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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09092021 Historic Preservation Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes September 9,2021 Volume 3,Page 299 CALL TO ORDER The September 9,2021 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 7:03 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 Tanguy Libbrecht Mary Ann Benoit Jim Pemberton comprising a quorum of the Commission; and Bailey Sayler, Library Museum Director Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused-Pemberton Absent-None Vacant-Two 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 The clerk read the following approved consent items: Approval of the August 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards-None City Administration Report - Library Museum Director Bailey Sayler said she had nothing to report. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2021 Volume 3,Page 300 Chair Report.Seese had seen some of the signs installed for the walking tour,and she was amazed. She was very proud of the commission and all their work; there was a lot of excitement from the community. Historic Overlay District Report. Ward said the focus of the overlay project would be shifted to the draft document, and should combine feedback from the Community Development Department into the draft. The commission directed the city clerk to remove the Historic Overlay District Report from the agenda as a standing report.Instead,the commission would include a report on this topic as needed. Historic Preservation Facebook Page Report. Benoit said engagements on the commission's Facebook page were up for the last month. For future posts, Benoit wished to post individual signs and their content to increase visibility.She was seeking permission from the owners of the photos to use the signs in that manner, and had already received permission from several entities. Benoit had a new idea for future Facebook posts: she thought of taking pictures of the current property owners standing with their signs,and interviewing them about what the properties meant to them. She also thought perhaps small videos could be created around the signs, and developed into a movie and walking tour package for visitors. Other Reports,Announcements,and Presentations Certified Local Government(CLG)Grant 20005 Report.Benoit said a lot of things had happened in the last month.All the signs were delivered to the warehouse and Austin Chapman from A+Chainsaw Works had begun the sign installations.Benoit and Libbrecht worked with the city to prepare the dig sites through 811, and some adjustments had been made at some locations accordingly. As of today, all holes had been dug in preparation, and five signs had been installed. There was a shortage of cement in Seward right now,but as soon as Chapman got more cement,he would proceed with the installations.Following the installation of ground signs,there would also be eight buildings getting signs installed on the buildings rather than on posts. At a recent Rotary meeting,Benoit provided a visiting Rotary dignitary with an overview of the project and showed her some of the signs.The printed maps were ready for pick up from the printer in Anchorage;Libbrecht would get those on Monday. Benoit had been contacted by the Seward Prevention Coalition with the idea of offering guided walking tours during Wellness Week from October 11-17, 2021. Benoit was developing a plan to focus on one portion of the walking tour every day of that week so that over the course of the week,the entire tour would be walked. She was hoping to have other commissioners help with the tours;Ward offered to assist.Libbrecht suggested recording the tours,and also suggested letting the newspaper know about the plan. Seese concurred that the newspaper should be contacted. Libbrecht stated the concrete was expected to be delivered tomorrow, and Chapman was poised to continue the work.In response to Benoit,Libbrecht volunteered to contact the newspaper. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2021 Volume 3,Page 301 Benoit had recently learned about the pop-up museum that HYPER had set up at Temple Studios, and thought perhaps the Historic Preservation Commission might have an opportunity to collaborate in the future with HYPER to produce an event or some historic-oriented interaction with children. NEW BUSINESS Nominate and elect a Chair. Seese nominated herself as Chair. There were no other nominations, and by unanimous consent, Seese was re-appointed Chair with a term to expire May,2022. Nominate and elect a Vice Chair. Ward nominated herself as Vice Chair.There were no other nominations,and by unanimous consent, Ward was re-appointed Vice Chair with a term to expire May, 2022. Review and update the Historical Site Inventory List. Seese had an electronic copy of the most updated list; she would send it to the city clerk to combine all versions and clean it up,then the commission would schedule a work session to review and update the list. Review and update the Seward Register of Historic Places Application and Guidelines; discuss researching sites for potential nomination to the Seward Register of Historic Places. The commission requested the city clerk send them a list of the properties that had been included on the Seward list to date. Seese suggested that this topic be discussed and updated at the commission's next work session. Review and update progress on the commission's priorities. Seese stated that, at this moment, the commission would not apply for a grant. Ward concurred. Seese felt that the commission was on target with their schedule. Reschedule the November 11,2021 regular meeting due to the Veterans Day holiday. The commission rescheduled their November 11, 2021 work session and meeting to November 4, 2021. Seese stated she would be more comfortable if the commission's meetings could be done virtually. City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes September 9, 2021 Volume 3,Page 302 Motion (Benoit/Seese) Authorize Chair Seese to draft a letter requesting that city council allow the commission to resume virtual meetings via Zoom. Motion Passed Unanimous Review the 2022 proposed budget. The commission requested no changes to the proposed budget, which was the same as the 2021 budget. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Historic Preservation Commission Budget Year-To-Date. Seese wished to check with the Parks&Recreation Department to make sure the commission had permission to install fencing around the plants at Hoben Park in order to prevent them from being trampled on or mowed over. Seward Historical Walking Tour Map. Seward Historical Walking Tour Narrative. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. ♦t :renda Ballou, MC Ch 1 Se e City Clerk Chair (City►� �,' OF'SZ1171,, 87 r . SEAL• b i •r ........ �. . OF A.P„.•♦