HPC Minutes 1980-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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h-istoricp reservation commission of south bend and st. joseph county ROOM 1123 COUNTY CITY BUILDING south bend, indiana 46601 (219 284-9798) Staff Policy Proposal on Plaques for Historic Landmarks The Historic Preservation Commission has been fortunate in the past to receive money from the county and city for bronze plaques to mark historic landmarks. It is, however, becoming more and more difficult to justify this expenditure of taxpayer's money. The National Register of Historic Places gave out plaques to landmark owners at one time, but had to discontinue the practice because of a shortage of funds. The Commission is now faced with a similar situation. Should the purchase of plaques continue to be a pri- ority.item in the Commission's requests for the quite limited funds of the county and city? It is the position of the staff that a new policy on plaques should be instituted. In the future if an owner desires a plaque he should be required to pay for it. The Commission is fortunate at this time to have twenty plaques in stock. If we. -,were to begin charging for them at the current cost of prod- uction - $31.00/plaque - the Commission would make $620 which could be placed in a special account until we are ready to order new ones. This $620 would be used to buy twenty new plaques which would in turn be sold with the income going toward our next purchase. If this policy were enacted at this time the Commission would not have to request money for plaques from the county or city again. Whether or not to include themayo,r's name on nevc plaques should b.e:an option X of the property owner. When new plaques are ordered some can be: ordered with, the rest without the mayor's name, and selection can then be left to the individual owner.