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Landmark Commission Minutes - 01/12/2006MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION / CLG Video Steering Committee January 12, 2006 MEMBERS PRESENT: Ken Dowdy, Vice Chairperson ■ Members Michael Collins ■ Cindy Cotton ■ Stacie Flood ■ Christy Graham ■ Pat Sullivan ■ Dianne Thueson ■ Charles Elmore ■ Council Liaison Imma- Jeanne Alexander ■ Barry Levy ■ Karen Montgomery-Gagne ■ Lita Watson ■ ABSENT: Jan Schaaf, Chairperson ■ David A. Clark, Dir., Community Development ■ Staff I. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTION & SWEARING -IN NEW MEMBERS Mr. Dowdy, Vice - Chairperson called the meeting to order and indicated the Commission recently had two new appointees and introduced Ms. Pat Sullivan and Ms. Christy Graham to the Landmark Commission. Mr. Dowdy asked members to introduce themselves and state their affiliation with the Commission. Both Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Graham were officially sworn in as members of the Commission with the oath of office. II. REVIEW & APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The Vice -Chair called the meeting to order and called for discussion and approval of the November 17th meeting minutes. Ms. Dianne Thueson introduced a motion to approve the November meeting minutes as presented. Ms. Stacie Flood seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. III. CLG ANNUAL REPORT UPDATE Mr. Dowdy requested staff provide an overview of the report included with the meeting packet. Planning staff indicated as a Certified Local Government (CLG) with the Texas Historical Commission an annual report of all historic preservation /Landmark Commission activities is required for submittal by December 31St. Staff congratulated the Landmark Commission on all the accomplishments they'd achieved over the past year, ranging from the designation of the West Floral Heights Historic District, obtaining the CLG grant for the development of the Heritage Video • project through to the completion of the Holt Hotel restoration project in downtown and regular design review activities. Landmark Commission January 12, 2006 page 1 Ms. Gagne commented the report was for informational purposes and was a good reference for recent Landmark activities. Mr. Dowdy thanked staff for preparing the report & providing Commission members with copies. IV. CLG HERITAGE PRESERVATION VIDEO PROJECT: a) Finalize Historic Timeline for History Planning staff referred members to the timelines included with the meeting packets and explained both Dr. Collins and Ms. Lita Watson (Museum of North Texas History) had historic timeframe information. Staff noted the Museum maintains an on -going chronological timeline of events, establishment of businesses, etc. Mr. Collins spent significant time developing a historic storyline or script of key events since Wichita Falls was a prairie grassland. Staff requested input from the Steering Committee regarding how best to combine & utilize both histories for the video project. Dr. Collins commented that he had referenced both works from Michael Doody and the Louise Kelly collection but the script may require some additional editing. He reiterated his guiding interpretation of the video as he prepared the timeline /script — focus on images and sound clips with one principal narrator with other voices woven through the video. Dr. Collins indicated that he'd contacted Mr. Ed Harvill and Mr. Jack Stephens who both agreed to be interviewed. Ms. Thueson noted that Ms. Ann Bishop and Ms. Merle Anthony had also agreed to be interviewed. Committee members were in agreement with Dr. Collins' interpretation of the video format — no talking heads - numerous voices from interviewees to help tell the story & importance of preserving Wichita Falls history balanced heavily with visual images /photos, stories and potential reenactments. Mr. Dowdy contacted Mr. Cohn Drenan, director, Wichita Falls Museum & Art Center regarding the Lester Jones photo collection which has approximately 300 photos. He indicated the Museum Director was willing to loan the binders containing the photo index so they may be photocopied for the Visual Graphics /Photo/ News clippings work group to select potential photos for digitizing. Ms. Lita Watson commented that the Lester Jones collection is the most comprehensive photo collection in Wichita Falls that is accessible other than the Bill Reynolds collection. Ms. Graham commented that the Reynolds collection is catalogued and stored in numerous file cabinets in the Big Blue Bank building downtown as part of the Reynolds Oil Company archives. Ms. Thueson and Ms. Graham commented that they knew a Reynolds family member and would try to approach them about potential access to the archive for the video project. Mr. Dowdy commented that ideally the entire Lester Jones collection should be digitized and Ms. Watson noted that the County Archives would find it useful to have photocopies of the photo collection for reference on site. Mr. Dowdy noted it will take some time to photocopy the binders with contact sheets and look into digitizing the photo collection. Various members volunteered to help with the task of digitizing the photos. Dr. Collins suggested that after the black /white archival photos are selected contemporary color photos or film footage could be captured to contrast the images of historic structures that have either survived, been altered or no longer exist. Dr. Collins referenced the Natchez, Mississippi heritage video which focused on what was unique to the community /city — it was well written, great blend of background music and interviews. Ms. Sullivan inquired if we could obtain a copy of the video. Dr. Collins stated when he visited Natchez the video was not for sale however he said he was willing to call and try again. Ms. Watson asked the purpose or focus of the video project? Committee members responded the focus of our video will include some tourism potential but mainly educational with an emphasis on preservation and . our efforts to date in Wichita Falls. Councilor Elmore commented that he visualized the video having a past/present perspective. Dr. Collins discussed the idea of having a 'trailer' at the end of the video with interviews more specific to preservation and technical in nature Landmark Commission January 12, 2006 page 2 (ie. City staff, architects, Landmark Commission members, etc.) All committee members were in favor of gearing the video project to a widespread audience. Councilor Elmore suggested developing three 20- minute videos with different target audiences. Ms. Thueson commented that by the time we gather the research, photos, interviews and film footage we will have sufficient materials to develop another companion video in the future with another grant. She added that this was a first attempt to develop a video addressing issues of preservation in Wichita Falls — hopefully this is a stepping stone for future Landmark Commissions' educating the community and area school children. Planning staff provided members with task/work group assignments for accomplishing components of the project. The Landmark Commission has lost two members due to career relocations and gained new members. Staff indicated people are still needed to help with the following work groups: Interview /Narration selection; Historic Neighborhoods; and the Visual Grahpics- Photo - Newsclippings. Councilor Elmore indicated he had experience as a military photo journalist and would assist the photography work group. Ms. Graham volunteered to work with the historic neighborhoods group, Ms. Sullivan volunteered to help with the interview /narration selection group and Ms. Cotton will work with the historic neighborhood research group. Ms. Gagne stated she would follow -up with the revised work groups via email. V. OTHER BUSINESS: a) Next meeting date Ms. Thueson recommended that the CLG Steering Committee reconvene in about 6 weeks after work groups have had sufficient time to accomplish some research and tasks. The group was in agreement and suggested meeting either early March or immediately after the school break during the week of March 20tH b) Kell House Issues Ms. Flood requested clarification regarding replacement of wooden siding at the Kell House Museum. She explained that some boards were deteriorating and additional maintenance is necessary. All Commission members were in agreement that the issue did not require design review approval since it related directly to ordinary maintenance and repair with similar architectural materials. c) Littlest Skyscraper — re- opening Mr. Dowdy informed members that the Littlest Skyscraper restoration /renovation was complete except for some minor items and the new tenant (antique store) is scheduled for grand opening on Saturday, January 141H VI. ADJOURN The Commission and CLG Steering Committee adjourned the meeting at 5:05 pm. J chaaf, Chairpersdh Landmark Commission January 12, 2006 z 004 Date page 3