Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09062007 Historic Preservation MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 85 Call to Order The September 6, 2007 regular meeting of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:35 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 Greg Carpenter Linda Lasota Jolund Luther Tom Swann comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Donna Glenz, Planning Assistant Anne Bailey, Executive Liaison Special Reports City Administration Report Planning Assistant Donna Glenz reported on the following items: • A City Council Budget Work Session would be held on September 10, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. • A library/museum steering committee meeting would be held on September 13, 2007. • Meet the Candidates Night would be held on September 17, 2007. • An Economic Forum would be held on September 19, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sewazd High School and the Commissioners were encouraged to attend. Historic Preservation (Legislative Division) Budget Presentation-Kris Erchinger Finance Director Kris Erchinger passed out an additional lay down explaining that this included the Historic Preservation Budget. She explained that the Legislative Boards and Commissions Department contained the operating costs for all of the Boards and Commissions. Erchinger stated that this year's budget was similar to last years and how it broke down for staff time. She stated that there was money for travel and training, which primarily had been used for the Jesse Lee Home meetings. She stated that this would be a good time to meet with her and discuss City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 86 other training or meeting opportunities they would like to attend. She continued that the reason this was brought before the Commission was to get their input in case the City missed something and they could get it in the budget. She discussed the Historic Preservation expenses and the possibility of bringing people to Seward for training that may benefit all of the Boards and Commissions. In response to Carpenter, Erchinger stated that the increase in salaries and benefits was due to adding the Executive Liaison position, which was solely for supporting the Boards and Commissions. In response to Swann, Erchinger stated that the travel section paid for the Commissioners to attend meetings and did not pay for other employees. Swann stated that he had been denied travel expenses to attend the Jesse Lee Home Committee meetings and he thought that this was budgeted for the Commission. Erchinger explained her view of the Jesse Lee Home situation but suggested that Swann discuss the matter with the City Manger. Kovac stated that she would be interested in funding grant writing since the Commissioners and Staff did not have the training and time. Erchinger replied that last year a new position had been considered to manage the city contracts and to write grants. She stated that Council liked the idea but it may not be supported for the upcoming budget. Alaska Nellie Site Presentation with Doug Capra Doug Capra gave an Alaska Nellie Presentation to the Commission. He gave a power point presentation highlighting Nellie's history and he discussed the significance of Nellie and what she represented. He stated that part of the building Nellie lived and died in was still there and was on the National Historic Register. Capra stated that they could work with the family that owns the property to restore it. He stated that the family may be interested in opening something up for tourists. In response to Kovac, Capra stated that the family did say they were interested in working with Seward and the contact was Sylvia Sewell. He told the Commission that he had asked Ms. Sewell if she would be interested in restoration if they could help get grants and she answered in the affirmative. In response to Luther, Capra stated that there were not any plans at the moment except to make sure that the property didn't deteriorate any more. In response to Kovac, Capra stated that he believed the owner lived in New York and that there was not a caretaker. ...i City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 87 In response to Carpenter, Capra stated that information about the cabin neaz Nellie's property was in the report written by Diane. Other Reports, Announcements & Presentations Friends of the Jesse Lee Home update- Swann Swann had nothing new to add. Railcar update -Swann Swann had nothing new to add. Website Updates -Kovac Kovac stated that the web technician had taken a full time position with the City and was unable to work on the Historic Preservation website at this time. Glenz confirmed that Josh Estes had been hired as a full time computer technician and she did not know what the plan was for finding a new website technician. Hoben Park -Karin Sturdy Sturdy stated that the City would have to return the unused portion of the fence grant back to the state. She continued that she had a price quote on the guazd rail and the project would probably happen but not with grant money. Sturdy stated that