Welcome to the Capitol Preservation Board's Blog

This site will provide current up to date information about activities and events of the Board, its subcommittees and the office.

This site will replace the Executive Directors monthly report that has been published monthly.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Joint Subcommittee Meeting of April 22, 2008 Synopsis

The Budget Development and Board Operations Subcommittee met jointly with the Preservation, Planning and Maintenance Subcommittee and reviewed several items of board business.

For a synopsis of the Budget Development and Board Operations Subcommittee click here and for the Preservation, Planning and Maintenance Subcommittee click here

Monday, April 20, 2009

Bountiful Lions Club Requests a Capitol Donation



The Bountiful Lions Club has written a letter requesting the Capitol Preservation Board to donate two of the original concrete cast lions. The Lions Club would like to restore the two lions and permanently place them on display at their clubhouse and rifle range facility located in the foothills of Bountiful.

The Budget Development and Board Operations Subcommittee will review the request on April 22, 2009 and will make a recommendation to the Board.

Representative Brad Dee Appointed to Capitol Preservation Board

Speaker of the House David Clark appointed Representative Brad Dee to serve as a member on the Capitol Preservation Board. Representative Dee currently serves on the Executive Appropriations Committee; Capital Facilities and Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee; House Education Committee; House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee; and, House Ethics Committee.

Representative Dee replaces Representative Wayne Harper who served on the Board for the past eight years and chaired the Budget Development and Board Operations Subcommittee.

We look forward to working with Representative Brad Dee.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

CAPITOL PRESERVATION BOARD JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

Budget Development and Board Operations
Preservation, Planning and Maintenance Subcommittee

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
3:00 p.m.
Capitol Room 170
Utah State Capitol

Spring Blossoms at the Utah State Capitol


The master plan and restoration of the state Capitol included planting more than 400 new Yoshino Cherry trees, which have a beautiful pink color when in bloom, and 24 Bradford Pear flowering trees. These trees are now approaching full bloom and add a wonderful enhancement to the Capitol Hill Complex. Hundreds of tulips will also be in bloom and add a beautiful splash of red, yellow and white color to the complex.

In addition, the grounds will have several drought tolerant gardens. These gardens include the south walkway garden, north gardens, Mormon Battalion garden and others. These gardens were designed by MGB+A and provide wonderful color variations while reducing water consumption.

The Capitol Preservation Board invites you to visit Capitol Hill to enjoy its picturesque grounds encompassing the Capitol. Walk the three quarter mile Memorial Olmsted oval walkway, which is lined with the cherry trees. Visit the center plaza just north of the Capitol to enjoy the tranquility of the reflecting pool and the flowering pear trees. Whatever your pleasure, you’re sure to enjoy the beautiful landscaping at the Capitol Hill Complex. (For more information about the Cherry Blossoms click here.)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Executive Director’s Monthly Report for March 2009

Legislative Recap for FY2009 and FY2010
During the 2009 Legislative General Session, the legislature cut almost a billion dollars from the state’s FY2009 and FY2010 budgets. The executive director worked closely with the legislature to maintain the critical items within the Board’s budget. With the successful completion of the Capitol restoration, the project realized a savings of $864,000, which was returned to the Capitol Facilities and Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. This money was used by the subcommittee as a one-time backfill for the Board’s priorities, as well as other state departments and agencies. Even with the returned monies, the Board took its fair share of budgetary cuts as did all state agencies.

Due to these budget cuts, it was necessary to reduce part-time personnel, suspend hiring a much needed receptionist/secretarial position, and indefinitely suspend the purchase of supplies for FY2009. In addition, the office is using an automated telephone answering system. Janitorial services were reduced and basic services were changed to a charge-for-service basis. These services will be monitored to make sure the Capitol Hill Complex facilities are kept in proper condition. The grounds crew was significantly reduced, resulting in lawns being mowed every other week and planting and weeding done by volunteers arranged through communities and other state programs.

For FY2010, the Board’s budget will be much tighter. To compensate for the reduction, the office will cut expenses and eliminate as many costs as possible. One option being investigated is furloughs for all employees. While plans have not been finalized, it appears that a furlough of some type will be required to avoid layoffs.

Board Rules
The Board approved R131-2 Capitol Hill Complex Facility Use Rule, which regulates the use of Capitol Hill facilities and grounds. To obtain a copy of this rule and necessary forms to make a reservation, please click here. The Board will continue to review this rule to address issues that arise. One issue to be discussed is the use of the Capitol Hill facilities and grounds during the legislative session.

The Board will also discuss the rule governing parking on Capitol Hill before submitting it to Administrative Rules for publication.

Capitol Construction

Almost every aspect of the Capitol is complete. The two stone lions to grace the west side of the Capitol will be delivered and installed this summer during the month of August. To view the progress of the lions, please click here.

Currently, the project team is working with OCIP to close out more than 200 subcontractor’s contracts in order to determine any outstanding workers comp savings. It is anticipated that the OCIP will wrap up towards the end of June and some funds returned to the Board.

Capital Facilities
This past summer, the Board completed improvement projects at the Travel Council. This year, the Board will focus on the following projects:

1. Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum - The DUPM is in desperate need of a long term master plan and an electrical upgrade. The goal is to restore the building while keeping it functional.
2. State Office Building - Mechanical and electrical upgrades, tunnel upgrades and space reorganization is planned in order to keep the building functioning.
3. White Memorial Chapel - Minor repairs are needed, such as door and window improvements. In addition, painting and some exterior work needs to take place prior to next winter.

These projects have been or will be funded through improvement monies and DFCM.

The study investigating the State Office Building project is proceeding forward. For information regarding the progress of the study, please click here.

Visitor Services Report
For information regarding Visitor Services activities, please click here.

Curatorial Services Report
We sincerely express our appreciation to the following individuals whose terms have expired for their services over the past several years:

· Max Smith, AIA - Architect
· Kendall Brown - Historian
· Katie Slater - Artist
· Senator Carlene Walker - Board Representative
· Susan Lawrence
· Peggy Wallace

Senator Madsen was asked to be the Board’s representative on the Art Placement Subcommittee for the next three months until the Board can meet and appoint an official member to the subcommittee.

For more information regarding Capitol Hill Curatorial services, please click here.