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01-28-2021 Agenda with backup materialJanuary 28, 2021 Schertz Historical Agenda Page 1 Call to Order SCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX CIVIC CENTER BUILDING #5 BLUEBONNET HALL 1400 SCHERTZ PARKWAY AGENDA January 28, 2021 Discussion and/or Action Items 1. Minutes - Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 2020. 2. Fund Expenditures - Consideration and/or action regarding the submission of member expense vouchers and approval of fund expenditures. 3. Book Sales Report - Consideration and/or action regarding book sales activities during the last quarter and other fiscal activities. 4. Member Coordination with Schertz, Cibolo, Selma Chamber of Commerce President - Consideration and/or action regarding member coordination with Schertz, Cibolo, Selma Chamber of Commerce President." 5. Publication of the Winter 2021 Committee Newsletter and Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2020-5, Part 2 cont., and Remembrance Special Edition Article 2021-1- Consideration and/or action regarding the publication of the Committee Winter 2021 Newsletter and the Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2020-5 Part 2 cont., and Remembrance Special Edition Article 2021-1. 6. Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood Designation Nominations - Consideration and/or action regarding Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood designation nominations. 7. Consideration of a “Time Capsule” for development by the SHPC – Consideration and/or action regarding the development of a “Time Capsule”. 8. Proposed Committee Oral History/Podcast Activity – Consideration and/or action regarding Committee proposed Oral History/Pod Cast activity. 9. Cibolo Valley. Museum Association (CVCMA) & Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) Collaborations -Consideration and/or action regarding collaboration activities of CVCMA and SHPC as pertain to historical preservation matters within the Schertz and surrounding community areas. 10. Committee Officer Nomination and Selections - Consideration and/or action regarding the nomination and selection of Committee officers for CY 2021. January 28, 2021 Schertz Historical Agenda Page 2 11. Committee 2020 Annual Report and Briefing of Same to City Council - Consideration and/or action regarding the Committee's 2020 Annual Report and briefing to City Council on February 2, 2021. 12. Subcommittee Reports Historian Biblioboard/Social Media Outreach Requests and Announcements 13. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda 14. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information 15. Announcements by Committee Members ADJOURNMENT CERTIFICATION I, BRENDA DENNIS, CITY SECRETARY OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE AGENDA WAS PREPARED AND POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN BOARDS ON THIS THE 20th DAY OF JANUARY 2021 AT 3:00 P.M. WHICH IS A PLACE READILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES AND THAT SAID NOTICE WAS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. Brenda Dennis I CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED NOTICE AND AGENDA OF ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL WAS REMOVED BY ME FROM THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN BOARD ON DAY OF 2021. Title: This facility is accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Handicapped parking spaces are available. If you require special assistance or have a request for sign interpretative services or other services, please call 210-619-1030. Brenda Dennis, City Secretary Page 1 of 5 Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Thursday, October 22, 2020 6:30 PM Meeting Minutes Committee Members in Attendance: Sabrina Allen Howard Alperin Sue Boissonneault Daniel “Frenchy” Bourgeois Pete Perez Chuck Reynolds Paul Ringenbach Guy Scott Dean Weirtz Rosalyn Wise Committee Members Absent: John Baker Dean Midlick Will Soto City Representatives in Attendance: Brenda Dennis Brian James Citizens in Attendance: Reynaldo Gutierrez Miguel Vazquez Tricia Whitman Meeting called to order at 6:05 PM by Chairman Bourgeois. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS BY CHAIRMAN BOURGEOIS 1. Miguel Vazquez, President of Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery Association to give a presentation on State of Texas Historical Cemetery. 2. Reynaldo Gutierrez, to present the video regarding the historic caboose. 3. Tricia Whitman, Associate Member DISCUSS SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY HERO AWARD – CHAIRMAN BOURGEOIS Paul Ringenbach, a retired Air Force Colonel and USAA Executive, has volunteered on many organizations including the Bexar County Historical Commission, San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Historical Committee of Schertz, and San Antonio Conservation Society Board. As historian he has authored six books and has worked with many cities and state and county agencies and wrote a 433-page nomination that is now the gold standard for nominations to the UNESCO World Heritage Designation. PRESENTATION – RECOGNITION OF APPRECIATION FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS – BRENDA DENNIS Thank you to the committee for your willingness to give freely of your time and talents and your efforts are making a huge difference in the community. Your team plays a very important role in protecting, preserving, collecting, and researching historical records and to also interpreting the past to the public to help future generations understand the heritage of the City of Schertz. You share your time and talents without compensation to the City. All your contributions are greatly Page 2 of 5 appreciated. We were unable to do our volunteer banquet this year, so everyone was presented everyone with a token of appreciation from the Mayor and City Council as well as City Management. STATE OF TEXAS HISTORICAL CEMETERY NOMINATION – DR. MIGUEL VAZQUEZ, PRESIDENT OF SCHERTZ-CIBOLO CEMETERY ASSOCIATION Gave an extensive history of Schertz-Cibolo Cemetery. Invited committee members to visit and explore the cemetery and see progress of refurbishing/cleaning