HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14
City of Meridian
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
Meridian City Hall – Mayors Conference Room
December 14, 2006 Minutes
Item 1. Roll-call Attendance:
X Walter Lindgren – Chair X Frank Thomason
O Tom Hammond – Vice Chair X Carol Harms
O Steve Turney
X staff – Will Berg
Item 2. Adoption of the Agenda:
Lindgren: Has everybody had a chance to review the agenda and would anybody
like to add anything or call the question? Could I get a motion?
Berg: Just a point, Mr. Chairman, the minutes for the November 16th aren’t quite
done yet as I explained earlier that we had some minutes for a special meeting that
we have been working on (inaudible) but our priority is trying to do them as they
come up. If I can I will get them emailed out to you so you will have time to review
them.
Lindgren: Can I get a motion?
Harms: A motion to approve the agenda with a notation on (inaudible--).
Thomason: Second.
Lindgren: Call the question and all those in favor to approve the agenda?
THREE AYES. TWO ABSENT. MOTION CARRIED.
Item 3. Approval of November 16, 2006 Meeting Minutes:
Lindgren: And Item 3 as we mentioned the minutes will have to be tabled until we
get a chance to review them. I guess we could do that at potentially (inaudible--).
Berg: Yeah, we will get them on the agenda for the next meeting.
Item 4. Budget / Finance Report:
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Lindgren: I guess we have a copy of that?
Berg: Yes, as you can see there isn’t a lot of activity, Mr. Chairman, but just so we
have a monthly activity report in front of you at each meeting.
Lindgren: A couple of items and we are going to talk about these upcoming projects
and the dollar implication for those as well and this is good to know. Also the CAMP
program. Did we formally – or do we need to bring that to a vote?
Berg: We discussed it, but I don’t think we formally (inaudible--).
Lindgren: Do we feel like we have enough information – we can call that – or
entertain a motion –
Harms: Well, I thought we had already done that and that we had already decided.
Lindgren: I thought we had, but maybe discuss it one more time. I guess I would
like to entertain a motion to approve that CAMP program and, I believe, the $1,500
assessment.
Thomason: So moved.
Harms: Second.
Lindgren: Okay, any other discussion on that. Call the question. All those in favor
of the approval of the CAMP contribution of $1,500 for that say aye.
THREE AYES. TWO ABSENT. MOTION CARRIED.
Lindgren: And again that is the – I can’t remember the acronym on that.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Any other items on the budget? I think officially we will start seeing the –
the Historical Society – is that the --?
Berg: Yes, but it pays for a telephone.
Lindgren: Okay. So, they do have some budget to work with.
Berg: They don’t necessarily have some budget to work from. We just have a line
item that we have that money taken out – that money isn’t given to them, no.
(Inaudible discussion)
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Berg: That $2,000 is a line item for their phones and s ome other miscellaneous
things that we have to do. We just kept it at that. This is separate. This is – we
haven’t spent anything.
Lindgren: But, this $2,000, though that is not out of our budget?
Berg: No.
Lindgren: So we do have a $2,000 budget for phone primarily?
Thomason: Well, Mr. Chairman if I asked the Historical Society utilize the city as a
conduit for funds from the State Historical Preservation office, so there has been an
ongoing line item is really what I think it is. It is not mon ey that the Society can
access.
Lindgren: It is allocated already? Okay.
(Inaudible discussion)
Berg: Yeah, it has been put it on there just so you know – we do have money that
we set aside to pay for some costs that are occurred by the Historical Society,
setting up the phone and the monthly phone bill as well as (inaudible). So, it is not
like they have money budgeted – we have a line item to cover the expense.
Lindgren: Any other questions or comments or discussion on the budget?
Thomason: Do appreciate seeing these on a regular basis. It is really great.
Lindgren: I would agree with that.
Berg: You can adopt the report, but there really aren’t any expenditures that we
(inaudible).
Item 5. Discussion of Upcoming Projects (website, walking tours,
additional signage):
Lindgren: A couple of things. I had a chance to talk with – it is an email from
Landmark Impressions, which is Mark (inaudible) our sign guy. That is – just to back
up for a second – are you guys familiar with the house s on – it is real close to Cole
Valley where the antique shop is on the side of the library? We put a sign – we had
Mark who is from Landmark Impressions put a sign together – I don’t know if you
have seen it – it is right on the sidewalk when you walk by there.
