HomeMy WebLinkAbout06112008 Historic Preservation MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
June 11, 2008 Volume 2, Page 125
Call to Order
The June 11, 2008 regular meeting of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission was
called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Chair Shannon Kovac.
Opening Ceremony
Commissioner Carpenter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call
There were present: Chair Shannon Kovac presiding, and
Linda Lasota John French
Tom Swann Greg Carpenter
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Bob Hicks, Community Development Director
Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison
Absent were: Doug Capra- Excused Jolund Luther- Excused
Special Reports
City Administration Report-
Hicks provided Karin Sturdy's Hoben Park report. He reported that Harmon Construction had
begun the forms for the fountain work and Sturdy was in negotiation with the SeaLife Center in
regards to the fence/guardrail grant, installing the interpretive sign, the electric box and movement of
the ADA signs. Hicks discussed the Jesse Lee Home Request for Proposal process and stated they
had received one response and declared the proposal unresponsive. He stated the City wanted the
advice of the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home before moving forward, described different options and
stated the City did not want to delay the work that was needed to be done on the project.
Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations-
Friends of the Jesse Lee Home Update-Swann- None
Website Updates- Luther- None
Hoben Park- Karin Sturdy- None
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
June 11, 2008 Volume 2, Page ~ 2 6
Alaska Historical Society- Capra- None
Citizens' Comments on Any Subject Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing -None
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion (Carpenter/Swans)
Motion Passed
Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda
Unanimous Consent
The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda:
Apri130, 2008 Historic Preservation Regular Meeting Minutes
Special Items-
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Kovac stated since two Commissioners were absent she hoped to wait until all members were
present.
Motion (Lasota/Carpenter) Postpone the Election of the Chair and Vice
Chair Until a Full Commission was Present
Carpenter asked if the current Chair and Vice Chair were interested in retaining the positions.
In response to Carpenter, Kovac stated it would be great if another Commissioner would take
the responsibility.
French supported delaying the election but was concerned with delaying the election to time
uncertain. He suggested postponing the election to the next meeting and than the Commission could
postpone the election again if needed. He discussed possible parliamentary directions.
Motion (Lasota/Carpenter)
Postpone the Election of the Chair and Vice
Chair to the Next Meeting
Motion Passed
Main Motion Passed As Amended
Public Hearing -None
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous
Unfinished Business- None
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
June 11, 2008 Volume 2, Page 12 7
New Business-
Fireside Chat Discussion
Hicks stated this item was put on the agenda at the suggestion of the Chair to see if the
Commission was interested in continuing the chats.
Kovac stated that the last fireside attendance was relatively low and there were a lot of things
going on in May. She thought May was late in season to have a Fireside Chat next year and thought
the Commission could restrict the Chats to the winter months. She commented on the organization of
the Chats.
Swann agreed about the lack of organization and suggested that one Commissioner take the
lead of a project and the others helped to guarantee follow through.
French stated there could have been better communication between the Commissioners.
Swann stated the Commission had built stature and was concerned about losing it. He
reiterated that someone needed to take the lead.
Carpenter stated he enjoyed the chat and would not say it was a failure.
The Commission continued to discuss the Fireside Chats.
Kovac suggested tabling the Chat discussion for a work session in the fall and she stated she
wanted to discuss the Historic Preservation priority list.
Historic District Discussion
Hicks discussed the requirement for staff support to pursue a Historic District and suggested
the Commission obtain grant money to hire someone with historic district experience. He mentioned
ways to create a historic district and requested Commission direction on how to proceed.
Kovac stated the Commission needed to decide on the direction they would like to take at a
work session.
French asked if staff had enough information to hold a public discussion to see what the
public would like to do. He stated he was hesitant to do something restrictive without strong support
from the community and thought historic district information should be made available to the public.
In response to French, Hicks stated staff was not ready for a public meeting but one could be
held soon.
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
June 11, 2008 Volume 2, Page 128
Lasota stated the Commission should hold a work session to discuss Commission
involvement and review Title 15 and building code changes to prepare.
The Commission continued to discuss holding a public meeting, how to obtain information
from grants and staff, what a historic district would affect and scheduling a work session.
By general consensus, the Commission scheduled a Work Session for June 26, 2008 at noon in
the upstairs conference room to discuss Historic Preservation Priorities and the Historic
District.
Hicks stated staff would provide the Commissioners with a packet of information that
includes ideas and options for the Commission to consider.
Informational Items - (No action required)-
May 2008 Heritage Monthly News Update
Commission Comments-
In response to Lasota, Bailey stated staff had not heard if the Commission had received the
2008 Certified Local Government Grant.
In further response to Lasota, Hicks stated City staff had reviewed the Jesse Lee proposal and
discussed the Hoben Park/SeaLife Center negotiations.
The Commission discussed the handicap signs located at the Park.
project.
Hicks stated he would provide the Commission with more information about the Hoben Park
Kovac provided an overview of the Hoben Park fence project.
In response to French, Bailey stated she would email the Commission a copy of the 2007-
2008 Historic Preservation Priorities list.
Citizens' Comments [Limit to S minutes per individual- Each individual has one opportunity to
speak) -None
Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments- None
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
City of Seward Alaska
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
Volume 2, Page 129
June il, 2008
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Anne Bailey
Executive Liaison
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Shannon Kovac, Chair