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Home My WebLink About06112020 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11,2020 Volume 3,Page 216 CALL TO ORDER The June 11, 2020 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m.by Chair Cheryl Seese. OPENING CEREMONY Mary Ann Benoit led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Cheryl Seese presiding, and Sue Ward Mary Ann Benoit Fred Woelkers(arrived 6:24 p.m.) Tanguy Libbrecht Sherry Furlong(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Jackie Wilde, Community Development Director(telephonically) Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk Excused—Kurtz Absent—None Vacancy—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the City Clerk: Megan Coppock spoke(in person)about the house and property at 335 Fifth Avenue,which had recently been sold.She said the buyer was trying to get this property zoned commercially,along with her lot and the Swetmann House.She wondered if these properties could be added to Seward's historic register since they were located within Seward's Historic District. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion(Ward/Libbrecht) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11,2020 Volume 3,Page 217 These items were approved on the consent agenda: Approval of the May 14,2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS,AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards—None City Administration Report—None Chair Report.Seese said she was disappointed with R&M Consulting's presentation on the Jesse Lee Home at Monday night's council meeting. Jesse Lee Ho me—None Fort Raymond Subdivision District—None Certified Local Government(C.L.G.)Grant.Libbrecht said the official notification that Seward's C.L.G.Grant application had been approved was an email from Jean Ayers.The contracts would be sent out within the next couple of months.Libbrecht had begun researching signs and sign posts for this project. He wanted a large sign to be placed in either Downtown Seward or at the beginning of town that would read, "Welcome to the Tour", and give a general overview of the project. He proposed that the commission schedule a special meeting or work session to make decisions regarding the C.L.G. grant project. In response to Ward, Libbrecht said a previous historic walking tour had existed in Seward. Ward volunteered to contact Linda Lasota to help research the previous tour. Fred Woelkers arrived at 6:24 p.m. Seward Historic Inventory List—None Historic Overlay District.Ward said her and Benoit were working on the Historic Overlay District. They hoped to schedule a meeting with Building Inspector Stefan Nilsson and Fire Chief Clinton Crites to discuss the Historic Overlay District.Ward said she was completing this project in honor of former commissioner John French.Libbrecht wanted the community's input on the Historic Overlay District. Rockwell Kent—None Historic Preservation Facebook Page— None Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations—None City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2020 Volume 3, Page 218 PUBLIC HEARINGS—None ler UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discuss the Brown & Hawkins History Award. This topic was postponed from the March 12, 2020 meeting. Seese wanted the commission to present Iris and Hugh Darling with the State of Alaska Historic Preservation Award. She said she had also nominated Iris Darling for this year's Seward Historic Preservation Award. The clerk said a plaque would also be awarded to Iris Darling for her most recent term on the Seward Historic Preservation Commission. Other New Business Discuss the virtual National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum. Motion (Woelkers/) Set up a common link to the virtual National Alliance of Preservation Commission Forum, so any commissioners who want to join the classes can do so. Motion Failed due to lack of second ftvr Motion (Seese/) The commission will pay for each interested commissioner to attend the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum. Motion Failed due to lack of second. Motion (Furlong/Woelkers) The Historic Preservation Commission will pay the $100 registration fee for commissioners who would like to attend the virtual National Alliance of Preservation Forum conference from the education fund. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss and decide the needed committees for the Historic Preservation Commission,and set the priorities for the grant. The commission directed Libbrecht to provide a list of committees needed for the C.L.G.grant at the July 9, 2020 meeting. Discuss an Evening of History at Brown and Hawkins. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2020 Volume 3,Page 219 Motion(Woelkers/Benoit) The Historic Preservation Commission supports the "Evening with Rockwell Kent" presentation at Brown & Hawkins on June 27, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. and will pay the $150 advertising fee. Motion Passed Yes: Woelkers, Benoit, Ward, Libbrecht, Seese No: Furlong Discuss the Jesse Lee Home. Community Development Director Jackie Wilde spoke (telephonically) about the Jesse Lee Home. She said the City of Seward did not have enough money to extract the asbestos from the Jesse Lee Home. The abatement would be $1.1 million and before abatement could occur, the flooring would have to be supported,which would cost an additional$1 million.Libbrecht supported historic preservation of all buildings that had historic significance.He believed the Jesse Lee Home could be a viable project if someone would financially support the project. In response to Seese,Wilde said some repairs to the Jesse Lee Home were structurally sound but some of them had failed.She would be asking for council direction on the Jesse Lee Home at the June 22,2020 council meeting. In response to Libbrecht,Wilde said the City of Seward owned the Jesse Lee Home,the 11.7 acres of land,and the property,and appraisals were completed last year.In response to Seese, Wilde said if the $1.1 million was not used for the abatement of the Jesse Lee Home, then the money would go back to the state. Ward wanted to save as much of the Jesse Lee Home as possible; she knew from experience that historic buildings could be saved. She said the Jesse Lee Home was meaningful to the State of Alaska, as well as Seward. Motion (Woelkers/Benoit) Direct the clerk to send a statement to council supporting the abatement of the Jesse Lee Home. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (Ward/Woelkers) Direct the clerk to send a statement to council to preserve as much of the Jesse Lee Home as possible. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss Hoben Park beautification. Benoit was working with Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Florence on planting lilacs, installing a water source, and getting the original fence put back up at Hoben Park. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11,2020 Volume 3,Page 220 Discuss the Historic Preservation Facebook page. The commission chose the profile picture and page banner for their Facebook page. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS The True Value of Historic Preservation Saving Vintage and Historic Signs CITIZENS COMMENTS—None COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Wilde thanked the commissioners for their time and efforts. She was excited to hear the commission's ideas. Wilde said the Community Development Department would help the commission create a walkable tour of downtown Seward. Ward said she appreciated Wilde's time and efforts. Seese said the State of Alaska was repaving Mile 0-8 of the Seward Highway. She thanked Wilde for attending the meeting and providing information on the Jesse Lee Home. Seese thanked the commissioners and the clerk for their hard work, and she thanked Furlong for joining the commission. She thanked Coppock for attending tonight's meeting. Libbrecht thanked Coppock for her citizen comments. He was interested in learning more about her property. He thanked the clerk,the commissioners, and Wilde for their hard work. Woelkers apologized for being late to the meeting. Benoit thanked Coppock for her citizen comments. She thanked Wilde for attending the meeting and sharing her knowledge on the Jesse Lee Home. She thanked the commissioners for being open to her ideas for the Historic Preservation Facebook page. Ward thanked the commissioners and the clerk for their hard work. She said Coppock's concerns had been heard. Furlong appreciated the team work during the Jesse Lee Home discussion; she was very satisfied with the statement the commission created to send to council. City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2020 Volume 3, Page 221 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. 94.,645:<t„ /i Jessica Stallard Cheryl Sees Deputy City Clerk Chair (City Seal) 11ssssss •Sr ��`•J` 0 S�`_••• .• G.•'' oaPOk9'•. •• • '�� %gyp • • • • SEAT r • • S.•••.c OF ‘0% kAs