Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, December 1, 2022 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room And Teams Minutes Members Present: Chris White (Chair), Hereschell Mynarcik, Kim Smith, Katherine Heiser, Tasha Taylor, Julie Anglesey Also Present: Caitlin Long (Planner), David Peterson (Planner), Kerry Beutler (Assistant Planning Director), Dan Everhart (SHPO), Maria Rachal (SHPO), Dr. Jason Tippeconnic Fox (SHPO), Cheryl O’Brien (District 7 Representative to the Idaho State Historical Society), Bruce Mincher (St. John’s Lutheran Church) Meeting Called to Order: Chris called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Minutes: Hereschell made a motion to approve the minutes from October 6, 2022. Tasha seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Introduction to SHPO Staff: Dan Everhart introduced the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) staff and gave a brief explanation as to who they are and what they do. Dan Said he is the Outreach Historian; Maria Rachal is the Certified Local Government Coordinator and the direct contact for this area; Dr. Jason Tippeconnic Fox who is the National Registration Coordinator. Dan explained that SHPO is a department within the larger State Historical Society. The State Historical Society is a state agency with a Governor appointed Board. One of the Board, Cheryl O’Brien, came to the meeting and Dan introduced her. He informed the Commission that Cheryl is the District 7 Representative to the Idaho State Historical Society. The State Historical Society encourages the preservation, documentation, and use of cultural resources. He said they are a multi-faceted agency that includes state archives, Idaho State Museum, and State Historic Sites program. Dan explained that the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is like a three-legged stool. It consists of the local government, State Historic Preservation Office, and Federal partners at the National Park Service. The National Park Service introduced the CLG program as a way to activate and engage local preservation. They said that pushing preservation at a local level is far more effective. Clear cut criteria were established as to what a community needs to do in order to participate in the program. You must have an ordinance, you must appoint and seat a Commission, and you must commit to working as advocates for this cause at the local level. SHPO receives a federal grant from the National Park Service every year. As a condition of receipt of this grant, SHPO must pass through, to their local partners, no less than ten percent (10%) of that annual apportionment. Dan explained that what that means in real terms is that their federal grant which hovers annually around $900,000.00, give or take, means SHPO passes approximately $90,000.00 to $100,000.00 to the forty (40) CLG’s around the state. He said to get this grant the CLG’s must apply, then the applications go through a competitive review. Maria Rachal introduced herself and informed the HPC that she currently lives in Boise and previously worked for the National Park Service in Jackson Hole. Maria has a Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia, and she is originally from Louisianan. HPC members introduced themselves to SHPO staff. Certified Local Government (CLG) FY23 Grant Application: Caitlin showed HPC the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Subgrant Application, explained the process, and said there is a due date of December 31, 2022. She asked the Commission to prioritize four projects that could be listed on this application. First is membership and administration for $400.00, second is training for $2,650.00, third is nomination of St. John’s Lutheran Church for $3,300.00, and fourth is the Historical Preservation Plan (cost TBD). The Commission needs to decide what to apply for and prioritize them for the grant application. Dan explained that this is a competitive grant, so prioritizing is essential. The Commission questioned Dan more about protocol and application processes. Dan informed the Commission that they have unspent funds of $3,050.00 from fiscal year 2022 that could be used for any of the requested projects. The Commission discussed, asked Caitlin and Dan more clarification questions, and decided to use the fiscal year funds of $3050.00 for St. John’s Lutheran Church, then prioritize the memberships, Historic Preservation Plan, and then training, possibly online, for the 2023 grant application. HPC Website: Caitlin showed the Commission the HPC website located at idahofallsidaho.gov. She pointed out to the HPC where to find maps, brochures, documents, resources, and other HPC information. Dan suggested to link some of the documents on the main page instead of links on the side of the page. He said it would make it more user friendly. Dan and Caitlin showed the HPC an interactive map on the SHPO website where you can see all historic properties on the registry. Roundtable: Hereschell informed the Commission that the Main Street Convention is in Boston this year. He asked SHPO if they had heard anything about S1W at the Idaho National Laboratory. Dan said that he didn’t know anything about that project as all projects are split up amongst the SHPO staff. Chris discussed a New York Times article regarding an interesting comparison of architecture in Great Britain and how It relates to heating and cooling buildings and how climate change has changed ventilation. Caitlin informed the HPC that Carrie Athay officially resigned from the HPC. She said that there was no reason to replace her as the Commission is currently full. Dan invited the Commission to the Colonial Theatre where SHPO will be delivering a short presentation and have a question-and-answer session regarding the Federal tax credit program. Meeting Adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Ann Peterson, Recording Secretary