ARC seeks nominations for 2025 heritage awards; discusses Guadalupe Cemetery preservation and CLG grant application

Committee members discussed nominations for the 2025 Heritage Preservation awards and a community request to consider preservation measures for Guadalupe Cemetery and other unmarked cemeteries. Staff asked ARC members to submit nominations by the March 31 deadline and said the committee could vote by electronic ballot to meet event timelines. One staff member nominated Shelby McGee (environmental specialist) for work managing utility-related archaeological monitoring; committee members discussed other potential nominees and said they would submit suggestions by Monday for a vote later in the week.

Separately, committee members and staff discussed community requests to pursue preservation work for Guadalupe Cemetery (and other unmarked gravesites). Staff reported meetings with community members (including Rosario Torres) and with Councilor Castro’s office. Committee members supported developing a proposal for documentation and preservation — potentially including National Register nominations, CLG (Certified Local Government) grant applications, or city funding for research, registration, and public‑education materials. Staff said they would draft a scope and possible budget and present a proposal before the start of the fiscal year (July 1) so funds could be considered in the next budget cycle.

Ending: ARC members asked staff to develop a short proposal and budget for cemetery documentation and potential preservation actions; nominations for the awards package are due March 31 and the committee will collect nominations and vote by the schedule staff sets.