2024-03-28 HPC MeetingHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 4:30 PM
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ROLL -CALL ATTENDANCE
Blaine Johnston, President Heather Giacomo
Pam Jagosh Ken Freeze
Jack Keller Debra Pitts
Patrick Gittings, Vice President
Welcome New Commissioner Heather Giacomo!
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES [ACTION ITEM]
1. Approve: Minutes from the 2-22-24 Meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [ACTION ITEM]
2. Approve: Monthly Financial Statement
REPORTS [ACTION ITEM]
3. Update: Meridian Speedway Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
4. Presentation: Meridian History Center Updates and Speedway Display - Bryan
Cottle, History Center Digitization Technician, Meridian Library
5. Update: Walking Tour Guides - Barbara Bauer, TAG Historic Research
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6. Updates: Eggers Farmstead, Historic Preservation Plan, Landmarking Program
Historic Research
NEW BUSINESS [ACTION ITEMS]
7. Discuss: Ada County Treasure Award Nominations
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEMS]
8. Discussion and Planning: May 2024 Preservation Month Activities
NEXT MEETING: April 25, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
F 2
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 4:30 PM
MINUTES
ROLL -CALL ATTENDANCE
x Blaine Johnston, President Vacant
Pam Jagosh x Ken Freeze
x Jack Keller x Debra Pitts
x Patrick Gittings, Vice President
City staff present were Recreation Manager, Garrett White and City Attorney, Bill Nary.
Also present, Sheri Freemuth, Project Manager for J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc.
B. Johnston called the meeting to order at 4:30pm.
Applications for HPC vacant seat are open until March 1, 2024.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
P. Gittings made motion to adopt agenda, seconded by J. Keller
All ayes
APPROVAL OF MINUTES [ACTION ITEM]
1. Approve: Minutes from the 1-25-24 Meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission
K. Freeze made motion to approve minutes, seconded by J. Keller
All ayes
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [ACTION ITEM]
2. Approve: Monthly Financial Statement
G. White stated, per C. Schiffler's notes, there are no items for this month and TAG
Historical Research's first invoice for $1000 for their initial work on the historical
walking tour guide will be processed soon.
J. Keller made motion to approve the monthly financial statements, seconded by
P. Gittings
All ayes
OLD BUSINESS [ACTION ITEMS]
3. Discussion and Planning: May 2024 Preservation Month Activities
B. Johnston stated the Commission will host a walking tour on Saturday, May 18 in
conjunction with the City's Unplug and Be Outside event but open to other activity
ideas. The Meridian Library District (MLD) is looking in to hosting another tour as
well. The Commission can put out sandwich board signs in front of historic
Downtown Meridian buildings and will use social media to promote the historical
walking tour app people can download. Unsure if the Statewide Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) has announced a theme for this year. Need to finalize
everything next month.
Commission Feedback
D. Pitts inquired as to how many tours were given last year. Two - one through
Downtown Meridian and one at the Speedway that was a fundraiser the public had to
pay to attend. Is there enough need to host two tours this year? We could host one in
the morning and one in the afternoon; on average it is about a two-hour walking
tour. Will information be available so any Commissioner can give a tour? Yes,
something can be put together so any Commissioner can run a tour. Who can give a
tour of the museum in City Hall and could this be done during the week? Someone
from MLD as this space belongs to them, so if someone from MLD is here, then yes,
tours can be given. Is it possible for MLD to host one of their digital projects? They
did one about two weeks ago but maybe they could do another one here during
Preservation Month. Can we promote the app more? We should, will do another post
on Facebook and Instagram but Commissioners are each encouraged to like and
share posts. Any analytic data on the amount of app usage? C. Schiffler would have
that information. Have commemorative coins from when the app was first released
and originally had people answer questions based on the app and if theygot so many
correct they earned a coin so should re -promote this and people can earn a coin by
just downloading the app.
J. Keller asked if it was known when SHPO would provide a theme. Probably next
month if it has not already been announced.
P. Gittings stated he thinks reaching out to MLD staff to try to coordinate and
collaborate with MLD about giving tours of the museum in City Hall is a great idea.
just need to coordinate through C. Schiffler so she has documentation. MLD does a
digital drop every second Wednesday of the month and promotes these scanning
sessions so definitely an opportunity here. Will talk to C. Schiffler to see if a few
extra sessions can be coordinated as part of Preservation Month.
