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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 04/25/2002 • [;1926-• 4 MINUTES c%31 ‘,/LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING m CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS APRIL 25, 2002 0 s�£ZL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Alan Belcher, Vice Chairman Ms. Sharon Brower Mr. Michael Cleary Dr. Richard Moore Mr. Terry Orf Mr. Elmon Phillips Mr. Bunny Tinker MEMBERS ABSENT: Ms. Susan Abarca (Excused) Ms. Deborah Douglas, Chairman (Excused) Mr. Myron Grossman (Excused) Dr. Thomas Kreneck (Excused) Ms. Grandis Lenken (Excused) Mr. Kevin Maraist (Excused) Mr. Tom Stewart (Excused) Mr. Alan Wahiers (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Mr. Michael Gunning, Planning Director Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon, City Planner Ms. Linda Williams, Recording Secretary Mr. Alan Belcher, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was not declared. DISCUSSION ITEM: Landmark Commission/Sesquicentennial Committee Update on Fundraising effort for Video Production: Ms. Macon stated she met with Patti Garcia, City Staff Grant Writer, who assisted the Landmark Commission in writing the grant proposal to THC for the video production, and Carol Scott, Chairman of the Sesquicentennial Committee, to discuss the outline of the video production and the fundraising effort. Ms. Macon continued that from this meeting, Ms. Scott informed them she was preparing and doing fundraising activities and three people from the business community had been contacted regarding working with the Sesquicentennial Committee in their fundraising efforts. Ms. Macon stated that the total funding to date for the video production is $19,240 — with $4,240 out of the $10,000 that the City appropriated to the Sesquicentennial Committee plus the $15,000 grant from THC. Ms. Macon continued that approximately $45 to $50,000 is needed for the video production and the Sesquicentennial Committee will attempt to raise the additional funding needed. Ms. Macon went on to say the three persons working with Ms. Scott and the Sesquicentennial Committee in contacting community supporters are Tony LaMantia of Budweiser Beer Distributing, Rick Geiter, of Padre-Staples Mall, and Debbie Farenthold. The group will begin their fundraising activities on Monday, April 29, 2002. Ms. Macon stated in the meantime, the Planning Department, with the assistance of Landmark Commission members and Patti Garcia, will be putting together the RFP for hiring the producer under professional services. Ms. Macon continued that once the draft is compiled, the Landmark Commission would review the specifications to ensure that everything was included that the commission required, after which the Sesquicentennial Committee will have its review. Ms. Macon added that the RFP couldn't be submitted until funding was actually received. SCANNED Landmark Commission Meetlnt160 S April 25,2002 Page 2 Once the funds are obtained and appropriated by City Council, staff would then forward the RFP to potential suppliers. Ms. Tinker asked how long would it take the Sesquicentennial Committee to raise the additional money and Ms. Macon answered she did not know how long It would take. Ms. Macon continued she felt that since the three individuals working with the committee were well known in the community, the fundraising effort might be very successful and expedient in securing the additional funds. Ms. Tinker asked Ms. Macon if the Sesquicentennial Committee would make available their entire $10,000 budget and Ms. Macon responded that on the grant received from THC,a portion of the $10,000,that being $4,240, would be used as a match. Ms. Tinker stated she wanted t0 be sure she understood that the Landmark Commission would be working with the $4,240 from the Sesquicentennial Committee's.budget In addition to the $15,000 THC grant totaling $19,240 and Ms. Macon stated that was correct. Mr. Phillips asked if Mr. Glen Ely from Forest Glen Productions would be involved in the fundraising effort and Ms. Macon answered no. Ms. Macon explained that according to Ms. Scott, the fundraising effort would come through committee members along with the Landmark Commission and focusing primarily on the three aforementioned individuals working with the Sesquicentennial Committee. There is no definite timeframe In which they are working with In obtaining the funds. Ms. Macon continued that in the meeting, It was discussed that even though the big kick-off celebration was scheduled for September 9, 2002, the video production might not be completed by that date. The celebration would be for the entire year and the video production could be the final gift to the city during the end of the year (December 2002) for the NeW Year Uanuary 2003). Dr. Moore asked what would the three individuals be doing in the fundraising effort and Ms. Macon stated that they would be contacting various businesses, corporations, and individuals requesting them to underwrite the Sesquicentennial Celebration and other expenses associated with producing the video. The potential sponsors would be recognized through television spots and other media recognition. Ms. Macon continued that the committee is looking at having a community-wide picnic in which various brochures would be made available acknowledging sponsorship