up of area. Dean Weirtz asked Dr. Vasquez to send him the contact information for William Deitz as he would like to see about designating one of the original Deitz homesteads located at Elbel Road and 3009 as a historical home. The home is currently being used for Cyndi’s Salon & Spa. The appraisal district shows it as being built in 1910. William Dietz’s uncle (Robert Deitz) owned the home. VIDEO PRESENTATION REGARDING HISTORIC CABOOSE AT FM 78 – REYNALDO GUTIERREZ After much thought, it was determined that a video was the best way to share the renovated caboose with the community due to the pandemic and social distancing. It is a 16-minute video that consisted of 10 hours of filming and producing and 40 hours of editing. A video presentation was also compiled at the Veterans Memorial on Schertz Parkway. We will work with Public Affairs to put these two videos on the city’s website. MAIN STREET COMMITTEE UPDATE – BRIAN JAMES The sidewalk work is nearing completion. The parking lot we acquired is under construction. Working on easement acquisition. Working with artist on sculpture area and acquiring farm implements to fill in near the tractor and diorama scene while the street construction is being performed. There will also be individual sculptures all along Main Street. Main Street Committee will be meeting in three weeks and then will present art proposals to City Council. Is reaching out to TxDOT to beautify medians. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Minutes – Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of July 23, 2020. • Motion by Paul Ringenbach and seconded by Dean Weirtz to approve minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Fund Expenditures – Consideration and/or action regarding the submission of member expense vouchers and approval of fund expenditures. • No money was spent since the last meeting. • Budget for FY 2020-21 is the same as last year, $11,750.00. Money can be used to pay for expenses to attend conferences, etc. regarding historical preservation. • Ordering replacement banners and brackets for Aviation Heights neighborhood and allowing for extras to replace any that become damaged. Banners are being ordered for Main Street as well. 3. Book Sales Report – Consideration and/or action regarding book sales activities during the last quarter and other fiscal activities. Page 3 of 5 • Book sales were $46.18 for this fiscal year. $23.09 in November of 2019 and $23.09 in May 2020. • Brian James suggested setting up a table at Holidazzle for book sales if it will be permitted. 4. Publication of the Fall Committee Newsletter and Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2020-5 Parts 1 & 2 and Article 2020-6. Consideration and/or action regarding the publication of the Committee Fall Newsletter and the Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2020-5 Parts 1 & 2 and Article 2020-6. • Emails were sent with the publications; however, several members did not receive the emails. Discussion on updating emails. • Motion by Pete Perez and seconded by Sue Boissonneault to approve the Special Edition - Part 1 of the publication. Motion passed unanimously. • Much discussion on publishing additional narratives from different committee members. Dean Weirtz will come up with questions and distribute to committee members to give everyone an opportunity to express how they have been affected by the pandemic and put in the next Special Edition Article. • Motion by Guy Scott to move forward with a questionnaire for committee members to complete regarding how each member has been affected by the events that have taken place this year. Rosalyn Wise seconded the motion. At Chuck Reynolds suggested that the Committee wait to vote until Howard Alperin had provided the questions. Motion failed 6 Nays (Frenchy Bourgeois, Paul Ringenbach, Pete Perez, Sue Boissonneault, Chuck Reynolds, and Dean Weirtz) to 4 Ayes (Sabrina Allen, Rosalyn Wise, Howard Alperin and Guy Scott). 5. Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood Designation Nominations • No new designation nominations. Dean Weirtz indicated that he will be reaching out to William Dietz and may have something regarding the property for the next meeting. 6. Consideration of a “Time Capsule” for development by the SHPC – Consideration and/or action regarding the development of a “Time Capsule”. • Howard Alperin wanted to thank Sue, Rosalyn, and Dean Midlick. They came up with a consensus on the time capsule. They will fill the caboose with items from 2020 and even go back some time. Want to get businesses to donate items of interest to all ages. Will work with several groups to gather items. They want to open it on July 4th on the 75th birthday. At the next meeting we will present more details. • After the items are displayed on that July 4th, they would like for the items to be placed in the Seguin-Guadalupe Heritage Museum. • Motion by Sabrina Allen and seconded by Dean Weirtz to accept the proposal for the time capsule. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Proposed Committee Oral History/Podcast Activity – Consideration and/or action regarding Committee proposed Oral History/Podcast activity. • Sabrina Allen reports that her son is the IT “brains” for the podcast. Her son tells her there is a good podcast site that is efficient for uploading podcasts and the fee Page 4 of 5 is $20.00 per year. Pete and Will were going to be the first interview. If anyone wants to send Sabrina audio files, those can be uploaded to a podcast. Discussion ensued with suggestions regarding committee members and others who could be interviewed for the podcasts. Motion made by Rosalyn Wise to accept the $20.00 per year podcast site fee and seconded by Chuck Reynolds seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association (CVCMA) & Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) Collaborations – Consideration and/or action regarding collaboration activities of CVCMA and SHPC as it pertains to historical preservation matters within the Schertz and surrounding community areas. • Dean Weirtz reports there have been several collaborations since our last meeting. One of the things they do is try to establish mini-museums/galleries