Berg: On State Street.
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Lindgren: (Inaudible--). It has got like a metal (inaudible) which is a stand that is
about two feet of a concrete pad and it has got the date of the structure because it is
actually a (inaudible) structure and registered with the -- so we have several
structures within the community that had to register quick with the Department of the
Interior. So, we have one sign that has been completed and what I would like to
propose here is to get some discussion and actually maybe even get a motion
moving forward to move two more signs forward. I have spoken with those people
and Mark who is the owner of Dorrie Studio right here and (inaudible) registered
structure as well as the Bell House, which is on 2nd and Pine.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: They are both very interested. In fact, I guess what I would like to really
do is to open up discussion on what is the Commission’s position and funding those
projects or do we ask the property owner to participate? They seem t o be open. I
just wanted to find out what our thoughts are or (inaudible).
Thomason: We had talked about maybe making a distinction between the owner of
the house or (inaudible--). I would be in favor of us doing that again for both houses,
unless the Commission feel it is more appropriate to consider some type of
dissipation by the property owner. We didn’t ask when, did we?
Lindgren: No.
Harms: I think that as long as we have – we don’t have anything else going on that
we should continue down that road. When the signage becomes so expensive that
we have to ask them to participate – that’s when we should ask them or maybe we
set a benchmark that we will do the first three years or the first five years and then
after that we will ask for participation.
Lindgren: You know I kind of echo that because I thought about it too, you know the
benefit that they get from it is probably secondary to what benefit of we as a
community at large really get because that is really what we are trying to do. I thin k
in many respects – it is nice that they are willing to partner this whole thing and
again it relatively not a huge intrusion, but at the same time (inaudible--).
Harms: Well, it is there and there are people going up to look at it, so it is especially
if it is residential.
Lindgren: Yeah, I have communicated to both of them. They both were very
(inaudible).
Thomason: Mr. Chairman has either the property owner by chance (inaudible --)?
(Inaudible discussion)
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Thomason: I would think that (inaudible) other sign would be a selling point.
Lindgren: I believe (inaudible) had.
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: I don’t necessarily think so and if that business moves out of there and
somebody else will come in and we may have asked somebody to participate and
they are not there anymore and whoever comes in has the advantages (inaudible--).
I agree with you – we are the ones with the primary benefits of this.
Lindgren: I kind of presented it that the Commission would fund it, but I needed to
confirm with the group. One thing that is not noted here and that is – and I assume
we can go talk with (inaudible--) again and I believe that was roughly about $250.
Does that number sound --? Will do you have a comment or --?
Berg: I think Bob was giving it to us for a pretty good deal, too.
Thomason: Yes and knowing him he would do it again.
Lindgren: One thing I would ask though that I noticed on Gwen’s is and maybe it is
an illusion, but it doesn’t look like it (inaudible--).
Harms: Is the ground settling?
Lindgren: Well, it could be because if that thing doesn’t go beyond (inaudible --).
Berg: $155.
Harms: He did give us a good deal.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: So given that, I would like to entertain a motion to get the next two mo ving
and without a price from Bob, we can have some latitude as far as roughly upwards
of $250 (inaudible) –
Thomason: Mr. Chairman, a question. The price actually has gone down
apparently? Is that correct?
Lindgren: I think so and I was reading that and it was late in the day, but I noticed
that and it certainly proves that way and I am not sure why that is.
Thomason: If true that is great.
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Harms: Because right up above it it says it still (inaudible) small increases because
the bronze casting is (inaudible) and continues to inch up and yet we are down. So,
if that is the case, I say we take advantage of that little sale.
Lindgren: It depends on how you broke out the $1,619. I mean, if you recall we
have got four or five, I think it was five that was decided on of the original plaques
(inaudible--). Mark is willing and ready to go.
Harms: Well, how many would you think? While this says three at the same time,
would be reduced to $1,085 each. We have at least two. Now we have more.
Thomason: Why don’t we go for three?
Harms: I would think so.
Lindgren: Do you want me (inaudible--).
