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7-22-21 MinutesPage 1 of 8 SCHERTZ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021 6:30 PM MEETING MINUTES Committee Members in Attendance: Howard Alperin Patricia Barnes Daniel “Frenchy” Bourgeois Jesse Gonzales Jackie Hollis Pete Perez Susie Raiford Paul Ringenbach Dean Weirtz Judith Williams Rosalyn Wise Dean Midlick (arrived at 7:41 PM) Committee Members Absent: Jason Blataric Richard “Monty” Gonzalez City Representatives in Attendance: Brian James Cyndi Simmons Associate Member: Dr. Miguel Vazquez CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:34 PM by Chairman Bourgeois. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS • Since there were several new members, everyone in attendance introduced themselves. PRESENTATIONS • Newcomer Orientation Briefing (Frenchy/Dean) • Discussion on mission of committee: o Recognition Projects – Landmark properties o Publication Projects – Books, essays, reports, newsletters, special editions, Schertz Magazine, etc.  Dean Weirtz led a short discussion on submitting quotes, state history, etc. to Rosalyn Wise to be included in the historical column of Schertz Magazine. She advised that all 12 articles for next year’s magazines need to be submitted in November 2021. o Outreach Initiatives – Last year the SHPC had an essay contest, was involved in the “Love Where You Live” campaign in Aviation Heights, a display in the Library, produced films regarding the history of the railroad, as well as posted photo galleries in various locations throughout the city (real estate offices, a major hotel on 35 in their conference room, in restaurant meeting rooms, in a doctor’s office, Clemens High School, as well as the Guadalupe County building). o Pursuit of Goals and Objectives from 2006 to Present  Dean Weirtz reports that the Committee has produced publications, two videos, Schertz Magazine articles, and designation of historical sites (24 different historic sites in the city).  Dean Weirtz has sent out requests to the members for articles (1 ½ to 2 pages). Page 2 of 8  Dean Weirtz reports that we coordinated with the school district for the photo gallery at the County building.  Dean Weirtz reports that in the past some people who have come to the committee at times that were passive (not involved, not showing up routinely to meetings). Make sure your information on the roster is accurate, especially the email. Howard Alperin noted that his email is correct on the roster, however, Frenchy and Dean are sending it incorrectly (yahoo instead of gmail). Frenchy and Dean ask that if you receive an email, please acknowledge with positive feedback. DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION ITEMS: 1. Minutes – Consideration and/or action regarding the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 22, 2021. • Two corrections were noted: o Page 2, Item 5: Change Jerome Patterson to Jerome Hansmann. o Page 2, Item 7: Add the word “caboose” to the phrase, “so people can scan and view the caboose video”. • Motion made by Dean Weirtz and seconded by Pete Perez to approve minutes as written with the two amendments. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Fund Expenditures – Consideration and/or action regarding the submission of member expense vouchers and approval of fund expenditures. • Frenchy Bourgeois advised the new members that any item above $250.00 needs approval by the committee and any item in excess of $1,000.00 needs approval through the mayor’s office. Dean Weirtz also advised the new members that the form for submitting reimbursement for expenditures can be found in the bylaws. • Rosalyn Wise asked about the banner expenditure. Brian James advised that the banner cost was $75.00 per banner with a total expenditure of $2,250.00. 3. Book Sales Report – Consideration and/or action regarding book sale activities during the last quarter and other fiscal activities. • Book sales this quarter was approximately $60.07. • Frenchy would like to also see the book offered as an audio book. 4. Publication of the Summer 2021 Committee Newsletter and Remembrances Special Edition Article 2021-3 and Status of 2020-5 Parts I and II. Consideration and/or action regarding the publication of the Committee Summer 2021 Newsletter and the Remembrances Special Edition Articles 2021-3 and Status of 2020-5 Parts I and II. • Dean Weirtz appreciates the editing on the articles and the articles he has assigned to everyone will be edited – first by him to assist with the structure of the article and/or photographs – and then the members. Will split the articles into two different newsletters. • Rosalyn Wise asked if the articles submitted by the members would be similar to the Remembrances articles? Dean Weirtz advised, yes. • Dean Weirtz reports that the Status of the 2020-5 Parts I and II is an ongoing project to document the history of the pandemic. He thought we would be done with it by this meeting and obviously that’s not the case. Hoping to present it at the next meeting. This won’t be sent out to people generally like is done with the Remembrances newsletter – it is a research document to put into our archives and the library for future generations. Page 3 of 8 • Motion made by Rosalyn Wise and seconded by Pete Perez to approve the publication and articles. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Assignments for future Remembrances Special Edition Articles – Consideration and/or action regarding assigning future Remembrance Special Edition Articles to members for future publishing. • Dean Weirtz has assigned articles to the new members. 6. Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood Designation Nominations – Consideration and/or action regarding Schertz Landmark Property/Heritage Neighborhood designation nominations. • Rosalyn Wise and Howard Alperin have been working on a new property for consideration as a landmark. Howard Alperin reports the property is located at 7205 FM 482 and they are working on the presentation to City Council. This is a 19th century historic residence. Some of the committee recently took a field trip and toured the property. The residence was built with limestone and the barn was built with cypress wood. The barn has the original square nails built in the late 1800s. Jerome and Delores Hansmann live on the property and their family acquired the property in 1941. Dean Weirtz noted that none of the deeds that the Hansmann’s presented to the Committee can be linked directly with this property. Those files are very interesting but are not applicable to this property. Pictures were passed around of the property from the site visit. After we approve the presentation, Dean Weirtz advises that we will be presenting the recommendation to City Council at an August meeting for approval. Howard Alperin will present the recommendation to City Council and Rosalyn Wise will read the proclamation. The mayor will present the plaque to the family. We will let everyone know the date and everyone is encouraged to attend wearing their green shirts. Dean Weirtz has ordered more shirts. The presentation will be towards the beginning of the meeting, so you will not have to stay for the entire meeting. • Miguel Vazquez asked who is responsible for the preservation of a property that has been deemed a landmark that is on private land and privately owned? Dean Weirtz advised that it is strictly voluntary on the owner’s part. This program does not put any restrictions on their property. The concern is that when one starts putting restrictions on the property, the Committee would not get a lot of cooperation. Miguel Vazquez advised he didn’t mean restrictions, just preserving the house. Dean Weirtz advised that we’re hopeful that preservation takes place by naming these properties and by naming neighborhoods (we have 3 neighborhoods named heritage neighborhoods). As a result of that, people start taking care of their properties. They see banners up on their streets that designate them as heritage property so by example, we hope that we motivate the owners to take pride in their property and preserve it – and we’ve seen it in our oldest neighborhood. Rosalyn Wise asked if we ever give money to help with preservation. Dean Weirtz reports we have a program that gives grants to these neighborhoods. Right now, our focus is on Main Street and there are two grant programs for that project. Brian James advises that the maximum per grant is $20,000 per year. • Patricia Barnes asked if we’ve ever done a historical home tour. Dean Weirtz reports that it has never been done, but a subcommittee could be formed to look into this possibility. Howard Alperin suggests that we put it on the agenda for the next meeting. • Howard Alperin asked what are the 3 historic neighborhoods? Dean Weirtz reports that the first was “Old Schertz” – the neighborhood south of Hwy 78 on 1st Street. It is a 5- block neighborhood, but Main Street is also considered a part of this neighborhood. Page 4 of 8 There are banners leading into the neighborhood. The second one is the “Comal Settlement Area” which is located in North Schertz on Hwy 482. There are a total of about 6 buildings, including a Catholic Church that is also nationally recognized. The Hansmann home that is being proposed as a landmark is located in that area as well. The third one is “Aviation Heights”. • Motion made by Dean Weirtz and seconded by Rosalyn Wise to accept the Hansmann property as a historical landmark to be presented to Council. The motion was unanimous. 7. Historic marker/property restoration and development projects. Consideration and/or action regarding refurbishing and development of Schertz historic markers and/or historic property. • Dean Weirtz reports that each quarter we’ve gone to the different neighborhoods and restored the markers. The first was Aviation Heights and we replaced banners and added more to double the number of banners we had in place. A church group led the effort on restoring the homes. Last quarter we went to the Comal Settlement area on Hwy 482 and restored the 6 markers there. The last one that needs to be addressed is the Old Town landmarks. We need to take down the banners and restore them. The banners are canvas and need to be repainted. We also need to clean up some of the markers, including one entering the neighborhood that is now buried in what used to be a landscaped area that is now overgrown. He also suggests that we ask the city for some help with the project. Brian James asked Dean Weirtz to send him an email asking for assistance with that project. Dean Weirtz asked if anyone is interested in assisting with the reconditioning of banners and markers and removal of shrubbery to please contact him directly. Howard Alperin asked if a date could be set for a workday and Dean Weirtz advised he will communicate with everyone. • Dean Midlick reports that a friend, Robert Burke, is interested in purchasing the old Starlight Drive-In theater and restoring it to its original state. Brian James advised that they should contact Adrian Perez with the EDC as a starting point for this project. Will be put on a future agenda and Dean will ask his friend to attend the next meeting. 