10-15-2009 Minutes
Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Meeting of October 15, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Chairman Dean Weirtz with a quorum
present
Voting Members Present City Government Representatives
Cynthia Palmer Bob Cantu
Tom DeKunder
Dean Weirtz Guests: Robert Brockman
Merle Behne Deborah Stone
Lou Foehrkolb
Bob Crawford
Michael Tews
Earl Sawyer
Pat Ramirez
Gail Hyatt
DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS
1. Minutes -Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of
the regular meeting of September 17, 2009. A motion to accept the minutes with
amendments was made by Lou Foehrkolb and seconded by Earl Sawyer. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
2. Fund Expenditures -Consideration and/or action regarding Committee fund
expenditures. A motion was made by Merle Behne and seconded by Lou
Foehrkolb to accept Gail Hyatt's submission of a $82.83 expense voucher for
reimbursement. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Schertz Visitors Center Decor Change -Consideration and or action regarding
Kramer House display change-out with Schertz Artz Council. Chairman Weirtz
reported having met with the Schertz Artz Council and having arrived at a
January 2010 time frame for the change-out of art work at the Kramer House. The
art to be removed will be all that now hangs on the far wall of the main room of
the house (i.e. Bob Dale and Michael Tews). A motion to accept the
recommended plan was made by Lou Foehrkolb and seconded by Earl Sawyer.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Page Z, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Minutes 10-15-2009
4. Schertz History-Heritage Museum Development Plan and Timetable -
Consideration and/or action regarding the Museum Development Plan and a
possible timeline. Committee members were reminded by Chairman Weirtz of his
letter with an attached suggested museum floor plan that he had sent to the
Schertz City Mayor and to the Schertz City Manager, dated October 13, 2009, and
which he has sent a copy to each member (Attachment #1). Chairman Weirtz
advised that he, Tom DeKunder and Earl Sawyer had subsequently met with the
Mayor, City Manager and Bob Cantu to discuss the Committee's proposal for a
self-help renovation project at the old City Library. The results of that meeting
were that the City does not have the funds needed to renovate the old library for a
senior citizens center or for a historical museum. Don Taylor, Schertz City
Manager, proposed an alternative for housing a Schertz City historical-heritage
museum. The proposal consisted of allowing representatives of the Schertz
Historical Preservation Committee to examine the space at the City owned home
situated on Live Oak Road immediately in front of the newly constructed City
water tanks for possible use as museum space. Mr. Taylor indicated that, if found
adequate by the representatives, he would be agreeable to support the Committee
in making a request of the Schertz City Council for approval of a Committee self-
help project at the home site for future museum use. The Committee
representatives agreed with Mr. Taylor's proposal and following the meeting
Chairman Weirtz and Earl Sawyer proceed, with Bob Cantu, to examine the space
at the home site. Chairman Weirtz and Mr. Sawyer reported that the home does
offer adequate space for a museum and appears to be an acceptable alternative to
the old library site. Both representatives agreed that the house would need
extensive renovation inside since it has remained vacant for neaxly two years.
Both representatives agreed that the renovation project could be handled through
volunteer self-help efforts. Chairman Weirtz offered to prepare a letter
(Attachment #2) to the Mayor and City Manager accepting the offer for use of the
house and to request that they set a date for a Committee representative to appear
before City Council to make the proposal. A motion was made by Earl Sawyer
and seconded by Lou Foehrkolb to accept the offer for the house and to prepare
the letter requesting an appearance before City Council on the matter. The motion
carried unanimously.
Tom DeKunder made a motion that, if City Council approves use of the house for
a museum, the Committee proceed with action to establish a 501.3c (tax exempt
non-profit) organization for the museum project. The motion was seconded by
Earl Sawyer. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Arcadia Publishing Proposal -Consideration and/or action regarding the
publishing of a local pictorial history of either Schertz, Texas or the Cibolo Valley
Settlement Area (Schertz, Marion, Cibolo). Chairman Weirtz outlined the
offering of the Arcadia Publishing Company whereby that company offers,
Page 3, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Minutes 10-15-2009
without charge to an author(s), the professional publishing, distribution, sales and
advertising of a picture (with text) book on the subject of local or area history.
Chairman Weirtz distributed copies of books that Arcadia Publishing had done
for other communities and Bob Crawford gave further explanations of the service.
Chairman Weirtz asked members if there was anyone interested in assuming such
a book project. There were no volunteers. Bob Crawford agreed to retain the
information regarding the program should there be future interest in such a
project.
6. Committee Officer Position Nominations -Consideration and/or action
regarding the nomination of officers for calendar year 2010 with assumption of
office in November 2009. Chairman Weirtz opened the discussion by reminding
the members that nominations would be accepted at the current meeting and at
next months meeting. Voting for officer positions will occur at the November
meeting. Gail Hyatt announced that she would not, be seeking another term as
Secretary. Chairman Weirtz announced that Cynthia Palmer has advised that she
would be a nominee for the position of Secretary. Lou Foehrkolb announced that
he would be a nominee for Treasurer. Chairman Weirtz announced that he would
be a nominee for. Chairman. Chairman Weirtz reminded the members that all
officer positions are open for nominations (Cha.irman, Vice Chairman; Secretary,
Treasurer and Historian).
REPORTS
Cemetery Sub-committee: Gail Hyatt, Subcommittee Chair, announced that the
Subcommittee has not had any new activity since last month. Gail informed the
Committee of the rededication ceremony of the Fischer-Schertz Cemetery in
Universal City on Saturday, October 10th at which herself, Chairman Weirtz and
- ~ ~ several members of the Schertz family were in attendance.
Historian: No report.
Outreach Sub-committee:
- Chairman Weirtz reported that he (and his wife) and Lou Foehrkolb (and
wife Lynn) manned a SHPC display booth at the Shop Schertz Showcase
(Chamber of Commerce sponsored) held at the Schertz Civic Center on
Friday, October 9th. The event was well attended and several of the
history books were sold. A rafIle was held for two lithograph prints by
James Dietz as furnished by Bob Crawford.
Page 4, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Minutes 10-15-2009
- Chairman Weirtz reported that he manned a SHPC display table at the
annual Schertz-Cibolo High School Class Reunion held at the Schertz
VFW Hall on Saturday evening, October 10~'. Chairman Weirtz was
allowed to speak to the audience about the SHPC museum project.
Chairman Weirtz was quite pleased with the response from the guests and
several contacts were made of importance to SHPC.
- Chairman Weirtz attended the meeting of the Schertz Artz Council on
October 14~` and made a presentation regarding SHPC and its programs.
Museunn/Kramer House:
- Gail Hyatt furnished photographs of artifacts now placed in the display
Cabinets at the Kramer House. These photos will be maintained as apart
of custody records for the Kramer House decor. It was suggest that
photographing all SHPC property would be advisable sometime in the
future.
Schertz City History Research Project (Phase H) Subcommittee:
- Lou Foehrkolb gave a summary review of book sales receipts to date and
total book sales recorded. The Transaction History Log of Book Allocations,
Transfers and Book Inventory Activity (through reporting period 10-14-09) is
appended as Attachment #3. Lou- reported that a total of 450 books have been
sold to date and that there are 132 books remaining in inventory. The
Committee has recorded $7,076.00 in deposits for book sales as of October 1,
2009.
Historical Site Designation Subcommittee:
- No report submitted.
Requests and Announcements
7. Requests by Committee members that items be placed on a future Agenda.
a. Lou Foehrkolb reminded the Committee that it had participated in last
year's Festival of Angels with a booth and suggested that we look into
doing the same this year.
b. Museum site development plan efforts with the Schertz City Council.
Page 5, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Minutes 10-15-2009
c. Chairman Weirtz inquired as to any Committee interest in having a special
program at next month's meeting in celebration of Native (Indian) Heritage
Month. The Committee agreed with the idea and appointed Chairman Weirtz,
Tom DeKunder and Gail Hyatt to examine possible program offerings.
8. Request by committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information:
a. Request the City Manager arrange for placing the SHPC on the agenda of
the Schertz City Council at a future date for the purpose of it proposing its
recommendation for renovation (self-help) and occupancy of the Live Oak
Rd. house as a City historical-heritage museum.
b. Bob Cantu submit Gail Hyatt's expense voucher for payment
9. Announcements by Committee Members:
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Committee, a motion was made by Merle
Behne and seconded by Earl Sawyer to adjourn. The motion was passed by general
consent.
MINUTES APPROVED this 19th day of November 2009.
~ ~
Dean Weirtz, Ch ' ` an
ATTEST:
GT
ail Hyattr ecretary
ATTACHED (For File Only):
1. Copy of Chairman Weirtz's letter to City Manager and City Mayor, dated October
13, 2009, re: Old Library Renovation Project approval.
Page6, Schertz Historical Preservation Committee Minutes 10-15-2009
2. Copy of Chairman Weirtz's letter to City Manager and City Mayor, dated October
16, 2009, requesting placement on the City Council agenda.
3. Copy of Transaction History Log of Book Allocations, Transfers and Book
Inventory Activity, dated October 10, 2009.