Thomason: Oh yes, Larry Jones.
Lindgren: He has been a little reluctant about doing something like that so I am not
sure he is ready for that. But, the other one that has a (inaudible--). It is on the west
side of Meridian –
Thomason: On Pine on the south side of (inaudible--).
Lindgren: Yeah, if we can –
Thomason: The Neil House.
Lindgren: The Neil House, there you go. If we can get some latitude there, I have
not spoken to (inaudible) about it, but if that is a third that may be part of the motion
from this group if we are going to (inaudible--) make a phone call and see if he is
willing to be a participant, if not we will stick with two for now.
Harms: So moved.
Thomason: Second.
Lindgren: Well we are probably going to do it anyway. That is what we really want
to do. If we can have some efficiencies here and even with the pad itself if that
helps. (Inaudible--). Do we need – a motion and a second on that. Do we have any
more discussion on that?
Thomason: No, as I understand it it is a two or three depending on your discussion
with (inaudible).
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Berg: So, could I have a little bit clearer – money-wise on the motion?
Lindgren: The motion would be – certainly, two if not three signs. The signs
themselves – this is I believe (inaudible) installed is $1,085 for the sign itself, per
sign -- $1,085 – well that is if it is three signs, you understand? If it is two signs it
would be (inaudible--). So the third stand is in question on whether that is going to
happen or not. That will require a phone call.
Harms: So, we will make a motion to approve three of them, knowing we are going
to at least do two.
Lindgren: All those in favor of approval of the motion for a minimum of two signs, if
not three, including the cost to provide material (inaudible) money for the sign at
$1,175 each if it is two or $1,085 for three, also including the concrete pad, which is
approximately $200 per pad. All those in favor say aye.
THREE AYES. TWO ABSENT. MOTION CARRIED.
Lindgren: Another thing on the project, I spoke with Emily about where we were with
the survey work currently, what she say as being maybe any additional survey work
that she saw it being complete (inaudible--) and in general, she realizes that she still
does owe us some deliverables on her previous task. She has recognized that she
needs to get that to us.
Berg: Mr. Chairman, I just am wondering where on the budget you a re kind of
looking at this –
Lindgren: Oh, for that – okay –
Berg: Yeah, it starts adding up fast and if you look you have got public awareness
for $4,000 and then category number one is the surveyor (inaudible --) and that is a
good chunk. So, if you are going to do things at the Chamber or wherever, we are
going to have to be kind of – you have the $1,500 that you just approved also, which
–
Lindgren: (Inaudible). That initial $1,500 from CAMP (inaudible) taken out of that
account. (Inaudible--). I appreciate what you are saying and I recognize that.
Harms: We did get that done?
Lindgren: Yeah, it is funding in (inaudible--). Does anybody have any concerns
regarding that? Are you comfortable with that still? (Inaudible--). There are other
things that we may do this year or may wait a year, you know if we decide to
potentially even go for another structure to register or do whatever. I mean that to
me is really defined by funds available, even if that means at 2008 for that matter.
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(Inaudible--). I think those things are more flexible and the signs are ready to go and
we have got motivated people. In talking with Emily – just so you are aware her
schedule this year has tightened up quite a bit. She has taken on a second job, so I
– in so many words I am hearing that she is not really ready to take on necessarily
anymore survey work, if we were willing to pursue that further. I think she would be
interested in doing maybe if it is a unique project (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Just for the record, Mr. Hammond has entered the building and much
better because of it. Are you all right?
Hammond: Yeah, just busy.
Lindgren: Anyway, I don’t want to take our eye off of the website stuff. Maybe if I
can get with Steve offline, we may want to get that back on track. (Inaudible --).
Does anybody else have thoughts or suggestions (inaudible --)?
Harms: We probably do want to talk about whether or not we want to do this walking
tour. When was that going to be? Was that yours, Tom?
Hammond: Sure. Well, one thing that we want to do is get with Lila Hill and I don’t
think that has happened yet or did it?
Lindgren: Well, for other reasons I will get to that in a second.
Hammond: You know we had one done and the pic tures – I have not seen that
recently, but I know there is (inaudible--) and I think we can expand on that.
