2013 02 21 HPC MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission was called to
order at 3:05 p.m. by Commissioner Puente.
Commissioner Puente led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Commissioners Kevin Maevers, Skip Morris, Leila Namvar, and
Maria Puente
ABSENT: Chairperson Peggy Redmon
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager David Sawyer and Secretary Monika Radeva
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Morris / Maevers to
approve the Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of January 17, 2013, as
submitted.
AYES: Commissioners Maevers, Morris, Namvar, and Puente. NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Redmon. ABSTAIN: None
BUSINESS SESSION
1. Presentation on "Preserving the Past to Educate for the Future" by Priscilla
H. Porter, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Coachella Valley History
Museum.
Planning Manager David Sawyer introduced Ms. Porter. She gave a brief
overview of her background, experience, and qualifications.
Ms. Porter talked about the following subjects:
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• The museum's annual publication, which usually mirrors the topic of
the museum's heritage hall.
• The Cahuilla garden at the museum established to help educate
children about the plants predominantly used by the Cahuilla Indians.
• The museum's daily operations guidebook.
• The Indio Women's Club - the first women's club in the Coachella
Valley, which celebrated its one hundred year anniversary last year.
• The story behind the middle center line on the road and Ms. June
Robertson, the first Coachella Valley woman - doctor in 1904, who
moved to the valley because her husband suffered from tuberculosis.
She was appointed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the first Indian
doctor for the Coachella Valley's five Indian reservations.
• The Junior Historian Program - an after school program offered by the
museum, and held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. The program focuses on educating children about the
history of the Coachella Valley. Ms. Porter briefly explained some of
the activities the children participate in and shared a few photos. In
the fall, the children learn about the geography of the Coachella Valley
and the Cahuilla Indians, and they create a mural depicting life in the
village.
• The Museum's Living History Festival, this year scheduled for March
16, 2013 - children study bio- sketches and become living statues of
historically important people to the Coachella Valley who helped shape
and grow it to what it is today.
Ms. Porter inquired about the difference between the La Quinta History
Museum, the La Quinta Historical Society, and the La Quinta Historic
Preservation Commission. Planning Manager Sawyer explained how the
three organizations were different from each other and how they work
together.
The Commission thanked Ms. Porter for the presentation and said they were
very pleased with the information she provided.
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2. Discussion of the Special Joint City Council meeting of January 22, 2013
The Commission briefly discussed the items addressed at the Special Joint
City Council meeting and noted that they found such joint meetings to be
very beneficial and informative.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
1. La Quinta Historical Society Annual Membership Letter.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
1. Reminder of Tour of Sunnylands Estate scheduled for Wednesday, March 20,
2013, at 2:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS - None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Maevers / Namvar to adjourn this meeting at 3:55 p.m.
AYES: Commissioners Maevers, Morris, Namvar, and Puente. NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Redmon. ABSTAIN: None
Respectfully sub fitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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