Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-02Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 1 of 16 City of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Meridian City Hall – Mayors Conference Room February 2, 2006 Minutes 1. Roll-call Attendance: X Walter Lindgren – Chair X Frank Thomason X Tom Hammond – Vice Chair X Carol Harms X Steve Turney X staff – Will Berg 2. Adoption of Agenda: Lindgren: Has everybody had a chance to review the agenda? Does anybody have any comments or would like to add anything to that agenda or we can deal with that in miscellaneous business I suppose? Hammond: I would make a motion to approve the agenda. Turney: Second. Lindgren: Discussion? Call the question. All those in favor? ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Adoption of December 1, 2005 Meeting Minutes: Lindgren: Did we – I am not even sure if we’ve seen those. I am sure I have. Berg: We emailed those last month. Lindgren: Last month? Okay. It’s been a while. Berg: They haven’t changed. Lindgren: Has everybody had a chance to review those? (Inaudible discussion) Lindgren: Oh, I did look through those. I apologize. I was struck by how it is verbatim. Berg: It’s pretty close. It is kind of a simple thing that we do at our Pre-Council. We have to continue that and some discussions you may want to have a little bit more of Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 2 of 16 a discussion when recorded back and forth because there might be some issues that you make, but we can sure do summary or not – Hammond: I like that format myself. Lindgren: Yeah, I do too because what it doesn’t do is interpret. It is really stating what was said and discussed. I am okay with this. Berg: Well, my staff does that and I did it because I haven’t been to these meetings for a while to see kind of what is and what isn’t important to you. I don’t want to assume or my perception be different from what really you are trying to get across. We can kind of try and figure out what we want to do with minutes or just tell me – Lindgren: I am okay if it is not putting your staff out to do this. Berg: It’s a little work, but it’s not that long of a meeting. I mean you have got to look at P&Z meetings and City Council meetings are very long and – Lindgren: Well, exactly they have other things that they have to be doing too. Berg: We do other things – Lindgren: As long as you are comfortable with it. Harms: This is more of a transcript than minutes. Is that what we want a transcript rather than minutes? Thomason: Either works. Lindgren: Okay. Well, I think we – Berg: Not a verbatim – because we don’t type everything that is said – Lindgren: Just the substantive stuff? Berg: We just try to keep it so it does make a complete sentence or sense or understandable thought – (Inaudible discussion) Thomason: Yeah, I have seen this. Berg: We can modify them or go whatever direction you want. Lindgren: I think that is fine. Does anybody have any thoughts? Carol, do you have concerns about whether it’s a transcript or just minutes? I mean, I think the meat is Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 3 of 16 there regardless, so if you are comfortable doing it that way Will, we are fine with it I suppose. Berg: We can work with it and just kind of go with whatever you like. Lindgren: Okay. Harms: I just get so much paper I would prefer summaries, but if everybody else wants the transcript then we can go with the transcript. Berg: I guess the concern when we always talk about minutes is that looking back five years, ten years and what is really happening in some of these discussions, sometimes summaries make it think like well that was a fast decision, when it really wasn’t. A lot of issues were brought up to make a final decision with things that happen at City Council and it is kind of nice to have that history behind – well, this was brought up, but we kind of decided this other thing and now several years from now well this should have been a major concern, but they did talk about it and at that time whatever perception that was – so we can wade through it. Lindgren: Well, sometimes it is more difficult to put – because you are putting stuff in your own words, what was actually discussed and you are trying to translate that into a simple paragraph as well. Thomason: I like your point, Mr. Chairman, that there is a certain interpretation placed with regular minutes and often you are going back years later, you are trying to find out what was the intent of the Commission when they took that particular action? That is why I say either is fine. I actually prefer the transcript because you get more to the sense of the flavor of what statements were intending to convey. Lindgren: You bet. You bet. You don’t have to print it (inaudible). Should we make a --? Hammond: I would make a motion to approve to adopt the new minutes as presented. Lindgren: Is there a second? Thomason: Second. Lindgren: Any discussion? Call the question. All those in favor? ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. Lindgren: And maybe that is a work in progress. Maybe at some point in the future we can reserve that right and just say you know by the way we feel like we should start streamlining that a little bit. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 4 of 16 Berg: Sure and maybe I could modify by not having every little – Lindgren: Well, I am adding to your minutes the longer I talk, but you know not all of that has to be – I think your staff could look at that and say this is really not relevant to the meeting, it’s just discussion. Berg: Sure. 4. HPC’s Role in Emily Peeso’s Historic Registered Structures’ Presentation to Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, February 7, 2006: Lindgren: Okay, Tom you want to talk a little bit about that and what we talked about? Hammond: She is on board to speak Tuesday, next Tuesday at 12:00, well lunch is 12:00 and she speaks at 12:30 and she has until 1:15. A lot of times they are done with their presentation by ten till then and they answer questions for ten minutes. Lindgren: Okay and you and I spoke. I would go ahead and send an email to – just kind of a reminder here – I will shoot some out tomorrow and copy you and in that email I would suggest that she pass on or maybe I will start that dialogue and have you ask the questions that you need from her in terms of biography or some sort of way to introduce her. If this committee or members here – Thomason: Mr. Chairman on this subject I am happy to report that I forget the exact meeting, but several weeks ago and we showed up – December 7th, Pearl Harbor day and it was Valley Times’ distinct pleasure to buy her lunch and I think she was looking over the form where she is going to be making the presentation, which is a very sensible thing for her to do. She knows about the meeting and the people there. Hammond: I think she thought she was going to make her speech that day on December 7th. Thomason: Oh, is that why she came prepared? Lindgren: Well, maybe we didn’t communicate well enough, but I thought we had, but maybe not. Hammond: We will make sure she is a speaker for sure this time. Lindgren: Anything else on that? I think we have got it under control. I appreciate that Tom, thanks. 5. Continue Dialogue on HPC and Chamber’s Business After Hours in August 2006 at Finer Frames: Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 5 of 16 Hammond: Well, we are going to do a joint venture with Meg Peters at Finer Frames on August 17th. She has the after hours that night. I asked her a couple of months ago and she said that would be great she would love to do that. Lindgren: Do we want to start thinking about how we want to push that one --? Hammond: She is involved in framing those for the city and stuff like that. I am not sure exactly what she did, but I know she has been a real supporter of – well, maybe you can address it. I heard she framed a bunch of pictures for auctions and things like that. Berg: Yes, she did and that might be something to look at – get her some historical ones and maybe she will have time to put some kind of frames and costs to – Lindgren: Who funds that, though, is that something that this group could fund potentially or is that not really --? I mean, are you saying she is donating the framing? Berg: She could if she has a long enough time to, you know, get small pieces or whatever of the framework. I think that is something that you could approach her with as far as – Hammond: Well, I will swing over and talk to her with what we just talked about and maybe she has got some ideas. She is pretty creative. Lindgren: Sure. Berg: Some costs might be to get pictures made. I know Lila has some things up. Thomason: Well, if you go to the archives, they will charge you four bucks or something for just a print, which is reasonable. So, we could do several photos for not very many dollars. Lindgren: I think it would be neat. I think (inaudible) the bank for that for a deduction there. That is a legitimate funding opportunity for us, correct? Hammond: -- sponsor that with door prizes and they serve wine and that sort of thing and that is not free. Lindgren: Well, I don’t think we can. I think we talked about that at one point – for some reason I thought the wine and the alcohol – or maybe just pay for the food. Hammond: (Inaudible) this is what it would cost her to do it and we are going to contribute an “x” amount of dollars. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 6 of 16 Lindgren: Well, who would do that? Berg: Stacy or – what does it cost to have this? Is there a fee that you pay --? Lindgren: Yeah, the Chamber? Berg: Yeah, maybe that is something that we could help pay for that would be a legit expense – Lindgren: It’s something like $75. (Inaudible discussion) Lindgren: Is that expense covered though? Berg: A lot of the advertising. Lindgren: But, you are paying for other stuff beyond that, though, right? Berg: She could do that while you just kind of pay the initial fee. Lindgren: Could you follow up with her and next month let’s talk a little more detail about how we might do that? Hammond: Sure. Harms: Did anyone attempt for Boise (inaudible)? What she did was they put the minimum bid, they took hard wood from the Boys and Girls Club and they framed it and they had it up on the wall and you could bid on these and the minimum was $25 and I my guess is, but I don’t know, but my guess is that was her cost for the frame and matting. So, that is how she recovers that part of it and everything over that I assume, too, but I don’t know. It just seemed like $25 was the minimum, so that must be – Turney: A lot of fundraisers do that to kick it up and to start it out a little heavier. I attended one that they just put (inaudible) way too high and then they went and crossed them all out. So, I don’t know that it’s a direct reflection of what it cost them. Sometimes they are just saying I am not going to give this to you for five bucks, so you have got to give a decent bid. Harms: But they were nice frames, nice matting and they were over $100. Thomason: She does a great job. Harms: So, I just can’t imagine she would have donated that much. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 7 of 16 Lindgren: Are you – Harms: Am I an owner of one of those? Yes I am. Three of them. Lindgren: Do you think that that is the way to approach this maybe that you start off with an auction of some sort? Harms: (Inaudible----) cost and maybe she would be willing to just let us pick with that. What do you think? Lindgren: Verses a door prize, you say? Maybe have more of an auction type? That is an interesting thought. Could you present that to her? Hammond: I don’t know if (inaudible) auction things off. It is more of a networking agency, promoting their business. Lindgren: Kind of show up with your wallet and spend, but if you have a door prize essentially that is good too. Berg: That is a lead-in to some other activities that you guys should do. I mean, you have these pictures in frames, well that might be just a taste that we are going to be doing a little bit more things in the community as far as maybe having some things that you could bid on or auction off or even go into some of these fund raisers and promote your commission with supplying them with a picture frame and an antique picture. (Inaudible discussion) Berg: I have to say with those pictures those and I think Frank can attest to this it is nice to have a caption of what that picture is so much more so than just well this is an old picture, what is it? We have lots of them throughout the City Hall here that (inaudible----) and so you can usually say oh well that is just right there. Lindgren: Couldn’t the framing process have a small anecdote --? Berg: Sure, we would just want to make sure that we include that. I think that is a very important part. Lindgren: Yeah, she does the matting and does like a little so and so and this was shot back in – Harms: You don’t have to auction it, it could just be for sale, but my point is if you do that and you buy that and have it sitting there and nobody buys it where are you going to put it? Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 8 of 16 Lindgren: Initially, we were talking about a door prize, not even selling it. So, that is one way to approach it. Maybe just pose it to (inaudible) and maybe if you could get some thoughts, Tom. Okay. Hammond: Yeah, typically on the Chamber of Commerce after hours it is always free. Lindgren: When is the next one coming up? Berg: Is it the second Thursday? Hammond: It is February 16th. (Inaudible discussion) Lindgren: Okay Item No. 6. 6. Review Progress on Historic Signs (Tolleth House): Lindgren: In my monthly call to Mark Baltes. I talked to him today in fact on those signs. We both just kind of took off -- but, he is aware and he has all his material now. What he has mentioned to me is that he is going to do is email me a PDF image or a JPEG or whatever it is he is going to get. When I get that I will forward it on to you guys just for a final look. I just want to make sure everybody is on board with it. I think we have kind of beat this one to death, but you’ve all seen it. But, I think he is still trying to get through some color issues on those. I talked to him and said Mark we are motivated so get this thing rolling. Hammond: Did he order the metal that he is putting the ceramic onto? Lindgren: Yeah, the bronze? The porcelain, right. I think he has got all the materials; it is just a matter of getting his (inaudible -------) I guess that’s what you call it and he says that goes pretty quick. My comment to Mark was let’s not hold back. Let’s get this going. He also reminded me that we also wanted to get some pricing on how; I think we were trying to reduce our costs by looking at doing a number of (inaudible) at a time. So, yeah, he was aware that I was going to get those numbers. It will happen. Hammond: So, when he ordered the raw materials that he needs – are there more than just those two? Lindgren: No, I don’t know. I think he just got what was needed for this. I see your question, but I am not sure if that is – Hammond: So now we are just going to put in as much as we can get to that amount? If we get more stands then that is good too. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 9 of 16 Lindgren: Yeah, exactly. Whatever piece that that funding – I mean whatever that efficiency – so be it. Anything is good. Hammond: (Inaudible) that is going to be done locally. I would imagine that’s a good way to put the money -- because on the raw materials if we have another plaque, you know it is still going to have a stained style and everything, but with the text and all that, it will (inaudible-------). Then you won’t have a lot of raw materials sitting at the shop. Lindgren: I am really motivated to get those things out so we can get these other ones excited about it. I don’t think they understand or appreciate it or can see what the potential is. Anyway, we need to get that back on track. He mentioned to me that by next week this time, I would have an image emailed to me and I will forward that all to you guys. I think we have seen enough that I think we can handle it that way through an email saying yeah we are good, we are good. If you could just respond so I can get started and get this thing moving. So, hopefully by next meeting we will have progress or at least moving forward. 7. Review HPC Fiscal Budget and 2006 Goals on Which to Focus: Lindgren: I am not sure if I am prepared to talk about that. Is anybody? I apologize; I have been so busy I haven’t even had a chance to look at it. Anybody have anything? Carol, would you like to add anything to what we want to be looking at or --? Harms: Did we ever finish talking about Emily and about how we are going to maybe get her some money to operate off of while she is doing this? I missed one meeting so I don’t know if we got that resolved. Lindgren: We hadn’t. You know she called at the end of the year and just kind of what was the forecast for next year and I just said anywhere we will be needing a consultant, you know we feel comfortable with her and we will utilize her services. I think we still have some properties that she could be doing for us, getting some (inaudible) on and we can have her continue with that effort. Harms: I guess my thoughts are she has proven herself. She does outstanding work. Lindgren: She is very motivated, yeah. Harms: I hate to see her operating off of her own capital and then having to submit an expense plan. I guess we had talked at one time about maybe giving her money upfront. Is that in the budget? Is that something we can do, so she doesn’t have to - -? Lindgren: The problem with the terms of that contract was that maybe – Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 10 of 16 Harms: I thought is was going to be amended, though. Lindgren: Well, I think we felt that at that time that we decided that it had already come to that time – I think she has been paid in full for that effort. Well, I see what you are saying. I think we should revisit that contract because I think – Turney: -- I think it was a piecemeal on that contract – Hammond: Well, and I don’t think we can pay anything unless we are invoiced, unless we have something that is deliverable. Lindgren: Yeah, well I think your point is well taken that she shouldn’t have to do two months of work before she gets something. Hammond: We have strung her out a long time. Lindgren: Well, yeah and I just think that was a product of how that contract was established. You are right, we didn’t mention that. Berg: Well maybe just put it in the contract where she can be paid as she turns in an invoice, but if it lapses over a long period of time, a lot of times you can forget what is going on and progressive with the agreement. Lindgren: But, if she does any work it would be on the same contract with – is that how we – does that sound right? Harms: I think so, but what we kind of talked about was if she could present something and we all agree that she is then 35 percent of the contract could be billed and paid. Is that kind of what – ? Hammond: Yeah because that process takes months and months and if we can’t pay her until she gets the product and turns it in and I think that is how the contract read, she had to carry all of that and that is a heck of a burden, I would think. Harms: She was okay with it, but she wasn’t thrilled about it. To me she proved herself. Lindgren: I know I have an electronic copy of the draft at the very least, if not the final. I just have to go back in my archives and track it down. Hammond: Mr. Chair do we have access to the City of Attorney that could read it and say you know can we do this or some formal response? Berg: Well, I think I could make that suggestion to him and see if we can add a paragraph or language that says partial payments or – Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 11 of 16 Lindgren: Could you pose