10-25-2018 Minutes SCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MUNICIPAL COMPLEX CONFERENCE ROOM
1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY, BUILDING #1
Schertz, Texas 78154
MINUTES
THURSDAY, October 25, 2018, 6:30 p.m.
Call to Order – the meeting was called to order by Chairman Dean Weirtz at 6:30.
Members present include: Dean Weirtz, Pete Perez, Lou Foehrkolb, Lynn Foehrkolb,
Paul Ringenbach, Rosalyn Wise, Elizabeth Strong, Leticia Sever and Sue Boissonneault.
Brian James, Acting City Manager, was also in attendance.
Presentation – Chairman Weirtz indicated Brian James would provide a
presentation/update on a few issues, particularly the UDC amendment and Main Street
project.
With regard to the Main Street project, Brian James discussed the recent request by
Council for a presentation on the use of Hotel Occupancy Tax funds (HOT Funds) in the
context of Main Street. He indicate that State law outlines how HOT funds can be used –
things like events, sports tournaments and some civic center events that support tourism.
He noted that we used HOT funds for the Main Street Grant.
Mr. James indicated that staff is proposing to use HOT funds for an art or mural program
on Main Street that has a historic preservation theme to it. He indicated that staff wants to
model our program after what New Braunfels does – they pass it through another
organization, whereas we want to do it in house use by working with the SHPC. The idea
is to do 6 or 8 to start and contract with an artist to develop it with input from SHPC and
then have them constructed and installed. But it has to have a historic tie and encourages
overnight stays. The City has ample HOT funds for the project. This is part of a larger
aspect to reinvigorate the area. Chairman Weirtz noted that the City is also looking at
other improvements. Mr. James indicated the focus right now with regard to those
improvements are the parking lot renovation that the City leases from UP and the
increasing lighting by initially working with GVEC to add lights. Entry monuments
would come after that. There was a question from Pete Perez about the amount of open
space to do entry monuments. Mr. James indicated that we if we could not fit these in the
right-of-way we would have to acquire an easement. Mr. Perez asked a follow up
question about the fenced lot owned by the automotive repair facility. Mr. James
explained the zoning allows a parking lot but not storage for vehicle repair. Mr. James
explained the idea has been to working partnership to share that parking lot, with the City
paying some costs to improve it in exchange for the public being allowed to park there.
Some discussion occurred about other properties.
Mr. James then explained some Unified Development Code (UDC) changes being
proposed. One change is to the City’s regulations of renovation of properties in the
floodplain. The change adjusts limitations on the cost of improvements to not make them
cumulative and to cap them as a percentage of current appraised property value. The
changes provide greater flexibility and are intended to encourage reinvestment.
Additionally, the City is proposing additional grant programs geared at commercial
properties.
Mr. Weirtz indicate he felt the mural idea was a good one and noted upcoming discussion
of the SCUCISD art program.
Introduction of Guests and/or New Members
Discussion and/or Action Items
1. Minutes - Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes
of the regular meeting of July 19, 2018. The motion to approve the Committee
meeting minutes was made by Lou Foehrkolb and seconded by Lynn
Foehrkolb. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Fund Expenditures - Consideration and/or action regarding the submission
of member’s expense vouchers and approval of fund expenditures.
Committee Treasure Paul Ringenbach submitted an expense voucher in the
amount of $252.39 for expenses incurred by Chairman Weirtz. The expenses
are for Postage for $3.68, artifact restoration for $200 for birth certificate
restoration of Walter A. Schertz and Gibson’s Custom Shop $48.71 Chairman
Weirtz explained the thought process on restoring the birth certificate. He
showed the restored birth certificate from the History Shop. The document
was from 1922. Board members were extremely complimentary about the
work of Mr. Weirtz. Board members discussed where it might be place and
the idea was to place it in Council Chambers next to the portrait of Sebastian
Schertz. The motion to approve the expenditures was made by Mr.
