HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-13 Historic Preservation Advisory Board MinutesBozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board
Minutes of Meeting – October 24, 2013
Present at meeting: Aimee Brunckhorst, Lora Dalton, Amy Green, Mark Hufstetler, Steve Keuch, Courtney
Kramer, Bryce Ledbetter, Jesse Nunn, Wendy Thomas, Lisa Verwys
I. Call to Order: 6:37 PM
II. Approval of prior meeting minutes: Minutes from March were approved, notes from April meeting
(no quorum) were accepted. Absent: Ryan Olsen, Jillian Bowers.
III. Public Comment: no public comment
IV. Disclosure of ex parte communication: Lisa - minor conversation with Jeff
Krause about Imperial Inn, which is not likely to come before us.
V. Introduction of invited guests: Bryce Ledbetter is a new prospective Board member. Aimee is with the City Clerk’s
office and is here to conduct our annual City Ethics Training. We did a general introduction of all of us.
VI. Project Review and Recommendations to Staff
-No reviews scheduled at
this time.
VII. Mandatory city ethics training session: Successfully completed, with much interesting discussion. Of particular ongoing interest: It's OK to give a "majority" and "minority"
report to the Commission. This can strengthen the integrity of the Board, and also, better show the Commission how we arrived at our decisions. Also, in conversations with the public,
if something comes up that may come before us, divert from the specific to the general (i.e., from Imperial Inn to Demo by Neglect). And, basic rule of thumb – always divulge info you
have to the Board, so everyone is making a decision with the same information.
VIII. Update on Demolition by Neglect ordinance: Staff made presentation to Commission on Oct. 14th, about
Demo by Neglect and how it dovetails with other City ordinances (nuisance codes, etc.) and the work of the Quality of Life officer. (Lots of "overlapping Venn diagrams". Commission wants,
in 6 months, a plan for preserving historic buildings while they are salvageable. Must define role of Preservation Officer in maintenance of historic properties; Courtney wants broad
view of minimum maintenance and preservation logistics. Must educate community about ordinances and resources. Wendy: the Commission has directed planning to find state authority, but
there may not be any. Courtney made great presentation.
IX. Chair’s Report: Things we must do:
1) Policy & governance (Bylaws, # of Board Members)
2) Products (like recognition/awards
program)
3) Broader mission: What do we want to focus on? outreach, policy, project reviews, etc.
CK explained Tax Abatement Ordinance for new Members.
Wendy: Pete Brown, Montana SHPO
staff, can make recommendation about eligibility.
He will be at November meeting to talk about program, and other stuff.
We can use that meeting to get advice from Pete about our programs,
also about organization and structure.
Story Mansion: There will be a Halloween event. The mansion issue is on Commission agenda in mid-November. Should Board take a position, make
a recommendation? We can talk about in the future, maybe November.
X. Staff Liaison Report:
Cemetery tour coming up, other tours (with Extreme History Project) are doing well. EHP wants to work on more tours and projects with us. Bozeman Public Library
would like to host podcasts of Bozeman History (also with EHP). Library has birds'-eye maps of Bozeman – Courtney wants to get them scanned so they can be used as a resource. Courtney
will be doing local radio spots about history and preservation. Next month: George Harrison, local African American builder and mason. Courtney did a driving tour with Bill Grabow, who
worked for Willson. Discussion of getting oral history of Bill. MT Historical Society has traveling exhibit of Montana Modernism, now in Billings, on its way to Bozeman. Lesley Gilmore
is working with Courtney to bring to Cheever Hall.
Courtney is redoing all the binders. Check contact info sheets and give changes to Courtney.
Email about demolitions good idea. Courtney
can send weekly report of demos and COAs, etc. – good idea.
Paul Richert (former Board member) is working on funding & logistics for getting a roof on the Depot.
Renovation of E. Willson
school may be a go again.
c. Grant applications: need to get out report on our State grant; COA numbers at 234 (just planning, not comprehensive.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.