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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/08/2026 - Meeting Minutes Salt Lake City and County Building Monday,June 8,2026 Conservancy&Use Meeting Minutes j. AL r � • #rx1 t1��7 4■011 Salt Lake City and County Building Conservancy and Use Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Monday,June 8, 2026 The Salt Lake City and County Building Conservancy and Use Committee convened in a Regular meeting on Monday,June 8,2026, at Salt Lake City and County Building, Salt Lake City, Utah. Chair Travis Sheppard Time called to order:4:04 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: • Travis Sheppard (Committee Member, Chair) • Catherine Tucker(Committee Member) • Steven Burt(Committee Member) • Caitlyn Barhorst(Committee Member) • Nick Pedersen (Committee Member) • Karen Furguson (Committee Member) Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: • Josh Lander(Board Manager) • Cameron Johnson (Board Attorney, ex-officio member) • Sean Fyfe(City Architect) Salt Lake City and County Building Monday,June 8,2026 Conservancy&Use Meeting Minutes Public Communication: General • Liz Joerger from Utah Heritage Foundation Approval of Minutes • 04:11 -Chair,Travis Sheppard approved minutes as presented as no corrections were needed. Chair,Travis Sheppard has announced a change that allows him to approve minutes without a motion, as per Robert's Rules of Order.Attorney, Cameron Johnson, acknowledged the charge as prudent. Discussion and Action Items Agenda Amendment • Utah Heritage Foundation Vacancy Motion to amend the agenda to include discussion regarding backfillingthe Utah Heritage Foundation appointee seat. Motion: Moved by: Karen Ferguson Second: Steven Burt Approved unanimously by voice vote(Ayes recorded). • Recommendation of Liz Joerger Appointment to replace Robyn Taylor-Granda Motion: Committee to recommend to the Mayor that Liz Joerger be appointed to fill the Utah Heritage Foundation/Preservation Utah vacancy created by Robin Taylor-Granda's departure. Moved: Steve Burt Second: Karen Ferguson Approved unanimously by voice vote(Ayes recorded). 2. Cannon Room Formal Reclassification Chair Travis Sheppard introduced the item and referenced discussion from the previous meeting regarding the classification of the Cannon Room and whether the Committee could recommend changes to the room's designation under the City and County Building Design Guidelines. Cameron Johnson provided legal guidance, explaining that the Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and does not have authority to amend City policy directly. However,the Committee may recommend deviations from the Design Guidelines and recommend policy changes when appropriate. Committee members discussed the current use of the Cannon Room and noted that,while historically classified as a Priority A space,the room has functioned for many years as office support space for the Mayor rather than as a public ceremonial room. Members expressed that the room's existing use is inconsistent with its current classification and that reclassification would better reflect how the space is actually utilized. Discussion also focused on the implications of changing the room from Priority A to Priority B. Catherine Tucker confirmed that the primary distinction between the classifications relates to movable furnishings and equipment, and that reclassification would not impact the room's permanent architectural features or historic character. Committee members agreed that the proposed change would allow greater flexibility for modern office technology and furnishings while preserving the historic fabric of the room. Salt Lake City and County Building Monday,June 8,2026 Conservancy&Use Meeting Minutes Steve Burt raised concerns regarding precedent and whether reclassification could lead to future requests to alter other historically significant spaces. Committee members acknowledged the concern and agreed that such changes should be rare and carefully considered. Cameron Johnson noted that any broader changes to the Design Guidelines would require review through the City's policy process, providing an additional level of oversight. Following discussion,the Committee agreed that the Cannon Room's long-standing use as support space for the Mayor justified the proposed reclassification.The Committee also expressed support for recommending future revisions to the Design Guidelines to provide greater flexibility in accommodating contemporary office functions in appropriate spaces throughout the building. Motion:A motion made by Steve Burt to recommend reclassifying the Cannon Room from Priority Ato Priority B space within the Design and Use Guidelines. Second: Caitlyn Barhorst. Vote: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Members voting aye no opposing votes were recorded. 3.Art Mounting Rail in the Formal Chambers Chair Travis Sheppard introduced the item by explaining that the City Council had requested a method for displaying artwork within the Formal Chamber without causing damage to the historic walls. He noted that the room contains a decorative molding that resembles a historic picture rail; however, upon investigation it was determined to be plaster rather than a functional wood picture rail capable of supporting hanging systems. Travis Sheppard stated that his recommendation was to replace the existing plaster molding with a wood picture rail matching the existing profile and appearance while incorporating the necessary structural features to support artwork-hanging hardware. He emphasized that the modification would not significantly alter the historic appearance of the room and would be consistent with historic practices in Richardsonian Romanesque buildings,where artwork was commonly displayed using picture rail systems. Committee members discussed whether artwork should be permitted in the Formal Chamber and whether the installation should be limited to a single wall or extended throughout the room. Karen Ferguson supported the concept and noted the importance of establishing load requirements so the system could be properly engineered to support anticipated artwork. She stated that replacing the decorative rail with a functional rail was a reasonable and appropriate solution. The Committee also considered whether the installation should be limited to the wall currently occupied by the Brigham Young portrait. Members expressed concern that installing only one section could create confusion in the future and potentially lead to attempts to hang artwork from non-functional plaster rails elsewhere in the room. Catherine Tucker noted that installing a consistent system throughout the chamber would reduce that risk and provide a clear, uniform solution. Several members, including Nick Pedersen and Caitlyn Barhorst,voiced support for installing the system on all walls where artwork could reasonably be displayed. Catherine Tucker further suggested that once a structurally rated rail system was designed and tested,the Committee should consider identifying other spaces within the building where similar systems could be installed, allowing future work to be completed efficiently and consistently throughout the facility. Salt Lake City and County Building Monday,June 8,2026 Conservancy&Use Meeting Minutes The Committee generally agreed that the proposal represented a thoughtful preservation approach because it would improve the functionality of the room while maintaining its historic character. Members noted that adapting historic buildings for continued use is an important component of long-term preservation. Motion: Catherine Tucker moved to recommend installation of a functional art mounting rail system in the Formal Chamber. Second:Steve Burt Vote: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Members present voted "Aye" and no opposing votes were recorded. 4. Cultural Landscape Report Representative—Karen Ferguson Chair Travis Sheppard introduced the item and noted that Karen Ferguson had previously been nominated to serve as the Conservancy and Use Committee's representative for the Cultural Landscape Report project.The Chair called for any additional nominations, and hearing none, nominations were closed. Motion:Appoint Karen Ferguson as the Conservancy and Use Committee Representative for the Cultural Landscape Report. Moved by: Catherine Tucker Second:Steve Burt Vote: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Members voting aye with no opposing votes were recorded. 5. BUILDING PROJECT UPDATES Committee members received updates on several ongoing building projects. Staff reported that the proposed Brigham Young painting relocation project had been cancelled due to cost considerations. An update was also provided on the electrical infrastructure project, including the new generator installation and transformer replacement, which remains delayed pending coordination with Rocky Mountain Power. Committee members additionally discussed the status of the fountain restoration project, noting that permitting and utility coordination remain ongoing. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Karen Ferguson and seconded by Catherine Tucker. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (Aye). Chair Travis Shepard adjourned the meeting at approximately 04:46 p.m.