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2005 02 17 HPC Minutes MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A Regular meeting held at the La Ouinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA February 17, 2005 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Allan Wilbur at 3:03 p.m. He then led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. B. Pledge of Allegiance. Rolli Call. Present: Commissioners Mouriquand, Wright, and Chairman Wilbur Puente, Sharp, Staff Present: Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Secretary Carolyn Walker II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente and Sharp to approve the minutes of January 20, 2005 as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Phase II Testing and Data Recovery at the Hammer Property: Applicant: City of La Ouinta Redevelopment Agency Archaeological Consultant: The Keith Companies (John Goodman and Leslie Mouriquandl Location: North corner of Avenue 48 and west of Dune Palms Road 1 . Commissioner Mouriquand stated she had a conflict of interest regarding this item as her employer had been contracted to prepare the report for the Agency. She then withdrew from the Commission. P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2-17-05.doc Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 2. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 3. Mr. John Goodman, representative of The Keith Companies, was introduced and went over several sections of the report beginning with information regarding his unsuccessful inquiries to the Torres-Martinez Tribe and the Native American Heritage Commission. His conclusion was to wait until the land was rough-graded to decide where the bones could be re-interred. At that time, a Native American representative could come out for a ceremony and have the remains interred in an appropriate site. He showed photos of remains and examples of fragments located on site, including rim sherds, fragments of two bowls, and fragments of brownware. He commented there was nothing to indicate there were any further sherds floating on other levels since this site had previously been disturbed. 4. Commissioner Sharp asked if the vessel could have been used to hold remains, or if it had been used for water or food. Mr. Goodman said they weren't sure because there were various uses for these types of vessels. He went on to explain that one thing that distinguishes the late prehistoric sites from earlier sites ones is the introduction of pottery and bows and arrows. When Native American groups became less nomadic they began to produce ceramics, baskets, etc. He expressed concern about whether the sherds should be interred with the bones. He suggested more value could be gained by putting them in a museum. Commissioner Sharp commented that was the decision of the Torres Martinez Tribe. 5. Mr. Goodman also brought in some faunal fragments. Commissioner Sharp asked what faunal fragments were. Mr. Goodman replied it was an archaeological term to distinguish animal bones from human bones. Mr. Goodman distributed some beads (Olavella Disc Beads) that were used for currency. Earlier Sidewall Disc Beads were more perfect than the later beads. Mr. Goodman commented on daub and showed the Commissioners a sample from the site. He said daub was very important because it is no longer used. He said where there was daub, there was a house. He explained the differences in usages and techniques of daub. Mr. Goodman brought in a P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2-17-05.doc 2 Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 throwing dart which was used with a throwing stick made in a curved shape. With the introduction of pottery and more sedentary village life, there was a shift to the bow and arrow. The disadvantage of the throwing system was you had to stand up to use it and your prey could spot you. You could remain hidden with a bow and arrow. 6. Commissioner Sharp asked if the arrowheads shown were authentic. Mr. Goodman replied no, they were just representative of the Desert Side Notch arrowheads. He explained the Indians use of arrowheads, as well as dogs, for hunting. 7. Commissioner Sharp asked how the arrowheads were attached. Mr. Goodman said they were attached in several ways, including asphaltum, derived from creosote or pine pitch, and charcoal. The final wraps were done in sinew. He explained the time investment was in making the shaft of the arrow straight and was more important than the perfection of the point. 8. Mr. Goodman displayed two additional tiny bowls that were very common. These bowls could have been toys, or used for ointments. Commissioner Sharp mentioned the glass Egyptian pots. Mr. Goodman referenced the practices of new archaeologists doing sherd analysis. He suggested they get back to basics, such as form and shape and not try to be overly scientific with regard to clay sourcing. 9. Commissioner Sharp asked if the remains were interred or being stored. Mr. Goodman replied they were currently being stored to prevent pot hunters from removing them from the site. Later they would be put in an appropriate receptacle and presented to the Tribe. He did not expand on the type of bone fragments found but explained they would be re-patriated on site. Commissioner Sharp thanked Mr. Goodman 10. Chairman Wilbur said he appreciated the thoroughness of the report. 