Lindgren: Yeah, we mentioned about updating that .
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: We have had an awful lot of new people move into the area t hat may be
interested to have that.
Lindgren: You guys were around when – how was it presented?
Thomason: (Inaudible--) the Historical Society project and if I remember right the
tours were held – we had the Centennial –
Hammond: Yeah, and Lila and some of the other people would take people around.
This was as a recording and you would have earphones –
Lindgren: (Inaudible).
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Hammond: No, it was all (inaudible). It was probably an hour walk.
Lindgren: I think that the conversation again was that (inaudible--) and identify the
houses –
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Maybe what could happen while she is still willing and able is to go ahead
and identify the properties and we could kind of collect that information of those
interesting stories. Obviously it is better (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: -- she if she wouldn’t mind going through the list that we have and I am
sure she has either got them written somewhere or I am sure (inaudible --).
Hammond: Well I saw her (inaudible) and asked if she would be willing to do that
and she said she would love to help.
Harms: When is the new city hall going to be built?
Thomason: In the spring of ’08.
Harms: (Inaudible--). We would want to do it before that is that what you are
saying?
Lindgren: Yeah, I think we have a few things to do prior, but the sooner we get that
information collected the better. Then again if we can do some typesetting or
whatever and just clean up (inaudible --). I think I am more curious on how to get the
public interest.
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: -- well and put those folks on a trolley and get other people (inaudible --).
Lindgren: When is our next big function?
Thomason: The Chili Feed.
Lindgren: Well, maybe we ought to be – the (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Hammond: Dairy Days and then there is the Scarecrow Festival.
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Lindgren: And the Dairy Days is what in June?
Hammond: In June.
Harms: That has your biggest group of people.
Lindgren: That is who we ought to be targeting right now because we usually
(inaudible--).
Thomason: Just a thought, Mr. Chair, you might contact Teri Sackman at Chamber
and just put a bug in her ear and let her know that we would like to be affiliated with
and get plugged into that planning process.
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: The Chamber does certain things. (Inaudible--) and as of last year
there is now a close association between the Dairy Board and the Chamber for Dairy
Days that wasn’t there the year before. So, this is good.
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: Well, let’s say we have a list of things. What would incense you to want to
do something like that? You don’t have to say yes because (inaudible --). We really
are curious (inaudible--). What would we need to do to get you there?
(Inaudible discussion)
Ingersoll: (Inaudible--).
Thomason: (Inaudible--) Cole Valley’s School newspaper and (inaudible--). Would
that get any response from students?
Ingersoll: Well, it would take (inaudible--) typing it or saying how interesting it would
be or how fun it would be to go (inaudible). We would be willing to do that too.
Harms: Get that as part of your classroom and curriculum and also ask you to help
because most teenagers want to do something, they don’t just wa nt to participate
they want to be doing something.
Lindgren: When they get there we want to it to be entertaining and make sure they
will be back, too.
(Inaudible discussion)
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Harms: So they could take a (inaudible) and put that together in more of a cool and
interesting (inaudible)?
Lindgren: Well and it’s important to get people there, but also leave with a really
good feeling (inaudible--).
Harms: Well, she is saying make the stories interesting or take the interesting
pieces of it. There is a way to tell it.
Lindgren: There is an existing flyer and we would need to update that I think.
(Inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: For example on Warm Springs in Boise, what I found interesting was that
two of the houses (inaudible--). The owner had died and they shipped (inaudible--)
back to the house. So, the box is still in the attic and they can’t get it out. And
another one had a little secret compartment because the prison was so close and
they would go in there to hide. See, tho se things are – because they still move the
(inaudible) and the little trapdoor would open and this space was so tiny, so you
know people used to be smaller. They really were.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I think it would be a good thing to updat e those, don’t you agree from
what they are? The information exists and I think we just need to kind of (inaudible)
and (inaudible--).
Harms: Well it is possible you might get a little bit of extra credit and something like
that might help with the motivation. I remember those days.
Ingersoll: (Inaudible--).
Lindgren: Well, some folks don’t appreciate that. We just have to be careful how we
(inaudible--). Anything else on that? The other thing if Emily and I guess if we have
other tasks for example and if she is not interested (inaudible--).
