HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-17 JHC Agenda PktCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Jack House Committee
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SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kathi Settle
ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Toni Kincaid, Commissioners Chuck Crotser, Bob Gordon, Dorothy
Sundbye, Eva Ulz, Jeff Whitener
Exofficio Committee Member Marilyn Darnell
PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, the public is invited to address the Committee on items that are not on the agenda but are
of interest to the public and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Jack House Committee. The Committee may not discuss
or take action on issues that are not on the agenda other than to briefly respond to statements made or questions raised, or to ask
staff to follow up on such issues.
1. Consideration of the Meeting Minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 11, 2017 and
Financial Reports and Expenditures for October 2017 (Settle – 5 minutes)
2. Review and Provide Feedback on the Proposed National Register of Historic Places Plaque
for the Jack House (Mudgett/Setterlund – 20 minutes)
3. Consider Jack House Docent Report (Darnell – 5 minutes)
4. Consider Friends of the Jack House Report (Papp – 5 minutes)
5. Staff Report for Parks and Recreation and Agenda Forecast (Setterlund – 5 minutes)
6. Communications – as needed
Adjourn to Next Scheduled Regular Meeting on December 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks and
Recreation Offices located at 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA.
APPEALS: Administrative decisions by the Jack House Commission may be appealed to the City Council in
accordance with the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 1.20 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
1
Regular Meeting- Parks and Recreation Office
1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
CALL TO ORDER: A Regular Meeting of the Jack House Committee was called to order on Wednesday,
October 11, 2017 at 5:31 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Conference Meeting Room, located at 1341 Nipomo
Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Kathi Settle.
ROLL CALL: Chair Kathi Settle, Vice Chair Toni Kincaid, Committee Members Bob Gordon,
Eva Ulz and Jeff Whitener
TARDY: None
ABSENT: Committee Member Chuck Crotser, Committee Member Dorothy Sundbye
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Parks and Recreation Director; Dave Setterlund, Recreation
Supervisor; Melissa Mudgett Recreation Manager
Public Comment
James Papp, San Luis Obispo resident, inquired about the Friends of the Jack House report not on the agenda.
Staff Mudgett responded that at a previous Jack House Committee meeting it was decided that both Jack House
Docent reports and Friends of the Jack House reports will be removed as regular standing items and will be
added to the Committee’s agenda only when the groups indicate they have a report to present to the Committee.
CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of the Minutes
ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE JACK HOUSE
COMMITTEE FOR OCTOBER 11, 2017.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED
5:0:0:2 to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting of October 11, 2017 as presented.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
Consideration of Financial Reports and Expenditures
ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR
SEPTEMBER 2017, FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, SECOND BY COMMITTEE ULZ, CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to
approve the September 2017 Financial Report as presented.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Jack House Committee
DRAFT - MINUTES
2
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Presentation of City’s Fiscal Health Response Plan
Director Stanwyck gave a presentation regarding challenges of future costs in regard to CALPERS, the City’s
retirement fund.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
3. Approval of Project Plan for the development of policies for the management, maintenance and operations
of the Jack House
Staff Mudgett summarized the Jack House Project Plan for the development of policies for the management,
maintenance and operations of the Jack House which incorporated the feedback received by the Committee and
the public thus far. She outlined any additional language and changes made to the project plan from the last
Committee’s review.
Public Comment
James Papp, SLO resident, said that capturing institutional knowledge through a community survey would save
both time and resources. Mr. Papp added that the History Center could be a great resource for the Parks and
Recreation Department and could assist in the research identified in step A6 of the proposed project plan.
Committee Comments
Committee members gave feedback regarding grammatical corrections and discussed concerns over the
progressive timeline identified for the collection of institutional knowledge and suggested the wording changed
to “Begin the capture of…” for project plan item A7.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approve the draft Jack House Project Plan as amended.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
4. Review and Provide Feedback on the proposed National Register of Historic Places Plaque for the Jack
House
Staff Mudgett presented proposed language for National Register of Historic Places plaque which included
language taken directly from the National Register application and asked for the Committee’s feedback.