8. Consideration of a “Time Capsule” for development by the SHPC – Consideration and/or action regarding the development of a “Time Capsule”. • Howard Alperin explained to the new members the idea of the time capsule. He is not sure of the original intent as it wasn’t his idea, but we took the idea and thought it would work well for the 75th Anniversary of Schertz during the July 4th celebration to open the time capsule. They had the city manager sign off on a letter that can be provided to all of the committee members so the committee members can go and ask for artifacts to place in the time capsule. The time capsules would be housed in the caboose until they are ready to be opened at the 75th Anniversary. They then decided it would be better for the 100th Anniversary. It’s just a matter of coming up with artifacts that we think will be interesting enough. The subcommittee has met a few times and there’s still enthusiasm for it but doesn’t feel like we’re in a big hurry because of the time frame. • Dean Weirtz commented that the discussion at the last meeting in Howard Alperin’s absence was that the idea of going out to businesses and telling them we’re doing a time capsule and we’d like for them to contribute – they don’t know what we want. They don’t have anything appropriate for a capsule that would be opened 10 years down the road to donate. Pete Perez was the only one who had GVEC that contributed a couple of things. The membership couldn’t even fathom what we would be asking for. Because Page 5 of 8 Howard wasn’t here, it was tabled until this meeting. Dean Weirtz advised his opinion is that we either come up with original ideas or do away with this. • The Committee did discuss an alternative, which was time remembrances over a period of time. He quoted the President of the Gustavus Adolphus University who in a speech to an alumni group made the statement that, “There are stories that will shape hearts and minds and policies in the future. They will teach our children what their values are and what they should be”. The idea is to document the social, political, and cultural phenomenon that are being experienced in today’s world. Some of it’s political, some of it’s social. It would be interesting to note if these things will be around 10 years from now. What will be our situation in our society 10 years from now, in Schertz? These issues are before us, are they going to be settled 10 years from now? What will life be like for us, for our children more importantly, 10 years from now. We capture the essence of these ideas that are facing us today and then we look at them again in 10 years. Dean Weirtz noted that he wrote up a 3-page, 4-page listing of different issues that we could touch upon and again, this would involve all of us. Each Committee member could take a topic and write up what it is today in our world and then we put this away and look at it again in 10 years. And we wouldn’t do it in a partisan way. We would avoid being partisan on this. We’d have to be objective in our description of what the social phenomenon is we’re experiencing. It’s an alternative to the idea of material being put away somewhere when we don’t know how to ask and for what. Dean Midlick asked if we decided it was going to be 10 years or the 100-year anniversary. Dean Weirtz advised that the 100-year came up at the last meeting, but his thought is that we’re not going to be around for the 100-year. Susie Raiford commented that it reminds her of when she was in high school, they wrote a letter to themselves and the teacher sent it to us 10 years later. It was fascinating. Dean Weirtz commented that could be a method of which we do this (if we do it). Each party in this committee could write a letter on a topic that describes the topic. • Dean Midlick suggested that we add photos as well – before and after photos – to show how the area is changing. The more direction we have with this, we can decide something for the time capsule. He would like to committee to provide feedback on what direction they want us to head into so they can present something. • Howard Alperin commented that if we do what Susie Raiford suggested and then what Dean Weirtz suggested, each committee member could take a topic and then the members could go to a business or non-profit or organization and then get something that relates to that topic. Dean Weirtz advised he doesn’t understand that. • One suggestion from Dean Midlick would be a nasal swab for the COVID 19 