Item 6. Discussion of Meridian Archiving Project:
Lindgren: I met with Lila, Carol and (inaudible) from the Historical Society group.
We are struggling to figure out – it is one thing to archive it and that is probably the
easier thing to figure out (inaudible--). What I heard is late that afternoon Carol was
meeting with the Mayor and apparently from that – and Councilman Bird and from
that meeting apparently she communicated that basically the size that they thought
they would need and then some of the conditions in terms of lighting and the
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December 14, 2006
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environmental conditions of (inaudible) spaces. (Inaudible--). I guess the interesting
thing about this is this a project for Preservation? The way I kind of broke it down is
you know in a way we are somewhat of a subset of the Historical Society because
when it comes to those documents there is stuff that we certainly probably do have a
direct attachment to with the structures and things like that. There cer tainly is a lot
of information that (inaudible--). But, where (inaudible--) is funded? So, it is a
question of is it an appropriate task for this group? If it is an appropriate task for this
group to be a part of – you know what is the appropriate amoun t for us to contribute
(inaudible) because from my email – Todd Shallatt of Boise State and it seems like
he has got a beat on finding a project manager that probably (inaudible --) to do the
work that they are willing to do and the balance could possibly be volunteers
(inaudible--). So, I don’t know what the cost is going to be. I don’t know what the
cost is going to be. (Inaudible--). In terms of making sure that the Commission is
not stepping out of bounds (inaudible--).
Thomason: Seems to me Mr. Chairman what we have been talking about up to this
point is surveying or an inventory and perhaps deciding on what course of action.
(Inaudible--).
Lindgren: Well, what does that mean? You are saying --? My conversations, not
with Todd, but with Steve Walker from the State Archive is to do that kind of activity
it really needs some kind of a records manager or an archivist to truly gives us
protocol.
Thomason: (Inaudible--) substantial.
Lindgren: I don’t know what it is yet. (Inaudible --) time and going to take some
volunteering, but I guess the question is if this group doesn’t act, Society doesn’t
have any funding to do anything with it – the city – I don’t know if it is an indifference
or what it is with those documents because I have asked this question of the Society
too – what is their take on it? I mean, they are the ones that really have to put the
effort and the energy into even keeping those documents the way they are today.
Unfortunately they are scattered throughout various locations around Meridian. The
task is finding a home for this stuff and properly archiving it and getting them out of
Lila’s basement.
Thomason: I think just to do that it would take an awful lot of space with the city that
is (inaudible--).
Lindgren: I agree so what is the next option because if you read some of the emails
from Todd he is not (inaudible--). He is feeling that that is not necessarily better.
Berg: Well, what kind of space do you think they will need?
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Lindgren: Well, it is not so much physical space it is about how is protected? Who
is watching over the documents? How do we make sure they don’t walk off? How
do you even – how do you access? There is some sort of operational infrastructure
there that needs to be in place wherever they go. Do you agree with that?
Harms: Some control?
Lindgren: The point of having them there –
Thomason: -- environmental controls? Physical equipment?
Lindgren: Well, I think that that can be incorporated – I’d say – I could be out of turn
speaking – I think the city was willing at least to find space if it didn’t mean a large
amount of additional (inaudible) project, could provide those physical things to
support the document. But, the question is – put in some space and then what?
How are they accessed? How are they controlled? How are they – you know to
make sure that they don’t walk away?
Thomason: Whose documents are they? Who is paying to store them, etc., etc.?
Lindgren: So, one of the thoughts from the Society is well let’s go ahe ad and – if the
city doesn’t have that available – from my understanding (inaudible--) to watch over
that stuff – and if the Society doesn’t have the staff or whomever to watch it or
(inaudible--) the venue or location – I am sure the Society could eventually find
volunteers to watch the stuff, like Lila does at the library, but that is a temporary
(inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: The Society really took it upon their selves and I suppose you could say
that that is part of their focus and drive to do that, but it really – I think that if you
asked the Society who has ownership of those documents, they would say the
Society does. So, there is a feeling that they have gone through – they have
donated an enormous amount of time and energy t o process – just to see it not
taken care of and that is not to suggest that the city wouldn’t; just to say is the city
set up to do that? I think if I understand what you are saying is have we proposed or
create (inaudible--) city government.
Thomason: Mr. Chairman, the Society will also tell you that the main driving forces
for all those decades that were stored privately (inaudible --). For one reason or
another, Meridian City just hasn’t gotten with the program. So, I agree with you
completely that it comes from the government and it looks like it is up to us to start
the process – small initial steps to begin that change and we knew that going in –
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December 14, 2006
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Lindgren: -- as an extension of the City Government, is it something that this group
is in charge of? I mean, there are pieces that are directly tied to preservation and
we could make that argument – there are some pieces that maybe not – I don’t
know. Well, you know what I mean? Do we need all of it? Is that relevant to this
group?
Harms: But when we do something like this where do we go to get that information?
Were do we go to get those pictures?
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: Meridian doesn’t have a museum? Isn’t it time? I mean, Nampa has a
museum. Meridian needs a museum and then the Society needs to donate –
Thomason: Now see we have been talking more of a historical research center or
room or service verses a museum used for artifacts. Those are two completely
different enterprises.
Harms: Right.
Lindgren: My biggest concern is – well that is a wonderful idea and when could that
happen? That is years away –
Harms: -- a new library –
Lindgren: I think the situation is that Lila is really having a desire to get this stuff out
of her basement – it is fragmented and there is only potential for stuff to get
damaged or lost –
Thomason: Yes, there is a sense of urgency.
Lindgren: There is and the unfortunate thing is (inaudible--) is not really understood
yet because (inaudible--).
Thomason: My vision for what it is worth an d it may not mean (inaudible--) that
three groups in Meridian (inaudible) history. We are the city arm; (inaudible--) called
the Meridian History Foundation that only meets once a year. My vision was that
through our Chairman, Mr. Lindgren and the heads of the other two groups
somehow, whatever the city is offering could be in the nature of what you just
mentioned Jessica, a place where people to come and there would filing cabinets
and research materials for the public and they would have to be administe red
professionally and according to certain standards, but that would be because it is
accessible to the public that all three groups meet everywhere; here or outside this
room to have access to them through regularly working hours. But, that would be a
very limited room, probably not much bigger than say twice this space here, if that
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big so it would be a place where you walk in and there is filing cabinets, you can do
research on public files and maybe newspapers, microfilms but that is it. Anything
else is going to be a long term community effort as far as getting a museum, with the
city involvement. The city may have to be the ultimate spearhead for all of these
things. But, I do see this as being a huge challenge involving all three groups and
recognizing that what we are doing today and the next year are taking steps in that
direction. So, I agree with you completely, it is one of the first steps.
Lindgren: Yeah, so what sort of temporary steps can we take today that will at least
take care of the first issue at hand to get them out of Lila’s basement. What do we –
Ingersoll: (Inaudible--).
Lindgren: No, in fact to answer that question – there is a meeting at seven o’clock
tonight, the Society and – they have a very aged group. I mean, most of them are in
their seventies or eighties and they are not really getting any newer members, so my
fear is that group is going to be dissolved eventually. (Inaudible --). Again, as our
group I think we have the energy, we have funding, we have you know, I think, talent
or whatever you want to say. We have got the resources to help them where we
can. But it is to help them with their stuff. It is really theirs. I think there is a
willingness (inaudible--).
Harms: Is there a State Historical Society?
Lindgren: Yep.
Harms: Do they have (inaudible--)? Do they have some funds (inaudible--)? Could
we look into that?
Thomason: SHPO is part of that Historical Society.
Harms: Well, SHPO, but is there just a specific grant maybe that we could look at
getting to help us with this one time project?
Lindgren: For what project? For a space or --?
