Historic Preservation Commission

Tybee Island HISTORIC PESERVATION COMMISSON Meeting Minutes Date & Time: July 10, 2023, 6:00 pm Present: Holly Grell-Lawe, Mike Goldberg, Marty Harrell, Mary Anne Butler, Cara Cole, Cassidi Kendrick, Jackie Boling, Sara Jones, Spec Hosti Absent:N/A Observers: Dawn Shay, Forever Tybee; Pat Leiby, Tybee/MLK Location: Burke Day Public Safety Building, Conference Building, 78 Van Horne Ave Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. A quorum was present. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the June 12, 2023 meeting were unanimously approved upon motion by Mike Goldberg and seconded by Cara Cole. Ongoing Business City Hall Renovation Holly Grell-Lawe reminded the group that an update on City Hall renovations by Architect Keith Howington was on the City Council agenda for Thursday, July 13, 2023. She asked that HPC members attend if they are available. She further stated that, as mentioned previously to members, that she planned to address City Council that evening during public comment period (3-5 minutes) to publicly thank the City Engineer and Mr. Howington for the tour of City Hall renovations on May 30, 2023 and to reiterate to City Council that HPC’s intent in sending its correspondence regarding the removal of plaster was to gain a voice at the table when decisions concerning historical preservation of City-owned historic properties were being made. Members agreed that such a statement should be made. North Campbell Conservation District Holly Grell-Lawe presented a list of tasks and their status (not started/in-process/completed) associated with this pilot project. HPC Intern, Jackie Boling, is revising the information sheet on Conservation Districts. Other information critical to the project needs updated due to recent property sales in the North Campbell neighborhood. The Chair will update this and other related information. Possible dates for the North Campbell neighborhood meeting were discussed. Due to a variety of annual Fall events on Tybee, the timeframe of late October-early November was selected. Cassidi Kendrick will check on availability of the Guard House during this timeframe. Historical Signage HPC members agreed thar expenditures on historical signage will start with the 7 replacement signs that are needed. The HPC and TIHS logos will appear on all new and replacement signage. HPC Advisor, Sarah Jones, agreed to check for updated costs and to take the lead on the replacement signage. Later in the FY, the new signage needed will be addressed depending on HPC budget status. It was agreed that the new signage should probably start with those for the Batteries, since Sarah Jones has agreement from all Battery property owners, except one (a recent sale), for historical signage to be placed on their properties. Mike Goldberg stated that he had examined the existing lighting at the Fort Screven historical signage near the beach entrance at 2nd Avenue. There are electrical connections in place for lighting the Fort Screven sign and the lamps on the pillars at that Fort Screven entrance. HPC members decided that the replacement signage for Fort Screven at that location (not yet installed) did not need lighting. Solar lighting may be considered in the future. The East Gate Fort Screven Sign has a meter the runs two gas lights on the entrance to Fort Screven Pillars, as well as a light to the sign itself. There is also a street light near the beach crossover that could help with illumination of the sign. The goal is for both entrance signs to match. The replacement sign at the Guard House does not have a light. Holly Grell-Lawe polled the HPC about lighting preference, and the group agreed that a solar light could eventually be placed at both signs. Mike requested the City disable the electrical currently running to the 2nd Ave. Fort Screven Sign, Spec Hosti said he would look into it. This should not impact the lighting on the pillars. New Business Permit Reviews There were no new permits for review. Promotion Banners After discussion of options for pole banners and highway banners, HPC members decided to purchase one highway banner for HPC and consider additional banner options in January 2024 or in the next fiscal year. Cassidi Kendrick will seek guidance on alternate locations for a highway banner and Mike Goldberg will see if the company will honor the pricing for one highway banner instead of the original proposal of three. Upcoming Conference and Training Opportunities HPC members have an opportunity to attend a one-day training in Savannah on July 28, 2023, organized by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and offered by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions titled: CAMP (Commission Assistance & Mentoring Program): Resilience & Disaster Training. Cassidi Kendrick, Jackie Boling and Holly Grell-Lawe plan to attend. Additional HPC members are invited to attend as well. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is sponsoring the 2023 Georgia Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Augusta, GA on September 13-15, 2023. Cassidi Kendrick and Jackie Boling will attend. Trip costs include $533 hotel plus per diem meal costs. HPC Chair, Holly Grell-Lawe, cannot attend and her registration spot was offered to other members of HPC before it is cancelled by Cassidi Kendrick. Future Trolley Tours Holly Grell-Lawe stated that HPC held two Historic Tybee Trolley Tours within the last year, October 2022 and May 2023. The tour in October 2022 was in support of Tybee Island’s 135th Birthday Celebration. She proposed that HPC resume an annual schedule of offering the Trolley Tour each May for Historic Preservation Month. Cara Cole inquired as to the reasons for not offering a tour in October. The high level of work involved in planning and preparing for the Trolley Tour, including the time-consuming challenges of coordination with property owners, at a time when HPC already has a full plate were the reasons given. HPC members agreed to offering the Trolley Tour annually in May. Announcements Tybee/MLK Pat Leiby reported that the ribbon-cutting for the Black History Trail has been done. The brochure is finalized and ready for the printer and the historical signage has been approved and getting ready to be produced. Their goal is to have all the signage installed by the end of the year. On July 21, 2023, from 3:00pm-4:30pm, Tybee/MLK is hosting the Georgia Black Legislative Caucus. They are expecting about 80 attendees. Juneteenth was successful, as was Julia Pearce’s trip to Ghana. Julia Pearce made many successful connections in Ghana during her trip. Cassidi Kendrick stated that the Main Street pocket map will include a photo for Tybee/MLK. There are 5 spots for photos, first-come, first-served. Lazaretto Coalition No update was available. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM with unanimous approval upon motion by Marty Harrell and seconded by Mary Anne Butler.