Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Signed Minutes - September 21, 2020

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Mr. Garner focused on Preservation Brief #36 "Cultural Landscapes" and Preservation Brief #48 regarding Cemeteries. The Commission has Cemeteries under its purview, so it is pertinent. Mr. Garner stressed how he felt it boiled down to two things, `spatial relationships' and then `gravestones' for resetting and cleaning. Mr. Garner stated that he felt that the main body of the Standards and Guidelines will cover most any projects, and that these specific elements will be covered by the appendices. He stressed that at the back, these individual landmarks should be listed in the standards and guidelines. Commissioner Stalheim asked if National Register listings will be included, as well. Commissioner Andrews agreed, and referenced the WPA wall discussion in a previous meeting. Commissioner Gelfman stated she would think it would be a good idea. Mr. Zeiger stated that his only concern is that there is a misconception of owners of properties on the National Register of Historic Places is that they think they need to get approval for projects, and they do not. He stressed that the Commission should be careful of confusing the public. Administrator Feasel stressed that there could be a section detailing definitions. Mr. Garner stated he had been at a meeting recently where there was considerable confusion regarding National Register restrictions just last month. Administrator Feasel expressed that the committee should meet soon, and that staff was following the example provided by colleagues in the Planning Team for public engagement in the age of COVID. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko noted two tasks, the meeting of the subcommittee, and then the engagement process, and asked to schedule the meeting for the subcommittee. Specialist Toering stated that the meeting could be scheduled via Microsoft Teams. Legal Counsel Kennedy stated that the meeting could be remote, or hybrid, or in person. Administrator Feasel stated that the model guidelines could be distributed to the entire Commission, and then feedback could be retrieved and sent to Mr. Garner. Commissioner Gelfman stated that she felt that Commissioner Stalheim should be included on the meeting. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko stated that the following should happen: first, that all Commissioners should be reminded to review the documents and send any comments to Administrator Feasel; second, to set a date for a hybrid meetings; third, to give that Mr. Garner; fourth to begin to distribute it to the public, which means that the calendar needs to be looked at. Administrator Feasel stressed that Staff expects to send mailers to everyone as well as to publish it in the paper, as well as to contact the Council members, as well as to present to the Common Council. Commissioner Stalheim asked that the mailer would have a list of all the dates. Administrator Feasel stated that the Planning Team sent multiple mailers. Legal Counsel Kennedy stated that it could be on the website, as well. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko stated that she believed the planning of the calendar should be in the hands of staff, as it should be quicker. Administrator Feasel stated that the Commission may be engaged to connect with stakeholders. Mr. Garner stated that it was always envisioned to have a big public event, but COVID has changed that plan. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko agreed, in a pre-COVID moment this would have been an important civic moment. Administrator Feasel stated that NNN has hosted similar events. Specialist Toering stated that Venues, Parks & Arts has offered to help with engagement and hosting events. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko stated that multiple venues would be a good idea fui public engagement. Administrator Feasel stated that the Commission has the final decision on the Standards and Guidelines, that the standards do not need to be reviewed and adopted by the Common Council. Public engagement will be critical to ensure that people adopt them in place. Staff have been advised to be cautious of election time.