Harms: Well, first of all just to preserve this stuff. That is critical right now. We have
got to get that done and we have been offered the space – the control is not an
issue right now. It could be stuck away somewhere until we figure that out.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I will just read you real quickly verbatim – okay, this is my initial response
back from Todd after I introduced who I was. He didn’t think that students would be
a good solution. The State Historical Society is also problematic and what he is
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
December 14, 2006
Page 16 of 22
answering is that Carol and Lila had identified possibly if it wasn’t to the city hall
spot, they would move the stuff over to the Sta te Historical – new center storage –
because their impression was that they had space, they had to watch over stuff –
and Todd’s take on it, which my take is he knows what he is talking about – is that is
not the answer. In fact, what he goes on to say is in Boise we have established an
office and the city is (inaudible) various kinds of non -preservation projects including
bring some order to historic records. So, the city is storing them. I don’t know if that
is something –
(Tape turned over)
Lindgren: -- but before we were established, however, our City Clerk sent several
(inaudible) boxes to the Historical Society for archiving and however it was a bad
situation. Idaho spends less on archiving than any state in the U.S. (Inaudible--).
Harms: W ell, that is a statement and that is just pathetic. It doesn’t mean you can’t
start somewhere.
Lindgren: No –
Harms: But until we know what we are looking at, what costs we are looking at – I
don’t know how we can make a decision as to how we participate.
Lindgren: Maybe that is not the real – it is premature still. If you archive stuff and
then what do we do with it? Put it back in the basement?
Harms: Well, I thought the city had space where it could be put in? Did I
misunderstand?
Lindgren: Well, we were talking about the new city hall. That would be a year and a
half away at least.
Harms: Is there anything here?
Berg: We don’t have space. We are leasing space and if you put it in some space,
you want to put it someplace that is going to be protected.
Harms: Right, temperature control – because the only other thing I can think of is
one of those PODs. Put them into a POD until then because they are climate
control.
Lindgren: Are they?
Harms: They are supposed to be. We can look into that. We really need to get
them out of the basement.
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December 14, 2006
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Lindgren: Well, what does a POD run a month?
Harms: I don’t know.
Berg: Where do you put the POD?
Harms: They keep the POD’s in their climate controlled warehouse. Maybe they
would be willing to even donate or work with us on that.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: You are welcome to join us.
L. Hill: Can I help with anything? (Inaudible--).
Thomason: This is our guest, Jessica Ingersoll from Meridian High School. We
have Reanna (last name ?) with the (inaudible) Arts High School and Ashley
Williams (inaudible--) and this is our historian, Lila Hill.
L. Hill: So what do you want to know?
Hammond: How much stuff is in storage?
L. Hill: I kind of looked at it this week and it is getting (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Lila can I ask you a question about a timeframe or worst case scenario
where you wanted to just get that stuff – I mean, what do you think that is?
L. Hill: I am not as concerned about the physical moving of things as will somebody
besides me know where they are? I think that is a lot more important at this stage
(inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: Lila, whose records? The records you have or the city has?
L. Hill: (Inaudible--).
Lindgren: But, you are saying there is a bigger issue that maybe – I mean,
something needs to happen.
L. Hill: (Inaudible--).
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December 14, 2006
Page 18 of 22
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Lila when you say that – you said that just as long as somebody else
knows where things are – does that require the full archiving process?
L. Hill: No.
Lindgren: Have you downloaded – because if there is some sort of sense of
urgency that might be the first point.
L. Hill: I think the inventory is far more important than the archiving. The archiving
can wait until (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: Just a question Lila. Speculating ahead (inaudible --) would it be
feasible to think in terms of identifying the core of files that you have and (inaudible)
those files and in that time period (inaudible --) and do that as the nucleus of what we
want (inaudible--)?
Lindgren: And they go where?
Thomason: Into the city hall – filing cabinets, records management –
L. Hill: (Inaudible--).
Thomason: That would be the logical records for the management.
L. Hill: They are local records (inaudible--).
Lindgren: Are you saying that is a full time staff member or somebody to consult
with?
L. Hill: I think they are going to have to have a full time or half time staff member
(inaudible--). The city archivist or the city record’s manager, which would
(inaudible).
(Inaudible discussion)
Thomason: (Inaudible--) a first step (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
L. Hill: There is (inaudible--) stored at the Parks Department – (inaudible--).
Meridian Historic Preservation Commission
December 14, 2006
Page 19 of 22
Thomason: See that would be the split item – not part of a record (inaudible) –
Lindgren: Then again, that is not requiring a sort of a records manager or –
L. Hill: No, we just need somebody to come in and do it – (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Does it make any sense to have it in somebody’s home?