Public Comment
James Papp, SLO resident, presented the Committee with alternative language for proposed plaque and
recommended that all information be sourced correctly with the appropriate citations.
Committee Comments
The Committee provided staff feedback for the type of information and order that the Committee would like to
see on the proposed plaque. Feedback included the Jack House date, full spelling of R.E. Jack’s name,
3
Information about R.E. Jack first, followed by his wife Nellie Hollister, then information about the residence and
gardens, concluding with City and National Register information.
The Committee asked staff to use proposed plaque language (as presented by James Papp) as a starting point and
receive input from the Jack House Docent President (Exofficio Member Marilyn Darnell). Staff Mudgett
reported that staff will return to the Committee at its November meeting to present another version of the
proposed plaque language.
5. Cancellation of the Regular Meeting of November 8, 2017 and Approve Notification of the Special Meeting
of November 9, 2017
Staff Mudgett presented the cancellation request for the November 8, 2017 Jack House Committee meeting in
place of a Special Meeting on the following day, Nove mber 9, 2017. The Special Meeting will be held at the
Ludwick Community Center (864 Santa Rosa Street) at 4:00 pm. The Committee will hold its public meeting at
this location and then adjourn to the Jack House Docent Appreciation Dinner.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approve the cancellation of the November 8, 2017 meeting and approve the notification of the Special Meeting of
November 9, 2017.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
6. Consider Jack House Docent Report and Holiday Programming Budget
Exofficio Member Darnell presented the Committee with the Jack House Docent Report and requested the
Committee approved $600.00 for Holiday programming and purchases.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approved Victorian Christmas Holiday Expenditures from the Parks and Recreation Jack House Operation Budget
in an amount not-to-exceed $600.00.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
4
7. Staff Report for Parks and Recreation and Agenda Forecast
Staff Setterlund reported on upcoming events with the Parks and Recreation Department and next steps for the
Jack House Project Plan
8. Communications
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. to the next Special Meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the
Ludwick Community Center located at 864 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
2017-18 Fiscal Year
Reporting Date:10/26/2017
Accounting Periods:4
October 2017
Verified By:Dave Setterlund, Community Services Supervisor
Melissa C. Mudgett, Recreation Manager
Fund Balance Updated at Year-End
15,880.81$
Acct 625-3901
& 625-3032
BUDGET
REVENUES
COLLECTED TO-
DATE
REVENUES
AVAILABLE TO
SPEND
Jack House Revenues (Fund 625) $ - $ 611.90
Jack House Expenditures (Fund 625)
for Construction and Operating
Materials
$ - 0.00
BUDGET EXPENSES TO-
DATE
BUDGET AVAILABLE
TO SPEND
Total Expenditures
(through October 26, 2017)
City Fund-100 Parks & Recreation (to
be used for JH Promotions) $ 10,500 $ (530.50)9,969.50$ * PAGE 3 for EXPENDITURE DETAIL
Parks & Recreation Promotions Account Summary
2017-18
(through to October 26, 2017)
ACCOUNT SUMMARY
* PAGE 2 for REVENUE DETAIL
JACK HOUSE Accounting
Monthly Account Reporting of Revenues and Expenditures
JACK HOUSE FUND BALANCE
Jack House Account Summary
REVENUES (From July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018)
(Note: Dates are when posted by Finance Dept., not dates of transaction)
EXPENDITURES (From July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018)
611.90$
JACK HOUSE Accounting
PAGE 2
$ -
$ -
$ 105.00
$ 105.00
625.58100 – Food Sales Non-Taxable
$ -
625.58110 – Merchandise Sales Taxable
Sub-Total Sales Revenue: $ -
625.58120 – JH Revenue (Tours)