Ringenbach and seconded by Rosalyn Wise. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Treasurer’s Report - Consideration and/or action regarding book sales
activities during the last quarter and other fiscal activities. Committee
Treasure Dr. Paul Ringenbach reported quarterly book sales of $470.32, less
taxes, which represents sales of fifteen copies of the photo book and eight
original Schertz history books. Dr. Ringenbach indicated that the City has set
the Committee’s budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 at $11,750.00. Mr.
Ringenbach noted the City will also receive a bill for $131.25 for trophies for
the art contest. He asked if a vote was needed to approve this. Mr. James
indicated a vote was not necessary.
4. Publication of the Fall 2018 Newsletter and Remembrances Special
Edition Article 2018-4. Consideration and/or action regarding the
publication of the Fall 2018 Committee newsletter and the Remembrances
Special Edition Article 2018-4. A motion was made by Rosalyn Wise and
seconded by Pete Perez to approve the publication of both the newsletter and
the Remembrances Special Edition Article 2018-4.
5. Amendment of Committee By-Laws - Consideration and or action regarding
the amendment of Committee By-Laws. Chairman Weirtz introduced the
need to change the requirements of Articles XIV, Sect. 14.3 (Designation of
Landmark Properties) and. XV, (‘Schertz Main St. Area Preservation
Incentive Program), Section 15.3.1 (Committee Responsibility). Chairman
Weirtz explained the nature of the proposed changes including the
requirement to notify property owners regarding the contemplated designation
and that City Council be informed of any objection by the owner. If the owner
objected, the designation would not go forward. Mr. Foehrkolb asked if it
should be the resident or property owner who is notified. Chairman Weirtz
explained it should be the owner. Chairman Weirtz explained the changes to
Section 15.3.1. The committee discussed the need to reincorporate some
definitions into this section after a question by Mr. Foehrkolb.
A motion to allow the amendment changes with the changes noted by Mr.
Foehrkolb to notify the owner not resident was made by Paul Ringenbach and
seconded by Lou Foehrkolb. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood Designation
Nominations - Consideration and/or action regarding Schertz Landmark
Property/Heritage Neighborhood designation nominations. There were no
properties nominated. Chairman Weirtz explained that the changes discussed
in the prior item are really needed to allow the Comal Settlement Area
designation to go forward. The designation would be for an area about one
half mile long on FM 482. Mr. James commented on the process for the UDC
amendment.
7. Committee Property/Resource Inventory Matters – Consideration and/or
action regarding Committee property/resource inventory matters. The
subcommittee appointed to review the Committee’s property/resources
inventory, Elizabeth Strong and Chairman Weirtz, reported having examined
the Committee holdings and concluded that a three part recommendation
should be offered to City Council with regards to the property. For the first
part, city financed items through normal government process. The Committee
decided to keep the restored birth certificate of Walter A. Schertz. For the
second part, all non-city financed items except those currently being
displayed, be turned over the Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association
(CVCMA). Chairman Weirtz explained a bit about the CVCMA – their
organizational structure, leadership, mission and past work. For the third set of
items, those currently on display by businesses, those shall be turned over to
those businesses. It is the subcommittee’s recommendation that a request
should be forwarded to the City of Schertz attorney prior to forwarding its
recommendations to the City Council asking his opinion as to whether the
Committee’s recommendations are considered within legal bounds and free of
any conflict of interests. The motion to approve the language of the
Committee letter proposed for sending to the City Attorney and follow-on
presentation of Committee property disposition proposals to City Council was
made by Pete Perez and seconded by Leticia Sever. The motion passed by
unanimous vote.
8. Committee/Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City Independent School District
(SCUCISD) Annual Art & Essay Contest – Consideration and/or action
regarding the Committee/SCUCISD Art & Essay Contest. Chairman Weirtz
reminded the Committee of the October 31st date for judging the student art
and essay entries and encouraged members to participate in that event. He
also reminded members that November 13, 2018 would be the presentation of
awards to student winners of the contests and encouraged all Committee
member who could to attend the event during the City Council meeting on
that date. Chairman Weirtz noted that the school district was proposing some
changes to the program for next year. The school district indicated that
teachers are not able to find time to promote the essay contest. Discussion
occurred regarding the essay contest. The feeling was that if this was not
something the school district had time to promote, the essay contest should be
dropped. Ultimately, the SHPC agreed they would simply take a support role.
