Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 02/28/2002 '7"`25 2627 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS FEBRUARY 28, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Ssusan Abarca , Ms. Sharon Brower `bi Mr. Michael Cleary .1 rLt Mr. Myron Grossman Dr. Thomas Kreneck Ms. Grandis Lenken Mr. Kevin Maraist Dr. Richard Moore Mr. Elmon Phillips Ms. Bunny Tinker MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman (Excused) Mr. Alan Belcher (Excused) Mr. Terry Orf (Excused) Mr. Tom Stewart (Excused) Mr. Alan Wahlers (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Ms. Bunny Tinker was requested to chair the meeting in the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. and the roll was called and a quorum was declared. ACTION ITEMS: No action items were scheduled. It was a consensus by commission members that the minutes for the January 24, 2002 joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board and the Arts and Cultural Commission will be approved at the March 27, 2002 meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Update on Artesian Park: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison, addressed the commission. Ms. Macon stated that at the January meeting, the Landmark Commission approved tabling the Artesian Park improvement project and placing it as an agenda item for the February meeting. Ms. Macon continued that this item was to be an action item. Since the joint meeting in January, the park plan was cancelled and Mr. Ed Harte withdrew his offer to donate $1 million towards the Artesian Park project. With the project drawing so much controversy and perhaps becoming a divisive issue in the community, the project will most likely not be pursued. Mr. Phillips asked what will become of the $100,000 CDBG grant funding allocated to the Coastal Bend Foundation for the park project since the project has been cancelled. Ms. Macon answered that if the money was approved for Artesian Park and it was spent for the project, all the Foundation had to do was submit a financial report outlining how the money was spent, along with appropriate documentation. If any of the money was returned, Mr. Norbert Hart, Director of Community Housing & Development, would have to include the returned funding for re-allocation. SCANNED - Landmark Commission Meetings V February 28,2002 Page 2 Mr. Grossman stated he was trying to figure out a way for the Landmark Commission to receive some of the funding to continue Improvements to the Old Bayview Cemetery project. Ms. Macon stated that it might be possible for several commissioners to have a meeting with Mr. Hart to see if the money could be redistributed for the next cycle. Ms. Macon continued that they are in the middle of this funding cycle and the public hearings to consider submitted requests have been scheduled for March. Ms.Tinker stated the Landmark Commission should write a letter to Mr. Hart requesting that the remaining portion of the 5100,000 be distributed to the Old Bay View Cemetery project, since the cemetery is a city-owned property with a "HC" designation. Ms. Tinker continued that if historical monies were available, the Landmark Commission should be able to apply for it. After further discussion regarding whether the commission should write a letter to Mr. Hart,the following action was taken: IT WAS MOVED BY MR. PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY MS. LENKEN THAT THE LANDMARK COMMISSION WRITE A LETTER TO MR. NORBERT HART, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, REQUESTING THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO RE-ALLOCATING THE UNUSED PORTION OF THE $100,000 RETURNED BY THE COASTAL BEND FOUNDATION, TO THE LANDMARK COMMISSION TO CONTINUE ONGOING HISTORIC RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLD BAYVIEW CEMETERY IN A BLIGHTED AREA. After the motion was on the floor, the floor was opened for discussion. Mr. Grossman stated consideration should also be given to other possible projects that the Landmark Commission needs financial assistance with. Ms. Tinker stated that the Texas Historical Commission is really promoting and making a big push on cemetery restorations. Mr. Phillips stated the Nueces County Commission and the Texas Historical Commission have been working together in trying to get a historical marker for the cemetery as well as getting the cemetery listed as an archeology site. Mr. Grossman asked how would getting the cemetery listed as an archeology site be beneficial to the cemetery and Mr. Phillips answered if the cemetery was also listed an archeological site, this would ensure that no digging would be allowed. Mr. Phillips continued that THC has an entire department that is devoted to helping cities in restoring historical cemeteries, but money is needed. Mr. Phillips went on to say there is a correct way to restoring the markers and headstones. Some family members have taken pieces of markers and headstones that have been broken or vandalized and had them placed in concrete. Mr. Phillips continued he knew a gentleman, a winter Texan, who has stated he is willing to restore the markers and headstones for$15,000. Dr. Moore asked if the Landmark Commission would be able to stipulate how the money could be spent on the