test since we literally lived through it this past year. Dean Weirtz commented that we’re going to have an archive history of the pandemic and that could be put in the time capsule. • Susie Raiford asked if we’re suggesting that we have long-time residents write about where they think things will be in 10 years and the changes they’ve seen? • Dean Midlick commented that he was thinking more photos because they say a lot more than paper can because you can put yourself in that situation. • Jackie Hollis commented that she would be interested in seeing a takeoff of Susie Raiford’s idea where someone who lived in the area for a long time writes – even retroactively about what they saw and the things that have changed. • Pete Ringenbach commented that 40-50 years you would have never recognized 3009. They used to call it “roller coaster road” because of the way it was and then you couldn’t Page 6 of 8 turn right towards the high school because there wasn’t a road there – there was just a 2-lane gravel road. Highway 35 where HEB is – there was nothing there. Frenchy Bourgeois commented that we need a focus. • Dean Weirtz commented that focus is a problem here. We have been through two meetings before this on this topic and we have gone nowhere. We don’t have an answer. • Dean Midlick asked if we as a group could right now decide what our time frame is – do we want the 10-year or 25-year? • Miguel Vazquez commented that when he first heard about this time capsule, he didn’t think you can get anything significant in a time capsule in the short amount of time you’re talking about – 10-15 years, minimum of 50 or 100 – none of us will be here. You want to get something from today to open up in 15 years – it’s not going to be relevant. • Judith Williams commented that she would like to cover some of the topics that she would like to cover is religion – because it deals with our culture and what is happening now. She thinks we should go around and interview pastors in the area so they can tell us what it was like 10 years ago, what is it like today? What do they perceive or think it will be like 10 years from now? • Dean Weirtz commented that her idea goes with what he is proposing. A documentary that we would open in 10 years and say, where have we gone? Where are we now from what it was then. He thinks that is manageable. He doesn’t want something that is unmanageable and going to stores, going to people and saying, “We’re doing a project and we want you to provide something for it.” • Frenchy Bourgeois asked for a motion to either to continue it or kill it. Dean Weirtz proposed a motion that the time capsule topic be eliminated from our consideration. Jackie Hollis seconded the motion. Howard Alperin and Miguel Vazquez all opposed. Rosalyn Wise was neutral. Frenchy Bourgeois then asked for a motion to continue with a documentary-type time capsule and the subcommittee will oversee it. Howard Alperin commented that he does not want to be on that committee. Dean Weirtz went on to clarify the subcommittee’s role to get the topics that would need to be written and volunteer for the writings to narrow the focus. • Jesse Gonzales he’s not clear on the terms, “documentary” and “remembrance” – are we talking about written form? Film? And where would you show this? Is it for the public? Is it just for us? Dean Weirtz advised that it’s eventually for the public and that it would be a document to be put in the caboose. • Judith Williams commented that it could be put on social media so that everyone could have access to it – it wouldn’t be in one location and maybe people go and look at it and maybe not. If it’s on social media. Dean Weirtz clarified that no one will look at it until the anniversary date. We will individually contribute articles to it to be put in this capsule and on the anniversary date we’ll open it and we will advertise it in whatever publications we’re publishing then and probably it will go in the Schertz Magazine for sure because it will be a significant anniversary and they will want to hear about what’s in this time capsule. It won’t be available until that time. • Frenchy Bourgeois then asked for a motion for the documentary. Miguel Vazquez made a motion to move forward with a documentary to be opened 10 years from now. Judith Williams seconded. Motion passed unanimously. • Rosalyn Wise, Dean Midlick and Judith Williams will form the subcommittee. Page 7 of 8 9. Classic Car Show Project – Consideration and/or action regarding a committee sponsorship of a classic car show event. • Frenchy Bourgeois reports that this was a way to show our presence in the community in more of a parade fashion. It’s one of his hobbies and when he came to San Antonio, he thought there was going to be a lot more of them with the nice weather and he’s disappointed that there isn’t more. We have other members of our committee who are also really into old cars – Rosalyn Wise and Pete Perez. • Dean Weirtz advised that Mary Spence is also a classic car enthusiast. She’s in a club in San Antonio and should be a contact point. • Pete Perez commented that he thinks if we go with this, we need to put the Schertz Fire Department’s restored 1958 Ford fire truck in it as well. He remembers as a little