4. Discuss and Recommend: Historic Research and Consulting or Other Projects for
0
FY24 and FY25: Review estimates and Proposals for 1. Graphic Redesign of
Historic Walking Tour Brochure, 2. Purchase of Historic Signage Thermoplastic
Decals for Walking Tour Stops 3. Landmarking Program Research
G. White stated bid options and proposals for the graphic redesign of the historic
walking tour brochure can be found in the agenda packet with Option 1 costing
$2,550 and Option 2 costing $1,950. The landmarking program bid proposal (see
agenda packet) has also been provided and S. Freemuth, Senior Planner with
J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. is here if there are any questions about the proposal. The
bid for the thermoplastic decals are about $600 each.
S. Freemuth stated she has many years of experience in historic preservation
work and historic preservation plans and prior to working for J-U-B ENGINEERS,
Inc. she worked for 10 years as the Pacific Northwest Field Officer for the
National Trust for Historic Preservation; also worked for SAIC (now known as
LEIDOS) which is an environmental consulting firm and has worked on the
Meridian Comprehensive Plan; also worked for Ada County Development
Services and started the Ada County Historic Preservation Council back in 1990;
and worked for the City of San Diego as the Old Town Planner. S. Freemuth stated
she has spoken with C. Schiffler about some opportunities that may be coming up
in the next couple of years through the Certified Government grant program and
so providing quote specifically on landmarking program project based on
C. Schiffler's request. Proposing a four -phase project that would occur over four
months and would include monthly meetings with the Commission and/or
entities the Commission feels S. Freemuth needs to work with in the course of her
landmarking research. The goal of the project is to provide the Commission with
enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not the
landmarking program is something it wants to undertake or not.
B. Johnston stated thermoplastic signs were probably installed 10 years ago and
price has gone up $600 each now. B. Johnston stated he walked around yesterday
and looked at 11 or 12 and all but one are pretty faded and worn and need to be
replaced but more money than the Commission can spend this year so need a
budget item created for FY2025 to replace some, buy a few spares, plus a few
more to be installed on homes that do not yet have one. 15 street decals would
cost $9000 so plan on this for FY2025.
B. Nary stated the Mayor's Office will ask if the requested funds are part of the
work that the Commission is planning so funded by an existing line item or if it is
work in addition to existing line items.
P. Gittings made motion to proceed with the Landmarking Program Research
proposal not to exceed the cost $4,974 as presented by J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc.;
seconded by J. Keller
All ayes
Commission Feedback
P. Gittings stated his questions have been answered by S. Freemuth's presentation
and his big question was if we knew of any other communities that were doing this
but it looks like this is part of the research. Yes, SHPO knows of all these communities
so we would start with them. This local program seems like it would save time and
cost for interested property owners who would like a historic designation rather
than pursuing a listing on the National Historic Registry and would also allow the
preservation of Meridian's history.
B. Johnston asked for confirmation that the information generated from this project
could be used in the Historic Preservation Plan, or to create Historic Districts, or
even create a "City landmark" for individual properties important to Meridian's
history that may not be eligible for listing on the National Historic Registry. Would
not be able to identify those properties as part of this project but we could explain to
the Commission what are the landmarking designation options. The National Register
designation does not protect a property nor would the landmarking designation
unless the Commission links the designation to a local ordinance that requires some
type of review by the Commission before a property is demoed/altered. The memo
would outline the ways to ensure properties do not just disappear before the
Commission is allowed to think about it. Forming historic districts has its own science
to it but not sure how to talk about landmarking without talking about historic
districts. For example, could create a local historic district centered around the high
school using the same landmarking tools but with a broader swath and the point is to
discourage demolition but also to regulate height or setbacks or other things the
zoning code is not up to snuff on because it does not recognize it as a historic district
so would work hand -in -hand with the zoning district. A historic districtgives the
Commission a whole area to have jurisdiction over. The landmarking tool is like a flag
to come to the Commission. Definitely would have to have public buy -in on a historic
district. My understanding of this process is we would collect all the information and
present to it to you potentially in front of an audience of people who would be
concerned, like the people who have historic buildings, and then they could give you
input in a nonconfrontational way because based on a memo not a final decision to
change code, which I think is a smart way to do it.
K. Freeze inquired if it would be in the scope of work to show where any of these
designations would add value to the property. I think we could look to see if that
information is available. Have seen reports where designation does improve value.
Cannot do any individual analysis but could speak to the economic value. If some way
we can show added value for this designation people would be more inclined to say
this is a good thing. Agreed.