L. Hill: I don’t think so.
Lindgren: Is that just a crazy idea to have a storage unit or --?
(Inaudible discussion)
L. Hill: I think in a year and a half things should pretty well – I hope that we can
(inaudible--).
Lindgren: So, the archiving task is would most likely take place just prior to the
moving?
L. Hill: Prior to the moving.
Lindgren: Do the archiving and then one clean sweep over, right?
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: So, the trick is identifying somebody to spearhead it?
L. Hill: Yeah and I think that (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Does that seem to be headed in the right step?
L. Hill: I think what we need to do first is (inaudible--). So, if the city says what have
you got? You know, then we can say here.
Lindgren: Did Carol ever really give an answer to the city as far as (inaudible) –
(Inaudible discussion)
Harms: I think Jessica really wants to help out now. She wants to go see this.
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December 14, 2006
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Ingersoll: I think it would be really cool (inaudible--).
Lindgren: (Inaudible--) but before too long whether it be from audio or the anecdotal
type (inaudible--). Is there anything that you would like written down or have
recorded at all (inaudible)?
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Was it some stuff written down?
(Inaudible discussion)
L. Hill: I am willing to help you in anyway I can.
Hammond: Well an ipod format or an MP3. (Inaudible--).
Lindgren: Yeah, I think we would want to do that before too long. (Inaudible --).
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: So the inventory is what we want to –
L. Hill: The inventory is what we want to get started.
Lindgren: Well and maybe what I can do with your group is find out how much time
it is going to take or are we just going to – that is the thing, too is what is this group
in terms of our contribution to (inaudible--).
Thomason: We are just going to have to do it and soon .
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I don’t know if we are there yet. As a group we still have a few more
questions to be answered before we are even ready to entertain retaining somebody
or do we feel like we have --? I am not clear on how many hours we are talking
about.
L. Hill: I am not either and it depends on how detailed we want to be (inaudible --).
Lindgren: Do we want to table that decision until the next meeting and then maybe
in the meantime collectively we can come to grips with a projec t scope and
(inaudible--). I mean, are we in a huge hurry to get that --?
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December 14, 2006
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Berg: I think that even if we take Amber or whoever and have her do (inaudible --)
and how much time we think it will take and if she needs help or do it by herself or
whatever to get some kind of a feel for how big of a project it is.
Lindgren: Maybe what we can do is take a quick look at what we have got and see if
she can put a number together.
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: I think we need to table it and I would sugges t that (inaudible) prior to the
next meeting and we will get Amber out and have her – you know until we really
know what we are (inaudible--).
Thomason: When is our next meeting?
Lindgren: Well, we are scheduled –
Thomason: Should we do the second Thursday in January? The Society is meeting
later (inaudible--).
Lindgren: I think after that we can get back onto our regular schedule. Why don’t
we do that?
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Maybe as a point of discussion if we want to start having our meetings at
the same time as the Society. Do we want to push for a second Thursday verses
the first Thursday? Any reason one way or the other?
Berg: The only thing is scheduling this room is there is another meeting at seven
o’clock, which isn’t a problem.
Thomason: Well, usually we are out of here earlier (inaudible --). I think we need to
become more connected with the Society so that would certainly (inaudible) that.
Lindgren: I think that is a good idea. Are you guys --?
Berg: I will send out an email tomorrow reminding everyone.
Lindgren: Well, certainly the January one, but then maybe we ought to just plan for
having the second Thursdays and (inaudible--).
(Inaudible discussion)
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December 14, 2006
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Thomason: (Inaudible--) governmental connection and this is what is beginning to
happen (inaudible--).
Lindgren: I just don’t think that they don’t have any avenue to (inaudible).
Berg: They have ways, but they kind of generate themselves. I mean the
foundation is an avenue, grants are an avenue – there are lots of things that are
avenues. They are not an established –
(Inaudible discussion)
Lindgren: Okay, I would entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Hammond: So moved.
Harms: Second.
Lindgren: All those in favor say aye.
THREE AYES. ONE ABSENT. MOTION CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:53 P.M.
APPROVED:
_______________________________ _____|_____|_____
WALTER LINDGREN - CHAIRMAN DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
___________________________
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR. - CITY CLERK