another contractor had looked at the other two projects but had backed out due to time, supply and material restrictions. Sturdy confirmed that a contractor would be doing the guardrail but she believed that the fence should be completed first. She stated that she had informed SHPO of the situation. Sturdy stated that the fountain grant was authorized and returned to the City of Seward. She stated that she had ideas for fence funding but the focus would be on the fountain. In response to Kovac, Sturdy stated that the fence timeline was close and the grant should not have to be returned. Sturdy continued that SHPO was aware that the Fence grant would be a tight squeeze and that Sewazd's Historic Preservation's reputation was still in tact. Kovac mentioned that it was time to write another grant and asked if another portion of the park should be considered. She stated that she did not want the Commission to go through the process of writing the grant if it would not be fulfilled. Sturdy stated that we should get the fountain completed, then the fence and then re-prioritize after that. City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 88 Swann asked if they could take the fence project and break it down into two small grants. Sturdy replied that the guardrail was out of budget but still needed to be done. In response to Lasota, Sturdy stated that this was an insurance issue not a building code issue and a guardrail was not legally required. In further response to Lasota, Sturdy stated that the guardrail needed to happen but the City was not under any legal obligation to get this completed in a certain time frame and she believed that the fence should be put in first. Swann interjected that he did not believe that the fence needed to be put in first. Kovac asked about the funding from the SeaLife Center. In response to Kovac, Sturdy suggested that the SeaLife Center deal with the contractor directly rather than have the City be the go between. She clarified that she would like the SeaLife Center to pursue the fence. Kovac voiced her concern that that SeaLife Center was interested in maintaining the fountain after it was installed and that she'd like to have them involved in the building process. Sturdy stated that she wanted to keep the SeaLife Center happy and would ask them to write specifications of what they would like and to help review the bids. In response to Lasota, Sturdy stated that the SeaLife Center would get to weigh in on the mechanical portion of the fountain, which was not specifically detailed in the grant. In response to Luther, Sturdy stated that the Commission should attend the Budget Work Sessions and express their interest in funding for the fence project. Glenz stated the Commission could request that a line item be put into the Historic Preservation Budget for the fence and the Commission could support it. The Commission discussed the allocation and appropriation of the unused fence funds. In response to Carpenter, Sturdy stated that biggest problem was time and the lack of knowledge of what was required. The Commission discussed how they should handle future grants. ..r Sturdy stated that the Commission should submit what they have to SHPO for the fountain grant after she looked at the priorities. City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 89 In response to Kovac, Sturdy stated that a Hoben Park update could be posted on the SPRD bulletin board. Lasota clarified that the Commission would not pursue fence grants. She stated that the SeaLife Center and City Council did not have funds for this at this time. Kovac suggested that the Commission should schedule a Work Session to discuss this issue. In response to Swann, Sturdy stated that she would talk to the SeaLife Center and that they had offered $50,000. The Commission discussed where the SeaLife Center funds were coming from. Swann requested that Sturdy contact the SeaLife Center and email an update to the Chair. Carpenter stated that he liked the idea of proceeding with the fountain. Alaska Nellie update -Carpenter Carpenter thanked Doug Capra for his Alaska Nellie presentation and he stated that he would like the Commission to assist the family in preserving the property and he would like to commit himself personally to see this happen. Lowell Family Special Presentation- Doug Capra Capra stated that he had received an unusual email from some of the descendents of the Lowell family and that he had received a lot of information on Alice Lowell. He suggested that it would be nice to put an informational panel on the bike path about Mt. Alice. He gave a brief history of Alice Lowell and the extended family. He requested that a board be created to discuss Alice and would like to bring some of the Loweil's to Seward and have a City picnic for them. Capra also presented information he had received about the first set of twins born in Seward and information about Nellie's family being in town. He asked the Commission to keep their ears open and be aware of who was in town. Tom Swann excused himself from the meeting. Citizens' Comments on Any Sub jest Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing -None Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Carpenter/Luther) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda ~, Motion Passed Unanimous Consent City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 90 The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda: August 1, 2007 Historic Preservation Regular Meeting Minutes Public Hearing -None Unfinished Business- Discussion and approval of the 2007-2008 Historic Preservation Priority List and set a Work Session to prepare possible DNR future grants Motion (Carpenter/Lasota) The Commission discussed the priority list. Approve the 2007-2008 Historic Preservation Priority List Carpenter pointed out a typo that Bailey would fix. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Discuss and set a Work Session to photograph the Seward Historical Inventory Sites Kovac requested that the Commissioners get the Seward Historical Inventory Sites information they gathered to her. She suggested that the Commissioners get together to photograph the historical sites for permanent record. She mentioned the idea of an ad hoc committee. Glenn clarified that only Council could appoint an ad hoc committee. She suggested that the Historic Preservation Commission advertise that they would be photographing the historic sites and for more information to contact Bailey or herself. She stated that this would meet the public notice criteria and the public could contact staff for the time and date. Glenn stressed that the Commission would have to let her know ahead of time when they would meet. In response to Lasota, Glenn stated that if the Commission decided to meet on a weekend they would have to contact Bailey or herself on Thursday or .Friday afternoon. In response to Luther, Glenn stated that there was not a limitation on the number of Commissioners who could meet since it had been noticed properly. In response to Carpenter, Glenn stated that the Commissioners could take pictures individually and stressed that this notice referred to when two or more Commissioners met to take pictures of the sites City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Pale 91 Luther stated that we should do this just in case the Commission decided to meet. Glenz stated that she would meet with the City Clerk to advertise this in the City Calendaz. In response to Kovac, Glenz stated that she could email the Commission to set up a date and time and that the City did not have cameras available for their use. The Commission discussed the budget and the possibility of purchasing a camera. Glenz stated that she would Look into purchasing a camera that could be used by all of the Boards and Commissions. New Business- Informational Items - (No action required) -None Commission Comments- Kovac stated that the Commission needed to schedule a Work Session to discuss the grants and asked when the Plant and Tree Register would come before Council. Glenz replied that the Plant and Tree Register would be on the September 10, 2007 Council agenda for approval. She suggested that a Commissioner attend to ask the Council for support. The Commission discussed who would be available to attend the City Council meeting. Carpenter volunteered to attend on the Commissions behalf. Glenz reviewed the public hearing process and gave an example of what could be said. Kovac discussed setting a Work Session to discuss the DNR grants. Kovac stated that she would be gone until September 24, 2007. Glenx stated that she had not received any information on the 2008 grants. The Commission discussed possible Work Session dates, times and topics. By general consensus, a Work Session was set for September 25, 2007 at noon to discuss the DNR grants. In response to Kovac, Glenz stated that if information was received early next week she would contact the Commission and a Work Session could be scheduled earlier to prepare for a grant. City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 6, 2007 Volume 2, Page 92 Glenz stated that the Commission needed to make a decision on what the project would be and prepare the grant to meet the deadlines. Carpenter requested a copy of a previous grant to use as an example, thanked Capra for coming and stated he would like to proceed with preserving the Alaska Nellie property. Luther stated that he talked to Gage about the Historic Preservation Commission opening and that they would be interested to have her join the Commission. Lasota thanked staff for the work they do. Glenz stated that she talked to Capra about rejoining the Commission and that he expressed some interested. Glenz suggested that the Commission write Capra a thank you note for his presentation. Carpenter stated that he would call Capra and thank him for his time. Kovac asked Lasota to write a thank you note and staff would provide a card. Citizens' Comments- None Commissions and Administration Response to Citizens' Comments- None The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Anne Bailey Executive Liaison (City Seal) ,~`~°~~~~~Cl~i ~~°s~o ~o°~~ ~~ '~POf~s,~1 j, ~'`°.~ ~'~4i . G;•v~ F '' r : ,` ~-" ~ s ~' 2 A p z .:~.. :~ -+-' Shannon Kovac Chair ...