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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04182012 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Volume 2, Page199 Call to Order The April 18, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Chair Linda Lasota. Opening Ceremony Commissioner French led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call There were present: Chair Linda Lasota presiding, and John French Patricia Heim Catherine Richardson Monica Hinders Absent Commissioners were Doug Capra (excused) and Ryan Reynolds (excused). Comprising a quorum of the Commission, and Patricia Linville and Tember Eliason, Library /Museum staff Special Reports None. City Administration Report Linville reported that the letter received from the Department of Natural Resources concerning gathering ideas will be listed on the AHC website for the Significant Alaskan Anniversaries which will occur during 2012 -2017. Linville also reported that on June 1 1912 was the Incorporation of Seward and that 2012 marks the 60 Anniversary of the First National Bank of Alaska Seward. Linville then reported that there is an ad hoc committee who will have their first meeting on Monday, April 23 to begin planning a celebration which includes Margaret Anderson, Bev Dunham, Cindy Clock and Linville. As for the 150 anniversary of the transfer of Alaska to the US and the 25 Anniversary of the end of the Cold War that possibly these can be included in the list of themes for a fire side chat. Linville indicated that she walked to the site of the Iditarod Memorial Monument to take pictures and that the sculptures were being mounted onto the rock. Dan Seavey has set May 3 noon for the dedication ceremony. There will be children singing and acknowledgements of those who have helped get the project funded and built. Linville then indicated to the Commission that since part of this project was funded by a CLG grant the Commission submitted, that they were all invited to City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Volume 2, Page200 attend to see the fruits of their labors and that there will be a brunch at the Senior Center as well. .. There is a charge for the brunch. Library Museum: Linville reported that PCL is on site and working hard. They have set the substantial completion date as mid to late November depending on their ability to make up a week lost to snow melting and removal before they could start. Harmon Construction is doing the concrete and is great to see local workers on the job. Linville also reported that RBHS members and volunteers have been working diligently on the museum packing project, documenting, cleaning and packing artifacts. This activity will continue throughout the summer with volunteers and staff. RBHS will keep the museum open over the summer using volunteers and not charging admission. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations None Friends of the Jesse Lee Home Update Richardson reported that she has looked over the Jesse Lee Home website and noticed no updates besides selling merchandise. Richardson indicated that Friends of the Jesse Lee Home has .,.al lobbied City Council and the Legislature for support although she does not know the results. Website Updates & Historical Site Inventory Commissioner Reynolds was absent. No website updates. Photos for CLG Grant 2008 — Chair Lasota Lasota reported that by next month more photos would be uploaded into the website with possible a work session. Citizens' Comments on Any Subject, Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing Margaret Anderson who resides within the City limits who has also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council thanked the Commissioners for serving the public and indicated her interest in the agenda and the updates of the Jesse Lee Home. Anderson indicated that she would like to see the City reexamine the Jesse Lee Home Project and commented that the cost has not been identified as far as the reconstruction of the building and that the Balto School Model costs in financing are still up in the air and that the City Council, Historic Preservation Commission and State Legislature have been on board for this project but in Anderson's opinion, she indicated City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Volume 2, Page201 lam that it was a bad project and should be stopped. Anderson then thanked the Commission at the end of her speech Commissioner French then interjected if he could ask Anderson a question at the end of her speech. French asked Anderson whether or not it was the project per say or some specific concept that Anderson wished to see or pursue in respect to the Jesse Lee Home. Anderson responded by indicating that it should be raised and that the property be used for either a park or to sell or used for something. French then thanked Anderson coming to the meeting and agreed that the Jesse Lee Home needs to be evaluated and input given from the Commission. Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Lasota/Richardson) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent * The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: Meeting Minutes for the December 14, 2011 Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Public Hearing None Unfinished Business A. Letter to the Friends of Jesse lee Home Richardson commented that it has been very difficult contacting the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home and that Richardson was glad that a letter will be sent in efforts in trying to establish communication with the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home. Motion (French/Richardson) Approve the Letter to be sent to Friends of Jesse Lee Home Motion Passed Unanimous Consent New Business A. Discussion of 2012 -2013 Annual Priorities List Due to the joint work session with City Council on March 28, 2011 in which no changes were made to the 2012 -2013 Annual Priorities List, there was no discussion or additional changes made during the present meeting. Motion (Richardson/Hinders) Approve 2012 -2013 Priorities List ,,,�, Motion Passed Unanimous Consent City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Volume 2, Page202 B. Historic Preservation Proclamation for National Historic Preservation Month No discussion. Motion (French/Richardson) Approve Proclamation Motion Passed Unanimous Consent C. Nominations for Historic Preservation Award The Commission advised administration to advertise for the Historic Preservation Award via newspaper, Seward City News, etc. The Commission indicated that they will then choose a nominee(s) during the May 16. 2012 regular meeting in which the award will be presented to City Council on May 29` ". D. Discuss possible revision of Historic Preservation Plan The Commission discussed possible avenues in revising the Historic Preservation Plan which included possible future work sessions, consultants, etc. Chair Lasota suggested that the Commission review the Juneau City Plan during the next regular meeting for review. E. Discussion of Jesse Lee Home requested by French French advised that the community needs to resolve the Jesse Lee Home Project and indicated that the Commission should pay closer attention to the historic preservation aspect, of this project and possibly provide a work session on the Jesse Lee Home and or other alternative means in respect to Anderson's comments. F. December 14, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes These minutes were unanimously approved under the Consent Agenda. Informational Items None Commission Comments Hinders thanked Margaret Anderson for corning to the meeting. Nej City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 18, 2012 Volume 2, Page203 .• Citizens' Comments Margaret Anderson commented in regard to the Jesse Lee Home that she was able to obtain many documents about the Jesse Lee Home and that the past grant from the Department of Natural Resources spent approximately 2 million dollars to decide if the building was restorable or not and indicated that an engineer in 1998 deemed the Jesse Lee Home non - restorable. Anderson then commented that from these documents, a great deal of money was spent on consultants, photographers, video photographer etc. with no answer. Anderson then went on to comment that it is the one hundred year centennial for the incorporation of Seward and would like to honor those who have served in the present and past and would like ideas as to how to honor this important event. Chair Lasota then asked Anderson about a deadline goal and or meetings. Anderson indicated that the next meeting would be on April 23rd and that the Anniversary date was going to be June 1St 2012. The Council again thanked Margaret Anderson for coming and speaking at the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments how None The meeting was.adjo o ed at 8:1 ' p.m. j!e/7 cla-b Tember Eliason Linda Lasota, Chair Library Staff (City Seal) him