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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2009_03_19Brookings Historic Preservation Commission March 19, 2009 A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Pam Merchant, Jerry McCollough, Janet Gritzner, Dennis Willert (arrived 4:42), Mary Bibby and Joanita Kant. Pat Powers was absent. Vice Chairperson Bibby called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Adoption of agenda. A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Gritzner, to approve the agenda. All present voted yes; motion carried. Adoption of minutes. A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Kant, to approve the February minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. Schedule next monthly meeting. Thursday, April 9th at 4:00 p.m. “Historic Brookings” Book Proposal Presentation – Colleen Poindexter. Ms. Poindexter is working on a book about Brookings through Arcadia Publishing in their “images of America” series and requested the Commission’s endorsement. Note that this will not be financial support. She has an October 2009 deadline. ACTION: A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Gritzner, to offer strong support for the project in that is assists the BHPC in fulfilling its educational goals and further requested that the BHPC be acknowledged on the book cover. All present voted yes; motion carried. Action on a request to co-sponsor a workshop at the Doors Open Brookings Event. In past years the Commission has sponsored and/or co-sponsored historic-related workshops during the Downtown Brookings Inc. “Doors Open” event on April 24 & 25. This year’s proposed workshop will be conducted by Randy Hanson, Mills Construction, on the revitalization of historic buildings to include modernized amenities, as well as other historic preservation projects in the area. DBI is requesting $100 from the Commission towards this event. Per Park Service requirements, the Commission is required to hold at least one public workshop every year. This activity would meet that requirement. If Park Services funds are used for this activity, there are disclaimers and advertising requirements that must be followed and DBI is familiar with these issues. All activities must also be held in accessible locations. This was an issue in a previous year. ACTION: A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Kant, to co-sponsor the workshop as described above in the amount of $100.00 pursuant to National Park Service guidelines. All present voted yes; motion carried. Action on 2009/2010 National Park Service funding priorities. Thornes reported that the City had just received notice that the deadline to submit the Commission’s 2009/2010 National Park Service annual grant is March 31st. The Commission receives “basic” and “supplemental” funds for its projects. Basic funding is the predetermined amount of $2000 and staff will prepare the application for those items, which include preservation week, mayor’s award, memberships, and public workshop. However, the Commission will need to give prioritized direction on projects for staff to prepare the supplemental grant application. The Commission reviewed the following options for possible Supplemental Funding Projects: 1. Board Development Training ** o 2009 National Trust Conference – Nashville, TN – Bibby is scheduled to attend this conference. o Preservation Leadership Training (Deadwood, South Dakota) – Gritzner is applying to attend the 2009 training. Her registration is paid for out of the previous grant; however, funding the training would come from the 2009/2010 grant. o Preservation Leadership Training – 2010 o National Alliance – August 2010 – This conference is held in even years and 2008 was first conference the BHCP didn’t attend. Recommend making funding request in the 2010/2011 application since it is typically held in August. 2. SURVEY: PHASE II: Brookings Commercial District Survey Update - PHASE 1, which consisted of updating survey forms, making corrections, photographs, reviewing surrounding environs and providing preliminary recommendations. PHASE 2 would consist of a complete report and summary. Staff recommends removing this project from the list pursuant to SHPO comments made at the February meeting. They did not feel that the phase two documentation was needed. 3. National Register Listing of the “Berry House” at 502 5th Street. No funds should be needed for this project. SHPO staff indicated that if the BHPC completes and submits a preliminary assessment form, they will prepare the actual nomination. 4. EDUCATION: Downtown Façade Restoration Design Project – There are currently a number of variables associated with this project and hopefully all questions will be resolved in time for the grant application. The State Office is supportive of the project with the following caveats: • The project in its entirety needs to be done by a professional. The DBI program manager has suggested involving students for the second half of the project. However, for consistency of product SHPO and City staff think it should be done by the architectural firm. • As for funding, the product must at least include all of Phase 1: Phase 1: $15,000 - both sides of Main Avenue from 600 block alley south to depot . Estimating 250 and 300 hours on a not-to-exceed basis. Phase 2: $5,000 – side streets to alley from Main both directions • Proposed BHPC participation would remain at $5000 ($2500 from 2008/2009 grant amendment & $2500 from new grant) • DBI participation would be $2500. • Grant application will not be submitted unless remaining $7500 is secured. • The city manager is interested in the project and there’s currently a momentum from the city to promote and facilitate owner reinvestment downtown. Staff, Commission and DBI representatives hope to meet with the city manager on 3/13 or 3/16 to determine if the remaining $7500 from the city is a possibility. • SHPO knows there are several items in play for this project and can maybe give some flexibility on the grant app deadline. 