Committee Minutes

Minutes
February 9, 2010
6:30 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Sylvia Kloster, Melinda Leach, Cory Lien,
Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater, Judy Swisher
Others: Peg O’Leary

Motion: to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2010 meeting changing the address 816 to 606 in the motion on page 2 that refers to work at 606 Reeves Drive. (Swisher, Sickels)
Motion carries.

2010 CLG Budget
The annual CLG budget is due in Bismarck on Feb. 19, 2010. O’Leary distributed copies of a proposed budget based on 2009 expenditures and 2010 projects. Some line items have been reduced, including telephone expenses and office supplies. We’ve changed telephone carrier by combining our account with the Housing Office and are able to realize several hundred dollars savings over the year. Office supply costs vary from year to year and should be down due to the office being fully stocked at this time. Commissioners determined that 5000 copies of the Riverside brochure would be sufficient, budgeting $2,600 based upon a quote from a local printer. They also agreed that, based on research, The Kegs seems eligible for the National Register and should be the nomination project this year. They budgeted $3,500 for a Kegs nomination. It was also determined that a cost savings would accrue from purchasing a color laser printer to replace the aging inkjet printer. Toner cartridges for the inkjet printer cost $71.49 for a pair that includes one black and one color cartridge. They make very few copies and need replacement about three times a year. Members also noted that the office needs its own digital camera; one that can meet NRHP standards for nominations. O’Leary currently borrows a camera that is not always available. It will also be necessary to budget for hosting the annual CLG meeting this year. This amount would be considered over and above our usual operating/projects budget.
Motion: to request $25,960 for the 2010 Certified Local Government grant. (Slater, Flemmer)
Discussion: It was noted that this budget, without the annual meeting cost, is about $700 less than the 2009 allocation. This reflects savings in operational items and a smaller request for projects.
Motion carries unanimously.
General discussion ensued about long range goals for the Commission, especially including more education/outreach for homeowners.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
Downtown Design and Review Board – The DDRB will meet on Wednesday morning (2/10/10) with the downtown owners/operators who have formed a joint committee to review issues, such as window signage, that affect downtown.
MPO Public Hearing – To be held at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday (2/10/10) in A101, City Hall, the meeting will discuss changes to the MPO’s 2010-2013 Transportation Improvement Plan. The future of the Sorlie Bridge will be discussed.
Infill Housing Walnut-Chestnut Area – More proposals have been received for lots in this area and the infill committee will meet on Friday (2/12/10).

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
Cemetery WPA Nomination – The new draft of the nomination is very good and we can go ahead with plans to hold the Public Hearing at our March 23 meeting and submit the nomination for review by the State Review Board at its April meeting.
B’Nai Israel Synagogue and Montefiori Cemetery Nomination – A first draft has been received from the contractor. It needs work but is a viable first draft and the contract calls for payment of 50% of the contract amount ($1,750) at this time.
Motion: to authorize payment of $1,750 to Kimberly Porter for the first draft of the Synagogue/Cemetery nomination. (Swisher, Sickels)
Motion carries unanimously.
UND Historic District – O’Leary has researched the possibility of presenting the certificate of listing at Founders Day, but plans have not been finalized yet.
Masonic Temple – O’Leary met with the Temple’s Preservation Committee to discuss possible grants for their remaining exterior work and a planning grant for the conservation of the theatre scenery and rigging.
Grand Forks Energy Alliance Advisory Council – The city has hired a coordinator for its energy efficiency/weatherization program. O’Leary is a member of the Advisory Council.
Fire Hall Theatre – O’Leary met with Jeff Kinney at the theatre to discuss possible grants for tuck pointing and window repair/replacement.
ND Cultural Heritage Grants – Application forms are available on line at the SHSND web site. The deadline for submitting is March 12, 2010.
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Historic Preservation: A Guide for Historic District Commissions – A publication from Clean Air-Cool Planet was distributed for commissioners to review.
City Hall Handrails – Handrails leading down from the historic entrance on 2nd Avenue need replacement. One is missing (since the flood) and the other does not meet code. They are not original to the building. Specs for new handrails will be gathered and the project will come to HPC before they proceed with replacement.

Motion: to adjourn. (Flemmer, Sickels)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 8:15 p.m.

The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, in A101 City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator