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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 05/25/2000 ,e3 �2122 23z42S MINUTES ,�� ter',,, LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING AU N CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAY 25, 2000 w MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman °'sg t95l��� Mr. Alan Belcher Mr. Michael Cleary Ms. Lisa Garza Ms. Grandis Lenken Mr. Alan Lessoff Mr. Elmon Phillips Mr. Tom Stewart MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Sharon Brower (Excused) Ms. Betsy Chapman (Excused) Mr. Mark Luddeke (Excused) Mr. Kevin Maraist (Excused) Mr. Terry Orf (Excused) Mr. Jerry Wagoner (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. ACTION ITEM(S): Approval of Minutes for April 27, 2000 Meeting: Minutes for the April 27, 2000 meeting were approved as distributed. Specifications for Historical Web Site: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, addressed the commission. Before Ms. Macon began her presentation, commissioners were given two handouts - Historical Web Site Development Specifications and an index of photos to be included as part of the web site. Ms. Macon stated she met with Lisa Garza, member of the Historical Web Site Committee, on Wednesday, May 24, 2000, to discuss specifications for the historical web site and how it would be set up and linked to the site maps. Ms. Macon continued that more people are needed to work on the project. At this point, Ms. Macon referenced the "specifications" handout and asked commissioners to thoroughly review it and, after today's meeting, they can submit any comments to her so they could be included on the site. Ms. Macon went on to say that since the cost SCANNED Landmark Commission Meetrng 410 May 25, 2000 Page 2 of the project was under 510,000.00, Staff did not have to send out RFPs for a bid. Ms. Macon continued since no RFPs were needed, she has been working with Farenthold Consulting, LLC, a local firm whose expertise is in web page design and computer technology. Ms. Macon stated she and Ms. Garza met in the Planning Department to discuss specifics about what information and pictures to include on the web page. Ms. Macon briefly reviewed the content of the web site specification packet. Ms. Macon stated she was considering using the same picture on the home page and on the first page. Ms. Macon went on to say that planning staff suggested using a picture of moving waves. Ms. Macon reviewed the packet: 1. Page 1 - Outlines the specifications of the project; 2. Page 2 - Lists the sites, maps, and other historical links; 3. Page 3 - National Register Landmarks throughout the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County; 4. Page 4- "HC" Historical-Cultural Landmarks of the City; 5. Page 5 - "Potential Landmarks" of the City; and 6. Page 6 - "Historical Points of Interests" of the City. Ms. Macon concluded her presentation and the floor was opened for comments and discussion. Ms. Macon was asked if she had contacted any other companies besides the Farenthold firm and Ms. Macon answered that the contract was considered a continuation of web services this firm was providing the Planning Department. This firm's cost quotation was within the THC grant of 7,000.00. Ms. Macon emphasized again that she welcomed any additional input for the web page. Ms. Macon stated if after reviewing the photo index, and if more photos or sites should be added, the information should be forwarded to her as soon as possible so that the information can be given t0 the project consultant. Mr. Phillips stated he wanted to be sure that our web page would be linked to the Texas Atlas web site. Their web site has all of the historical markers in any county; which totals approximately 80 or more sites and includes a map of each marker. Mr. Phillips continued he would also like to see the Centennial House added to the link. After all comments and discussion concluded, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS. LENKEN AND SECONDED BY MR. STEWART THAT STAFF PROCEED WITH GETTING MORE INFORMATION ON THE HISTORICAL WEB SITE. MOTION PASSED. Landmark Commission Meet May 25, 2000 Page 3 Ms. Macon added that the Landmark Commission's web site would be linked with the Planning Departments web site and the Visitors and Tourist Bureau's web site. Draft Letter For Property Owners' Signature for Plague Installation: Ms. Macon distributed a copy of the draft letter for commissioners' review. Ms. Macon stated that Mr. Tony Cisneros, Director of Park and Recreation, has agreed to start installing the historical plaques in July or August and hopefully, have all submitted request for installations completed by the end of the year. Ms. Macon continued that an earlier meeting, Kevin Maraist, Landmark Commissioner, prepared a "hold harmless" agreement for City legal staff to review. That review has been completed and the agreement is ready to be sent to the property owners. A letter, along with the "hold harmless" agreement, will be sent to those property owners who agreed to list their properties on the "Potential Landmark" list. The letter and agreement should be sent out in June, if installations are going to begin in July. Ms. Macon stated she was very excited about installing the markers and the markers are very nice. Ms. Macon shared with the commission that the Erie Landmark company, the company that created the markers, was one of the vendors at the THC conference In San Antonio earlier this month. Ms. Macon continued that the Landmark Commission's plaque was displayed. Ms. Macon went on to say that the cost of the plaques was very reasonable. Mr. Phillips stated that he would like to get more information about the company to present it to the County Commissioner's court to obtain a bid for future markers. Mr. Phillips continued that