that to Mr. Nary, Will if you don’t mind and see what – I think our goal was not to set up a new contract for additional (inaudible) it is just going to tie her back because we have all this set up already. It is just general. Berg: So, maybe we could just do an amendment? Lindgren: That’s right. I think that is how we left it. Harms: Yeah, leave it flexible enough so we can make that determination if it’s 35 percent or 50 percent, where we are. You know we have to run that pass a whole legal review process to make that determination. Lindgren: And you read the thing after the fact and in the meantime she is three or four months behind. We probably need to get ahead of her schedule, too, because I am sure that her schedule is getting tight enough this year so that she is probably adding projects herself. I am just not sure if I have a good handle on what we could be beyond this survey work that we are doing. I don’t see us having new registered structures yet. Thomason: One possible thought or suggestion is the surveying of historic buildings that was done by the Historical Society back in the late ‘80’s is in desperate need of being updated. That might be something that we need to look at. Lindgren: Where is that? Is that at the library? Thomason: Yeah, it’s over at the (inaudible). It is a very good inventory from 1987. That is 20 years ago. Lindgren: What information would be in there that wouldn’t be in the survey do you think? Is there additional information, you think that would be helpful? Thomason: A lot of the buildings since then have changed owners. That would be one of the major (inaudible). Lindgren: No, but I am saying the survey that she is doing today, what sort of information is included in that historic survey? Thomason: Oh, well any change in ownership, I suppose or current ownership. Lindgren: Well if it is in the downtown corridor area, wouldn’t she already be surveying those or no? Hammond: You may need to get clarification. Thomason: That is true. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 12 of 16 Lindgren: That is what I am asking – Hammond: I think that is what – that was my impression and that is what she was doing is going through those and updating them. (Inaudible discussion) Lindgren: Is there additional information that can be found in those --? Thomason: I don’t know. We need to check with her. Lindgren: Yeah, you might want to see if she has a few extra minutes and maybe we could grab her and say you know what other things can we talk about. Thomason: She was actually going to all the buildings around downtown and doing updates of every single building? Lindgren: Wow. Do you have that stuff Will? (Inaudible discussion) Thomason: A good part of that may be done already. Lindgren: I think I brought it in a couple of months ago. She has got all of the black and whites and it is more information that you could probably – Thomason: Well, I guess I missed that. (Inaudible discussion) Hammond: Mr. Chair I might suggest that regarding Emily’s contract that perhaps we can ask the City Attorney again, do we want to perhaps do – it might behoove us to do a new 2006 contract with the verbiage that we can dole out money as she progresses and has costs and invoices like the photos, you know she had to carry that for a long time. Should we amend the contract last year and continue to amend that because that could be a contract that could be three years old or do we up the contract every year and complete the contract and close them by the end of fiscal year? It is a question. What is most appropriate? Harms: What is the most efficient? Lindgren: So, just have a running contract and update it?’ Hammond: It is a question. Do we continue to amend the contract where we could have a relationship with Emily for two or three years and have a three year contract Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 13 of 16 or do we open a contract for this fiscal year, close the contract for that fiscal year because we paid it and start a new contract? That is the question. Lindgren: So, maybe we do a quick review – Hammond: And if it is easier to amend? That is what I want to know what is the best and proper – Berg: I understand that is directed to me and I will follow up on it. Lindgren: Is that semantics or is it really a new contract? Do you understand – Berg: It depends on some bidding laws, too. Those are always changing. (Inaudible discussion) Berg: And so if she is continuing that scope of work – Lindgren: Well, what if we had her doing --? Berg: Well, it depends on whatever that contract says too. If it is so tight and she completes that and it’s a done contract – so, if you are kind of wanting to do another self-service that would extend to some other things then you could continue it. Lindgren: Certainly, that contract will get convoluted. Berg: I will see what he can recommend because if it’s just amending it – it is easier to clean it up and get it done one fiscal year to the next fiscal year because you are dealing with budgets and carrying things over. But, I will find out for you. Harms: And maybe dealing with other people. Emily may not be available because we were in the beginning phase of her career. She may have – Lindgren: Yeah, now she has a portfolio and a resume to build up on. You are right. She could be doing some other things. Hammond: Yeah, we should get a professional opinion on how we should handle that. Harms: I agree. Lindgren: Fair enough. Thomason: Let’s make a motion. Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 14 of 16 Berg: To kind of follow up on that last item, budget time is coming around for the city and so I am thinking right now is a good time to get looking into the future and what you may want to do and we are talking about money for a year from now, we are not talking about money this year. So, we need to look ahead because the budget process, enhancements and stuff – my budget calendar begins in March and April and the budget starts getting formulated in May with public hearings through the summer and approval in August. Lindgren: Seems like yesterday – Berg: I think these goals that you have down here, the 2006 goals almost – it will be 2007 goals because it is a continuous process, this budget thing rolls on. But, looking at what we are doing this year, we need to look to see what we are going to be doing next year. Lindgren: Because there are a few things – I think it would behoove us to at the next meeting to break those out and really just – Thomason: That would be excellent because by then we will have heard Emily’s presentation by then and then that still would be early enough to start this process. Lindgren: There are some other trips that are potentially coming up as a (inaudible) condition – whomever that is it’s fine. We do just have some things that we just won’t take our eyes off of and we do need to get back in that list and review it again because we had some good brainstorming and I think that the document has just been sitting over here. Berg: So, do you have that list in your computer? Lindgren: Yeah, I have got it. Berg: So you could just email that out and get it to people reminding them and start them thinking about those things – Lindgren: I tell you what I do. When I get marks that will trigger it and then I will get those 2006 (inaudible----) and I apologize it has been crazy I am sure for all of you guys. It has really been nuts for myself and the more we can stay on top of this stuff the better. Berg: Doing it all together probably helps motivate everybody – Lindgren: Yeah, agreed. Harms: Knowing that I think it has become even more critical that somebody on Tuesday visit with Emily and see if it is her intent to continue because if she is going Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 15 of 16 to go away, we may be looking at somebody much more expensive and the budget might not be able to handle it. Lindgren: Well, like I said two or three – maybe it was two months ago that she had asked the question what do you see coming up? She has got an interest to work with us, but I think we just have to find those tasks. Yeah, you have to keep it in front of her. Harms: Well, yeah, if she does get an opportunity, I would hope she would communicate with us that she is not going to be available and come up with a recommendation. Thomason: When I had lunch with her, she did offer the information, which I think was good that she was able to sustain herself as a Pilates teacher, which is good in the sense that she is a freshly minted preservationist (inaudible) consultant so I think it’s best for her and us that I expect the association to continue at least for a short time. Lindgren: Yeah, you are saying income wise (inaudible) much happening – Thomason: -- yeah, and yet she appreciates being able to do this where she will gain some experience in that field. Lindgren: Well, in that same token we don’t want to take that for granted. Thomason: No, of course – Tom you will be at that meeting on Tuesday? Berg: Well, there will be three of us for sure that will be there. Thomason: Well, if our Chairman can’t make it then our vice-chair will be there and he can certainly – we will all be there. Lindgren: Any other business? Hammond: When is the Boston meeting or the Baltimore one? Lindgren: I want to say the end of May. Hammond: Because I had that in my palm pilot and my palm pilot got run over. Lindgren: Is that something you are interested in doing Tom? Hammond: Maybe things are getting kind of jammed up now. Lindgren: Let me check on that and when I get March stuff I will let you know. Remind me – Meridian Historic Preservation Commission February 2, 2006 Page 16 of 16 (Inaudible discussion) Lindgren: Make a motion to adjourn? Hammond: I move we adjourn. Harms: Second. Lindgren: All those in favor. ALL AYES. MOTION CARRIED. APPROVED: _______________________________ _____|_____|_____ WALTER LINDGREN - CHAIRMAN DATE APPROVED ATTEST: _______________________________ WILLIAM G. BERG, JR. - CITY CLERK