07-25-2019 MinutesSCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MUNICIPAL COMPLEX CONFERENCE ROOM
1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY, BUILDING #1
Schertz, Texas 78154
MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 25,2019,6:30 p.m.
Call to Order — the meeting was called to order by Chairperson Elizabeth Strong at 6:30.
Members present included: Vice Chair Dean Weirtz, Sue Boissonneault, Daniel " Frenchy"
Bourgeois, John Baker, Dean Midlick, Rosalyn Wise, Letticia Sever and Sabrina Allen.
Brian James, Assistant City Manager, was also in attendance as was Melissa Uhlhorn,
Schertz Library Director
Also in attendance were Madeleine Larsen, Sandra Cleary and non - voting associate
member Judy Womack.
New member Frenchy Bourgeois introduced himself to the Committee and the members
present introduced themselves.
Chairperson Strong showed the prints that were framed by the committee.
Presentations
Quarterly Projects and Collections — Dean Weirtz
• Show & Tell — Historic Homes Along the Cibolo — Vice Chair Weirtz
showed some photos of an old home and site along the Cibolo Creek near
FM 78, near the border of Schertz and Cibolo. He noted some of the
construction techniques of the stone structure used to create windows and a
breezeway which is particularly impressive in light of the limited tools early
settlers had available. He talked about some of the artifacts that are found in
these sorts of sites.
• Joseph/Charles (Carl) Schertz Genealogy Input — A relative of one of the
Schertz' called Vice Chair Weirtz for some information he was looking for
as part of documenting their family tree in an effort to join the Daughters of
the Republic of Texas. Vice Chair Weirtz reached out to his contacts in
France for information.
• Staybridge Hotel — Schertz History Gallery. Chairperson Strong referenced
some written material that had been provided on the topic
Schertz Public Library Archival Internship — Maddy Larsen
Ms. Larsen provided an overview of her efforts at the Schertz Memorial Public Library as
part of her Master's degree program. She listed the different type of records at the library
and ways to preserve, digitize and catalog them. She discussed some of the challenges in
dealing with newpapers given the poor quality of paper and then offered options available
to preserve them and what information to keep — title of newspaper, date, etc. She
discussed issues involved in preserving oral histories, particularly those in languages other
than English. She noted a number of resources available for free that could be used to
communicate with others involved in historic preservation including podcasts and tools to
create podcasts. Finally she discussed systems used in cataloging archived materials.
Discussion and/or Action Items
1. Minutes - Consideration and /or action regarding the approval of the minutes of
the regular meeting of April 25, 2019. The motion to accept the Committee
meeting minutes as written was made by Sue Boissonneault and seconded by
Dean Midlick. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Fund Expenditures — Chairperson Strong explained that the Committee spent
$493.92 on the framing of the two paintings and $412.76 shirts for Committee
members, leaving a balance of $8,999.88 with a pending expense of $62 for
business cards for the chair and vice chair. Motion by Rosalyn Wise and
seconded by Dean Weirtz the motion passed unanimously.
3. Book Sales Report — Dean Weirtz indicated that there were book sales totaling
$78.91 over the last quarter and a total of $775.91 over the fiscal year. No vote
was needed as this was just an information item.
4. Publication of the Summer 2019 Newsletter and Remembrances Special
Edition Article 2019 -3. Chairperson Strong noted that Paul Ringenbach had
submitted some corrections which she has included, she then called for a
motion. A motion was made by Sabrina Allen and seconded by Sue
Boissonneault to approve the publication of both the Summer Newsletter and
the Remembrances Special Edition Article 2019 -3. The motion passed
unanimously.
5. Schertz Main Street Proposals — Brian James provided an overview of an
effort by the Main Street Committee to place historic themed sculptures on
Main Street as well as Schertz Parkway. He presented an overview of what had
been done in other communities. He touched on themes — People, Animals,
Western/Settlers/Native Americans, Railroad, Aviation/Military, etc. He also
touched on style — Traditional or Modern. He then provided a survey to
Committee Members. Dean Weirtz discussed how this might fit in with his
proposal for median improvements — with planters and sculptures, etc. It was
noted the idea was to fund this effort through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)
Funds. Brian indicated he would provide an overview at the next meeting of the
survey results and seek direction.
6. Schertz Landmark Property /Heritage Neighborhood Designation
Nominations — Chairperson Strong asked for a status update on the processing
of the Heritage Neighborhood Designation for the Comal Settlement area. Brian
James indicated that he appreciated the supporting information for the
proclamation provided by Vice Chair Weirtz and indicated he would get it
scheduled for City Council in the near future. Vice Chair Weirtz noted the two
types of proclamations — heritage neighborhood and landmark property. It was
discussed that Dean Midlick would try to reach out to a property owner off of
FM 482 who expressed interest in a designation.
7. Subcommittee Reports — Discussion Only
Historian — nothing to report
Biblioboard/Social Media — There is a possibility more materials will be
added to Biblioboard. Chairperson Strong provided overview of social
media efforts and statistics. She noted. that one post had been made in part
because of Public Affairs being short staffed. They did get a good amount of
engagements as a result of that post, more than is common for City posts.
Oral History — Chairperson Strong indicated that David Lynch was trying
to finish up the video editing project he was working on with a student
before he left the Committee. As a result the Committee has some videos.
Given the work involved a podcast may be more doable than continuing to
work on the videos. Brian James indicated the City's IT Department could
provide some support if needed. Sabrina Allen expressed some interest in
assisting. One topic offered up was on the old Starlight Theater.
Outreach — Chairperson Strong invited everyone to attend the next
Genealogy Society Meeting on September 3rd at the library.
uests and Announcements
8. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda —Vice
Chair Weirtz mentioned we should have the heritage neighborhood
proclamation by then. It was requested that we discuss the podcast again. It was
discussed that Dean Midlick might do a presentation on the basketball team.
9. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information — a
presentation on the results of the Main Street Sculpture Survey.
10. Announcements by Committee Members — none
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
ElizaWeth Strong, Chairperkoh