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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10062010 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 209 Call to Order The October 6, 2010 regular meeting of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:32 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 Vice -Chair John French Monica Hinders Catherine Richardson Absent Commissioners were Dave Hamner (excused), Ryan Reynolds (excused), Tim Sczawinski. Comprising a quorum of the Commission, and Patricia Linville, Library Director Amy Carney, Library /Museum staff Special Reports & City Administration Report — Patricia Linville Linville reported about her trip to Fairbanks, Alaska for the Museum Conference. She said that the weather was beautiful and she learned a lot. One session she liked covered the topic of PastPerfect software use. She was pleased to report that the annual museum conference is considering being hosted in Seward in 2012, as well as the Alaska Library Association hosting their annual library conference in Seward in 2013. Linville reported that Shannon Kovac was presented the 2010 Historic Preservation Award. Linville also reported the names of the re- elected and new City Council members. Concerning other city business, Linville disclosed that Jean Lewis will be retiring from her Administrative Clerk position in January 2011. It is speculated that Johanna Kinney will likely fill the city clerk position. As a side note, Linville mentioned that Jim Lewis retired last month. Linville reported that an ordinance to change the Library Department to the Library Museum Department will be brought to the City Council work session on October 11, 2010. This work session will begin at 7 p.m. The Resurrection Bay Historical Society will serve as an advisory `„� committee to the Seward Community Library Museum. At a later meeting on October 25 2010, City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 210 the city manager Philip Oates is prepared to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the City .. and RBHS to take over functions of the Seward Museum. On that same topic, Linville informed the commission the Library Museum Building Committee voted to contract PCL as the builder. The design progress will be up to 65% by the end of November 2010. Linville admitted that this process is new for the City of Seward. The City Council meeting on October 27, 2010 will be a time to sit down and evaluate the process. Linville promised to make copies of the updated building design or email the website address to the commissioners. Lastly, Linville informed the commission about the progress of the CLGs at work. Linville began by passing around pictures on her iPod of Hoben Park renovations. She requested the commissioners turn in their hours of work on Hoben Park for her to document in the grant. Concerning the Cemetery grant, Linville said that she needs to submit documentation about this to the City Council. Also, she said that Reynolds had expressed some interest in the contract work to input all the Seward Cemetery information into PastPerfect of the Seward Museum. And for the updates on the Iditarod Monument grant, Linville reported that Dan Seavey is looking into acquiring a cement mold of the monument within Alaska. He is hoping the project will be completed sometime in September 2011. Lasota asked if Linville had given this report to City Council. Linville said that she still needed to ask their consent. To finish her report, Linville asked if flowers were being considered for Hoben Park. Lasota replied that the intention is to restore lilacs along the edges, but Parks and Recreation has a hand in this. She suggested that the commission collaborate with them in the spring, and to put that concept on the January or February 2011 agenda as a reminder. Lasota also suggested that Pat Williams, Sanna LeVan, and Mary Berry may have more historical knowledge to contribute to the flower plans. Lasota gave her own thanks to the commission for their assistance on working on the cemetery grant. She was glad that something will be completed. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations None Friends of the Jesse Lee Home Update Richardson reported that she had successfully made contact with the Jesse Lee Home group. About a month ago, she spoke with Mary Elizabeth Rider, who is working with Daniel Larson at Ciri. Richardson said that she was offered phone access to their monthly meetings, so she said that she will start to attend these in a month or two Richardson informed the commission that the Jesse Lee Home group has achieved 501(c) status. Most of the group's energies are aimed toward securing ori City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 211 funds, but they have managed to acquire $3 million to start their project. Richardson also relayed that they have hired a structural engineering firm to assess viability of the Jesse Lee Home, as well as create a report about its prospects. The last assessment was made in 2002. Other things they are accomplishing: drafting a budget, communicating with a UAA professor with a background in native education, and planning a charter school model. The JLH group would like to rent class space out to Seward High School, but keep the dorms in original condition. Lastly, they are speculating that it will take $8 million dollars to restore which will need to be fund - raised. Website Updates & Historical Site Inventory — Chair Lasota & Commissioner Reynolds Lasota handed out a printed list of the Seward historical site inventory. She was pleased to announce that they now have a website of the inventory that is accessible. The website address is http: / /www.cityofseward.net /hpcbravo . Lasota stated that she needs to ask Commissioner Reynolds if he can access information on the Historic Preservation Commission's website, previously managed by Jolund Luther. She said that she informed the City IT department that Reynolds is now the designated webmaster for the HPC website. Photos for CLG Grant 2008 — Chair Lasota Lasota reported that she needs to make a new list to include photo updates. She said that she will send those updates to Linville and Carney for them to forward to the rest of the commissioners. Citizens' Comments on Any Subject, Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (French/Hinders) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Consent * The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: