, 2009. It was a big success. Bob Gordon
provided the flower arrangements for the tables. The Docents would like to do it again next
year, maybe in September. The Tea Cozy in Cambria has offered to donate for the next
event.
Member Comments
• Mayeda contacted the Executive Director of The Historical Society, Kimberly Alfaro, and
the Historical Society is not against the Jack House holding onto the items on loan. One
request is to have an expert on handling antiques help coach anyone handling and/or
preparing items for storage.
• The black dress that belonged to Ethel will be on permanent loan from the Historical
Society. It is on the original list of items on loan.
• Batterson asked if Wallace could look into the landscape questions that came up in Item #1.
• Batterson would like to address the maintenance “to do” list in the near future.
Communications
• No communications at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Next meeting is September 9, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the San Luis
Obispo Parks and Recreation Administration Office.