restoration project and Mr. Phillips answered yes. Mr. Phillips continued there is complete Information on the Old Bayview Cemetery on the Central Library's website. There are approximately 1,500 pages complete with biographical Information and photographs if they were available, as well as photographs of their houses. The last burial that took place in the cemetery was in 1984. Mr. Phillips continued that approval has been received from the Veterans Administration to provide tombstones for the ten soldiers that died. There was reason to believe that they were buried somewhere in the cemetery. Mr. Phillips stated ten Oak trees were planted to commemorate the burial of the ten soldiers that were killed. Every tombstone and pieces of tombstone have been photographed in black and white. A new survey of the cemetery has been done listing all the gravesites. Mr. Grossman asked about the location of the Oak trees and Mr. Phillips answered the trees were planted along the fence line. Sprinklers have been installed to water the trees. Mr. Phillips continued that it was discovered that some of the damage to the downed tombstones happened when park maintenance workers were mowing the • Landmark Commission Meeting` February 28,2002 Page 3 grass. Mr. Phillips continued that the City has completed fencing of the cemetery. Concern was voiced when the Concrete Street amphitheater opened that people would be lounging in the cemetery to listen to the music since it was so close. Mr. Phillips stated that Geraldine McGloin and Rosa Gonzalez, both members of the County Historical Commission, have done a marvelous job on the cemetery restoration project. The County Historical Commission does not have any money to do additional Improvements. Money has been spent on the photographs and markers. The big money that is needed to continue restoration and repair to the tombstones should come from a grant. Ms. Tinker asked if THC would send a team from Austin to conduct a study on what is actually needed to complete the restoration project for the cemetery and Mr. Phillips answered that THC has an entire department that handles nothing but restoration of historical cemeteries. Mr. Garron Hite is head of that department. The department has a team that has traveled to different cities giving "how to" demonstrations. Mr. Phillips continued that if city staff would be performing the work, the THC team could train them, but there are professionals who do cemetery restorations. Mr. Phillips stated that some of tombstones were beautiful arts of work. The cemetery is very historical and the people buried there were very important to the development and life of this city. Mr. Phillips restated that the Old Bayview Cemetery website at the Central Library is a wonderful thing and it is much like the one they have for the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. They have completed a $5 million restoration to that cemetery. The website has the name of the deceased, along with a little information about the Individual, the tombstone with its inscription, and a photograph. Mr. Phillips stated that if the restoration to the cemetery was done properly, it could become a real tourist attraction for that area of the city. Mr. Phillips continued that the County Historical Commission has identified approximately thirty families that are still alive and have family buried in the cemetery. That group is thinking of establishing an organization "Friends of the Old Bar/lbw Cemetery" to get people to take part in the project and do something for the cemetery. After all comments and discussion concluded, motion passed. Update On THC Grant Funding for Video Production: Ms. Macon stated staff has not received the final contract from the Texas Historical Commission. In the original application submittal, it stated that two volunteers from the Sesquicentennial Committee and two staff personnel were included as part of the in-kind services, which were Susan Cable and Ted Nelson. Ms. Macon stated an amendment to the grant was submitted deleting the two staff personnel and adding more volunteers from the Committee. Ms. Macon continued that official approval of the re-submittal had not been received. Once approval is received, the grant contract will be forwarded to City Council for approval to accept the grant and obtain the necessary signatures. Ms. Macon stated until the grant contract is received, the project is in a holding pattern. Ms. Tinker asked about how long would it be before approval was received and Ms. Macon stated she would contact Bratten Thomason at THC for an update. Ms. Macon continued that it was her understanding that the National Park Service Department out of Washington, D.C. would send the contract to THC in Austin, and they would forward the contract to us. Ms. Macon continued that the revision to the original application caused the original contract to be placed back into the loop again for approval. Ms. Tinker stated she felt the Commission should move forward and establish the sub- committee that will meet with the producer of the video. Once the money was received, the committee would be in place and ready to start working. Ms. Macon stated that since there are no agenda items pending since the Gold Star Court members agreed