5. EDUCATION: REALTOR WORKSHOP - There was a discussion about how to make this project move forward in 2009. Thornes would like to see SHPO sponsor the event and cover any costs. Utilizing a real estate trainer out of Sioux Falls to coordinate the event has been suggested. The goal would be to have a free or low cost state accredited workshop. The BHPC would need to control the program content and speakers and the focus would have to be preservation. Possible topics could include federal tax credits and the state property tax moratorium. 6. Other Priorities in Brookings Historic Preservation Plan Action Plan. Thornes said due to the number of issues that are unknown related to the downtown computer project, it is impossible to make a recommendation. The exact details are still pending, so Thornes recommended the Commission approve a Plan A and Plan B grant funding priorities. Plan A: If the city will fund the remaining $7500 of the downtown project, the BHPC apply for the following projects: 1) $2500 for downtown computer modeling (with $2500 grant amendment) 2) $2000-4000 for National Trust Conference (one or two attending) 3) $2000 – PLT Deadwood Conference Plan B: No additional funding is found for the computer modeling project, the BHPC apply for the following projects. Rather than use the $2500 in the 2008/2009 amendment for the computer project, apply to fund the 2009 PLT grant. 1) $2000-4000 for National Trust Conference (one or two attending) 2) Other projects? ACTION: A motion was made by McCollough, seconded by Kant, to approve Plan A and B as presented above. McCollough, Merchant, Willert voted YES, Kant abstained, and Gritzner voted NO. Motion Carried. ACTION ON 2008/2009 GRANT AMENDMENT REQUEST. Thornes reported that this grant expires on May 31st. Commission action to request a time extension to September 1st is recommended in order to complete the local district review process. And, depending the computer modeling project outcome, an amendment is needed either for: Plan A: reallocate $2500 to computer modeling project Plan B: reallocate $2500 to fund Deadwood PLT conference for Gritzner. The reason there is $2500 to be reallocated is due to the St. Paul Trust conference in which the BHPC was funded to send 4 people and only 2 attended. There’s been a carry-over and restructuring of funds ever since. Action: A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by McCollough, to request time extension to September 1st and reallocate $2500 for specified project. All present voted yes; motion carried. NATIONAL PRESERVATION WEEK ACTIVITIES:  Mayor’s Award for Historic Preservation Program. Judging will occur at the April meeting. Presentation of awards will occur at the May 12th City Council meeting during the 6 pm session with the newly elected Mayor Tim Reed. Note the award winners are typically selected from Commission and/or staff generated nominations and outside/owner nominations are rarely made. Members were asked to be thinking about the preservation projects that have occurred since May 2008. Note that the project must be completed.  “Preservationist” Newsletter. This is a grant funded activity, so the Commission is required to produce a newsletter during Preservation week. Members identified the following possible topics and assignments: PLT experiences, Mayor’s Awards. The deadline will be mid April with the insert the week of May 4th.  Other activities? The Commission discussed a press release for National Preservation Week. Gritzner volunteered to find samples. Willert agreed to do a radio show during Preservation Week. (Kant left at 5:25 pm) UPDATES:  2009 Preservation Leadership Training – Deadwood. Janet Gritzner is submitting an application to attend this year’s event. The deadline is March 31st to apply. Mayor Munsterman has agreed to write a letter of recommendation for her.  Commercial District Re-survey Findings and Phase II of project. SHPO has sent their presentation and pictures on disk so the Commission can review it in further detail. Thornes suggested time to review the information before scheduling at a meeting.  Future Additional National Register Listings. Thornes asked if any Commission member would be willing to contact the owners of 502 Fifth Street to officially ask if they would like their home listed on the National Register. If the owners are interested, she asked that the member assist the owners in completing the preliminary assessment forms. Gritzner volunteered. HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND PROPERTIES. A. Central Residential Historic District—National Register District  Action to provide official comment on SDCL 11.1 Review for project at 506 Third Street for inclusion in case report. The State Office is requiring the submission of an abbreviated case report on this project. They are further requiring an official comment from the BHPC to be included in that report. Members were provided with the draft Abbreviated Case Report, Case Report Standards, City of Brookings Internal Process Summary, and correspondence on the project. Action: Details regarding the 11.1 process are enclosed. The Commission will be asked to review the draft report and take one of the following actions: (a) Agree with the findings of the case report; (b) Disagree with the findings of the case report; or (c) Decline to comment on the findings of the case report. ITEM TABLED. B. Commercial District –National Register District  DBI Report (Willert will provide update)  Update master plan request (see enclosed correspondence) Calendar March 31, 2009 Grant Deadline March 31, 2009 PLT application deadline April 12, 2009 National History Day Events @ SDSU May 4, 2009 Newsletter May 12, 2009 Mayor’s Awards Presentation June 1, 2009 Funding Notification June 20-27, 2009 DEADWOOD PLT July ??, 2009 Porch Tour – University Week for Women Oct. 13-17, 2009 National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conf – Nashville, TN Oct. 26-30, 2010 National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conf – Austin, TX Tentative April Agenda Items: City budget request, Local District Process, Action on Mayor’s Awards, Newsletter, Porch Tour. Meeting adjourned. Submitted by Shari Thornes, Brookings City Clerk