P. Gittings inquired if the thermoplastic signs for FY2025 would be a separate line
item from the regular budget. That is what we are planning on.
D. Pitts inquired if the nice plaque in front of the Tolleth House is in addition to the
thermoplastic decals. In addition; not sure where those came from but something the
Commission could look in to adding as I do like them and they lookgood. The Bell
House also has one. The information on the sign is contained in the book or the app so
some people will see it as duplication but others will see it as neat who do not have
the book or use the app but are just walking by so something the Commission can
think about. B. Nary stated plaques installed prior to his time so not sure if the ones in
existence were funded by the Commission or the Historical Society that was in
existence at the time.
D. Pitts inquired as to the difference in the cost of printing the book versus the fold;
stated while the book is beautiful she is afraid people are not saving the book so
maybe too nice and seems the fold would be more economical. That is what we are
going to look at - what is the best option for us to do. We still have two or three boxes
left of the book (300 or 400 copies). The design cost was not too different but
printing would be considerably different and if we can get people to the app, which
more and more people are using apps today, then less expense, which is where the
analytics come in.
P. Gittings stated he likes what D. Pitts is saying and thinks we could simplify the
brochure, make it available online and on the app and create a paper brochure once
we run out of books. We could pay someone for the design and then can print as
needed. P. Gittings inquired if there is content in the book that needs to be updated.
Yes, and want to redesign the cover and use colors on the logo. The QR code in the
book will bring up all the information in the book plus a video and the app. P. Gittings
suggested since we have so many books still to hold off on the re -design so they do
not go to waste. Suggested once a script is created more tours can be given each
year so more booklets can be passed out.
5. Updates: Eggers Farmstead, Speedway Nomination, Historic Preservation Plan
B. Johnston stated the developer, developing the Eggers Farmstead property, went
before the Planning and Zoning Commission last week who are receptive and
thoughtful of the idea that the City is losing our historic sites but also recognize
that we cannot stop the growth and development. The developer did agree again
that he will disassemble the double granary silo and store it somewhere on a short-
term basis and create a monument. B. Johnston stated he does not like the
monument design the developer has in mind but the developer is supposed to
bring back a monument proposal. The subdivision plat and annexation are now
headed to the Mayor and City Council for final approval.
B. Johnston stated the Speedway Nomination has been sent to the National Trust
for final review but not sure of the status. G. White stated C. Schiffler is hoping to
hear on the Speedway Nomination in mid -March.
Commission Feedback
K. Freeze stated he got an update from Kelly Moving and Rigging just a couple of
days ago via email and they had gotten a report over to David Bailey on Sunday
saying they could move the silo and he had given them a thumbs up and said he
would be in touch with them in about a week. I had not heard that so we will see
what happens, please forward that email to me and C. Schiffler.
NEXT MEETING: MARCH 28, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
J. Keller made motion to adjourn, seconded by P. Gittings
All ayes
Item 2.
C�l
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IDAHO
MEMO TO HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Topic: Historic Preservation Commission Budget
Below is a report generated from OpenGov's Historic Preservation Commission's budget on
2/16/24:
Meridian City
Budget to Actual - Yearly - Project
Download generated on 2/16/2024
2023-24
Budget
2023-24
Actual
(11159) Consulting/Photography - MHPC
10,230
1,000
(11157) Historic Walking Tour App Maintenance -
MHPC
1,000
1,200
(11155) Printing & Promotional - MHPC
1,200
0
(11152) Training - MHPC
1,000
0
(11156) Continuing Education Program - MHPC
700
0
(11154) Memberships - MHPC
420
0
(11160) Historical Society Budget - MHPC
300
0
(11158) Student Initiative - MHPC
150
0
(11153) Supplies - MHPC
0
66
Total
15,000
2,266
The Historic Preservation Commission budget can be found at:
httns: //meridianid.ODenLov.com/tranSDarencv/# /12604/accountTVDe=expenses&embed=n&bre
akdown=3a47e743-1b70-4bca-bb63-
cd0945429d52¤tYearAmount=cumulative¤tYearPeriod=years&graph=bar&legendS
ort=des c&proration =true&saved view=null&selection=A4EF3C81FB254158A5F7163C67FFCCCF
&projections=null&projectionTy_p e=null&highlighting= null &highlightin gVariance=null&year=202
4&selectedDataSetlndex=null&fiscal start=2024&fiscal end=latest
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