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01-23-2020 MinutesSCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX CONFERENCE ROOM 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY, BUILDING #1 Schertz, Texas 78154 Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 23, 2020, 6:30 p.m. Call to Order — the meeting was called to order by Chairperson Elizabeth Strong at 6:30. Members present include: Vice Chair Dean Weirtz, Pete Perez, Sue Boissonneault, Rosalyn Wise, Daniel "Frenchy" Bourgeois, Paul Ringenbach, Howard Alperin, Dean Midlick, Guillermo "Will" Soto, and Letticia Sever. Associate Member Tricia Whitman was present Brian James, Assistant City Manager; Suzanne Williams, Public Works Director and Doug Letbetter, Public Works Manager were in attendance Also in attendance was George Lessard PrPRPntafinn Presentation — "Memories of the Schertz Community" — George Lessard and Vice Chair Weirtz made a presentation about what it was like to grow up and live in Schertz in the 1940's and 1950's. Presentation on Railroad Quiet Zones — Doug Letbetter, Public Works Manager gave a presentation on railroad quiet zones. The quiet zones would allow trains to not blow their warning horns as they pass through Schertz along Main Street. To get approval, improvements to the crossings must be made — the total cost of which are approximately $1,622,500 are not including engineering design costs. It was noted that this presentation had been made to City Council but no action was taken due to the significant costs. Brian James, in response to questions and discussion, indicated that the matter might be taken up again as efforts to extend FM 3009 beyond FM 78 move forward. The PowerPoint is attached. Discussion and/or Action Items 1. Officer Elections — Consideration and/or action regarding the election of a Chair and Vice -Chair for the Committee for the 2020 year. Sue Boissonneault nominated Elizabeth Strong, Vice Chair Weirtz seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, the vote was called and was approved unanimously. Sue Boissonneault nominated Dean Weirtz as vice chair, Dean Midlick seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, the vote was called and was approved unanimously. 2. Minutes - Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 24, 2019 and the special meeting of November 14, 2019. The motion to accept the minutes was made by Pete Perez and seconded by Vice Chair Weirtz. Paul Ringenbach noted he had sent some minor changes to Vice Chair Weirtz. Pete Perez and Vice Chair Weirtz agreed to amend the motion to include the corrections suggested Paul Ringengach that would be made by Vice Chair Weirtz. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Fund Expenditures — Vice Chair Weirtz stated that the Committee had expended 169.00 this past quarter, $69.00 for trophies for the art and essay contest and $100.00 for the last meeting's speaker. Chairperson Strong noted that the $100 was expensed to the last quarter, so for this quarter expenses were just $69.00 for expenses associated with the art and essay contest. Revenue was $23.12 due to the sale of one book. Motion was made by Rosalyn Wise and Seconded by Pete Perez to approve the expenditures. The motion passed unanimously. Vice Chair Weirtz noted that the Committee's budget last year was $11,750.00 with expenses of $1,006.00 and $836.00 in revenue which comes from book sales. 4. Book Sales Report — Vice Chair Weirtz as indicated in prior item noted that one book was sold for $23.12. No vote was needed as this was just an information item. 5. Publication of the Winter 2020 Newsletter and Remembrances Special Edition Article 2020 - -1. Chairperson Strong called for a motion. A motion was made by Vice Chair Weirtz and seconded by Rosalyn Wise to approve the publication of both the Winter Newsletter and the Remembrances Special Edition Article 2020 -1. Vice Chair Weirtz indicated a few corrections were being made. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Publication of the Committee Annual Report 2019 — Chairperson Strong noted all the committee members had received a copy of the report. She called for a motion. Paul Ringenbach made a motion to accept the report pending any changes in the next two items, and Pete Perez seconded the motion. Vice Chair Weirtz suggested that this year the Committee provide the Executive summary to City Council. Comments were made as to the benefit of the whole document being provided. It was then suggested it be provided to City Council as a written information update — so that it would be included in Council's packet and become part of the official record. This could be provided along with the 2020 Committee Objectives if they are so approved. 7. Annual Review of the Committee's By -Laws — Chairperson Strong noted all Committee members had received the revised by -laws. Vice Chair Weirtz noted he would be making some minor corrections that had been submitted by Paul Ringenbach. A motion to accept the proposed amendments was made by Dean Midlick and seconded by Sue Boissonneault. The motion passed unanimously. 8. 2020 Committee Objectives — It was noted the objectives for the upcoming year are similar to the past year's objectives. Chairperson Strong read the proposed objectives and asked whether developing a podcast should be added. It was suggested to wait until that item is discussed (it is next on the agenda). It was decided to not add the podcast until it had been discussed. Rosalyn Wise made a motion to approve the objectives as proposed. The motion was seconded by Howard Alperin and was approved unanimously. 