$ 194.90
$ 212.00 Sub-Total: $ -
$ 100.00
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ 506.90
$ 611.90
Sub-Total Non-Taxable Revenue:
Ending Expenditure Balance (Sept 25, 2017)
(Matching Finance Plus)
TOTAL JACK HOUSE FUND EXPENDITURES
Sub-Total
7/28/17 - JH Tours
$ 611.90
Ending Revenue Balance (Sept 25, 2017)
(Includes Accrued Interest. Does not include Petty Cash)
TOTAL JACK HOUSE FUND REVENUE
Sub-Total Tours Revenue:
8/23/17 - JH Tours
9/22/2017 - JH Tours
Sub-Total Donations:
89140.7789 Cost of Materials for Resale
Sub-Total Interest Earned:
625.47010 – Other Contributions (Donations)
7/28/2017 - Donation
Account 625-89140
BEGINNING BALANCE $ -
Expenditures (through July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018)
89140.7227 Contract Services
Jack House Fund EXPENDITURES (OUT)
Jack House Account - FULL DETAIL
625.42760 – Interest on Investments
BEGINNING BALANCE
Jack House Fund REVENUES (IN)
Fund 625
Revenues Collected from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018
JACK HOUSE Accounting
PAGE 3
Parks & Recreation Promotions
Account - FULL DETAIL
STARTING BALANCE $ 10,500.00
60280.7244 Promotions
$ 9.95
$ 55.74
$ 86.72
$ 253.09
$ 125.00
$ 530.50
(as of Sept 25, 2017)
$ 9,969.50
Jack House Promotions City General Funds - EXPENDITURES
8/18/17 - PRP Companies (Printing - JK Docent Handbook)
10/20/2017 - American Alliance of Museums Membership
REMAINING AVAILABLE BALANCE
Account 100.60280.7244
Total Expenditures:
Expenditures (from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018)
8/18/17 - Credit Card Purchase (Staples - Printing, JH Programs, Darnell)
8/18/17 -Credit Card Purchase (Staples - Printing ,JH Programs, Darnell)
8/18/17 - James Papp (Reimb Art After Dark supplies)
City of San Luis Obispo, Parks and Recreation, 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401‐3934, 805.781.7300, slocity.org
Date: November 9, 2017
SUBJECT: REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED
HISTORIC JACK HOUSE NATIONAL REGISTER PLAQUE
Prepared by: Melissa C. Mudgett, Recreation Manager
Dave Setterlund, Recreation Supervisor
RECOMMENDATION
Provide Staff Feedback on the Proposed National Register of Historic Places Plaque Narrative
for the Historic Jack House residence and gardens.
DISCUSSION
Background
Jack House Committee members wish to memorialize the Jack House as a historic community
resource; sharing information about the Jack Family’s contributions and connections to the
historical development of San Luis Obispo with visitors. A National Register of Historic
Places Plaque is recommended for future placement at the Jack House. On October 11, 2017,
Parks and Recreation staff presented to the Jack House Committee with draft plaque language.
The Committee provided staff feedback on the proposed plaque which helped in refining the
plaque narrative (Attachment 1). A summary of the Committee’s feedback is provided below.
The Jack House plaque version II (Attachment 2), as presented by Parks and Recreation,
incorporates the Committee and public’s feedback received to-date.
Plaque Heading
1878 year of
construction included
in plaque title
Use of full name for
Robert Edgar (R.E.)
Jack
Plaque Narrative
Order of Plaque Narrative
Should be as Follows;
1) R.E. Jack Contributions
2) Nellie Hollister Contributions
3) Residence & Gardens
4) Historic Register Information
Supporting
Documentation
Supporting
Documentation Should
be Cited for Proposed
Plaque Narratives
Meeting Date: Nov 9, 2017
Item Number: __2___
CONCURRENCE
On June 26, 2017, the Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC) provided staff feedback of a
preliminary plaque design for the historic Jack House. At its meeting, the CHC supported the
Jack House Committee’s desire to designate a historic plaque for the Jack House. The CHC
provided Community Development staff with further recommendations for streamlining the
historic plaque review and approval process with staff’s evaluation (Attachment 3).
NEXT STEPS
Based on the feedback and direction received at the Jack House Committee Meeting on
November 9, 2017, Parks and Recreation staff will continue to research plaque options and
return to the Committee at a future meeting with recommendations for project costs; including
plaque design, installation and estimated project timeline.
ATTACHMENT
1. Jack House Committee Staff Report, October 11, 2017
2. Jack House National Register of Historic Places Plaque Narrative and Citations,
Version II
3. Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes, June 26, 2017
G:\Everyone\Jack House\JH Committee\Staff Reports\2017\11.09.17 Historic Plaque2\JHC Staff Rprt_Historic Plaque v2 11.09.17.docx
1
Regular Meeting- Parks and Recreation Office
1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
CALL TO ORDER: A Regular Meeting of the Jack House Committee was called to order on Wednesday,
October 11, 2017 at 5:31 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Conference Meeting Room, located at 1341 Nipomo
Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Kathi Settle.
ROLL CALL: Chair Kathi Settle, Vice Chair Toni Kincaid, Committee Members Bob Gordon,
Eva Ulz and Jeff Whitener
TARDY: None
ABSENT: Committee Member Chuck Crotser, Committee Member Dorothy Sundbye
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Parks and Recreation Director; Dave Setterlund, Recreation
Supervisor; Melissa Mudgett Recreation Manager
Public Comment
James Papp, San Luis Obispo resident, inquired about the Friends of the Jack House report not on the agenda.
Staff Mudgett responded that at a previous Jack House Committee meeting it was decided that both Jack House
Docent reports and Friends of the Jack House reports will be removed as regular standing items and will be
added to the Committee’s agenda only when the groups indicate they have a report to present to the Committee.
CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of the Minutes
ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE JACK HOUSE
COMMITTEE FOR OCTOBER 11, 2017.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, CARRIED
5:0:0:2 to approve the minutes of Regular Meeting of October 11, 2017 as presented.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
Consideration of Financial Reports and Expenditures
ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR
SEPTEMBER 2017, FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KINCAID, SECOND BY COMMITTEE ULZ, CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to
approve the September 2017 Financial Report as presented.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Jack House Committee
DRAFT - MINUTES
2
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Presentation of City’s Fiscal Health Response Plan
Director Stanwyck gave a presentation regarding challenges of future costs in regard to CALPERS, the City’s
retirement fund.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
3. Approval of Project Plan for the development of policies for the management, maintenance and operations
of the Jack House
Staff Mudgett summarized the Jack House Project Plan for the development of policies for the management,
maintenance and operations of the Jack House which incorporated the feedback received by the Committee and
the public thus far. She outlined any additional language and changes made to the project plan from the last
Committee’s review.
Public Comment
James Papp, SLO resident, said that capturing institutional knowledge through a community survey would save
both time and resources. Mr. Papp added that the History Center could be a great resource for the Parks and
Recreation Department and could assist in the research identified in step A6 of the proposed project plan.
Committee Comments
Committee members gave feedback regarding grammatical corrections and discussed concerns over the
progressive timeline identified for the collection of institutional knowledge and suggested the wording changed
to “Begin the capture of…” for project plan item A7.
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approve the draft Jack House Project Plan as amended.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
4. Review and Provide Feedback on the proposed National Register of Historic Places Plaque for the Jack
House
Staff Mudgett presented proposed language for National Register of Historic Places plaque which included
language taken directly from the National Register application and asked for the Committee’s feedback.
Public Comment
James Papp, SLO resident, presented the Committee with alternative language for proposed plaque and
recommended that all information be sourced correctly with the appropriate citations.
