Historical Commission Meeting

Historical Commission Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan October 09, 2024 A Historical Commission Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 09, 2024 at 6:30 PM at Library - 240 W. 13 Mile Rd. CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 pm by Acting Chair Scott. ROLL CALL PRESENT Vice Chair Margene Scott Council Representative Mark Bliss Regina Juska-Svoba Martha Kehoe Jason Kowalski Justin Suarez Kevin Wright entered the meeting at 6:37 p.m. EXCUSED Chair Jennifer Ballantine Treasurer Rebecca Chambliss Martha Covert Robert Koneske Cheryl Suiter ALSO PRESENT Staff Liaison Vanessa Verdun-Morris 1. Motion to excuse members who gave notice of absence, but not those who didn’t. Motion made by Kehoe, Seconded by Council Representative Bliss. Passed unanimously. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Add New Program as agenda item 10 under New Business per Kehoe's request. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. Motion to approve minutes of April 10, 2024. Motion made by Council Representative Bliss, Seconded by Kehoe. Passed unanimously. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 1 Coreen Lammi, Class of 1960, donated a cheerleader sweater and yearbook. She talked about being involved in athletics. She moved to Madison Heights from the Upper Peninsula. People in the past commented on her Yooper accent. Her first semester in high school was at the old high school and her second semester was at Madison High School (MHS), so she was in the first class at MHS. She thought the new school was beautiful, but it was hard to make a connection since one semester was so short a time. The school had opened halfway through the school year. Ms. Lammi had many fond memories of going to school in Madison Heights. She used to walk to school. She brought photos from grade school in Madison Heights, with the names written on the back. She was impressed by the Heritage Rooms set up. Lindell Ross was a former councilman and lead the battle to maintain George W Suarez Friendship Woods. One of core support groups of the woods was Lamphere High. Even before he was on council, he knew there was a lot of support for keeping the Woods. He suggested the name of George W Suarez Friendship Woods to recognize both Mr. Suarez's contributions and all the people involved with saving the woods. When both were running for mayor, George Suarez had a stroke and Lindell was going through heart surgery when they ran into each other at a medical facility. When he was a councilman, Mr. Ross worked on a project to get rid of the incinerator in the city. Pat Ross is thankful for the recommendation of council and the Historical Commission to name the Executive Council Room after her husband Lindell Ross. They live in condos adjacent to the George W Suarez Friendship Woods and deer will occasionally run by their condo. WORK PLAN REVIEW 3. Historical Commission Work Plan 2024-2025. Finalize annual report for submission to City Council. Experiencing Madison Heights opened up the Heritage Rooms and Madison Heights Honor Society students cleaned the rooms. Naming Madison Heights recommendations were approved by council, and Lindell Ross Executive Conference Room will be named soon. They will contact Rich Clark's family about the dedication. Elva Mills dedication will occur after pavilion is constructed. Digitizing Madison Heights subcommittee may use Microsoft 365 for online storage. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. Heritage Rooms Hours and/or Volunteer Schedule, including opening volunteer opportunities to non-commission members. Motion to open the Heritage Rooms 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, November 16. Motion made by Kowalski, Seconded by Council Representative Bliss. Passed unanimously. Motion to have volunteer opportunities open to non-commission members to work in the Heritage Rooms. Motion made by Kehoe, Seconded by Suarez. Passed unanimously. 2  5. Review Park/Facility Naming Policy and send recommendations for updates to policy to Council. Mark Bliss volunteered to update language with staff and bring back updated policy to Historical Commission at next meeting. NEW BUSINESS 6. Historical Commission Work Plan 2025. Motion to keep the work plan projects, benefits, and measure the same but merge "for its 70th Anniversary" with “Experiencing Madison Heights.” Motion made by Council Representative Bliss, Seconded by Suarez. Passed unanimously. 7. Authorize an annual amount to be spent on office supplies from the Historical Commission's escrow account. Purchase any materials deemed necessary for the museum up to $300 annually. Motion made by Council Representative Bliss, Seconded by Kowalski. Passed unanimously. 8. Elect Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Current officers: Chair: Jennifer Ballantine Vice chair: Margene Scott Secretary: Vanessa Verdun-Morris Treasurer: Rebecca Chambliss Motion to elect Margene Scott as Chair. Motion made by Kehoe, Seconded by Council Representative Bliss. Passed unanimously. Motion to elect Jennifer Ballantine as Vice Chair. Motion made by Kehoe, Seconded by Wright. Passed unanimously. Motion to elect Vanessa Verdun-Morris as Secretary. Motion by Council Representative Bliss. Second by Kehoe. Passed unanimously. Motion to elect Justin Suarez as Treasurer. Motion by Wright. Seconded by Council Representative Bliss. Passed unanimously. 9. Set meeting dates for 2025. Staff recommendation: January 8, April 9, October 8. Motion to set dates as recommended. Motion by Wright, Seconded by Kehoe. 10. New Program 3  Kehoe proposed advertising the Heritage Rooms, and Scott requested adding wheels to A-frame signs in basements. Kowalski suggested additional permanent signage. Motion to create a subcommittee exploring Advertising including Council Representative Bliss, wright and Chair Scott. Motion by Council Representative Bliss, Seconded by Wright. Approved. ANNOUNCEMENTS Wright announced that visitor was scared in basement when it was dark and motion lights went on. Requested Verdun-Morris look into timers for the lights. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 8:47 pm by Acting Chair Scott. NOTICE: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation through electronic means in this meeting should contact the City Clerk at (248) 583-0826 or by email: clerks@madison-heights.org at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations. 4