by the various businesses, corporations, and individuals. The committee also considered the idea of hosting a banquet for the celebration, but that idea has not been finalized or agreed upon by the full committee. Ms. Macon stated that she and Patti Garcia will be working on the preliminary draft of the RFP and once It was completed, the commission will review the document. Ms. Macon continued that since several commissioners are also on the Sesquicentennial Committee, they would be able to take the RFP to the next committee meeting for their review and input before it is finalized. Ms. Tinker asked if the RFP would have an impact on future grant requests to THC and Ms.Macon answered no. Mr. Phillips asked if the commission would be allowed to do a sole source in selecting the producing company for the video. Ms. Macon responded that If the RFP were sent out under professional services, then the City would not be obligated to accept their particular response based on the lowest bid. The bid could be accepted based upon exact specifications outlined in the RFP. Ms. Macon added as a note of Information that Mr. Ely's video production company was one of the few companies whose focus was purely on historical video production. Ms.Macon continued she would be investigating the possibility of using a local provider, Quadrant Productions, who has a contract with the City. If Quadrant was utilized, then a RFP might not be necessary, but further investigation was needed. Ms. Tinker asked if the commission had t0 wait until the Sesquicentennial Committee raised the additional money before contacting Mr. Ely about coming back to Corpus Christi and Ms. Macon answered yes. Ms. Macon explained that the City, In the past, had encountered several problems when projects or programs funded by a grant with Landmark Commission Meetinjklt 410 April 25,2002 Page 3 unsecured funds had begun before all funds were collected. All projects/programs cannot start until the money has been secured and appropriated. Ms. Tinker asked what would happen to the$4,240 if the Sesquicentennial Committee did not raise the additional money. Ms. Macon explained that the $4,240 was secured since it was indicated on the THC grant application that it would be used as matching funds for the video production and through the grant acceptance by City Council. Ms. Tinker asked what would happen to the THC grant money If the Sesquicentennial Committee only raised enough money to fund their citywide picnic and banquet. Ms. Macon answered that the Landmark Commission would still have the $15,000 grant and during the next funding cycle, the commission could apply for additional grant money from THC and use additional in-kind city personnel service for the match. Ms. Macon continued that another option would be to return the$15,000 grant to THC. Ms.Tinker stated she wanted to state in the minutes that she spoke with Margaret Walberg this morning about this project and she felt that Ms. Walberg should be Included on the steering committee once we reach the production point. Ms. Tinker continued for those who were not familiar with Ms. Walberg, she is very active with the Friends of the Courthouse, Nueces County Historical Commission and the Society. Ms. Walberg spoke with Anita Eisenhauer, also of the Nueces County Historical Commission, and they both agreed that Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wa!raven (Mr. Walraven formerly worked for the Caller-Times) should definitely be on the steering committee. Also, Ms. Tinker referenced the 1982 Historical- Architectural Preservation Plan" that was completed by the Nueces County Historical Commission. Ms. Tinker stated that the plan was prepared for survey purposes. Authors of the plan were trying to tie in structures, particularly to the various Important chronological events in the development of the city and county, which could be used as a partial format for the video. Ms. Macon stated she had one other comment to share with the commission. In discussion with Ms.Scott, Ms. Scott stated that at the end of this project, a keeper of the video would need t0 be established that would be responsible for distribution and sale of the video. Ms. Macon continued that one possible suggestion was briefly tossed around and that was that the video could be kept at the Museum or the Central Library. Ms. Macon went on t0 state there will be other Items t0 be decided upon - such as how many copies of the video will be available free of charge and who will receive them. Ms. Tinker stated that this scenario was the first example of who would have control of this project and Ms. Macon stated these were only suggestions that were being discussed, but they are items that need to be addressed. Ms. Tinker stated that KEDT TV has produced three films on the history of Corpus Christi. One was specifically done on the 1914 County Courthouse and there were two done on the development of the city - one film covered up to 1920, and the other one covered from the 19205 and beyond. The films were scaled down and teaching materials were developed along with it. Ms. Tinker suggested that the commission make arrangements to view the three films to make sure that we were not reinventing and paralleling the same information. After a brief discussion, Ms. Brower volunteered to contact KEDT-TV regarding the possibility of checking out the