11. Commissioner Sharp asked if the photos in the report were digitally mastered. Mr. Goodman replied they were. P:\CAROl YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2- 1 7-05.doc 3 Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 12. Commissioner Sharp asked what era the brownware came from. Mr. Goodman replied over 1,000 years ago. He said 1,500 years ago brownware was found in the Coachella Valley. Mr. Goodman then gave a brief history of brownware versus buffware and their connection to the Coachella Valley. 13. Commissioner Wright said he appreciated the documentation on the structure. 14. Chairman Wilbur asked if the Commission would like to have an addendum. Mr. Goodman said he would prepare one for presentation to the Commission. He said he would include more information on the disposition of the remains. 15. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2005-003 accepting the results of the Phase II Testing and Data Recovery Report for the Hammer Property as submitted. Unanimously approved with Commissioner Mouriquand absent. Commissioner Mouriquand re-joined the meeting and Commissioner Puente left the meeting due to a prior commitment. B. Paleontological Resources Assessment Report For The Griffin Ranch (Tentative Tract 32879): Applicant: Transwest Housing, Inc. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan, Principal) Location: Southeast corner of Madison Street and Avenue 54. 1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioners Sharp and Mouriquand commended the applicant on the report. 3. Commissioner Wright asked if they were going to continue to monitor the site as he wanted to know about the removal of trees. Staff replied the monitoring would be continued as far as the Paleontological Report was concerned. Once the developer goes below the surface grade, the report does recommend monitoring. P:\CAROl YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2~ 17~05.doc 4 Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 4. Commissioner Mouriquand said it would depend on how deep they go and if a crater is created when they take the trees out. Plow zone is usually 18 inches. She asked if they were going to excavate more than 18 inches below the surface. 5. Commissioner Wright asked if the tamarisks were going to be left in. 6. Mrs. Marty Butler, representative of Transwest Housing, stated the tamarisk trees on the east, west, and along Avenue 54 would be removed. Acceptable trees would then be planted around Mr. Griffin's house. 7. The Commissioners agreed the trees were not valuable. They were great windbreaks, but were a problem in landscaping. 8. Commissioner Wright asked if they were going to remove the House, Lake, and the Guesthouses. Mrs. Butler said they were going to remove the racetrack and Mr. Griffin would only keep 40 acres. 9. Commissioner Mouriquand asked about additional archaeological monitoring. She suggested the monitoring be left up to the discretion of the project archeologist. Commissioner Wright agreed. 10. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Mouriquand and Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2005-004 accepting the Paleontological Resources Assessment Report for The Griffin Ranch (TT 32879) as submitted. Unanimously approved with Commissioner Puente absent. C. Archaeological Testing and Evaluation Report Sites CA-RIV-7521 to 7526 For The Griffin Ranch (Tentative Tract 32879): Applicant: Transwest Housing, Inc. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Michael Hogan, Principal) Location: Southeast corner of Madison Street and Avenue 54 1 . Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2-17-05.doc 5 Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 2. There were no comments from any of the Commissioners. 3. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright and Sharp to adopt Minute Motion 2005-005 accepting the Archaeological Testing and Evaluation Report for Site CA-RIV- 7521 to 7526 For the Griffin Ranch (TT 32879). Unanimously approved with Commissioner Puente absent, VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. A handout of the Conference of California Historical Societies, February 18-20, 2005 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Palm Desert and the Holiday Inn Express was given to the Commissioners by Commissioner Mouriquand. B. Commissioner Sharp asked about the field trip which was brought up at the last meeting. Commissioner Mouriquand brought the Commissioners up-to-date on the replies she had received and gave a brief overview of the sites she had chosen for the field trip. The trip was tentatively scheduled for April 10'h and Commissioners were encouraged to bring their cameras and dress appropriately. C. Chairman Wilbur asked staff if there was any information on available grant money. Staff said they were still researching the subject. D. Commissioner Sharp commented there was an upcoming Native American Film Festival that he thought began on March 15'h. E. Commissioner Mouriquand commented March 12th was the 9th Annual CVAS Symposium at the Pollock Theater, on the COD campus. There is no charge for admission. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Sharp and Mouriquand to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next Regular Meeting to be held on March 17, 2005. This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:02 p.m. Unanimously approved. P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2-17-05.doc 6 Historic Preservation Commission February 17, 2005 Submitted by: c~~Wv Secretary P:\CAROL YN\Hist Pres Com\HPC 2-17-05.doc 7