Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee Regular Meeting - October 28, 2022

Note: The meeting agenda and adopted minutes indicate the meeting occurred on March 26, 2026; however, the user-specified date for this summary is October 28, 2022. The following summary reflects the content from those source documents.

The Streetscape History and Art Advisory Committee (SHAAC) held a regular meeting on March 26, 2026 (per source documents) at 4:03 PM in City Hall, Room 10, and adjourned at 5:29 PM. Members present: Carol Cramer, Randall Fee, Bridget Powers, Christopher Packard, April McDonald-Loomis. Absent: Cynthia Haynes, Kim Haswell. Guests: April Maynard (Arts Commission) and Kelly Lardner. Key actions included adoption of prior minutes and treasurer's report, approval of a new committee logo, discussion of tile submissions and engraving schedule, and planning for kiosk signage and an unveiling ceremony.

Consent Calendar

• The Committee adopted the January 22, 2026 meeting minutes.
• The Treasurer’s Report was adopted, showing a Fund 56 balance of $12,423.26 as of January 22, 2026. Treasurer Randall Fee noted no changes since the last report and reminded that funds must be spent by the end of the fiscal year (June 2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

New Tile Submission – William B. Lardner

• Kelly Lardner presented a nomination for William B. Lardner, highlighting his contributions to Auburn, including co-authoring "The History of Placer County." The Committee provided suggestions: add a date, include "historian" in the wording, and consider the courthouse or scales as a graphic. Kelly will revise with family input. Committee members noted that Lardner is already on the City-approved list and expressed willingness to work with the family on tile placement.

Tiles Approved for Future Engraving – Lee Buckingham

• April Maynard, representing the Auburn Arts Commission, reported raising $500 for the Lee Buckingham tile. She initially understood the Committee would contribute another $500, but Chair Christopher Packard clarified that the reference was to personal donations from individual SHAAC members, not a committee allocation. Members may donate personally via the City. Randall Fee suggested a GoFundMe campaign. The tile cannot be engraved until fully paid; if funds arrive within the next month, it may make the current cycle, otherwise it will be held to the next year.
• Randall also inquired about a salmon statue in Central Square, noting broken sharp parts as a hazard. April reported difficulty reaching the artist for repairs; several members agreed the statue should be removed if not repaired soon.

Tile Review and Approval – Historic Tiles (Crandall and Crutcher)

• Carol Cramer emphasized the importance of two historic tiles for John Crandall and William & Mary Crutcher in correcting misinformation. She noted that John Crandall brought the Bear River ditch to Auburn in 1851, which remains the city’s main domestic water source. The Committee will continue refining the wording (noting Harriet has one "t") and consider graphics like a water faucet or ditch. No current tiles were approved for engraving.

SHAAC Logo

• Randall Fee presented two logo versions. Several members expressed disfavor for the new City logo. A motion was made to accept the logo designed by Stewart Feldman at a cost of $300. The motion passed with one objection. Randall will coordinate with Gretchen on payment.

Tile Engraving Timeline and Process

• Randall presented a revised timeline for tile engraving to consolidate installations into one annual event. Benefits include: keeping the committee on track, securing a May installation commitment from Ruhkala, reducing traffic disruptions to once a year, avoiding weather issues (wet/damp tiles cannot be engraved), and requiring only one City Council approval per year. Discussion followed on modifying the current SHAAC resolution; Bridget Powers will follow up. Members also discussed negotiating a discount with Ruhkala. Ruhkala (Paul) requested a signed city guarantee. Randall will contact Ruhkala’s Cassie. He also needs to scout tile locations.
• Tiles currently in the queue: Charlie Yue, Kee Chin, Dave Albright, Harriet Crandall, Leadership Auburn (if payment is received), and Lee Buckingham (pending funding). Bridget received a call from the Albright family about changing wording; they chose to keep the original wording after learning it would re-queue and lose the grandfathered price. Bridget will follow up on Leadership Auburn’s early payment.

Kiosk Signage and Pedestals in Central Square

• Randall identified three kiosks: Kiosk 1 (keep map unchanged), Kiosk 2 (update photos on historic kiosk), Kiosk 3 (currently blank – proposed SHAAC story emphasizing tiles). Uptown Signs cannot handle graphics but recommended Laurel Mather, who has local signage experience. Cost estimate: approximately $1,000 each for printing and installation with protective layer. April McDonald-Loomis distributed ideas for the history kiosk; Carol and she will refine photo selections.

Unveiling Ceremony & Public Awareness Planning

• A ceremony is tentatively scheduled for June 2026, possibly during the Western States Endurance Run week. Bridget suggested June 23 as a potential date. Carol emphasized the need to finalize dates to secure re-enactors and prepare scripts. The tiles to be unveiled: Jacob Neff, Sam Holladay, Tom Johnson, and the Hook and Ladder Company.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted January 22, 2026 meeting minutes and Treasurer’s Report.
• Approved the SHAAC logo by Stewart Feldman at a cost of $300 (motion passed with one objection).
• Directed continued development of wording/graphics for historic tiles (Crandall, Crutcher) and for William B. Lardner tile.
• The Lee Buckingham tile engraving is on hold pending full payment; personal donations encouraged.
• Bridget Powers to research changes to the SHAAC resolution to allow annual engraving cycle.
• Randall Fee to coordinate with Ruhkala on timeline and contract details, and to scout tile locations.
• Kiosk signage project to proceed with Laurel Mather for graphic design; estimated $1,000 per kiosk.
• Unveiling ceremony targeted for June 2026 (week of Western States); final date to be determined.
• Salmon statue in Central Square considered for removal if repairs not made.

Note: This summary uses the meeting content from the agenda and minutes, which show the meeting date as March 26, 2026, despite the title date of October 28, 2022 as provided.