films for review by the Landmark Commission. ACITION ITEM: Approval of Minutes for March 28,2002 Meeting:The minutes will be approved at the May 23, 2002 regularly scheduled meeting. Landmark Commission Meetlne S April 25,2002 Page 4 OTHER MATTERS: Overview of Old Bayview Cemetery: Ms. Macon stated that Herb Canales, Director of the Libraries, has a video production that was also included on the website of the Bayview Cemetery. Mr. Phillips clarified that It was not a video, but It was a joint project between the Nueces County Historical Commission and the Library. The commission was responsible for doing research and gathering the material and library staff placed the Information on the Library's web site. Ms. Macon stated she spoke with Mr.Canales and he agreed to give a presentation on the web site at the commission's next meeting. Mr. Phillips briefly explained how the web site was developed and how one could access the web site. Ms. Macon stated that David Andres of the Park and Recreation Department would like to address the commission on several issues-CDBG funding for the Old Bayview Cemetery and the latest update on the Gold Star Court marker. Mr. Andres stated he was asked t0 attend the Landmark Commission on behalf of Mr.Tony Cisneros, Director of Park and Recreation. Mr. Andres continued that there were several Items he wanted to update the commission on that were discussed at the last meeting. • Park and Recreation staff submitted a request for CDBG funding of $50,000 to continue improvements to the Old Bayview Cemetery. The Planning Commission's recommendation was $35,000 for the project. Mr. Andres continued that based on the minutes of the last meeting, commissioners discussed following up with council requesting that the original amount be reinstated. • Mr. Leland Johnson, Gold Star Court project, has been in contact with the vendor regarding the monument at the Gold Star Court. Mr. Andres continued the cost to reset the monument was rather expensive. The high cost probably has to do with the vendor's feeling that this was a foundation type requirement even though the monument was proposed to Ile flat on the ground. The concern today Is that the cost to lay the monument down by a vendor was too expensive. Mr. Andres stated that Mr. Cisneros wanted him to inform the commission that Park and Recreation staff would have to consider further trying to find another solution to have the work done In- house. Ms. Tinker asked if the dirt could be removed and replaced with sand and fasten a chain to a mower tractor and drop the monument In place. Mr. Andres answered that from some of the earlier discussions, there was concern that whatever was done with the monument, the manufacturer would be concerned that it was not properly supported and could be damaged if professionals did not handle it. The solution may not be as simple as It appeared. Mr. Andres continued that the vendor had some thought and expressed ideas that a foundation was needed t0 keep the monument from slipping even when It was laid down. The project was still in the works. Mr. Phillips suggested that the best thing to do at this point was to remove the tombstone/monument and place it in one of the Park and Recreation maintenance yards until a solution could be found. Ms. Tinker concurred with Mr. Phillip's suggestion. Mr. Andres was asked if he had any idea of what the cost was for the vendor to reset the monument and Mr. Andres stated he wasn't sure, but he Landmark Commission Meetinle April 25,2002 Page 5 thought it was approximately$6,000. Mr.Andres stated that he felt this was reason for the feeling that to spend this much money to have the foundation reset and was to too expensive an another solution needed to be found. Mr. Phillips commented that he thought the project would have been done in a timelier manner and the project completed by now. Ms. Macon expressed thanks to Mr. Andres for attending the meeting and updating the commission on the Old Bayview Cemetery funding and the status of resetting the monument for the Gold Star Court. Mr. Michael Gunning, Planning Director, introduced Ms. Margie C. Rose, Assistant City Manager of Development Services,to commission members and welcomed her to the city. Ms.Rose replaced Mr. W. T. Utter, former Assistant City Manager, who retired in January 2002. Ms. Rose comes to the City of Corpus Christi from the Detroit, Michigan area where she served as Assistant City Manager as well as City Manager. Ms. Rose addressed the commission. Ms. Rose stated she has attended a lot of commission meetings and was very familiar with how things worked together. Ms. Rose continued she was happy to be in Corpus Christi and was very excited about the opportunity of working with city staff and learning how all the pieces will fit together. Ms. Rose continued it was Interesting to hear the dialogue regarding the Sesquicentennial Committee and how this commission would be working together in planning the celebration. Ms. Rose stated she would be signing the THC grant packet so that it could be forwarded to City Council for final approval. Ms. Rose expressed thanks for being Invited to the meeting. There being no further business,the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Lin a Williams - c=Goo: - Ma s,Ci Planner Recording Secretary Staff Liaison IO Landmark Commission • IH:W ORDILANDMMKNPRILMINSO2.[IXI