HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Minutes 20090421
HASTINGS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting of April 21, 2009
Held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
I. Quorum
: Goderstad, Dahl, Martin, Sovik-Siemens, and Simacek present. Staff: Fortney;
Chairman Goderstad called the meeting to order.
II. Minutes
February 17, 2009.
A. A motion by Martin for approval was made and seconded by
Simacek; motion carried.
March 2, 2009
B.Special meeting. A motion by Martin for approval was made and
seconded by Dahl; motion carried.
III. Review of building permits or design proposals
IV. Business
A.Choose preservation award recipients
A motion by Sovik-Siemens to recommend the City Council present the following 5
properties with preservation awards at the second meeting in May, seconded by Martin;
motion carried.
th
1.215 9 Street West
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2.300 10 Street West
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3.307 6 Street East
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4.309 7 Street West
5.600 River Street
Discuss future HPC activities
B.
Commissioner Martin said the HPC could hold a reception at the LeDuc and Chair Goderstad
added that it could be for all the past recipients of the Preservation Awards.
Commissioner Dahl said the HPC could have representatives at many of the LeDuc functions to
help further the HPC goal of increasing participation in preservation.
Martin said the HPC should hold a seminar for local realtors to increase knowledge about
historic homes including disclosure requirements, benefits of historic home ownership, and
which homes are historic. Fortney said he would begin researching the possibility. Martin
added that the realtors may be able to get continuing education credits for attending.
Discuss ideas for a new Hastings Handbook
C.
Fortney said that the Hastings Historic Handbook is sold-out after selling slow and steady for
over 20 years 5,000 copies were printed in 1985 for a little over $12,000. Some were given
away and most were sold for a small profit. The proceeds have been kept for future publications
and have been used from time to time. The Handbook sold well, but as time went on the sales
naturally slowed. If the existing book were reprinted the sales would most likely remain slow, as
most of the people interested in the topic already own the Handbook. This offers a great
opportunity to make a new addition with photographs and topics that were originally left out. In
addition, since the time of printing, the City has acquired many new photographs and had several
new studies done. Cindy Smith, Pioneer Room Curator, has been preparing for a new Handbook
for some time and has compiled some notes for a new handbook (attached). We are seeking
input from the HPC for the new Handbook. Since 1985 there have been many technological
changes in the printing industry which may change the way a new book is published. For
instance, it may not be necessary to print a 20-year supply at one time. In addition, we could
include some color photos.
Dahl said the new book should have a table of contents.
Martin said it would be useful to still have the Guidelines in it.
V.Information and Reports
A. State tax credit for historic property rehabs
Fortney said the state is proposing a bill that would provide tax credits for qualifying
rehabilitations and the City council passed a resolution of support for our representatives.
B. HPC Vacancies
Fortney said the HPC has received no applications for its vacancies.
C. HEDRA loans for historic properties
Fortney said HEDRA declined to change its loan interest rate program at this time, but Grossman
is preparing a new proposal to present to the HEDRA.
D.Mississippi Belle Sign
Commissioners mentioned that the belle had not received approval for a new sign above the
entry to their building.
V. Adjourn.
Motion by Martin, second by Simacek to adjourn; motion carried. – 8:14 P.M.