Review Advisory Committee Ad-Hoc Sub Committee

Transcription

1 Review Advisory Committee Ad-Hoc Sub Committee March 22, 2007

2 Members Introduction Renee Chavez, Chair Aida Bobadilla Sherri Breskin Nadine Diaz Susan Dickson Rita Govea Rodriguez Juan Jimenez Irvin Lai Daisy Ma Mary Louise Reeves Rachel Santos Diana Tarango Armando Ybarra

3 General Overview

4 General Overview The Ad-Hoc Sub Committee convened for the first time on February 23, Metro provided a presentation to inform the community of the history and current status. A timeline was provided, as was an update on the laboratory effort. The Project Archeologist made the initial presentations on the findings to the Ad-Hoc Sub Committee at the March 23 rd meeting in Boyle Heights and again at the April 27 th meeting in Chinatown. The Ad-Hoc Sub Committee has held eleven monthly meetings in Boyle Heights and in Chinatown.

5 General Overview Through the Ad-Hoc Sub Committee, Metro will work with the community to receive public feedback on a sensitive and respectful re-interment plan, ceremony and fitting memorial. The Ad-Hoc Sub Committee, appointed by the Review Advisory Committee will meet monthly until such goals are met. Recommendations will be made through the RAC to Metro.

6 Recommendations to the RAC Update on Progress

7 Review Advisory Committee January 2007 Recommendations That Metro begins exclusive negotiations with the owners of the Evergreen Cemetery for the area required to re-inter all of the human skeletal remains and artifacts in individual plots adjacent to the Historical Chinese Shrine. The area required should also accommodate space for a memorial. That Metro provides funding for the replication of select artifacts as designated by the Ad-Hoc Sub Committee after lengthy public comment on the issue. Three sets should be replicated in order to distribute as follows: Chinese Historical Society of Southern CA, Los Angeles Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the incorporation of one set into one of the Boyle Heights stations. The motion passed unanimously.

8 Progress on Recommendations Metro staff have started exclusive negotiations with the owners of Evergreen Cemetery to acquire the total area required for the re-interment of all discoveries. This will guarantee individual plots for all discoveries, and the flexibility to individually remove and/or re-inter elsewhere if descendants who provide proof claim the remains should desire. Subsequent to the Review Advisory Committee s action, some Ad-Hoc Sub Committee members would like further discussion on the final disposition of original artifacts. The selected artifacts are in the process of being reproduced in accordance with the desires of the Committee. Of the reproduced items: Coins and hardware reproductions completed Chinese artifacts reproductions completed Headstones and burial bricks reproductions nearly complete Porcelain artifacts reproductions will be completed in early April

9 Next Steps 2007 Tentative Schedule

10 Next Steps 2007 Tentative Schedule January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September November 2007 Evergreen Cemetery was approved as the re-interment site by the Review Advisory Committee on January 18, 2007, with the recommendation that Metro begin negotiations with Evergreen Cemetery. Ad-Hoc Sub Committee begins design of memorial and ceremony planning. No Ad-Hoc Sub Committee in observance of Chinese New Year. Metro begins 4-week Next-Of-Kin Outreach on March 3, 2007 (after the Chinese New Year period). Design of memorial and ceremony planning continues. Ad-Hoc Sub Committee continues design of memorial and ceremony planning. No Review Advisory Committee meeting in observance of Easter Holidays. Ad-Hoc Sub Committee/RAC completes recommendations for memorial and ceremony for presentation to the Metro Board of Directors. Recommendations for re-interment plan, memorial and ceremony presented to Metro Board of Directors. Final arrangements for re-interment, memorial and ceremony completed. Re-interment site dedication ceremony. Re-interment and erection of memorial

11 Re-interment Locations

12 Re-interment Locations Metro staff began negotiations with Evergreen Cemetery on December 14, 2006 for the area adjacent to the Historic Chinese Memorial Shrine. Metro consulted with Feng Shui expert on February 14, Based on those discussions, Metro determined it would look at alternative locations at Evergreen Cemetery to provide options to the Ad-Hoc Sub Committee for their consideration. Two additional locations at Evergreen Cemetery are available and appear suitable for the Committee s consideration. During discussions with Evergreen Cemetery, Metro requested that all sites that are considered for re-interment be certified to ensure that there are no previous burials below.

13 Re-interment Location Area A Area B Area C

14 Re-interment Locations Area A Location next to Historical Chinese Shrine

15 Re-interment Locations Area B Location closest to discovery site

16 Re-interment Location Area C Most prominent location in Cemetery Evergreen Main Entrance Road

17 Next-Of-Kin Outreach

18 Next-Of-Kin Outreach Efforts In January 2007, the Committee approved the following media buy: 38 ads in English, Spanish and Cantonese print media second spots on Cantonese and Mandarin radio stations second spots on Cantonese television Outreach started March 03, Additional outreach efforts included: Posting of postcard and images to the Metro website Providing hotlink of website to participating Chinatown organizations Distributing postcards to participating Chinatown organizations mailing lists Distributing 10,000 postcards door-to-door along North Broadway and Hill Street English and Spanish 60-second ads to appear on City Channel 35 Rotating text banner inviting people to visit on City Channel 35s community calendar

19 Next-Of-Kin Outreach Update On March 08, 2007, Metro sent out a wide distribution press release and posted it on the website. In Los Angeles it was picked up by KNX Radio, KTLA Channel 5, City News Service and other media outlets. Nationally, it was picked up by more than 40,000 media outlets.

20 Memorial and Grave Markers Design and Ceremony Planning

21 Sample Memorial Alternative 1 Dimensions: 32 high 42 wide Base 48 wide 14 ½ deep 3 ¼ margin Appropriate Locations Area A Area B

22 Sample Memorial Alternative 2 Appropriate location would be at the exact site of discovery on the LA County Crematorium property.

23 Sample Memorial Alternative 3 Appropriate location on pilaster wall of the LA County Crematorium at northwest corner of 1 st Street and Lorena Street.

24 Sample Individual Grave Markers The dimensions for each grave marker are not to exceed 12 x24. Each grave will accommodate two separate caskets in vaults and two grave markers to identify each. Each grave marker can identify the finding by providing it a personal identification number in the upper left corner, the date of their finding and final resting date on the bottom right corner; with a centered uniform saying. C Rest In Peace /22/05-xx/xx/07

25 Memorial Design & Ceremony Planning At the April 2007 Ad-Hoc Sub Committee Meeting, Metro will facilitate the Memorial design and Ceremony planning process to allow the Sub Committee to review and discuss the following guidelines and considerations: Respectful and dignified Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Historical Significance Size and Cost Limitations Maintenance and Repairs Access to Community

26 End of Presentation