9. Podcast — Chairperson Strong explained the Committee was considering the creation of a podcast subcommittee and that Sabrina Allen asked that the item be discussed. Chairperson Strong briefly explained what a podcast is and how it is created and how it can be a good way to record and promote oral histories. The idea was to create one podcast per quarter. Committee members asked questions and discussed what the subcommittee would do to develop and create podcasts, and how other people or groups, like high school students or Boy Scouts that might help. Vice Chair Weirz expressed concerns as to the amount of time and work it will take to create a podcast. More discussion occurred about podcasts. It was noted that the Library offered classes in creating podcasts. The pros and cons of getting students to help was discussed. It was discussed whether a subcommittee should be created to further explore the idea of the feasibility of creating a podcast. Given that Sabrina Allen was not in attendance and that she is very interested in the idea of doing a podcast, Pete Perez made a motion to table the item until the next meeting and Dean Midlick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. At this point in the meeting Howard Alperin left as he was not feeling well. 10. GVEC Power Up Grant Proposal— Chairperson Strong explained that at the last meeting the Committee approved a $1,000 donation for the purchase of a security system for the caboose at the Guadalupe County Annex at the old Riedel's building on FM 78. The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association is proposing to turn the caboose into a sort of museum but that accessibility issues may make that proposal not feasible. In- lieu -of a museum that people entered, the caboose would be the centerpiece of displays of items in the annex building. The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association has submitted a request for a GVEC PowerUp Grant to restore the railroad car. The Association is requesting that the $1,000 be allowed to be used for the renovations instead. A motion to authorize the prior approved funding of $1,000 for the renovation of the caboose, in light of the public benefits of this project to historic preservation and increasing awareness and education, was made by Paul Ringenbach and seconded by Pete Perez. As part of discussion, Vice Chair Weirtz noted that volunteers would be needed for this effort and the Committee's help would be welcome. Work was anticipated to begin in mid - February. The motion was approved unanimously. Chairperson Strong and Vice Chair Weirtz abstained from voting given their roles with the Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association. 11. Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood Designation Nominations — Chairperson Strong asked if there were any nominations to be considered. Some discussion occurred as to how the designated properties and neighborhoods are recognized — markers, banners and a monument. There were no nominations. It was discussed how to deal with inquiries from the public. 12. Review of the Schertz Historic Main Street Area Grant Program — Brian James explained that the Main Street Committee had discussed modifying the grant program for residential structures. The concern was that the grant funds for residential properties be limited to exterior renovations — roofs, walls, and foundations but that the maximum annual grant amount of $20,000 would remain unchanged. Discussion occurred as to the high cost of renovating historic structures. Discussion occurred regarding the zoning along Main Street. Discussion also occurred about possibly including plumbing given the potential damage from leaks. Paul Ringenbach made a motion to recommending to City Council that the grant program be amended to just apply to roofs, exterior walls and foundations if the structure is used as a single family residence. The motion was seconded by Dean Midlick. The motion passed unanimously. 13. Subcommittee Reports — Discussion Only Main Street Project Subcommittee - Vice Chair Weirtz discussed the work occurring on the Main Street project including the schedule for work anticipated to occur this year — sidewalks next month. He provided an overview of some of the improvements — sidewalks, streets, bump outs, art, benches, lights, etc. The budget is about $1.7 million. Historian — Vice Chair Weirtz mentioned that John Baker had submitted the history articles for Schertz Magazine. Social Media/Website — Chairperson Strong provided the Social Media Tracking Report to the Committee members. She explained where the old Country Corner used to be located as there was a social media post about it. She explained how to interpret the statistics — that some of the likes may actually be shares of other posts not the original post by the SHPC. She explained that the average engagement numbers are very good. Some discussion occurred about the high level of interest in old photos of the area and people who lived in the area. Oral History — Chairperson Strong noted that the City's Public Affairs Department had agreed to post the oral history videos online and do the captioning once the Committee has provided them the videos. Outreach — Chairperson Strong explained that there was continued communication with Riedisheim. The Art and Essay contest had been held and awards presented at City Council. The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association continues its work on exhibits at the Guadalupe County Annex Building on FM 78. Upcoming events include the Community Volunteer Fair on April 16 at the Civic Center and that Committee members were encouraged to attend. At this point Paul Ringenbach and Sue Boissonneault left. Chairperson Strong asked if the Committee was interested in participating in the 0' of July parade. Peter Perez indicated he may be able to find some antique cars to drive the Committee members in the parade. It was suggested that the members could dress in costume and walk all or part of the route. It was agreed to add this to the next agenda. It was noted that the next agenda would also include a discussion item of putting on a Pow Wow. Tricia Whitman explained the sorts of activities that could occur at a Pow Wow - dancers of different sorts, history presentations, crafts, etc. Potential locations were discussed as well as possible support from the City. nests and Announcements 14. Request by Committee Members that additional items be placed on a future agenda — nothing 15. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information — nothing 16. Announcements by Committee Members — A question was asked about the status of the original 1912 cash register from the Schertz Mercantile that an antiques dealer is selling for $1,500. Chairperson Strong explained that no action is being taken given the cost and lack of a place to display it. Dean Midlick noted that his employer is offering free CPR classes and that the professional basketball team he is part owner of, that represents the Schertz area, is ranked 6t' in the nation. It was discussed that it might be good to write an article about the team in the Remembrances Special Edition. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. CERTIFICATIQ kl ea ,✓ Wei -12, vr` c e - c & qo'r