the cost range from $900 to 51,100 for each marker, and he would suggest that they have an alternate source. If it is money to be saved, most counties do not have money to buy the markers. Mr. Phillips continued that last year they ordered five (5) markers. The company had to pay the difference of the cost out of their funds because the price increased after the County received the contract. After all comments and discussion concluded, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. LESSOFF AND SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION APPROVE THE DRAFT LETTER, AS SUBMITTED BY STAFF, AND THAT BOTH THE LETTER AND "HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT" BE SENT TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF POTENTIAL LANDMARK PROPERTIES AND "HC" DESIGNATED PROPERTIES. MOTION PASSED. Landmark Commission Meet Sfr May 25, 2000 Page 4 DISCUSSION ITEM(S): Historical Brochure Update: Ms. Macon stated that the first draft of the brochure is completed. More pictures were retrieved from the Central Library and will be included. Ms. Macon continued that the draft has been given to the committee for review and edit. Hopefully, everything can be taken to the printers within the next few months. After a brief discussion, no action was taken. Release of Personal Information to Public: Ms. Macon referenced the e-mail distributed to commissioners. The correspondence was from the City Secretary's office requesting staff liaisons to ascertain whether their board members wanted personal information released to the public. Ms. Macon stated if commissioners did not want their personal information released, it should be stated in writing and returned to staff. Mr. Phillips stated, as chairman of the County Historical Commission, he receives a lot of phone calls from interested citizens on preservation concerns and he personally felt it would be all right to release the information. After a brief discussion, no action was taken. OTHER MATTERS: Ms. Douglas stated that during the summer months, it was often difficult to obtain a quorum for meetings. Ms. Douglas continued that since Staff will be working to gather additional information for several of the commission's pending projects, she is suggesting that the June and July meetings be cancelled. By the August meeting, status of the projects should be further along. After a brief discussion, the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MS. LENKEN AND SECONDED BY MR. MCCLEARY THAT THE JUNE AND JULY LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETINGS BE CANCELLED. MOTION PASSED. Mr. Phillips informed commissioners that Margaret Ramage, member of the Nueces County Historical commission, passed after a lengthy illness. Mr. Phillips continued that everyone that knew of her knew she was an advocate of historical preservation. Ms. Macon added that Ms. Ramage also served as a Landmark Commissioner and was a member when she became staff liaison to the commission. 410 Landmark Commission Meetinngg May 25, 2000 Page 5 Mr. Phillips stated he spoke with Ms. Douglas about the material received from the Texas Historical Commission on the Church of Christ building at the corner of Furman Avenue and South Staples Street. The City determined that the building is not up to code and it has become a haven for illegal activities. Mr. Phillips continued that he also received a letter for property located at 1207 North Staples, which is the Old Harlem Theater. Mr. Phillips continued that last summer, there was a movement trying to get activity going on for the building. Mr. Phillips went on to say, since that time, staff informed him that the building has become a substance abuse house. The building had historical significance to the black community in prior years. The building was built in the 19305. After further discussion, no action was taken. Ms. Macon stated that at the last meeting, Mr. Phillips asked if he would be given the opportunity to speak about the Cold Star Court landscaping improvements and the city's approval of those improvements. At the last meeting, Mr. Phillips asked if there was a chance that the City would appeal its decision regarding those improvements. Ms. Macon stated that the City is in control of the contract and that contract was with John Wright to complete another phase of the improvements; but Mr. Wright is no longer involved with the project. Ms. Macon continued that as far as the appeal process at this time, after talking with management, staff would not support any change to the Landmark Commission's approved site plan during the appeal process. Mr. Phillips stated that the Junior League approached Mr. Cisneros regarding doing something with the landscaping around the Coppini sculpture and they were told that he could not do anything about it because it was on the National Register. Mr. Phillips continued that something should be done and that reason was not feasible, since the Gold Star Court was on the National Register. Mr. Phillips informed commissioners that County officials, along with Mr. Utter, are meeting in Austin with Attorney General to discuss funding with the restoration of the 1914 County Courthouse. They are waiting to see if taxing entities involved will waive the delinquent back taxes and the taxes can be used as matching funds. Hopefully, more information will be available for our August meeting. Mr. Lessoff informed the commission that today would be his last meeting. He accepted a position out of town. Commission members expressed best wishes to Mr. Lessoff in his new position. Landmark Commission Meeting May 25, 2000 Page 6 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. • l `i • �yDO�/�Q'IYLGCBr, Lind Williams �41Aa_ •.rryce G4,de-Macon, city Planner Recording Secretary Staff Liam•n to Landmark Commission 1F4:WORD\LINDA\LANDMARK\MAYMINS00)