Russellville Historic District Commission

RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Conference Room City Hall – Thursday, September 24, 2020 5:00PM Commissioners Present: Betsy McGuire - Chair Suzanne Alford-Hodges – Vice-Chair Judy Galloway – Secretary Greg Barborek Steve Newby Polly Hardin Beverly Hooten Commissioners Absent: Nathan George City Council Liaison Absent: Chris Olson Staff Present: Victoria Marchant - Historic Preservation Officer Advisors Present: Sara Jondahl - City Planner Advisors Absent: Danielle Housenick - MSR Director, Trey Smith - City Attorney, T. Kirt Sloan - Fire Chief, Richard Setian - Deputy Building Official, Catherine Barrier - AHPP CLG Director Call to Order, Roll Call & Welcome: Ms. McGuire called the September 24, 2020 meeting of the Russellville Historic District Commission to order at 5:00PM. The roll was called and a quorum was established. Approval of Minutes: Ms. McGuire asked if everyone had read the minutes of the August 27, 2020. Mr. Newby made the motion to accept the minutes as written and Mr. Barborek made the second. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Staff Report: Ms. Marchant pointed out to the commission that the meetings in November and December will fall on a holiday and that the commission needed to decide when they wanted to have their meetings. The decision was made to have the November meeting on Wednesday the 18th and the December meeting on Wednesday the 16th. There was discussion brought up by Mr. Barborek regarding the commission meeting time at 5PM. Mr. George has been unable to attend meetings because he has to work until 6PM. Mr. Barborek suggested we change the meeting time to 6PM. The commission voted to change the meeting time to 6PM. Agenda: Dan Meatheany representing Manna House, a food pantry mission of the Russellville First United Methodist Church, presented the plans for expansion of the building. Since the construction will be on the edge of the proposed Old Town Historic District, he came to explain the plans and answer any questions that commissioners might have. Expansion was necessary because of increased need by the community and increased space RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting September 24, 2020 Page 2 required for storage of more food for distribution. Although this project does not come under the purview of the Historic District Commission, Mr. Meatheany wanted to transparent about the project. The next item was review of applications submitted to fill the empty commissioner's seat after the resignation of Ms. Kathy Keenan-Price. The commission received two applications to review. The first was from Leo Cantu, a banker and resident of the proposed historic district. The second was from Will Wetzel, a local realtor. The commission voted on each by a show of hands and Mr. Cantu was selected to be recommended to Mayor Harris as the new commissioner. The Mayor will interview him and make a recommended to the City Council for their approval. Ms. Galloway asked Ms. Marchant about renewal of the Alliance Review for all commissioners. She said that she had renewed the subscription, but there was only a place for one email address. Ms. Galloway requested that she contact the Alliance office and get an email address to send all of the commissioner's emails to so that all commissioners will receive their own copy. Ms. Marchant agreed to take care of it. The next item was follow-up on FORUM. No one had further comment to make. The cell tower update was next up for discussion. Ms. Alford-Hodges said that there would be a meeting of concerned citizens at James School Park on Saturday morning at 9AM. All interested parties need to bring a chair and a mask to the meeting. Ms. Alford-Hodges also reminded commissioners of the link to a presentation by Catherine Bruce where she makes the argument that preserving the physical history of a place (i.e. James School Park, Old Town and Latimore Tourist Home) also speaks to the future of a place in positive ways. It is a lengthy read, but there are many important overlooked points about preservation that are so timely for Russellville. (This is a podcast from PreserveCast.org on 7/17/20, the most popular historic preservation podcast. There are over 120 episodes and anyone can access them. Preservecast is powered by Preservation Maryland based in Baltimore, Maryland.) Verizon's request will come before the planning commission on Monday night. Ms. McGuire asked Ms. Jondahl for an update on the proposal from Terracon. The City is waiting for comments from Catherine Barrier, the CLG Coordinator. The City should be able to meet all deadlines and have the survey completed by April. Ms. McGuire addressed the update on the Latimore Tourist Home. She last spoke to Andy Hatley on August 31 and the Reverend Tyus was contacting all church members to see if they were in agreement to transfer the house to the City. Mr. Hatley asked Ms. McGuire if the Mayor had ever told the Reverend Tyus that the City wants Latimore Home. Ms. McGuire has relayed that message to the Mayor. Unfinished Business: None New Business: None Adjournment: Mr. Newby made the motion to adjourn at 5:55PM and Ms. Hooten made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Betsy McGuire - Chair Date