Committee Comments
The Committee provided staff feedback for the type of information and order that the Committee would like to
see on the proposed plaque. Feedback included the Jack House date, full spelling of R.E. Jack’s name,
3
Information about R.E. Jack first, followed by his wife Nellie Hollister, then information about the residence and
gardens, concluding with City and National Register information.
The Committee asked staff to use proposed plaque language (as presented by James Papp) as a starting point and
receive input from the Jack House Docent President (Exofficio Member Marilyn Darnell). Staff Mudgett
reported that staff will return to the Committee at its November meeting to present another version of the
proposed plaque language.
5. Cancellation of the Regular Meeting of November 8, 2017 and Approve Notification of the Special Meeting
of November 9, 2017
Staff Mudgett presented the cancellation request for the November 8, 2017 Jack House Committee meeting in
place of a Special Meeting on the following day, Nove mber 9, 2017. The Special Meeting will be held at the
Ludwick Community Center (864 Santa Rosa Street) at 4:00 pm. The Committee will hold its public meeting at
this location and then adjourn to the Jack House Docent Appreciation Dinner.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approve the cancellation of the November 8, 2017 meeting and approve the notification of the Special Meeting of
November 9, 2017.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
6. Consider Jack House Docent Report and Holiday Programming Budget
Exofficio Member Darnell presented the Committee with the Jack House Docent Report and requested the
Committee approved $600.00 for Holiday programming and purchases.
Public Comment
None
Committee Comments
None
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ULZ, SECOND BY COMMITTEE KINCAID, CARRIED 5:0:2 to
approved Victorian Christmas Holiday Expenditures from the Parks and Recreation Jack House Operation Budget
in an amount not-to-exceed $600.00.
AYES: SETTLE, KINCAID, GORDON, ULZ, WHITENER
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: CROTSER, SUNDBYE
4
7. Staff Report for Parks and Recreation and Agenda Forecast
Staff Setterlund reported on upcoming events with the Parks and Recreation Department and next steps for the
Jack House Project Plan
8. Communications
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. to the next Special Meeting on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the
Ludwick Community Center located at 864 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
City of San Luis Obispo, Parks and Recreation, 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401‐3934, 805.781.7300, slocity.org
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
HISTORIC PLAQUE NARRATIVE
VERSION II, November 9, 2017
1878 JACK HOUSE AND GARDEN
Robert Edgar (R.E.) and Nellie Hollister Jack
The Jack House and Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the
contributions of R.E. Jack to the commerce and development of the City of San Luis Obispo. He was
a central figure from the 1870s - 1900s1 and served as president of the City of San Luis Obispo’s
board of trustees—the equivalent of mayor—from 1890 to 18942. As a prominent rancher, banker,
and land developer, R.E. Jack’s tireless promotion of a coastal rail route succeeded when the
Southern Pacific connected San Luis Obispo to San Francisco in 18943 and Los Angeles in 19004.
R. E. Jack married Nellie Hollister in 18705, a daughter of the California pioneer ranching
family6 after whom the City of Hollister and Hollister Peak are named7, and resided in Cholame at
today’s historic Jack Ranch8. Nellie was a life-long learner, a community activist9, fluent in both
Spanish and French, a collector of books still found in the library collection today, and an avid
gardener - particularly fond of trees and exotic plants. In her later years, she undertook a campaign of
tree donation and planting throughout the county10.
The Jack House was constructed in 187811 and is an example of a late Victorian Era
Italianate style12. Nellie’s garden, started in the late 1870s13, is an example of the nineteenth-century
Gardenesque style14, featuring many then-exotic plants placed around a manicured lawn15.
The residence and carriage house are two of the City’s five oldest wooden buildings16. The
house was continuously occupied by the family until 1975 when the Jack Family heirs donated the
residence, its collection and garden to the City of San Luis Obispo17. The house and wash house
were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 199218.
