City of Kalamazoo - October 9, 2024 Historic Preservation Commission

Updated about 8 hours ago

The Historic Preservation Commission meeting on October 9, 2024, covers several key topics including updates on the O'Connor fund, discussion of grant awards, and the City Hall local historic district designation. Pam O'Connor reports on the status of the City Hall designation process, indicating that further discussions with city administration are needed. The commission also reviews the current financial status of the O'Connor fund and discusses the implementation of a spending policy. Additionally, the meeting addresses the need for new commissioner training and the scheduling of a work plan session. Commissioner Lina announces her resignation, paving the way for the appointment of new commissioners. The meeting highlights the importance of continuous community engagement and the commission's commitment to historic preservation efforts in Kalamazoo.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:30)
The meeting is called to order after confirming a quorum is present.

The meeting is called to order after confirming that a quorum is present. The chair asks for the meeting to be officially started.
Roll Call (00:00:39)
Attendance is taken, noting that Kayla is absent due to sickness.

The roll call is conducted, with the secretary confirming the presence of board members. It is noted that Kayla is absent due to illness, and a motion is needed to approve her absence.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:17)
Discussion on modifications to the agenda before it is adopted.

The board discusses any modifications to the agenda. It is noted that the city hall historic district designation report should be included, and applicant reviews should be moved to the beginning to respect attendees' time.
Approval of Minutes (00:02:55)
Approval of minutes from August with noted corrections.

The minutes from the August meeting are reviewed. Corrections are noted, including spelling errors and missing apostrophes. A motion is made to approve the minutes as amended.
Public Comments (00:05:53)
Public comments are received and discussed, including meeting cancellations and reimbursement requests.

Members of the public, including Pam O'Connor, provide comments. Topics include the cancellation of the September meeting and a request for reimbursement for postage related to fund mailing.
Applicant Reviews (00:09:42)
Review of applications for commission vacancies, with candidates presenting themselves.

The board reviews applications for vacancies on the commission. Candidates Dusty Morton and Melissa Paddock introduce themselves and answer questions from commissioners regarding their interest and qualifications.
Commissioner Discussions (00:23:29)
Commissioners discuss the applicants and the possibility of expanding the commission.

Commissioners discuss the qualifications of the applicants and the potential for expanding the commission to accommodate both applicants. A commissioner offers to resign to allow both candidates to join.
Vote on Appointments (00:29:44)
Vote to recommend both applicants for appointment to the commission.

A motion is made and approved to recommend both Dusty Morton and Melissa Paddock for appointment to the commission. The recommendation will be sent to the city commission for approval.
City Finances Discussion (00:32:45)
Discussion on city finances, including balance lines, expenditures, and the O'Connor fund as a primary funding source.

The city finances were discussed, focusing on the balance line, expenditures, and the use of the O'Connor fund as a primary source of funding. The budget for the next year is to be submitted formally, and there were discussions on whether to vote on certain recurring expenses.
O'Connor Fund Summary (00:40:06)
Summary of the O'Connor fund, including net assets and financial planning for future grants.

The O'Connor fund's summary was presented, detailing the net assets and planning for future grants. The fund's assets exceed a half million dollars, and there are ongoing efforts to ensure funding for current and next year's grants.
Gift Policy Development (00:41:29)
Discussion on developing a gift policy for the O'Connor fund, ensuring funds are available for grants.

A gift policy for the O'Connor fund was discussed, focusing on ensuring funds are available for current and future grants before making gifts. The policy includes criteria for making gifts and involves presentations to the commission.
Cultural Section 106 Report (00:51:31)
Quarterly report on projects affecting historic properties and the programmatic agreement with MSHDA.

The quarterly Cultural Section 106 report was presented, covering projects affecting historic properties under the programmatic agreement with MSHDA. The report included reviews of projects eligible for national register and those not affecting historic properties.
City Hall Historic District Designation (00:57:06)
Update on efforts to designate City Hall as a local historic district and challenges faced.

Efforts to designate City Hall as a local historic district were discussed. Though not much progress has been made since the last update, there is a draft article for Encore magazine about City Hall's history.
Murphy Darden Exhibit Announcement (01:01:36)
Announcement of an exhibit on Murphy Darden's life and legacy at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

An exhibit on Murphy Darden's life and legacy is currently on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. It highlights his efforts in teaching black history and his work as a historian, sculptor, and painter.
Community Updates (01:05:08)
Discussion about the Council Valley Museum's exhibit and its significance to the community.

Fred shared information about the Council Valley Museum having an extraordinary exhibit highlighting Mr. Darden's life. The community is encouraged to visit and learn from the donations made by Mr. Darden's family.
Coordinator's Report (01:06:52)
The coordinator discussed upcoming training for new commissioners and potential scheduling for a retreat.

The report covered the need for training new commissioners, suggesting a retreat for better learning. The logistics of scheduling and conducting the training were discussed, aiming for a weekend retreat to avoid meeting fatigue.
Planning for Future Sessions (01:09:02)
Discussion on scheduling a work plan session and ensuring adequate time for training and work plans.

The need to schedule a separate work plan session from the training was emphasized to avoid overwhelming the participants. Possible dates and formats for these sessions were considered.
Commissioner Comments (01:13:12)
Outgoing commissioner shared reflections and advice for new members, emphasizing the fulfilling nature of the work.

A commissioner reflected on their time on the committee, encouraging new members to bring fresh ideas and dedication to the committee's work in the Kalamazoo area.
Adjournment (01:14:56)
The meeting was adjourned following commissioner comments.

With no further comments from the commissioners, the meeting was officially adjourned.