04-28-2011MINUTES
SCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING OF APRIL 28, 2U11
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Weirtz called the meeting to order at 6:30 with a quorum present.
Voting members present: Merle Behne, Lou Foehrkolb, Cynthia Palmer, Pete Perez, Earl
Sawyer, Dean Weirtz, Ron White, Andreas Wooten.
Associate Member present: Robert Crawford, Judy Womack,
Chairman Weirtz introduced and welcomed the following guests: Sharlene Fey, Tim Fey
DISCUSSIONIACTION ITEMS
1. Minutes -Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of January
27, 2011. Andreas Wooten made a motion to accept the minutes and Merle Behne
seconded the motion which was carried by a unanimous vote.
2. Fund Expenditures -Consideration and/or action regarding the submission of member
expense vouchers. Chairman Weirtz submitted a request for reimbursement of $600.56
in expenses for landmark plaques, postal casts and miscellaneous expenses fi'om multiple
vendors. A motion to accept the voucher and approve reimbursement was made by
Cynthia Palmer and seconded by Merle Behne. The motion was passed by a unanimous
vote.
3. Treasurer's Report -Consideration and/or action regarding Committee expenses and
income to date for the Calendar Year 2011. Committee Treasurer Lou Foehrkolb
reported that 10 books had been sold since January and that total deposits for book sales
for the calendar year 2011 amounted to $250.06. Mr. Foehrkolb also reminded the group
that a total of 520 books had been sold since its first printing in 2008.
4. By-laws Amendments -Consideration and/or action regarding the amendment of the
Committee By-laws. Chairman Weirtz presented two proposed changes to the by-laws.
The first change is to add wording to paragraph one of Appendix A of the by-Iaws to
allow consideration of properties within the Schertz Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
far historical designation, The second proposed amendment designed to accommodate
the new quarterly meeting schedule would change sentence 5 of Article V, Section 5.4 to
read, "The Treasurer shall prepare an annual written report of all income and/or
expenditures for each calendar year and submit such to the general membership no later
than the first meeting of the calendar year". A motion was made by Earl Sawyer to
accept the proposed changes to the by-laws. Ron White seconded this motion which
received unanimous approval.
S. Rememberances Spring 2011 Newsletter and Special Edition Articles -
Consideration and/or action regarding the publication of the Spring 2011 Newsletter and
Special Editions Articles. Chairman Weirtz requested Committee approval for the
publication of the Spring 2011 Newsletter and two Special Edition Articles. Earl Sawyer
made a motion to accept the Newsletter and Articles for publication. Pete Perez
seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.
fi. Nominations for Historic Landmark Designation -Consideration and/or action
regarding nominations for historic landmark designations. Applications for Historic
Landmark designation for three Schertz locations and Saint Joseph's Chapel on Highway
4S2 have been received. A motion was made by Merle Behne to approve the applications
by the residences at 212 Lee Street, 216 Lee Street and 401 First Street. The motion was
seconded by Lou Foehrkolb. The motion carried unanimously. A separate motion was
made by Andreas Wooten to designate Saint Joseph's Chapel as a Landmark site and fio
provide an explanatory plaque to provide background for those who visit this historic
location. This motion was seconded by Earl Sawyer and passed by a unanimous vote.
REPORTS -Subcommittee Reports for Discussion Only
Cemetery Subcommittee: None at this time.
Historian: None at this time.
Outreach: Chairman Weirtz reported the publication of the Winter Newsletter and two
Rememberances Special Edition Articles in February 2411.
Committee Emeritus status ceremony recognizing the Schertz's and Rose
Ackerman was conducted at the Senior Center in February, News coverage for the
event appeared in the Sche,•tz Tales.
The Heritage Neighborhood and Landmark Property dedication ceremony was
held on Saturday, March 26, 2011. There were approximately 70 guests in
attendance. Banners were hung in the neighborhood and plaques were unveiled at
the entrance to the neighborhood and at the Children of Gad Church. Asocial
hour was held after the event at which cake and beverages were served.
On February 11, 2011, Chairman Weirtz and Gail Hyatt placed the Schertz Early
Settler's Genealogy Exhibits and family photos on the walls of the History and
Genealogy Room of the Schertz Public Library.
Discussions between Chairman Weirtz and the Union Pacific Railroad regarding
the possible use of Union Pacific land at First and Main Street for a future railroad
museum have ended with Union Pacific declining to participate in such a venture
due to possible safety issues associated with having a museum so close to the rail
tracks.
Discussions began in February with representatives of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic
Church in New Braunfels regarding designating the Saint Joseph's Chapel (farmer
Comal Settlement} as a Schertz Landmark Property. Discussions concluded in April
with approval and an application for such a designation. The expected dedication
date is set for May 25, 2011.
Chairman Weirtz attended meetings in early March and April with representatives
of the former Comal Settlement community and Comal County Historical
Commission. These meetings have prompted work on research for future
Applications for State of Texas historical marker approvals for the community at
large and for Wenzel Cemetery. Research may also result in Schertz City historical
marker applications for several historic structures in the community (either within
Schertz City limits ar within the ETJ).
Exhibit placement at the Schertz Senior Center has been completed. There was an
excellent two page photo and written article in the April Schertz Tales regarding the
historical exhibits on display.
In mid- April Chairman Weirtz had introductory liaison correspondence and a
personal meeting with Schertz's newly hired Director of Economic Development
(Jahn Kessel) and he learned that Mr. Kessel has had experience with historical
preservation matters in two prior positions in the cities of Arlington and McKinney,
Texas. Chairman Weirtz expressed interest in seeing the SHPC work in concert
with Economic Development Commission at every opportunity.
An article about Gelman settlers/immigrants who considered establishing a German
colony in the United States was published in a Bulletin fiom our sister city in
France.
Chairman Weirtz displayed plaques that will be placed on the homes of City Council
designated "Landmark Properties" as well as a photo image of the special plague
being made for Saint Joseph's Chapel. The Council will consider the applications at
its May 3rd Council meeting.
Kramer Douse: A written request is still pending with the City Manager's Office regarding
the placement of a railroad display on the outside grounds of the Kramer House
property. A design plan has been submitted to the City Manager.
Additional displays added to the facility include a signed Fiesta palter by Cecilia Paz
Majica and three displays of photographic art by Diana Web that feature Schertz
landscape and wildflower scenes.
REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
7. Requests by Committee members for future agenda items: The entire committee
requests that there be a change in the by-laws allowing for separate votes for residential
and non-residential Iandmark status, Additionally, the Committee would like to have
plaques serve to explain the history of significant non-residential historic sites.
8• Request by Committee members to City Manager and staff for information: The
Committee requests a response to the request to display railroad exhibit on the grounds
of the Kramer House.
9. Announcements by Committee Members: Lou Foehrkolb shared with the Committee
that Chairman Weirtz was a nominee for the Steve Simonson Community Service
Award. The Committee delights in the excellent choice.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the committee, a motion was made by Merle Behne
and seconded by Earl Sawyer to adjourn the meeting, The motion carried unanimously.
MINUTES APPROVED this 28th day of July 2011.
r
Dean eirtz, C a' 7nan
ATTEST:
V
Cynthia Palmer, Secretary