National Register of Historic Places
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service
2
Citations Supporting Plaque Narrative Version II
1. Described as “ranchero” in certificate of relocation from Monterey County, 1869 (Jack Family,
vertical files, History Center of San Luis Obispo County), at that time owning 6,600 acres of the
Rancho Cholame in San Luis Obispo County; listed in 13 March 1892 San Francisco Call, in “Land
Barons of California Increasing Their Holdings,” as owning 200,000 acres. Cashier of Bank of San
Luis Obispo, county’s only bank, in 1878 (Report of the Board of State Bank Commissioners, 1878);
founded with Goldtree brothers 1884 Bank of Jack, Goldtree & Co. (Bankers Almanac and Register,
1885), by 1887 First National Bank of San Luis Obispo and 1892 Bank of San Luis Obispo County,
of which Jack was the major stockholder and cashier (Reports of the Board of State Bank
Commissioners, 1891–98), this last failing in 1905. Partner with Gov. George Perkins, John Howard,
and Morris Goldtree in West Coast Land Co., founded 1886 with $500,000 capital. One of five
directors, Oceano Townsite Co., founded 1896.
2. Minutes of the city council/board of trustees, City of San Luis Obispo, 1890–94.
3. Chairman of committee to obtain rights of way to continue Southern Pacific from Santa Margarita to
San Luis Obispo 1889. Executive committee consisting of R. E. Jack, Chauncey Phillips, and Levi
Rackliffe given “greater portion of the credits” of extension of SP to San Luis Obispo by San
Francisco Call, 5 May 1894. Tribune, August 29, 1890.
4. Nicholson, Loren; Rails Across the Ranchos; Loren Nicholson; 1993.
5. Jack House; Jack House collection; Marriage License facsimile provided by descendant Katchy
Andrews.
6. Hollister, J. James, III; The Hollister Saga; 1989; pages 22-24. One-fourth heir of El Chorro and San
Luisito Ranchos and Hollister holdings of Corral de Piedra.
7. Erwin G. Gudde, California Place Names, Berkeley, University of California Press, 1969.
8. Thomason, D. L.; “Cholama” – The Beautiful One; Tabula Rasa Press; 1988; page 154.
9. Honorary vice-president of San Luis Obispo Woman’s Committee, Panama-Pacific International
Exposition, 1915, a position reserved for “a woman of long and honored residence, as well as … of
notable attainments” (Anna Pratt Simpson, Problems Women Solved, SF, 1915, pp. 23, 27).
10. 4 April 1965 eyewitness account by Nellie Jack’s cousin Frances Cooper Kroll to Nellie’s
granddaughters Margaret and Kathleen Kaetzel.
11. San Luis Obispo Tribune 27 July 1878
12. James Papp, architectural historian, SOI professional qualifications
13. Photographs showing the garden in the 1880s and 1890s, Jack House Collection.
14. Term introduced in 1832 by Scottish landscape architect John Loudon to describe landscapes that
drew a distinction between the natural and picturesque by using, in the latter case, exotic plants;
keeping plants away from one another to produce perfect specimens; and employing high
maintenance.
15. 1879 town council approval of diversion of Marsh Street sewer water to irrigate Jack property; 1880
census listing of gardener living on Jack property. Panoramic photographs and engravings of San Luis
Obispo, 1876–1885, History Center Collection; longitudinal comparison of historic photographs (Jack
House Collection and Dove Hunt Album) and oral history (Virginia Jack Tynan [70] in Carol
Greentree, Victorian Landscape Styles in California Gardens: An Example, the Jack Residence, Cal
Poly senior thesis, 1977) of plants and hardscape with current appearance.
16. Carleton Watkins, 1876 panoramic photograph of San Luis Obispo, Metropolitan Museum of Art;
Historic Resources Survey, City of San Luis Obispo, 1983.
17. Grant deed, 10 March 1975.
18. Leo Pinard, Jack House National Register of Historic Places nomination, 1992. United States
Department of the Interior National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places; Jack, Robert,
House; #92000312; March 4, 1992.
