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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08172016 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 68 CALL TO ORDER The August 17, 2016 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chair Linda Lasota. OPENING CEREMONY Commissioner French led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Linda Lasota presiding, and John French Wolfgang Kurtz Fred Woelkers Wadeen Hepworth Laura Erickson comprising a quorum of the Commission. Staff was not present for this meeting. SPECIAL REPORTS—None City Administration Report: No report given. Chair Lasota, Chair Report: Chair Lasota stated that the Founder's Day Celebration, hosted by the Resurrection Bay Historical Society (RBHS), was scheduled for August 28, 2016, to be held in the Seward Community Library and Museum's community room from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Seward Flag Award was scheduled for 2 p.m. on that day, the Museum would be offering free admission, and at 4:30 p.m. a guided historical Iditarod Trail walk was scheduled to start in front of the Alaska Sealife Center. This celebration was in remembrance of Seward's 113t' anniversary. Friends of the Jessie Lee Home Update: Hepworth stated that she spoke with Assistant City Manager Ron Long, and according to him the situation was still unclear, but that some funds had been set aside in the State Legislature for the Jesse Lee Home. Kurtz stated that only $1 million was still set aside for the Jesse Lee Home. Lasota asked who had asked for these funds to be saved, and Kurtz clarified that it had been the City of Seward. Resurrection Bay Historical Society Update: French stated that he had nothing to add beyond what was already announced by Chair Lasota concerning the Founder's Day Celebration. Iditarod Trail Blazers Update: Hepworth stated that the Trail Blazers did not have a meeting in August, but they would have one in September. The Wada statue dedication would be held on Friday, September 23, 2016. French added that this date was chosen because it would allow the Japanese delegation to be present. Hepworth submitted as a laydown the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance newsletter for August 2016, stating that they were planning to hold the World Trails Conference October 14-17, 2016. She also pointed out that $100,000 had been made available by the Alaska Historical Commission for matching grants concerning the 150 year anniversary of the Alaska Treaty of Cession. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 69 Alaska Nellie Materials Update: Hepworth stated that Warren Albertson was awarded the job of cleaning up the Alaska Nellie property, and that he was now well into the project. Hepworth also stated that the owners of the Alaska Nellie property have set up a GoFundMe online donation page that had raised roughly $600 so far. According to Hepworth these funds would be used for cleanup expenses. Hepworth submitted a laydown explaining the project. In response to Kurtz, Hepworth clarified that this material could be found on the Alaska Nellie GoFundMe page. Erickson asked how the page was being advertised, and Hepworth stated that the owners would like help in that respect. Hepworth passed photos around to the other commissioners showing the current state of the Alaska Nellie property. She stated that she received the photos from the property owner, and would be happy to forward them to the commissioners. Kurtz stated that he would be able to take more current photos in the near future. Mapping Project- Historical Properties: No report given. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND OTHER ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ON AGENDA—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Kurtz/Erickson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda No consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Report on Any Contact from Seward Parks and Recreation Department Regarding Evaluating Historic Value of Parts of Two Lakes and Forest Acres. No updated report given. Discuss How the Commission Should Coordinate and Facilitate its Input to the City and Other Entities Regarding AHPA Section 106 Compliance for Projects within the Commission's Geographic Area of Responsibility. No updated report given. Review Nominations and Vote on the Recipient for the 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Award. Motion (Hepworth/Kurtz) Allow the Commission to vote for and bestow multiple awards Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 70 Motion (Kurtz/Erickson) Nominate Marc Swanson for 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Award Kurtz formally nominated Marc Swanson for the 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Award. Vote taken by written ballot. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (Hepworth/French) Nominate Heather McClain for 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Award Hepworth formally nominated Heather McClain for the 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Award. Vote taken by written ballot. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2016-002, A Resolution of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, Correcting the Misspelled Road Name from Chamberlain to Chamberlin Road. Hepworth stated that Donna Glenz wanted to send her thanks to the Commission for putting forward this resolution, because the issue was very important to her. Motion (French/Kurtz) Approve Resolution 2016-002 Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss the Commission's role in the disposition of Parks and Recreation warehouse building located at 702 Aspen Lane,KPB Parcel 145029. French stated that the warehouse, or at least its exterior, has not been renovated in recent years, and could be eligible for National Historic Registry listing and possible federal loans, although it had not been evaluated. According to French the entire Fort Raymond tract would be changing rapidly in the future, and the Commission would need to act quickly if these buildings were to be utilized for possible historical purposes. Kurtz asked if there were plans for this building. French stated that there were discussions, and that the warehouse was planned to be torn down and replaced with a new Parks and Recreation warehouse. French said that his preference would be for the existing warehouse to be kept standing and at least partially used as an interpretive center for the public, and a new warehouse built on another area of the tract. French stated that it may be lucky that there were no more concrete plans for the building at the moment, but that there would be in the future, and that the Commission needed to be involved in these. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 71 Hepworth asked where the Commission should start. French stated that involving the City Manager or Assistant City Manager, or possibly Karin Sturdy, would be a good place to start. French stated that this was the Commission's first opportunity to discuss the warehouse, and the Commission should decide if they would like to create a specific proposal for the warehouse, or a specific proposal for preserving and communicating the historic activities in Seward during World War II. French proposed that the Commission request specific information on the site and plans for the site from City Administration, and then put forward potential proposals for the site. Hepworth proposed speaking to the Planning and Zoning Commission about the site, but Lasota stated that the Commission would not be the best source of information, but rather City Management. Erickson agreed that contacting City Administration would be a good first step. Lasota clarified that the property was on the Seward Historical Site Inventory List and was actively being used by Parks and Recreation. Woelkers asked if the warehouse was the last structure left of Fort Raymond. French stated that the Inventory List contained two other buildings that were associated with Fort Raymond, but that the list may be outdated. Lasota stated that Kurtz would contact City Administration, and French stated that he would contact Karin Sturdy. Lasota stated that this item should be moved to Unfinished Business for the next meeting. Discuss signing up the Commission to receive updates and alerts for the Railport Development Project. Hepworth stated that she spoke to the Assistant City Manager about the current status of this project, and he said that the freight dock was to be extended, and the passenger dock was to be replaced. Hepworth said that she would ask for more information from the railroad on the project as well. Review and confirm the Commission's meeting and work session schedule for the remainder of the year. Lasota stated that this was added to New Business because there was no scheduled meeting for September, but that the Planning and Zoning Commission was interested in a joint work session on October 4, 2016 at 6 p.m. Motion (Kurtz/Erickson) Confirm joint Planning and Zoning and Historic Preservation Commission work session on October 4, 2016, at 6 p.m. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 72 Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) City Council Resolution 2016-049 from August 8, 2016 approving 2016 Seward Historic Preservation Priorities Seward Historic Preservation Correspondence sent to the U.S. Department of the Army Seward Historic Preservation Correspondence sent to Eric Hilsinger from Alaska Department of Transportation COMMISSION COMMENTS Kurtz asked if anyone had been observing the construction of the senior housing, in case there had been any archaeological items unearthed. Kurtz also asked about the staffing at the Seward Community Library and Museum. He also said that retail QR code maps had been put up, and that they work. He would be working on an historical version demonstration for the next Historical Preservation Commission meeting. Hepworth stated that she spoke to Donna Glenz concerning the senior housing, and that there would be 5 units, and that there may be space for 4 or 5 more units, but that it would depend on funding. She also stated that it would be nice to see the communication on this project, as well as the Seward City Manager Reports. Hepworth also stated that she had recently visited Sutton, Alaska, and that she was impressed with their historical displays. Woelkers stated in the future he would like to have more information on the Tustumena. French, in response to Kurtz, stated that anything of historical importance that was found during the construction of the senior housing should be being reported. He also stated that, in regards to 106 and Historic Registration, to be on the National Registry, the building needed to have historic relevance or architectural relevance. Erickson had no comments. Lasota, in response to Kurtz, stated that it was her understanding that Madeline McGraw was still in training as Staff for the Commission, and that the Library and Museum was now fully staffed. Lasota also mentioned that she was glad that the Historic Preservation Plan was nearly finished. CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None COMMISSION & ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 17, 2016 Volume 3,Page 73 The minutes of this meeting consist of a clear recording that a quorum was present. Minutes were prepared by Madeline McGraw but was not present at the meeting. Linda Lasota, Chair ATTEST: Johanna Kinney, CMC City Clerk (City Seal) These minutes were approved by the Historic Preservation Commission on February 15, 2017 and recorded in November 2019.