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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03112021 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 11, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Volume 3,Page 270 The March 11,2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m.by Chair Cheryl Seese. OPENING CEREMONY Chair Cheryl Seese led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Cheryl Seese presiding and Sue Ward (via Zoom) Tanguy Libbrecht(via Zoom) Mary Ann Benoit(via Zoom) edeelkers Jim Pemberton(via Zoom) comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—Woelkers 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/Benoit) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous There were no consent agenda items. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Kingsland was not present to provide a report. Chair Report. Seese stated the city clerk had received a letter of resignation from Commissioner Woelkers that would be effective on March 15, 2021; she appreciated the contributions Woelkers had made to the commission. Seese commended Benoit for putting in so City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 11, 2021 Volume 3, Page 271 many hours on the sign project, and said she was pleased with the progress. She reported that that joint work session with council went well earlier this week,and she thanked the commissioners who had attended that work session. Certified Local Government(CLG)Grant Reports—Planning&Advocacy Committee Report.Libbrecht thanked Benoit for her work on the project,and said he appreciated the support from the Seward Library Association, the Resurrection Bay Historical Society, Lee Poleske, and Doug Capra. Libbrecht reported that 66 letters had been mailed to property owners for the project, and the majority of the property owners responded favorably. Benoit said property owners had been enthusiastic when they received the letters. She added that a virtual drop box had been set up for the sign graphics, and that the sign permits needed to be sent to the Community Development Department. Historic Overlay District.Ward said the 2017 Historic Preservation Plan had identified that HP would work with the Planning & Zoning Commission on the historic overlay. Ward said she understood that P&Z was busy, but HP would continue to prepare for the joint work session with P&Z. She added that the historic overlay was not intended to be cumbersome or burdensome for property owners;there appeared to be support throughout the property owners in the downtown area. Historic Preservation Facebook Page. Benoit announced that citizen engagement on Facebook had increased. Other Reports and Announcements—None •di Presentations— None NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Review and discuss the Seward's Day Proclamation. Seese called attention to the draft proclamation in the packet, and said the Seward's Day proclamation should come on March 22, 2021 to council. She requested the photo of William Seward be inserted into the proclamation. Discuss and plan for Historic Preservation Month in May. Seese wished to have the HP logo placed on the draft proclamation, and requested it go to council on April 26, 2021. Review and discuss the Historic Preservation Award nominations. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 11, 2021 Volume 3,Page 272 Seese confirmed there had been no nominations received yet,and wondered if extending the deadline would help. Motion (Ward/Benoit)Motion Passed Extend the deadline for Historic Preservation Award nominations to April 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.; schedule a special meeting on April 23,2021 at 10:45 a.m.for the purpose of voting on HP Award nominations; and, prepare to announce the HP Awards at the May 10,2021 council meeting. Unanimous Consent Discuss the plan for supporting Hoben Park flowers/planters. Ward wondered where the fencing for Hoben Park was being stored. In response, Benoit stated it was stored in the Parks&Recreation warehouse. Benoit added that it would be helpful to obtain a grant to assist with the fencing installation. Regarding plants and flowers, Benoit said the lilacs and roses that were planted in Hoben Park last year may or may not survive this year's long winter,but whatever did not come back this spring could be replaced. Benoit had already received permission to obtain new cuttings from citizens who owned these historic plants. Review and approve the Historic Preservation Commission logo to be placed on CLG Grant 20005 Public Education Signage. Motion(Libbrecht/Ward) Approve the Historic Preservation Commission logo that had a tan background and a green border. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Discuss having an Open House in May or June 2021 in celebration of the completion of the CLG Grant 20005 Public Education Signage. Seese wondered if the Open House should be pushed to the Fourth of July weekend. Libbrecht said in order to meet the grant requirements,some kind of public event had to be held;this could include handing out flyers. Benoit suggested doing a Facebook Live event. Discuss the role of the Historic Preservation Commission with regards to supporting or sponsoring private citizens in grant applications. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 11, 2021 Volume 3, Page 273 Ward stated that the commission could provide letters of support for grants,but could not be a sponsor of a grant. Seese stated there were two grants being applied for in Seward, and the udicommission had been requested to provide letters of support: one was for the Trail Blazers and one was for the Odhners who owned the Seward Passenger Depot. Motion (Libbrecht/Benoit) Provide letters of support from the commission for the Trail Blazers and the Odhners. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS —None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Seese stated that tomorrow's work session may not have enough commissioners to have a quorum;she asked the commissioners who would be available.Pemberton,Woelkers,and Libbrecht would not be available. By unanimous consent,the commission cancelled the March 12,2021 work session. Ward was happy to be working with this dynamic group of people on the commission. Libbrecht thanked everyone for their hard work, and said he looked forward to getting to know new commission Pemberton. Benoit thanked everyone for their work, as well, and said she was glad that Pemberton had joined the commission. She was looking forward to seeing the historic signs installed. Pemberton was happy to be on HP. He wanted to help and contribute to the project. Seese was glad to have Pemberton's help, and thanked everyone for the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Brenda J. VIA,�r�► • 'Y,�;�6, Cheryl See e City C1e'li Ci•`?Go. °Rq \1410\•:• d Chair egi • = SEAL : • r 4 . OF A ".•%* ............"