Minutes
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Monday, June 26, 2017
Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Cultural Heritage Committee was called to order on Monday,
June 26, 2017 at 5:33 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California, by Vice-Chair Larrabee.
ROLL CALL
Present: Committee Members Damon Haydu, Sandy Baer, Craig Kincaid, Glen Matteson, and
Vice-Chair Shannon Larrabee.
Absent: Committee Member Thom Brajkovich and Chair James Papp
Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell. Other staff members
presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 1160 Leff Street. HIST-0679-2017: Historic significance determination for a property
currently on the City’s Contributing Properties List of Historic Resources; R-3 zone;
Tai Martin, applicant.
Assistant Planner Walter Oetzell presented a PowerPoint presentation.
Senior Planner Brian Leveille reminded the Committee of their purview for this item;
acknowledged receipt of public correspondence; responded to Committee inquiries.
Public Comments:
Tai Martin, Owner, spoke regarding the condition of the home and responded to
Committee inquiries.
Hildy Gal, San Luis Obispo, voiced concerns with the destruction of historic properties
in her neighborhood and stated she prefers to see the home occupied by a family.
Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 2
Carole Denardo, Provenience Group, referenced photos (page CHC 1-63 of the agenda
packet) depicting the house in 2012.
Gideon Gal, San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the historical significance of the
property.
Jason Holyfield, San Luis Obispo, voiced opposition to the project and spoke in favor
of preserving the family-friendly community.
Senior Planner Leveille read aloud written correspondence submitted on behalf of
Jasper Cardinale via Tai Martin.
Hildy Gal, San Luis Obispo, urged the Committee to visit the property and surrounding
neighborhood before rendering a decision.
Tai Martin, Owner, responded to neighborhood concerns expressed through public
comment.
Miley Martin, requested information regarding the criteria for delisting a contributing
property.
End of Public Comment--
Committee Member Kincaid voiced concerns with removing a property from the
contributing list based on unpermitted work.
Vice-Chair Larrabee stated concerns with inadvertently setting a precedent that would
encourage demolition by neglect or unpermitted modification.
Committee Member Matteson stated, based on his professional experience, it would be
feasible to keep the structure and add a driveway and additional units to the property.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTESON, SECOND BY
COMMITTEE MEMBER BAER, CARRIED 5-0-2 to recommend to the City Council
that the property remain on the City’s Contributing Properties List of Historic
Resources.
The Committee recessed at 6:25 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m. with five members present.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Jack House and Historic Information Plaques. Review and discussion of the proposed
Master List Jack House National Register Plaque, and streamlining options for
installation of other plaques providing historic property information for other historically
significant properties.
Minutes – Cultural Heritage Committee Meeting of June 26, 2017 Page 3
Senior Planner Leveille presented information regarding the proposed Master List Jack house
National Register Plaque and discussed options for discussion to streamline review of similar
proposed signs for other historic resources.
Pierre Rademaker provided information regarding the proposed plaque design and materials and
responded to Committee inquiries.
Following discussion, the Committee provided direction to staff to reserve the larger plaques for
National Register properties upon staff review and approval.
By consensus the Committee permitted the Jack House to design their own post.
COMMENTS & DISCUSSION
Senior Planner Brian Leveille presented an agenda forecast.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Cultural Heritage
Committee is scheduled for Monday, July 24, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Hearing Room,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California.
APPROVED BY THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE: 08/14/2017
JHD Report Nov 9, 2017 to JHC by Marilyn Darnell
Oct ‐ Docents Tour of Pioneer Museum
On October 26th docents Pam Hurd, Wendy Stockton, Chris Oswald, Dorothy Sundbye, Toni Kincaid, Lois
Crotser and Marilyn Darnell toured the Pioneer Museum in Paso Robles. Board member, Paulette
Pahler, gave us a private tour that highlighted personal items of Howard Vail Jack, the youngest son of
Robert and Nellie Hollister Jack. Included were his saddle, rope, boots, Vaquero boot covers, a letter,
chair, U. S. Civil War wagon and the manager’s roll top desk.
