You are here: Home > Departments > Board of Supervisors > Boards and Commissions > Commissions Links > Civic Center Conservancy

Civic Center Conservancy Commission

Board of Supervisors

RESOLUTION NO. 97-09:
A RESOLUTION REFORMULATING THE CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY COMMISSION BY MERGER WITH THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY

WHEREAS, on October 8, 1996 the Board of Supervisors approved in concept the establishment of a non-profit organization, the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy (aka the "Civic Center Preservation Fund"), to raise funds to preserve and restore the Administration Building/Hall of Justice complex including landscaped grounds.

WHEREAS, there currently exists a Civic Center Conservancy Commission, created by the Board of Supervisors in Resolution No. 90-27 on February 6, 1990 and subsequently amended in Resolution No. 94-36 on February 15, 1994, which the Board of Supervisors desires to become a part of the Conservancy Board of Directors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. The Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy (hereinafter "the Conservancy") is hereby established.
  2. The Conservancy shall be directed by a Board of Directors of up to fifteen (15) members, five (5) of which shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the remaining members selected by the Board of Directors of the Conservancy. The initial Board of Directors shall be comprised as follows:
    • The initial Board of Supervisors appointments shall consist of four (4) commissioners who are currently members of the Civic Center Conservancy Commission with terms ending December, 1998.
    • The fifth appointment shall be a member of the Board of Supervisors, providing liaison to the Board of Supervisors and acting as trustee and steward for the buildings.
    • The remaining members of the Conservancy to the Board of Directors shall initially be the following listed persons serving two (2) year terms, AARON GREEN, NANCY KING HAYDEN and CATHERINE MUNSON, ending 1999. The initial Board of Directors may appoint up to seven (7) other Directors to serve either one (1) or two (2) year terms.
    • The four (4) Board of Supervisors' appointees, formerly Commissioners, shall become a standing committee of the Conservancy Board of Directors continuing the responsibilities to advise the Board of Supervisors regarding the maintenance of the Civic Center complex consistent with the Civic Center's status as a National and State Historic Landmark, and to review projects which would affect the appearance of the Civic Center.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby merges the membership, duties, and responsibilities of the Civic Center Conservancy Commission, as set forth in Resolution No. 94-36, with the Board of Directors of the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy, as set forth hereinabove.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin, State of California, held this 28th day of January, 1997, by the following vote:

AYES: SUPERVISORS John B. Kress, Harold C. Brown, Jr., Steve Kinsey, Annette Rose, Harry J. Moore, Chair

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

RESOLUTION NO. 94-36:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF MARIN ESTABLISHING A CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the Marin County Civic Center complex includes the only government buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright which were actually constructed; and

WHEREAS, the Marin County Civic Center has been designated a National and State Historical Landmark number ______ and _______ respectively; and

WHEREAS, this Board is keenly aware of its solemn obligation to posterity to act as a trustee and steward to preserve and protect these magnificent buildings and their appointments as tangible manifestations of the incomparable genius of Frank Lloyd Wright; and

WHEREAS, this Board has determined that the implementation of this vital responsibility will be immeasurably enhanced by the creation of a commission comprised of concerned and knowledgeable citizens to advise and assist the Board of Supervisors in the conservancy of the principal architectural values of the Civic Center buildings so that they are preserved and maintained in a manner which is consistent with their acknowledged status as architectural masterpieces.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Board hereby establishes a Commission entitled The Civic Center Conservancy Commission (hereinafter "the Commission"). This Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Board of Supervisors for terms of four years. The terms of the first members shall be staggered in an appropriate manner by lot. One member shall be appointed by each Supervisor. The two remaining members shall be appointed by the full Board of Supervisors. All members shall be knowledgeable in the fields of architecture, design, Marin history, or the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, among other things, the Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

  1. All meetings and proceedings of the Commission shall be conducted in public. Any interested person may appear and address the Commission regarding any matter under consideration.
  2. Other than unanticipated emergency repairs, installation or modification of rooftop communication antennas, or emergency security measures, no painting, repair or construction project which involves any significant change or modification in the public areas of the Marin Civic Center or its buildings consisting of the halls, the site and the exterior, shall be submitted for authorization, until the proposal has been reviewed by the Commission and its recommendations reviewed by the County Administrator or the Board of Supervisors. 3. The Commission shall, not later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of any proposal, issue a report, approved by a majority of the members of the Commission, stating whether, in its opinion, the proposal will denigrate the architectural integrity or adversely impact the appearance of the facility proposed to be modified. If the Commission does not issue a report or fails to act within the prescribed time, the proposal shall be deemed approved.
  3. The Commission shall consider the needs, exigencies and fiscal constraints of the County Government, and shall endeavor to develop reasonable alternatives to proposals which it disapproves, or formulate suggestions whereby proposals may be improved without inordinate additional costs.
  4. Neither the Board of Supervisors nor the County Administrator shall be bound by the Commission's reports or recommendations, but shall give them due consideration.
  5. The Commission shall develop a plan for the identification and preservation of the original drawings, furnishings and appointments in the Civic Center buildings and site, establish archives to document the history and development of the Civic Center, and preserve Civic Center memorabilia and relevant articles of value. Until such a plan is prepared and implemented, no furnishings, documents, or other objects designed for the Civic Center shall be sold or declared surplus without the concurrence of the Commission.
  6. The Commission may conduct programs and activities to educate and inform the citizens of the County concerning their Civic Center, its place in the history of architecture and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.
  7. The Commission may establish visitor-serving facilities at the Civic Center and, as approved by the County Administrator, offer select articles and mementos for sale to the public in a dignified manner. The proceeds from the sale of these articles shall, as determined by the Board of Supervisors, be used for the preservation of the Civic Center and in furtherance of the activities of the Commission.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin held on this 15th day of February, 1994, by the following vote:

AYES: SUPERVISORS Bob Roumiguiere, Harold Brown, Brady Bevis, Annette Rose

NOES: -

ABSENT: SUPERVISOR Gary Giacomini