Historical Commission Meeting

Historical Commission Meeting Madison Heights, Michigan January 14, 2026 A Historical Commission Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Library - 240 W. 13 Mile Rd. CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 pm by Chair Scott. ROLL CALL PRESENT Chair Margene Scott Vice Chair Jennifer Ballantine Treasurer Justin Suarez Social Media Officer Kevin Wright Council Representative Bill Mier Jason Kowalski Joel Seewald Cheryl Suiter Staff Liaison Vanessa Verdun-Morris EXCUSED Mark Bliss Martha Covert Regina Juska-Svoba Kate Kapas Martha Kehoe ABSENT Rebecca Chambliss 1. Excuse members who gave notice of absence. Motion made by Council Representative Mier, Seconded by Vice Chair Ballantine. Passed unanimously. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. Approve minutes from October 2025. Motion made by Suiter, Seconded by Vice Chair Ballantine. Passed unanimously. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Zach Suiter requested the city stop blocking photopea.com on the historical computers. REPORTS 1 3. Treasurer Report - Treasurer Suarez Motion to accept Treasurer Report. Motion made by Council Representative Mier, Seconded by Vice Chair Ballantine. Approved unanimously. 4. Heritage Rooms - Chair Scott Chair Scott reported the Galaxy Drive-in Exhibit was well-received on December 13. Council Representative Mier reported that a presentation was made by Wayne County Commissioner Ann Erickson-Gault and some commissioners were disappointed they didn't know ahead of time. 5. Moments that Made Madison Heights Subcommittee Report: Bliss, Chambliss, Treasurer Suarez, Chair Scott, and Wright Treasurer Suarez reported that the only update is on the T-shirts which will be discussed later in meeting. 6. Oakland County Underground Railroad Exhibit for January & February 2026 - Verdun- Morris, Wright Chair Scott reported the exhibit is on display in the library. 7. Harvest Festival Report - Vice Chair Ballantine, Covert Ballantine reported that she and Kapas attended event and passed out candy to 50-75 people. They displayed the banner from the Heritage Rooms as promotion. Verdun-Morris reported that Covert purchased the candy and donated it, rather than seek reimbursement. Ballantine excused herself briefly from meeting at 7:20 p.m. 8. T-shirt purchase - Bliss Council Representative Mier relayed that Bliss reported the online store has not yet been launched due to illness, but will be set up this month with plans to promote it on social media with Wright. T-shirts remain popular, and the first order has put us in the black with a good amount of stock still available. Motion to allocate up to $300 for restocking sold-out sizes. Motion made by Council Representative Mier, Seconded by Kowalski. Passed unanimously. Ballantine returned at 7:25 p.m. 9. Digitization Report - Council Alternate Fleming, Bliss, Suiter, Verdun-Morris Suiter reported that the committee did not meet. Verdun-Morris reported that she sent two emails to committee but did not receive responses. Council Representative Mier volunteered for digitization committee. 2  Mier requested to add Social Media report to this agenda and future agendas. 10. Social Media Report - Wright Wright provided written report with statistics, and Verdun-Morris reported a teacher request for a commissioner to visit Madison Elementary. Wright volunteered to reach out to teacher and schedule visit later in spring with Seewald. WORK PLAN REVIEW Nothing to review. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11. Work Plan 2026 Motion to create 2026 Work Plan as discussed. Motion made by Treasurer Suarez, Seconded by Council Representative Mier. Passed unanimously. Work Plan will include following projects: Digitizing with goal to preserve history. Subcommittee: Council Alternate Fleming, Bliss, Suiter, Mier. Public Relations with goal to increase exposure to Heritage Rooms and expanding social media presence. The next Heritage Rooms Open House is scheduled for March 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to coincide with the City’s Egg Hunt. Subcommittee: Wright, Treasurer Suarez, Ballantine. Documentation with goal to inventory collection, make Heritage Books content ADA accessible, and create new commissioner orientation packet. Subcommittee: Seewald, Chair Scott, Kowalski. NEW BUSINESS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT at 8:34 pm. by Chair Scott. 3