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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.
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Lind Williams �41Aa_ •.rryce G4,de-Macon, city Planner
Recording Secretary Staff Liam•n to Landmark Commission
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