Meeting Minutes for the August 18, 2010 Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Public Hearing None Unfinished Business A. First Friday Fireside Historical Lecture Series Lasota suggested that one of the commissioners needs to take a lead with the fireside chat discussion and ideas, as well as becoming proactive in these chats. She also asked when should the City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 212 commission start these chats and how often. She asked if any of the commissioners were willing to mai volunteer and take the lead. Vice -Chair French volunteered to take the lead and get things rolling for the spring. He suggested Aron Cromwell as a possible guest to inform about topics concerning the pre- establishment of Seward. Lasota confirmed that French would take the lead. She also said that, for the December 15, 2010 HPC regular meeting, all the commissioners need to generate two to three scenarios to be held as fireside chats. She suggested guests be local Sewardites. Hinders suggested asking some Sewardites to tell their stories about old times in Seward, which would appeal to the younger crowd. Richardson, in agreement with Hinders said that she would like to see a form of oral history instigated in the future. Linville suggested a scenario compared to StoryCorp. French suggested that the commission find people who are physically capable and willing to be a part of this. Richardson mentioned that technology would allow the commission to explore new ways to collect oral history, such as bringing the fireside chat to the homes of the featured guest. Lasota agreed, and compared it to a format like "Bits of History" which produced by the Seward Museum. B. Discussion and Revision of Future Grants Lasota began the discussion of this topic by asking for comments from the other commissioners. French commented that the HPC priorities lie in wrapping up projects, such as Hoben Park. Linville asked each commissioner to create a top three list of grant projects they would like to apply and accomplish in the next three years. Lasota read aloud the Future Grant Ideas list included in the meeting packet. She wanted the commissioners to chose from the most relevant topics as follows: Complete Hoben Park planters by November 4, 2010 Focus on flower gardens in the spring of 2011 Continue scanning photos for VILDA (http: / /vilda.alaska.edu) Digitalize the Seward Gateway index Take photos of headstones in the Seward Cemetery and complete that grant Collaborate with the Forest Service, Trailblazers, and Pioneers on the Historic Trails idea Consult Jeff Mow on some topics Linville informed the commission that she had been trying to reach Mow for the past month, but had not yet received a response from him. Lasota inquired if Mow could attend the December 15 2010 meeting to give updates. French suggested that another person could take his place at the meeting if he was unavailable. Lasota summed up this topic by stating that the commission needed to continue what they have going already, and work toward an end on those projects. French suggested that hired consultation could be handy. C. FY11 CLG Concerning this business, Lasota stated the commission is already behind on completion of the Cemetery Grant. That being said, she asked the commissioners if they wanted to work on a new CLG tonight. Linville restated the current grant situation and pending due dates. French said that the commission should focus on research, Hoben Park tasks, and find a consultant to help define City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 213 steps that will move these projects forward. He concurred they are not prepared to write a grant at this meeting. Richardson agreed. Lasota reiterated that all the commissioners need to be present and involved at each meeting and work session. She suggested that the commission focus on the cemetery grant and skip applying for the CLG this year in order to finish the work HPC started. Her goal is to complete these projects by the summer of 2011. She suggested another work session in the winter around February or March to consider springtime Hoben Park projects. Hinders agreed with Lasota to finish what the commission had started. Approval to Decline CLG Application Submission Motion (French/Richardson) Approve to decline FY11 CLG application submission Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Lasota asked Carney to add the Grant List Discussion to the December 17, 2010 agenda. She reaffirmed that the November 17, 2010 meeting will be a work session rather than a regular meeting in order to compile more details for the cemetery grant. New Business A. Revise HPC Award Resolution 95 -09 Lasota asked Carney to make revisions to the HPC Award Resolution 95 -09 and bring them to the December 15, 2010 meeting for the commissioner to review before bringing it to City Council. *B. August 18, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes Lasota asked Carney to make corrections to the August 18, 2010 meeting minutes. Informational Items Lasota asked Linville to give a Public Notice to the Clerks' to state that the HPC will be meeting on Saturdays in October through December between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their meetings are set to take pictures of cemetery headstones in order to complete information involved in the cemetery grant. Lasota announced that HPC will meet for a work session on November 17, 2010 to get input from Reynolds. There will be no regular meeting that month. Lasota asked if any commissioner wanted to volunteer to be a liaison for HPC at the Resurrection Bay Historical Society meetings. Vice -Chair French volunteered to be liaison. Linville informed French that the RBHS meetings are every fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. Commission and Administration Comments French commented that this was a good meeting and that the commission needs a good laid out plan, then stick with the ideas planned. Hinders said that she was glad to be back, and apologized for missing prior meetings. She commented that she had forgotten how fun these meetings were. City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 6, 2010 Volume 2, Page 214 j Citizens' Comments None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments None The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. L 7Zte -- Ci-dc'e- Amy Carn Linda Lasota, Chair Library Staff (City Seal) ,p M ew d " sa a t L 1 $ 0 #fey .: b .;,,4