Hooper Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee - Special Call

HOOPER-RENWICK LEGACY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE - SPECIAL CALL MINUTES Wednesday, November 18, 2020 GwMA Large Conference Room on 3rd Floor of City Hall 2:30 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order Chair Bailey called the meeting to order at 2:32 pm after recognizing a quorum. PRESENT Committee Member Theresa Bailey Committee Member Constance Brown Committee Member Marlene Taylor Crawford Committee Member Ronald Dunnigan Committee Member Gary Glenn Committee Member Rory Johnson Committee Member Greg Lott Committee Member John Maxey Committee Member Joyce Moore Committee Member Gwendolyn Brown Taylor Committee Member Vivian Summerour-Daniel ABSENT Committee Member Rubye Neal 1. Prayer - Greg Lott Committee Member Greg Lott led the prayer. 2. Quorum/Roll Call  Committee Member Joyce Moore completed a roll call of the Committee members and confirmed a quorum. 3. Norms - Vivian Daniel Committee Member Vivian Summerour-Daniel reminded everyone of the Norms for the Committee meeting.  Start and stop on time  Any items not on the agenda will be tabled until another time  Speak only after recognized by the Chair  Respect others  If there are conflicts, focus on the issue not the person. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2020 Motion to accept the minutes for the October 20, 2020 Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee meeting made by Committee Member Johnson, Seconded by Committee Member Dunnigan. Voting Yea: Committee Member Bailey, Committee Member Brown, Committee Member Taylor Crawford, Committee Member Dunnigan, Committee Member Glenn, Committee Member Johnson, Committee Member Lott, Committee Member Maxey, Committee Member Moore, Committee Member Brown Taylor, Committee Member Summerour-Daniel. New Business 5. Presentation by Gwinnett County Commissioner Marlene Fosque Commissioner Marlene Fosque, Tina Fleming, Gwinnett County Community Services, and Angelia Parham, Gwinnett County Support Services gave a presentation to the Committee. Presentation attached at the end of the minutes. 6. Questions/Answers Committee Member Maxey mentioned that the rafters (beams) of the school should remain uncovered if possible and noted that the exterior bricks used on the building are unique and should be preserved and highlighted. Page | 2 Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee Meeting Special Call Minutes 11-28-20  Chair Bailey expressed that the presentation generally mirrored the thoughts and ideas the Committee outlined in their business plan submitted to the City. Committee Member Summerour-Daniel indicated a concern about the removal of the title “Museum” in the name. Other committee members expressed similar concerns. Commissioner Fosque mentioned that this is proposed to be a “themed library” highlighting Hooper-Renwick history and not a museum. The themed library will allow artifacts to be in each section of the library and easier for everyone to have access to the history and stories. A separate museum would require additional staff beyond library staff. She also mentioned that since the County was operating the overall facility it was the County’s decision to propose the “themed library” approach which fused the library and museum concepts in a more efficient way. Mayor David Still, City of Lawrenceville reminded the Committee that the original resolution between the City and the Committee did not state it would be an actual museum. Committee Member Lott mentioned the importance of the scoreboard being on display and that one side should say "Hornets" and the other side should say "Visitors". Chair Bailey mentioned that the Freedom of Choice (school choice) should be explained and highlighted in the historical documents shown. She also mentioned that the Committee members have stories from every facet of the school. Commissioner Fosque said she is eager to hear the stories and to have a team take them down for historical purposes to be utilized in a story vault in the new facility. Committee Member Brown mentioned that it is important that Commissioner Fosque hear their stories and to personally learn more about Hooper-Renwick. She also mentioned that the Committee already has a story vault that can be used. In regards to the collection of artifacts, Committee Member Summerour-Daniel stated that she trusts the City of Lawrenceville, but the Committee members are the ones that understand the importance of the artifacts and would like to remain involved related to the placement of the artifacts in the new facility. She also stated that we keep talking about the library/museum but we need to give honor to the Building. Chuck Warbington, City Manager of the City of Lawrenceville said that even though the County will be designing, constructing, and operating the new facility, the City will remain engaged and involved for the long haul. The City will remain as a conduit between the Committee and the County. Page | 3 Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee Meeting Special Call Minutes 11-28-20  Committee Member Taylor Crawford asked Tina Fleming to explain the artifact software a little more. Tina Fleming said the software would include a photo of the artifact, details of the artifact, and lists where the artifact is being housed. It is possible to send a quarterly report to the Committee of the artifacts. Chair Bailey asked Tina Fleming if storage is available. Tina Fleming confirmed that storage is available and that they take good care of the items just as if they were their personal items. Committee Member Moore asked Tina at what point could the items be brought in for storage. Tina Fleming explained that first there needs to be an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City and the County. She also mentioned that some of the exhibits could be traveling exhibits as well. These would be a small amount of artifacts to encourage people to come to Hooper-Renwick to see the complete collection. Committee Member Summerour Daniel made the comment that she loves the idea of having themed areas, but asked the question why can't we use the word museum in the title? Commissioner Fosque reminded the Committee that a themed library is unique and it will not operate as a museum, it will operate as a library and there are different standards a library is required to maintain. Committee Member Maxey mentioned that the theme concept will keep the artifacts fully accessible, this is an advantage, not a disadvantage. This idea contributes to our overall idea. Committee Member Dunnigan agreed with Committee Member Maxey and mentioned that it is important to save the building and reminded the Committee that the artifacts and the library can't be separated. Committee Member Lott mentioned the idea of calling it the "Hooper-Renwick Historical Library". This would give the building honor and remind us of its history. Committee Member Brown liked Committee Member Lott's idea. Chair Bailey encourage group to brainstorm and potentially come up with other names that honor the building and legacy of Hooper-Renwick. Page | 4 Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee Meeting Special Call Minutes 11-28-20  Committee Member Moore reminded the Committee members that Hooper-Renwick has a hyphen in the title. Chuck Warbington encouraged the Committee to begin documenting the artifacts. Commissioner Fosque thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak with them and to share the County's presentation with other members of group. Chair Bailey told Commissioner Fosque and the others from Gwinnett County that the Committee looks forward to working with them. Final Adjournment Chair Bailey reminded the Committee that the next meeting is on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:00 PM and the meeting will be held over Zoom. Minutes Signature ___________________ Theresa Bailey, Chairman ___________________ Constance Brown, Secretary Page | 5 Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee Meeting Special Call Minutes 11-28-20