kid that his dad used to drive that one as a volunteer fireman. • Frenchy Bourgeois commented that Cibolo hosts a car show. He was thinking of shutting down half of Schertz Parkway and have it in front of the pizza joint/nail salon so that people could go into the businesses and also in front of the retirement home since their parking lot is not used on Sundays and Arlan’s would then get foot traffic. • Pat Barnes suggested that it could be held in conjunction with the historical home tours. Since the tour is walkable, while everyone is walking in the neighborhoods, they could also be touring the cars. • Dean Weirtz suggested that we could give trophies. Dean again mentioned that Mary Spence is experienced in these things so if we decide this is what we want to do, he suggests contacting her. Especially if we’re thinking of wanting to do it in the park. • Pete Perez also commented that a car show takes up a lot of space. Pickrell Park would be the best spot because you would have more space for the cars and then for the parking. • Brian James wanted to make clear that Mary Spence’s role would be just to talk us through what’s involved, not have the Parks Department be involved in organizing and it was confirmed. • Dean Midlick also offered that the Masonic Lodge puts on a car show every year as well, so we may want to space it out with theirs. Frenchy Bourgeois would like to have ours in late fall. Pete Perez also suggested that we have a DJ playing 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s music. Cyndi Simmons looked it up and the Masonic Lodge had one October 22, 2016. • Motion made by Judith Williams and seconded by Pete Perez that the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee host a car show in late fall. Motion passed unanimously. • Subcommittee: Frenchy Bourgeois, Pete Perez, Jesse Gonzales, and Rosalyn Wise 10. Marker development in support of Schertz Parks and Recreation Division Trail initiatives – Consideration and/or action regarding a marker project in support of Schertz Parks and Recreation Division trail development initiatives. • Dean Weirtz reports that the trails were a featured article in this month’s issue of Schertz magazine. We are proposing that our committee approach the Parks & Recreation Board and propose that we put a marker at the trailheads that discusses the history of that location in that area. He sent everyone a sample of what the marker would read. This is a long-term project and they are currently working on the Wiederstein Road Trail. First of all, we need to have a small committee who would approach the Parks & Recreation Board and also get with Lauren Shrum, Director of Parks & Recreation, to see if they are interested in having these markers. Brian James created a marker over at the visitor’s center several years ago, so we have one example Page 8 of 8 of the plaque that Brian James put together. The City produced the sign. If we get the Parks & Recreation Board approval, the City could do the sign for us and mount it at the entrance of these trails. It will be years before all of these trails are complete. • Motion made by Rosalyn Wise and seconded by Dean Midlick to approve the development and placement of the historical trail markers. Motion passed unanimously. • Subcommittee formed: Dean Midlick, Miguel Vazquez, Howard Alperin • Brian James advised that the subcommittee form a proposal to be given to Lauren Shrum with an example to be presented at a future Parks & Recreation Board meeting (they meet July 26th but will have to wait until the next meeting which would be in September). 11. Subcommittee Reports • Historian – Rosalyn Wise – Dean Weirtz has given her information to start her historical fact-finding for November. She will take all of our resources that show how we justify naming landmark properties and each month put in the Schertz Magazine what the particular landmark property she’s covering, why it was put in place, and directions to each landmark. • Biblioboard/Social Media – Frenchy Bourgeois reports that now that we have approved the landmark of the historical house, he would like to put the pictures from the field trip on the internet. Rosalyn Wise has the digital copies on her camera as well as some on her phone. • Outreach – No report. REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: 12. Request by Committee Members that items be placed on a future agenda. • Robert Burke, Starlight Theater restoration (Dean Midlick) • Historical home tour (Patricia Barnes) • Pow Wow event (Rosalyn Wise) o Brian James commented that some time ago they were proposing to have a pow wow in Cibolo this year – “Honoring our Nation’s Veterans Pow Wow” – November 19-21, 2021 – and were looking to do one of the events at Pickrell Park. 13. Requests by Committee Members to City Manager and Staff for information. • Maintenance/clean-up of area in Old Schertz neighborhood 14. Announcements by Committee Members • Dean Weirtz commented that this has been a historic meeting – the meetings don’t usually last this long. ADJOURNMENT At 9:08 PM, motion made by Dean Midlick to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Jesse Gonzales. Motion passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting.