HomeMy WebLinkAbout09122024 Historic Preservation MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024 Volume 3, Page 386
CALL TO ORDER
The September 12, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at
7:11 p.m. by Chair Tanguy Libbrecht.
OPENING CEREMONY
Commissioner Laura Erickson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Tanguy Libbrecht, presiding, and
Sue Ward
Dona Walker
Laura Erickson
Mary Ann Benoit
Art LeMaster
Todd Mashlan
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Allison Stacy, Museum Curator
Ashleigh Lipsey, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Kris Peck, City Clerk
Excused — None
Absent — None
Vacant — None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT — None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Ward/Benoit) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The April 11, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards - None
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024 Volume 3, Page 387
City Administration Report
Museum Curator Allison Stacy said the grant station was up and running at the Seward
Community Library. The library staff was trained to assist the public with the grant station.
Chair Report
Libbrecht provided a summary of the work session that immediately proceeded the meeting. He
noted the format was a "Meeting in a Box" workshop from the State of Alaska Historic
Preservation Office. It was quite interesting and very productive. He thanked Allison Stacy for
facilitating the work session.
Other Reports and Announcements
Historic Preservation Facebook Page Report
Benoit summarized the Facebook report as presented in the meeting packet. She explained the
statistics regarding Facebook followers, interactions, and demographics. The most popular post
continued to be the one about the Mount Marathon Race.
Ward noted the list of countries in the statistics such as Thailand, Bangladesh, and France.
Presentations - None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions - None
Other New Business
Discuss Historic Preservation Award Nomination Deadlines & Process
City Clerk Kris Peck recalled earlier this year how the nomination deadline of March 31 was
extended and still no nominations were received. He asked if a deadline was necessary or if the
nomination process could be open year-round. Peck noted people were more active in the summer
working on historic preservation projects, and they might be forgotten by the spring of the
following year.
Libbrecht was open to a year-round nomination process.
Mashlan suggested keeping the nominations open year-round, but the award should still be
presented in May.
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City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024 Volume 3, Page 388
Ward noted May was Historic Preservation Month and that was why the deadline was in the spring.
Motion (Mashlan/Benoit)
Open The Historic Preservation
Nominations To Be A Rolling Year -Round
And Selection Will Be Made At The April
Meeting
Motion Passed Unanimous
Hoben Park Updates
Benoit provided an update on the Lee Poleske Memorial Bench and the dying lilacs on the ground.
She recommended buying lilacs and finding an even bigger lilac for the park.
Stacy noted the Commission had a rolling budget that could potentially cover lilac purchases. She
would check with the Finance Department.
Ward noted she had lost lilacs in her personal yard due to improper lawn care. Protective barriers
would be needed for the lilacs. Libbrecht recommended a lilac with fencing and simple signage.
The Commission directed Stacy to look into the budget for Historic Preservation.
Stucco Johnson Homesite Sign
Benoit said the sign was old, out of date and damaged. It was currently on the Commission's list
of signs to replace. The idea would be to redo it in a style similar to the Historic Walking Tour
signs. Benoit had researched additional information along with other interested individuals: Carol
Griswold and Colleen Kelly. Benoit wanted all the signs submitted at the same time and shipped
together at the same time. She hoped they would be ready by May of 2025.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church Discussions
Booklet on Jan Van Empel
Benoit would be working on the cover and editing. Mashlan explained who would cover the cost
for printing.
Benoit said local author Doug Capra was willing to share excerpts from his book The Spaces
Between for the St. Peter's Centennial Celebration in January 2025.
Preservation Proposal Updates
Mashlan provided an update on technical assistance, the rectory, and CAD drawings.
Libbrecht asked for continued updates on this project by way of a recurring agenda item.
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024 Volume 3, Page 389
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Reminder of Meetings
Regular Meeting and Work Session on Thursday, November 14, 2024 Topic: HPC Priorities &
Meeting Schedule
The commission agreed that date worked for everyone.
Other Items
Seward Local Register Plaque Updates
Libbrecht said this update would be coming at the November 14, 2024 meeting.
City Administration to begin working on 2024 HPC Report
Stacy encouraged the commission to send her material to be included in, the annual report.
Libbrecht liked the format of all boards & commissions taking turns and reporting at one council
meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENTS -None
COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & 10(NSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS ,,
Peck thanked everyone for a great meeting.
Libbrecht thanked Ashleigh Lipsey for representing the City Manager's Office.
Lipsey said she was glad to be here and thanked the Commission.
Erickson thanked everyone for their time and for the robust conversations.
Ward said it was lovely to have a full commission and she looked forward to working with
everybody.
Benoit said she enjoyed the "Meeting in a Box" workshop in the work session. It gave her a new
sense of appreciation for historic preservation. It was wonderful to have those discussions and gain
new insights.
LeMaster said "Meeting in a Box" workshop was good.
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City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2024 Volume 3, Page 390
Mashlan lamented missing part of the work session due to his schedule conflict with Community
Choir.
Libbrecht was excited about the high level of collaboration and cooperation from administration.
He felt inspired and his spirits were lifted. It felt good to all be pulling in the same direction.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
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