HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHPCMinutes_2010_05_06Brookings Historic Preservation Commission
May 6, 2010
A meeting of the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission was held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 4:00
p.m. in City Hall. Members present: Pam Merchant, Mary Bibby, Janet Gritzner, Dennis Willert, Pat
Powers and Ryan Hall. Shari Thornes, City Clerk, was also present.
Chairperson Willert called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
Agenda: A motion was made by Merchant, seconded by Bibby, to approve the agenda. All present voted
yes; motion carried.
Minutes: A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by Merchant, to approve the February 4, 2010
minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried. A motion was made by Bibby, seconded by Powers, to
approve the April 8, 2010 minutes. All present voted yes; motion carried.
Schedule next monthly meeting - Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
Report on State Historical Society Annual Meeting. Bibby and Hall attended the State Historical
Society Annual Meeting in Pierre on April 30th-May 1st. Hall said he found the SD history sessions helpful
being a newcomer to the state.
Bibby submitted the following written report.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2010 HISTORY CONFERENCE
April 30-May 1
Pierre, SD
Mary Bibby Report
“The 2010 conference "Prairie Politics...From Territory to Today" was exceptionally well programmed
and enthusiastically received. Co-moderators Bernie Hunhoff and Dusty Johnson contributed greatly to the
overall high quality of the meeting and kept things moving along with humor and tact.
Each presentation was excellent and it is difficult to select any most outstanding. But the crowd favorite
seemed to be Saturday morning's First Families panel discussion. Former First Lady Pat Miller, First
Daughters Patricia Mickelson Adam and Connie Herseth Jacobs, and First Son David Mickelson shared what
it had been like to live and grow up in the Governor's Mansion. Describing both funny and sad moments,
they all agreed that it had been a wonderful opportunity. They also marveled at South Dakota's unique
openness and freedom of movement afforded the First Family.
Other speakers were Tom Isern from North Dakota State University, Bill Pratt from the University of
Nebraska, Elizabeth Smith of USD, Bob Burns and John Miller from SDSU. Jeff Means of the University of
Wyoming acknowledged "yes, one of 'those' Means" and gave a fascinating and provocative analysis of
Native American culture and politics. Author Jon Lauck and reporters Kevin and Terry Woster
participated in an absorbing "Politics Then & Now" panel discussion.
Stephanie Rissler of South Dakota Public Broadcasting showed segments of a new documentary she has co-
produced of the State Capitol Building. Photographer Tom Dempster presented incredibly beautiful slide
show photos he had taken during the 2009 and 2010 legislative *sessions. The Capitol celebrates its 100
Anniversary at a special rededication on June 19, 2010.
Part of the fun of the conference was the good-natured interaction between "Historians" and "Political
Scientists" and challenges to conclusions reached. Dynamics and participation among audience and
speakers was also impressive. The only downside to me was disappointment that the timeline of most of
the presentations and discussions ended with the 1940's, the emphasis being on territorial developments and
early 20th century politics. I had hoped that more would be said about the latter part of the century. But
that may require a whole new conference.”
2011 City Funding Request. Next year’s city funding request deadline is June 18th. Thornes
anticipates level or minimal increase funding mandates. Level funding is $3,600.
NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES & DISTRICT REPORTS:
Central Residential Historic District
City/County Expansion Plans & the State 11.1 Review Process. Bibby and Willert met with Jeff
Weldon, City Manager, on April 23rd to request clarification on the review process and project
timeline. The City and County take ownership of the properties on June 1 st and hope to have the site
cleared by September in order to install footings before frost. There may be an opportunity to save
some houses because some current owners have expressed interest in moving their structures or have
secured other interested parties. Bibby expressed a desire to complete this phase of the review as
expediently as possible so that more focus and concern is given to the design review phase.
The current review process involves the BHPC hosting a public hearing to receive comments regarding
the removal of the structures. The Commission agreed to schedule the hearing for Thursday, June 3rd
at 5:00 p.m. and staff will issue a press release. The hearing will not pertain to the design. Additional
hearings will be held in the second review process. Assuming the case report is completed, the BHPC
is also scheduled to review and possibly provide its official comment on the report.
Members expressed concern about the short timeline to move the structures off the site and asked if
extensions would be possible. Questions were raised about how long the city will advertise the
properties, how salvage rights are being handled and how to keep the current owners from stripping
the architectural elements prior to an auction.
The Commission discussed potential bare lots to relocate houses and potential interested parties.
Jeff Weldon, City Manager, was invited to attend this portion of the meeting to respond to these
questions about the process. The City plans to provide 30 days notice prior to a public auction. The
current owners will not have any control over the properties or contents after June 1st. The City is
planning to give buyers 30 days after the auction to remove the structures. Preliminary schematic
plans won’t be ready until late summer.
Brookings Commercial Historic District
Downtown Brookings Inc. (DBI) Report. Willert reported on a number of events scheduled
downtown this summer including a combined car show and crazy days. John Seward, DBI Program
Manager, is working with Gritzner on the sketch-out project.
2010 Garden & History Festival Speaker – Wrap-up report – Excellent presentation by Harlan Olson
with a turnout of over 70 attendees.
PROJECT & ISSUES UPDATES/REPORTS:
Mayor’s Awards for Historic Preservation. The awards will be presented during the May 11th City
Council. Willert and the Mayor will make the presentations. Members thought presentations during a
council meeting are too impersonal. The Commission will consider hosting a reception for the winners
next year. A personal gift was also discussed.
National Park Service Funding. Thornes will submit this year’s National Park Service funding
application. Projects will include National board development opportunities, Phase II of the Loca l Register
Project and multi-day planning retreat.
Preserve America Signage. Members reviewed the ten draft Preserve America signs to be located in
the community and on campus. A number of concerns were expressed about various design elements
including photo placement, font consistency, colors and visual impact. Gritzner and Merchant volunteered
to work on the design for review at the June 3rd meeting.
SDSU officials have agreed to all the signs and would like installation completed by mid August.
Tour Guide(s) and other arrangements for University Week for Women Porch Tour .
Merchant is working on this year’s event on July 7th. She reported that Diane and Dave Kosbau have once
again graciously agreed to provide their porch for the end-of-tour reception. She is reviewing Jerry
McCollough’s tour guide notes and plans to conduct the tour.
Commission Membership. Les Rowland, local architect, has agreed to serve on the Commission.
Formal appointment is scheduled for May 11th.
Announcements/Correspondence/Communications. Merchant distributed brochures for the
“Growing the Arts, Growing South Dakota” program.
Calendar
May 11 Mayor’s Awards Presentation
July 7th Porch Tour
July 28-Aug 1 National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum, Grand Rapids, MI
Oct 26-30 National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conf – Austin, TX
Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Submitted by Shari Thornes