around the city and most recently, publicity for the caboose project. Possibly have banners outside the caboose with pictures and Rosalyn also suggested creating a pamphlet. The videos that were shown tonight were then produced (the Caboose project and Veterans Memorial project). Has reached out to Public Affairs to post on the city’s website and an article in January’s Schertz Magazine. • Dean Weirtz also reports that a historic mural will be placed on Highway 78 at the Lopez Law Office. He passed around a photo showing what the mural will consist of. • Howard Alperin suggested soliciting sponsorships for the podcasts. Dean Weirtz suggests writing a letter that can be used to given to potential sponsors. He also suggested sponsorships for the podcasts whereby the podcast could advertise, “Brought to you by…” Would need to work through the legal office to see if this would be acceptable. Dean suggests that we have a large enough budget and the task of soliciting sponsorships for the podcasts would possibly be a burden. 9. Subcommittee Reports • Historian – John Baker was not present for the meeting. Dean reports that John is working on preparing a report for the Schertz Magazine. Tricia Whitman stated that all Pow Wows this year have been cancelled, but that some groups have been holding virtual Pow Wows. • Side discussion on membership. There is one position open and applications have been forwarded to Brenda Dennis who will be reviewing them and presenting them to City Council. • Biblioboard/Social Media – Dean Weirtz looked at the website and there were only 3 Annual Reports on the website, therefore, he submitted the other Annual Reports and they have been uploaded to the website. Again, the videos will be uploaded to the website as well as the article in January’s Schertz Magazine. • Outreach – Daniel and Dean assisted a homeowner with power washing the entire exterior of her home. • Discussion on Biff Buzby’s Burgers in Live Oak. Dean reports that the theme in the main dining air is old military aircraft. They also have a party room off the main Page 5 of 5 dining area that was bare. Dean asked if we could put up Randolph AFB items. They agreed and we put up historic pictures. REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: 10. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda. • No requests. 11. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information. • No requests. 12. Announcements by Committee Members • Tricia Whitman asked if anyone is interested in learning more about genetic genealogy. Dean suggested that she reach out to the genealogy club. • Daniel reports that it is not written in the bylaws, however, that he and Dean have been asking for feedback through emails and have not gotten much response. They would like to have some kind of “gentleman’s agreement” where committee members respond in a reasonable amount of time. At 9:07 Motion by Sue Boissonneault to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Dean Weirtz. Motion passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting. CERTIFICATION: ____________________________________ Daniel Bourgeois, Chair 1 Remembrances Newsletter of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Winter Edition 2021 The last Newsletter (October 2020) reported that the coronavirus pandemic was weakening as America was coming closer to developing a vaccine. However, the optimism of that time has been lessened by the rise in new infections in many sectors of the nation. The good news is that the development of a vaccine has occured and the delivery/immunization process is underway The Committee’s special project of documenting the history of the response to the pandemic by each level of government from federal to local (Guadalupe County/Schertz City) has continued. As noted earlier, the report of the Committee’s research has been divided into two parts. The first avenue of inquiry was undertaken by Committee member Howard Alperin, the results of which comprises Part I of the Remembrances Special Report 2020-5. Part II of Remembrances Special Report 2020-5 provides reporting on the history of each government entity’s involvement in the struggle to curtail spread and provide an effective cure for the disease. The first installment for Part II reporting covers the period from early 2020 when the pandemic struck the United States until October 2020 when a noticeable downturn in infectious cases was underway in the nation. The second installment of Part II reporting covers the period from October 2020 until January 2021, a point in time when the virus was spreading and a new strain of the virus was detected. The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad Line caboose situated at FM 78 has been designated as a historic museum venue and its interior décor has been video tapped and made available for public viewing at the City of Schertz webpage under “Historical Preservation Committee. The Committee has prepared its annual year-end report to City Council. That report will be briefed to the Council in early February. 2 Committee outreach has continued with the Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association and the Schertz City Council’s Main Street Subcommittee. The Association’s historic mural project at 206 FM 78 (Jodi Head Lopez Attorney Office Bldg.) was completed in December and the mural depiction appears below: The Main Street Subcommittee continues its staged improvement project work to include road repair, bench/trash receptacle placements, historic statue placements, etc. Research continues regarding the historic nature of the home at 800 Roy Richards Blvd. (Former Dietz family homestead) with possible nomination of that home for Landmark designation should all indicators suggest it to be worthy of the designation and owners agree to its designation. Exchange of season’s greetings between our Committee and our sister society (the History Society of Riedishiem, France) occurred in December and they provided news of their historic railroad depot. Committee officers for CY 2021 have been selected to fill the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman and the selectees are as Chairman and as Vice Chairman.