9. Committee Officer Nominations for Calendar Year 2019 – Consideration
and/or action regarding Committee officer nominations for calendar year
2019. During the course of discussion Brian James mentioned the City can
talk on the role of drafting the minutes and handling the finances, eliminating
the need for those roles to be filled by Committee members. Committee
officer nominations were accepted for final vote at the January 2019
Committee meeting. Nominations were made and accepted for the following
persons to fill positions identified: Dean Weirtz, Chairman. Elizabeth Strong
Vice-Chair. The vote will occur in January
10. Subcommittee Reports – Discussion Only
Historian - Chairman Weirtz provided the following overview:
John Baker has begun working on the 2019 “Looking Back” feature for
next year’s Schertz Magazine. The October issue of Schertz Magazine
carried the Committee’s “Looking Back” feature.
Three feature articles appeared in local publications that applied to
subjects of local historical interest. One was the cover story for the Schertz
Magazine (October issue) that discussed the “Trail of the HARP” and
“Woman Hollering Creek”. The second was the headline article in the
Herald Newspaper regarding the City of Schertz 60th anniversary
celebration. The newspaper “Local Community News” also carried a
feature article of Schertz’ 60th Anniversary.
The newly opened Dannville Middle School (North Schertz) was
dedicated September 20, 2018. The school was named in honor of the
early history of the neighboring community that had as its first one-room
schoolhouse “Danville School”. A feature article will appear in an
upcoming edition of Schertz Magazine regarding the dedication ceremony
for Dannville Middle School.
Historic restoration projects were undertaken during the summer quarter
that consisted of repair/restoration of the 1920 original birth certificate of
Walter A. Schertz. The restoration work was done by The History Shop
of San Antonio, Texas. The second restoration project involved the
Schertz Public Works Department (Sign Shop) restoring a completely
destroyed 6” x 3” plaque supportive of the historic mural situated on the
West wall of the Masonic Lodge Building at 509 Main Street. A certificate
of Appreciation was forwarded to the Acting City Manager for the work
done by the Public Works Department, specifically the sign shop.
Notification was made to St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church regarding a
broken lightening prevention cable at Saint Joseph’s Chapel on FM 482, a
National Registry historic building.
Biblioboard – nothing to report
Social Media – Elizabeth Strong provided and overview. She noted
excellent City web site coverage of the Committee’s participation in the
City’s 60th Anniversary celebration event and increased social media
activity and interest in posts. The Committee expressed their appreciation
of Ms. Strong’s efforts and how they could add photographs.
Oral History – the group is on hold waiting for the teacher they are
working with to put the interviews in separate folders.
Outreach – Chairman Weirtz provided an overview:
On October 7, 2018, the Committee participated in the City of Schertz 60th
Anniversary Celebration at Pickrell Park with several exhibits and a skills
game attraction. Committee members were in early pioneer and German
traditional celebration costumes and provided briefings to exhibitor
visitors. Committee participants included Chairman Weirtz, Elizabeth
Strong, Paul Ringenbach, Dean Midlick, and Rosalyn Wise. Support
assistance was provided by members of the Clemens High School History
Club led by Marc Anthony Thornton.
Chairman Weirtz returned Committee historic exhibit materials to the
Clemens High School library display cases that had been removed over
the summer months while renovation work was underway at the school.
Chairman Weirtz attended the dedication of Danville Middle School held
on September 20, 2018 as did Brian James.
Requests and Announcements
11. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda -
Nothing
12. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information –
other than the property disposition, nothing.
13. Announcements by Committee Members – Balloon Fest October 27 and 28.
Brian James passed along thanks from the City for the help provided by the
Committee members at the City’s 60th Anniversary Celebration.
ADJOURNMENT