HomeMy WebLinkAbout05112023 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2023 Volume 3,Page 367
CALL TO ORDER
The May 11, 2023 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to
order at 7:00 p.m.by Chair Tanguy Libbrecht.
OPENING CEREMONY
Tanguy Libbrecht led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Tanguy Libbrecht presiding and
Sue Ward Mary Ann Benoit
Dena-Wallef Art LeMaster
Laura Erickson
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Bailey Sayler, Library Museum Director
Kris Peck, Deputy City Clerk
Excused—Walker
Absent—None
Vacant—One
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING—None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Ward/LeMaster) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
There were no items on the consent agenda
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
City Administration Report
Library Museum Director Bailey Sayler said the upcoming meeting agendas would be
updated with the correct term expiration dates for the commissioners. On another topic,the U.S.S.
Alaska group had not reached out with any updates about an exhibit of a model submarine.Plans for
a museum display commemorating 100 years of the Alaska Railroad had also fallen through.
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11,2023 Volume 3,Page 368
Library staff was currently working on a grant for a historic walking tour scavenger hunt.
Chair Report
Libbrecht thanked Ward and LeMaster for renewing their terms and thanked Erickson for
joing the commission. Libbrecht had received numerous positive comments on the historic walking
tour. He thanked Ward for the spreadsheet detailing commission's priorities because it transferred
easily to the agenda.
Proclamations & Awards—None
Other Reports and Announcements
Report on Historic Preservation Facebook Pages
Benoit said the the overall viewing numbers were down, but the engagement and
commenting on the page was up. Their most popular posts were about the walking tour,Brown&
Hawkins,and the topic of how historic preservation added character to a town. Benoit had plans to
post a video of the historic walking tour for Historic Preservation Month.
Presentations—None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2023-002, A Resolution Of The Seward Historic Preservation Commission,
Recommending That The 2023 Seward Historic Preservation Awards Be Bestowed To Tiffany
And AL Siller
Motion (Erickson/Ward) Approve Resolution 2023-002
Sayler read outloud the nomination form for Tiffany and Al Siller which was submitted by
Rhonda Spurr.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Approval of the January 12,2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion (Ward/Erickson) Approve the January 12, 2023 Regular
Meeting Minutes
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2023 Volume 3,Page 369
Carry Out Planned National HP Month Activities
Libbrecht read outloud the 2022 National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation and
wanted to update it and include it on the May 22, 2023 City Council Meeting.
Discuss Founder's Day Activities
Libbrecht read outloud a 2020 Founder's Day Proclamation and would like it to be updated
for 2023.
Update Historic Guidelines
Libbrecht said the commission was looking at options for editing the historic guidelines.
Ward said their goal was to get the historic guidelines finished and a CLG Grant could help
hire a technical writer.
LeMaster explained the document originated in Juneau and the tone was too formal.He cited
examples such as"thou shall do this"and he wanted the Seward version to be written in a way that
was more encouraging and user friendly.
Report to Council
Libbrecht noted he would be making a report to city council on May 22, 2023.
Support Hoben Park/Flowers
Ward said they had a budget for the Hoben Park flowers,but no one was lined up yet to take
care of them. They were going to ask for volunteers as well as try to coordinate with Parks &
Recreation to water the flowers on a regular basis.Ward was also interested in planting some lilacs.
Libbrecht was interested in recruiting volenteers within the local gardening clubs.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS —None
CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Ward said she had received positive feedback about how the walking tour included stories
about the people as well as the buildings.
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
May 11,2023 Volume 3,Page 370
Libbrecht thanked Bruce Jaffa for his help with installation of the historic walking tour
signs. Libbrecht noted that he enjoyed the Historic Preservation Commission's quarterly meeting
schedule.
LeMaster said the stories about the historic people were popular. He was looking forward to
working on the next round of historic signs.
Benoit said the audio tour for the historic walking tour was in the works.More stories could
be added to the audio tour that would go beyond what was written on the signs.For practice,Benoit
and Ward recorded a podcast about the sign located in front of Ward's house.Benoit loved delving
into the stories and finding out what life was like inside the historic buildings.
Erickson was excited to be on the commission.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourn at 7:41 p.m.
Kris Peck anguy Libbr t
Deputy City Clerk Chair
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