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1-28-21 MinutesSCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 6:30 PM MEETING MINUTES Committee Members in Attendance: Howard Alperin John Baker Daniel "Frenchy" Bourgeois Pete Perez Paul Ringenbach Dean Weirtz Rosalyn Wise Dean Midlick (arrived @ 6:49 PM) Committee Members Absent: Sabrina Allen Sue Boissonneault Chuck Reynolds Guy Scott Will Soto City Representatives in Attendance: Brian James Cyndi Simmons Citizens in Attendance: Dr. Miguel Vazquez PRE - MEETING COMMENTS BY DEAN WEIRTZ • Reports that our sister society, the Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association, has help fund a historic mural that was completed on the Lopez Law Office at 201 Highway 78. • The Cibolo Valley Community Museum Association also made a donation to the historic cemetery association. • The City of Schertz provided the QR Code sign to be installed on the caboose to allow for viewing of the interior of the caboose. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:45 PM by Chairman Bourgeois. 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. • Motion made by Howard Alperin and seconded by Dean Weirtz to approve minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously 7 -0. 2. Fund Expenditures — Consideration and /or action regarding the submission of member expense vouchers and approval of fund expenditures. • Howard Alperin is requesting a $30 expenditure for a table set -up (including lunch) at The Chamber luncheon to be held Tuesday, April 20th from 11:15 AM —1:00 PM. We would need two people to sit at the table and have the books available as well as pamphlets regarding the SHPC. This would be an opportunity for Chamber members to learn about the SHPC. Discussion on deadline — Howard Alperin Page 1 of 6 indicates that this is a first -come, first -serve sign -up process for reserving a table and we would need to decide tonight to secure the spot. The table would be provided. Brian James explained further that The Chamber has a monthly luncheon and there is one luncheon per year designated for the local non - profits. Tables are set -up around the room and the Chamber members have an opportunity walk around the room and meet all the representative and learn about the various non - profits. It is a way to get the word out about what the SHPC does. Rosalyn Wise suggested, and Dean Weirtz agreed that we would need to have two representatives that are willing to talk with Chamber members as they come to the table and pass out literature. There is also an opportunity to make an announcement in front of the attendees. Dean Weirtz and Dean Midlick will most likely be the members to attend. • Motion made by Paul Ringenbach and Rosalyn Wise seconded to approve the expenditure for the SHPC to sponsor a table at The Chamber luncheon on Tuesday, April 20th. Motion passed unanimously 7 -0. 3. Book Sales Report —Consideration and /or action regarding book sale activities during the last quarter and other fiscal activities. • Book sales this quarter were just over $400.00 in sales ($396.30 after taxes). • We will have a sizeable expenditure for the banners we have ordered for the Aviation Heights Neighborhood. 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 • Howard Alperin has reached out to Maggie Titterington, Chamber President, to give a detailed history of The Chamber at our next meeting. She is very knowledgeable on the history of Schertz as well. The Chamber publishes a yearly directory that includes articles on the history of Schertz. • Motion made by Howard Alperin and Pete Perez seconded to have Maggie Titterington, Chamber President, be present for the April meeting to give a presentation on the history of The Chamber. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0. 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. • Rosalyn Wise, Paul Ringenbach, and Dr. Vazquez had submitted suggestions for edits to the newsletter and Dean Weirtz indicated those edits were made. There will be a Part 3 that will cover January through April with the possibility of a Part 4 if the pandemic continues. • Motion made by Howard Alperin and Rosalyn Wise seconded to approve the publication and articles. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0. Page 2 of 6 6. Schertz Landmark Property /Heritage Neighborhood Designation Nominations — Consideration and /or action regarding Schertz Landmark Property /Heritage Neighborhood designation nominations. • Dean Weirtz reports that he contacted the William Dietz family at 800 Roy Richard Drive, and they are not interested at this time to pursue a historical designation. It is important to note that the property is currently up for sale and they do not want to discourage potential buyers from purchasing a property that has been designated as a historical landmark. Brian James reported that the daughter called and advised that her father had passed away and that it just wasn't a good time. We will consider approaching the new owners at a future date. The property at 800 Roy Richard was one of the original homes in Schertz owned by the Dietz Family and therefore worthy of the designation. All committee members are asked to bring forth suggestions for future historical designation. Dr. Vazquez indicated that it was during his research of the cemetery that the land had been owned by the Dietz family and further discovered that the Dietz homestead was still in existence at 800 Roy Richard Drive and was built in 1910. • Dean Midlick inquired as to whether we have a historical designation for the cemetery on 1518. Dean Weirtz advised that the designations are left up to the private owners of the cemeteries to submit the paperwork to the State as to the historical significance of the cemetery. • Dr. Vazquez announced that the Schertz - Cibolo Cemetery on River Road has been accepted by the Texas Historical Commission as a historical site. He had submitted the application that includes photographs and extensive documentation of the historical significance. • Dean Weirtz reports that we have 9 cemeteries in Schertz that have been designated as a "HARP" (Historical Ancestral Resting Place). This is a term we have designated; it is not an official term. 7. Consideration of a "Time Capsule" for development by the SHPC — Consideration and /or action regarding the development of a "Time Capsule ". • Howard Alperin reported on the Time Capsule Sub- Committee (Howard Alperin, Sue Boissonneault, Rosalyn Wise, and Dean Midlick. They would like all of the items