Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, May 5, 2016 Noon, Annex Conference Room Minutes Attending: Renee Magee, Rox Mitro, Judy Mortimer, Hersh Mynarcik, Kim Smith, Krisi Staten, Graham Whipple, and Julie Williams. Staff Brad Cramer, Director, Brent McLane, Current Planner, and Debra Petty, Recording Secretary. Call to Order at 12:00 p.m. Minutes: April 7, 2016 Moved by Mitro to approve the minutes of April 7, 2016, with corrections. Seconded by Mynarcik. Aye: Chair Magee, Mitro, Mortimer, Mynarcik, Smith, Staten, Whipple, and Williams. Nay: Abstain: Pete L’Orange, SHPO Office: Pete L’Orange is the Historic Preservation Planner and Certified Local Government Coordinator for the State Historic Preservation Office. He said the CLG program is the official partnership between municipalities, SHPO, and the National Parks Service. As a CLG you receive technical support and grant funding from SHPO. Currently the distribution of CLG grant monies is being revamped. It will be project based, rather than population based. The call for grant applications will be begin October 1st and be due by December 31st. All applications will be scored on a series of considerations and criteria. CLG’s will be encouraged to complete open projects before applying for any additional funding. L’Orange anticipates funding would be available in May or June and the project cycle is for a full calendar year. Extensions will no longer be granted. The contract may be amended but SHPO cannot grant any extensions. It is possible to phase projects but would require separate applications over a period of time. Development or rehabilitation projects must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation. These “brick and mortar” type projects are not good for phasing as grant monies may not be available from one grant cycle to another. L’Orange said education will not be scored as high as Historic Preservation Plans. He prefers local training that benefits neighborhoods and the community. He would be highly supportive of partnering with other CLG’s to bring in the National Alliance of Preservation’s Camp Program. SHPO is also supportive of projects that have received additional funding from other entities (Heritage Trust, etc.). L’Orange said the 50/50 match is not changing. The matching doesn’t have to be in cash. It can be made up of Commission/Staff time, in kind through advertising or printing costs, or through CDBG funds. Federal funds, other than CDBG, cannot be use for match. L’Orange strongly encourages Historic Preservation Plans a priority. He said when it comes time for municipalities to update their Comprehensive Plan he has some new ideas on how to incorporate historic preservation. The same goes for neighborhood plans. Cramer said Community Development Services will soon delve into neighborhood plans, which typically start in historic neighborhoods, and said the Commission would be involved in the process. L’Orange said there are 34 CLG’s, of which 1/3 are inactive. Unfortunately, those that remain inactive run the risk of being decertified. Between 12 and 18 active CLG’s apply for funding. He is working toward organizing regional CLG meetings. He does have a GLG Google Group and if you email him he will add you to the list. This effort to work with CLG’s on a regional basis is in the early stages. Federal law mandates each CLG be evaluated every four years and this hasn’t been done for years. He will be working to correct this. Annual reports will be required from each CLG and will be given consideration when determining good standing. HPC 5-5-16 Minutes - final.docx Page 1 of 2 L’Orange said to draft a Historic Preservation Plan the Commission should submit an application to hire a consultant. The process is an opportunity for the Commission and municipality to look at the current historic preservation program. How it functions, resources surveyed/not surveyed, operations, public engagement, etc. The finished product becomes a work program for the Commission as a whole, separate from the annual work program. It is possible for a Commission to develop their own historic preservation pan. However, a consultant is useful if they are experienced in preservation/preservation planning with new knowledge of current best practices. The public tends to be more receptive to their role as facilitator rather than addressing the Commission, and they have a contractual agreement to complete the plan within a certain timeframe. It is difficult for SHPO to give money to the Commission for writing their own plan. L’Orange recommended the Commission review the plan quarterly to determine their overall progress. He believes the effective life of a plan is 5 years. Cramer said Williams did an excellent draft plan several years ago and believes it could be updated and submitted for approval. L’Orange said State law allowing municipalities to adopt a historic preservation ordinance has a provision for raising funds. The funds can be used as match or for other projects by the Commission. The Historic Preservation Fund Manual states what CLG monies may be used for. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debra Petty, Recording Secretary HPC 5-5-16 Minutes - final.docx Page 2 of 2