Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - August 26, 2026

The Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission met on August 26, 2026, at 18:58 UTC, with a quorum present; Chair Laramie and three commissioners were excused. The commission approved funding for updated historical signage at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, discussed proposed federal changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and received reports on a national preservation conference and department project updates. The meeting included a vote to strike an earlier version of the signage funding item and ended with direction to place Section 106 on the September 23, 2026 agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the final minutes, by reference, of the regular meeting of July 22, 2026, by unanimous voice vote.
• Struck agenda item 26-0337-HPC1, a request for $15,950 to hire COTS Environmental Consultants for Floyd Lamb Park signage, by unanimous voice vote, because an updated funding item was already on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward during either public comment period.

Discussion Items

Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs Historical Signage Funding

• Staff member Stephen presented a revised proposal from COTS Environmental Consultants Inc. totaling $20,800 for content for new signs and review and update of existing historical information signs at 9200 Tule Springs Road (Ward 6).
• The revised scope includes determining sign sizes and creating up to 20 new signs, which increased the cost from the previously requested $15,950.
• Staff said the contract should be completed by the end of September 2026, with final delivery expected in April or May 2027.
• When asked about the original cost of replacing the signs, staff said that is not part of the HPC budget; parks, recreation, and cultural affairs/public works will handle printing and installation.
• A motion to approve the funding passed unanimously.

Proposed Revisions to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Discussion Only)

• Historic Preservation Officer Diane provided an overview: the proposed changes are designed to streamline Section 106 review for federal projects, but would diminish input from the public, state and local preservation commissions, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations, and could allow damage or destruction of cultural or natural resources.
• She noted the changes are not final and are under review in Washington, DC, and said the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs would publish them for a 30-day public comment period; if adopted, they could take effect by the end of December 2026 or the beginning of January 2027, but legal challenges are expected.
• Commissioner Stoddle expressed opposition, characterizing the proposal as another destruction of an important federal function and calling for a nationwide response from HPCs, SHIPOs, and preservation groups.
• Commissioner Stoddle said he prepared a draft resolution using AI tools based on resolutions and comments from other HPCs, SHIPOs, and nonprofits, and distributed copies to board members.
• Seth Floyd, city staff, explained that the commission's authority under Title 19 does not explicitly allow it to issue its own resolution, so a resolution would likely need to be a recommendation to the City Council; he would consult with city management and the council before the next meeting.
• City Attorney Jim advised that, because the authority is unclear, a resolution routed through the City Council is probably the most appropriate path for the commission.
• Commissioner Moody said she was still gathering information and asked whether SHIPO would issue a resolution; staff noted the National Council of State Historic Preservation Offices has issued an informational statement, and Preserve Nevada, chaired by former Senator Richard Bryan, has issued a statement opposing the changes.
• Commissioner Harper provided rulemaking timeline details: OMB meetings are scheduled through September 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., so the notice of proposed rulemaking cannot be published before that process ends.
• Commissioner Harper also cited statistics from a national coalition: a survey of 40 historic preservation offices processing more than 94,000 Section 106 projects in one year found reviews were completed in an average of 16 days; 95% of SHIPOs reported average review times within the regulatory time frame; and nearly 80% of projects were approved in 21 days or less.
• Commissioner Harper expressed concern that the changes would eliminate mandatory public participation, cut SHIPOs and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices out of review, and could be published as an interim final rule to avoid public comment.
• Diane noted that Section 106 review does not give the commission veto power but allows mitigation recommendations, citing the Marble Manor HUD-funded project where recommendations led to a preservation project funded by the Centennial Commission.
• The commission agreed to continue the discussion at the September 23, 2026 meeting, with staff compiling resolutions and materials from other organizations and possible invited speakers.

Report on the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions 2026 Forum

• Historic Preservation Officer Diane and staff member Teresa Smith attended the forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after the HPC allocated up to $8,000 in funding; actual spending was $5,500, with the remainder to be returned.
• No commissioners attended.
• Diane highlighted Minneapolis examples of adaptive reuse: the Pillsbury Mill, once the largest flour-producing building in the U.S., closed in 2003 and now artist lofts; the Gold Medal Flour Mill, closed in the 1970s and now a mill museum with glass additions distinguishing old and new; and the Milwaukee Avenue Historic District, 1880s homes built for Scandinavian immigrants and restored as a pedestrian-only district in the 2000s.
• Teresa Smith reported on a music history tour in Minneapolis and on the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, where an interstate in the 1960s demolished approximately 700 homes and 300 businesses and displaced residents; a commemorative plaza built around 2018 now includes community-archived family histories.
• Diane noted that all three panel discussions she attended addressed the Section 106 proposed changes, and that she met with representatives from Boulder City, Reno, Carson City, and Winnemucca.

Project Update List and Other Reports

• Director Floyd left before the directors' updates; no updates were presented.
• An exhibit created with city cultural affairs, the State Museum, and the County Museum is on display at City Hall until November 19, 2026.
• The Old Mormon Fort consultant updates are complete and with the National Park Service for final review.
• The National Register nomination for Johnny Toko's gym is in progress.
• The SHIPO State Camp is scheduled for September 24-26, 2026, in Carson City/Reno; the Las Vegas SHIPO camp will likely be delayed until next year.
• Staff encouraged commissioners to register for the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions webinar on Section 106 scheduled for the following day at 10:00 a.m.

Future Agenda Items

• The Section 106 topic will be placed on the September 23, 2026, agenda.
• Staff will compile resolutions and statements from other HPCs, SHIPOs, and preservation organizations for the next meeting.
• Commissioner Stoddle requested an action item for funding staff to attend the Spanish Trail Association convention in southern Utah in October 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the July 22, 2026 meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote.
• Struck the original $15,950 signage funding item by unanimous voice vote.
• Approved $20,800 in funding for COTS Environmental Consultants Inc. for Floyd Lamb Park signage by unanimous voice vote.
• Directed staff to place Section 106 on the September 23, 2026 agenda, compile external resolutions and materials, and explore whether a resolution should be a recommendation to the City Council.
• No action was taken on Section 106 during this meeting, as it was a discussion-only item.