Nov ‐ Jack Textiles Display – Select Jack textiles are planned to be on display this month.
Dec ‐ Christmas at the Jack House – artificial poinsettia, Christmas trees, including one highlighting
lights, baubles and tinsel to reflect the light as well as greenery, Christmas music, tinsel, metal toys, and
dolls are meant to be transport guests to the bygone days of Victoria into the 1920s. Decorations will be
in the entry, parlor and dining room just as was a custom in the day of the Jack family. SLO Daily Tribune
pieces of the Christmas seasons will be on display. The entire home will be available for tours by docents
while committee members (present and past) assist as greeters at the front door. All are welcome to
dress in their traditional black and white or in 1920s inspired costume. Cider, supplied by the City, along
with a server and goodies supplied by the JH docents will be offered to guests on the patio, as is
traditional.
City: cider and server(s)
Docents: goodies
2018: Schedule and set carpet and house cleaning to be done in the first quarter of the New Year.
2017 Christmas at the Jack House
Continuing with a focus on the 1920s that began with the European trip of Ethel Jack in
1928 – 1929, 2017 Christmas will highlight traditions that were popular at the time, although
they began long before, and have continued to this day, including tinsel and lights.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert decorated their Christmas tree and caused a tradition that
continues around the world to this day. In the Illustration from Godey’s Lady’s Book in
December 1860 (below) one can see the tree was atop a table, which will be the way at the
Jack House in 2017.
1920s
1920s – 2017 What did Christmas look like in the 1920’s? It depends on who you were, and
where you lived. Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, lights, candles, goodies, toys, and Santa
Claus, stockings, ribbons, bows, nutcrackers, cookies, cakes, pies, nativity sets, train sets,
Christmas villages…the list goes on. These are still part of our Christmas celebrations today, as
they were almost a hundred years ago. Per Betty Owens in 2014 in her article “A 1920s
Traditional Christmas.”
Evergreens, including the Christmas tree, symbolizes the regeneration of life in the
spring. At first evergreen trees were used outside, but in time came indoors. Fruit and nuts that
would grow on trees became popular to further the symbolism; Americans introduced strung
cranberries.
Tinsel was invented in Nuremberg, Germany around 1610. Tinsel was originally made
from extruded strands of silver. ... Before the 16th century, tinsel was used for adorning
sculptures rather than Christmas trees. It was added to Christmas trees to enhance the
flickering of the candles on the tree. Decorators use the rule of 6 when using tinsel; no more
than 6 single strands are on a branch and the strands are spaced 6” apart.
The tradition of lighting the tree with small candles dates back to the 17th century and
originated in Germany before spreading to Eastern Europe. Thomas Edison and Edward
Johnson (1880 &1882) and Albert Sadacca (1917) worked together and Thomas Edison, the
inventor of the first successful practical light bulb, created the very first strand of electric
lights. During the Christmas season of 1880, these strands were strung around the outside of
his Menlo Park Laboratory.
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer
and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded
by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United
States from Mexico. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador
to Mexico. The bright red flowers were known as the 'Flores de Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the
Holy Night'. The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol
of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize
Christ’ blood.
Popular Christmas tunes included White Christmas by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby
singing with the Andrews sisters, Santa Claus is coming to town, The Christmas Song by Nat
King Cole and Merry Christmas by Judy Garland.
Friends of the Jack House Report, Jack House Committee, 9 November 2017
The report will consist of a description and analysis of the past year’s Friends collaboration
on the Jack House with the Department of Parks and Recreation and other entities and will
be distributed in written form at the meeting, with questions and commentary welcome.
James Papp, President, Friends of the Jack House