Historic Preservation Commission

IDAHO FALLS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Thursday, April 13, 2023 12:00 p.m., Annex Conference Room Minutes Members Present: Chris White (Chair), Hereschell Mynarcik, Tasha Taylor, Catherine Smith Also Present: Caitlin Long (Planner), David Peterson (Planner), Cheryl O’Brien (District 7 Idaho State Historical Society Representative) Meeting Called to Order: Chris called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Minutes: Tasha made a motion to approve the minutes from February 2, 2023. Hereschell seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. CDS Director Update: Caitlin informed the Commission that Community Development Services has hired a new Director. Wade Sanner is coming to the City from Sheridan, WY and will start work on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Wade has worked in Sandy, Utah and Wheatridge, Colorado amongst others. Caitlin let the Commission know that there are currently eight members on HPC, and bylaws state there can only be seven. She said that she’s not asking anyone to step down but there is no room for anyone else to join. She has spoken with Cristina, the new Museum Curator, and let her know there’s no space on the Commission but her services and expertise would be appreciated in the future. Caitlin also reported that the HPC was awarded a grant from SHPO in the amount of $15,000 for the Historic Preservation Plan. This means that work can be started internally, and the Plan can go out for bid. HPC has until 2025 to create the Historic Preservation Plan. SHPO also told Caitlin that they would be paying the membership fees of all CLG’s, Certified Local Governments, for the NAPC, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. SHPO had $120,000 requested throughout the state but only had $95,000 in funding. Stockyard Interpretive Sign Project: Caitlin said this is the project the HPC was to work on and that it sounded like Chris was going to bring a mockup of the language to the meeting. Chris said he would work on something and reread the proposal again. Chris will work on wording and send it to Caitlin to distribute. Caitlin said the sign they need to come up with a paragraph or two to fit on the sign. Roundtable: Cheryl let the Commission know that sometime in May she will host a meeting for District 7 to see if there is interest in forming a group of likeminded individuals throughout the district. She invited the HPC to attend and said she will communicate through Caitlin when she has finalized the details. Hereschell asked if Caitlin came up with anything regarding name tags. Caitlin informed the Commission that there are no funds for tags as name plates were recently purchased. Tasha said that Idaho Public Television is making a documentary on prohibition in Idaho, and they are interviewing her for part of it. They will be doing some filming in her speak easy as it has the “vibe” they’re looking for. The Commission discussed the underground tunnels that supposedly run through Downtown Idaho Falls. Tasha asked if the city has any tunnel maps. David said he would investigate it and ask Public Works if they have any utility maps that may show the tunnel system. Hereschell said the sandbar maps stop at 21 then go into approximately 45. He found out while working with Cristina at the Museum of Idaho that the others are in the museum. He asked if the city could help copy the missing maps and put them on file? Caitlin said she could look into it but doesn’t think the city has the staff time right now to take on that project. Chris let the Commission know that he is part of Friends for Learning. Friends for Learning is an over 50 organization that has a membership of over 175 people that has different programs. One of the programs is a Downtown walking tour on May 11, 2023, at 1:00pm. Anyone interested can join the tour by meeting in front of the Downtown Development Corporation offices located next door to City Bagel. Hereschell just purchased the First Addition copy of Captain Bonneville’s book that was printed in 1837. The book chronicles Captain Bonneville’s three-year journey through the local area. Catherine said that she no longer has a conflict with Thursday’s and will be able to attend more HPC meetings. She let the Commission know that the Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) has hired a new employee, Courtney Hernandez. Courtney is the new Events and Communications Coordinator, and she will be working to rebuild the Downtown Historic Walking Tour brochure with updated photographs. The DDC is also producing a new thing on their website that will highlight all the downtown historic buildings. It will include the photographs, a slide show, and a QR code that will be displayed in downtown buildings that will lead people to the walking tour. Caitlin informed Catherine that the HPC has been discussing putting QR codes in downtown buildings and informed her that she has created one that leads to the HPC website and all the maps, brochures, and walking tours. Caitlin will send out stockyard reminders and asked that the Commissioners do not reply all as they don’t want to trigger a meeting. Chris asked if there can be a QR code included on the stockyard sign? Caitlin said she would check into it. The HPC had a discussion on the construction of the water tower, the parking downtown during construction, and rail trails. Meeting Adjourned at 12:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Ann Peterson, Recording Secretary