gathered and placed in the caboose cabinets by the December meeting. Each committee member's responsibility is to take a letter and approach one business /organization of their choosing to gather items for the "time capsule of memories, anecdotal goods, everyday artifacts, photos, and technology that capture the time period of 2015 through 2020 to be preserved in the Red Caboose Museum" to help celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Schertz to be celebrated at the July 4th event in 2032. Howard Alperin has asked that everyone report to him by email as to which business /organization they will be making contact with so there are no duplications. (He will be approaching HEB.) At the next two meetings, he will hand out another letter to each member to approach another business /organization. By December, each member will have approached three businesses /organizations for Time Capsule submissions. He will write a letter of acknowledgement once the donation is received. Page 3 of 6 • Rosalyn Wise suggested, and discussion ensued on obtaining a current aerial picture of the area to commemorate this time in history of what the area looks like before more highway modifications or developments occur. Daniel Bourgeois he would facilitate obtaining a current aerial photograph. • Motion made by Dean Midlick and seconded by John Baker to accept the proposal for the Time Capsule project. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0. 8. Proposed Committee Oral History /Podcast Activity — Consideration and /or action regarding Committee proposed Oral History /Podcast activity. • Howard Alperin reported on status of podcast. There hasn't been much progress. Sabrina Allen is in charge of the project and has not been able to get the tape that was received transcribed properly. Dean Weirtz commented that we've been working on this project for 6 months and have not gotten anywhere and by now we should have something completed. His thought is that we have not gotten the enthusiasm required from this committee to make it work and suggested that we consider abandoning the project. Dean Midlick suggested that we possibly make it a quarterly podcast. Much discussion ensued and it was decided that before the next meeting that the Sub - Committee Chairman, Sabrina Allen, provide a plan and possibly have a special meeting on finalizing details of when the podcast can begin. 9. 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 commented that it has already been mentioned that the mural on Highway 78 has been completed as well as recognition of Dr. Vazquez' work on obtaining the Texas Historical Commission designation for the Schertz - Cibolo Cemetery. 10. Committee Officer Nomination and Selections — Consideration and /or action regarding the nomination and selection of Committee officers for CY 2021. • Floor is open for nominations for Chairman. Motion made by Pete Perez to nominate Daniel Bourgeois as Chairman and seconded by Dean Weirtz. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0. • Floor is open for nominations for Vice - Chairman. Motion made by Dean Midlick to nominate Dean Weirtz as Vice - Chairman and seconded by Rosalyn Wise. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0. 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. • Chairman Bourgeois will be addressing City Council next week on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. He will present a PowerPoint briefing on the 2020 Annual Report. • Howard Alperin suggested that Chairman Bourgeois announce to Council that we are accepting submission of ideas for landmarks. Dean Weirtz reports that we currently have 30 designated buildings and homesteads. Page 4 of 6 12. Subcommittee Reports • Biblioboard /Social Media — Chairman Bourgeois reached out to Elizabeth Strong, former Chairman, to inquire about how she obtained metadata stats from Facebook posts (likes, comments, etc.) She had been manually working through the posts to obtain the stats. He would like to see more interest in our posts. Cyndi Simmons commented that there is a way to obtain the stats if a person is the Admin on a page. She will work with Chairman Bourgeois to obtain this information. Suggestion to advertise the SHPC on the website. • Historian —John Baker he submits quotes to be published in the monthly issue of Schertz Magazine. Dean Weirtz asks that the committee members submit quotes to John Baker by email so he can submit to the magazine. Dean Weirtz also mentioned that the red caboose was on the cover of the January Schertz Magazine as well as highlighted in an article. REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: 13. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda. • Future of podcast. • Further discussion on attendance by committee members. Chairman Bourgeois read the section of the bylaws regarding attendance. Brian James suggested that Dean and Daniel address these issues privately. 14. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information. • No requests. 15. Announcements by Committee Members • Dean Weirtz announced that we will be hosting a historic tour of Schertz this Saturday, January 30th from 9 AM — 11 AM. Meet at the historic church at 201 Church Street. He will narrate at each location and will have pamphlets to distribute. • Dean Weirtz announced that the new banners have been mounted in the Aviation Heights Neighborhood. We have doubled the number of banners. Thanked the Parks Department for their assistance and he will be sending a thank you note to them. • Dean Weirtz announced that a young lady contacted him for assistance. She is completing her graduate work and will be writing her thesis on Schertz Main Street. • At this time, Dean Weirtz advised that the next SHPC will not be held on Thursday, April 22nd due to the Volunteer Expo. He suggests that we have the meeting on Friday, April 23rd. After discussion, the consensus was that Friday may not be the ideal day and that we will wait to get feedback from Maggie Titterington and her availability. Possibly hold the meeting on a Monday or Tuesday. Brian James also commented that there may be a room availability issue due to the COVID vaccination clinics. He thanked every for their flexibility. • Dean Midlick volunteered for the April 22nd Volunteer Expo. ADJOURNMENT Page 5 of 6 At 8:16 PM, motion made by Rosalyn Wise to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Dean Weirtz. Motion passed unanimously 8 -0 to adjourn the meeting. CFRTIFICATION r s � r Daniel "Frenchy" Bourgeois Page 6 of 6