to place the headstone flat,the agenda Item could be discussion of how commission members want the video to be laid out. Everyone would bring ideas to the meeting and a brainstorming • Landmark commission Meeting(*) I� February 28,2002 Page 4 session could take place. Ms. Macon continued that some of the items t0 be considered for discussion could be subject matter, which people, places, and what the commission would like for the end result to be. Ms. Tinker stated that having a format in place was a great idea, especially since the video will not have any re-enactments. Mr. Grossman asked how could the city's story be told effectively if the video did not include re-enactments and Ms. Macon answered re- enactments were more expensive. If additional monies can be obtained, It was possible to have re-enactments. After a brief discussion, Mr. Grossman and Dr. Moore volunteered to serve on the sub-committee. It was decided that the discussion item for the next meeting would be "brainstorming" on the format for the video production. The next regularly scheduled meeting Is March 28, 2002. Ms. Abarca suggested that the committee find a town that Mr. Glenn had successfully worked with and find out what items could have been improved upon during their video production. Other Matters: Mr. Phillips stated that March 2, 2002 is Texas Independence Day and the Nueces County Historical Commission is sponsoring a celebration of this occasion at 2 p.m. Mr. Phillips stated since he has been in Corpus Christi, the celebration has always taken place at the County Courthouse. Because it was held mid afternoon, attendance was very good. Refreshments of cookie and punch were served. This year the date fell on a Saturday and the courthouse will be closed. The celebration will be held at the McCampbell House In Heritage Park. Mr. Phillips continued that the celebration would probably be inside since the weather was predicted to be cold. Some refreshments will be provided, along with singing. As part of the program, Hannah Haegelin would read "Toast to Texas," written by Dr. Franz who wrote it for the Sesicentennial using Utopia water. Mr. Phillips extended an invitation to commission members t0 attend the celebration. Also, there will be a presentation about the man who wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence. Mr. Phillips stated he read that it was suspected that the declaration had been written before the writer left Tennessee. In fact, the declaration was agreed upon on March 1 and was signed on March 3, but it was backdated to March 2 in honor of Sam Houston's forty-third birthday. Dr. Kreneck informed commission members that the Texas State Historical Association was having its annual convention here in the city March 7th - 9th at the Omni Bayfront Hotel. Dr. Kreneck continued that various sessions would be held regarding the developing history of Corpus Christi. Dr. Kreneck continued the session he would be Involved with dealt with two particular periods of history-the 1919 Hurricane and various city plans that have been proposed dating from the 1940s to 1960s. Mr. Grossman asked what plans were involved and Dr. Kreneck answered one plan was written by Harlan Bartholomew & Associates. Dr. Kreneck continued that one scholar will deliver a paper on those plans, what they were all about, and what happened to them. A question was asked on how to obtain a copy of the program of the convention and Dr. Kreneck answered that an outline of the program might be on the Society's website, but he did not have any. Mr. Phillips stated if a person wanted to attend, you could join the Association for a $50 membership fee and the registration fee for the convention would be waived. The $50 would cover the annual membership fee. Dr. Kreneck stated if anyone wanted to attend any of the sessions, participants could pay by the day for the sessions attended. Mr. Phillips informed commission members that the sub-committee of the Texas Historical Commission for the Courthouse Program held a meeting on February 20, 2002 to determine the next go-round of grant recipients that will be awarded at their annual meeting in April. The sub- committee voted to appropriate $1.9 million for the restoration of the old county courthouses, but the recommendation has to receive final approval from the entire commission at their general Landmark Commission Meeting lir February 28,2002 Page 5 meeting in April. Ms.Tinker suggested each commissioner send a letter to the members of the sub- committee encouraging their support and approval of the appropriation of the $1.9 million for the 1919 courthouse. Staff was requested to bring the letters to the March 28, 2002 meeting. Ms. Tinker asked what was the status on the 'Potential Landmark" designation for property located at 1008 Furman Avenue and Ms. Macon answered she was waiting to forward the information to City Council once more requests are received. Ms. Tinker stated a sale is pending on the property and the owner would like to receive the designation as soon as possible. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5;30 p.m. VW ���•T� A �1t�'� u. A K Lind Williams \_, Faryce Good�r actin, Ci '•lann-r Recor 'ng Secretary Staff Liaison Landmark Commission IH WOROLLINDAaANMMARKIFEBMINWL.WO