HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES A regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was held in the Chizmar Room, 1st Floor, Borough Administrative Center, 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Martin Gutoski, Vice-Chair. MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS EXCUSED: OTHERS PRESENT: Martin Gutoski Patty Peirsol Molly Proue Amy Viltrakis Rebecca Hurbi Pat Thurman LaJuana Williams Chris Miller, member of the public Angie Schmidt, member of the public Janet Matheson, Architect Deb Hickok, Explore Fairbanks David Pruhs, Councilmember, City of Fairbanks Kellen Spillman, FNSB Community Planning Deputy Director Melissa Kellner, FNSB Staff Representative Laura McLean, FNSB Recording Clerk A. ROLL CALL B. MESSAGES 1. Chairman's Comments None 2. Staff s Comments Ms. Kellner welcomed Jo Antonson to the meeting. Ms. Kellner stated that the September 18 th meeting will be held at the North Pole library. This has been confirmed. 3. Citizen's Comments Chris Miller and Angie Schmidt, new owners of the Joslin house, addressed the Commission. They gave a brief update on the restoration work that they have had performed on the Falcon Joslin house to date. Mr. Miller announced that the picture on the sign is incorrect and they would like to have the sign replaced. He indicated that he and Ms. Schmidt will pay for the new sign. He requested the name of the manufacturer so that he may contact them directly to procure a new sign. Further discussion ensued. It was determined that Ms. Kellner will provide Mr. Miller and Ms. Schmidt with the name of the manufacturer so that they may order a new sign.
Page 2 of 5 C. *MINUTES Ms. Antonson mentioned that there may be Federal development grant funds available. She provided the property owners with pertinent information. Ms. Kellner stated that she would like to have a motion to re-order the agenda to allow item F.a. (Polaris Building update) to be heard immediately following the CLG Grant projects as she can also provide some insight into this project. The minutes of the May 21, 2018 and June 18, 2018 meeting minutes were presented for approval. D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Consent Agenda passes all routine items indicated by asterisk (*) on agenda. Consent Agenda items are not considered separately unless any Historic Commission member or citizen so requests. In the event of such request, the item is returned to the general agenda. MOTION: VOTE: Moved by Ms. Peirsol, seconded by Ms. Viltrakis to approve the minutes of May 21, 2018 and June 18, 2018 and to re-order the agenda to accommodate Ms. Matheson. No objections MEETING AGENDA AND CONSENT APPROVED WITHOUT OBJECTION E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. CLG Grant projects i. Salcha-North Pole area historic building survey Ms. Kellner reported on this project. It appears that all is going as expected. True North is asking the Commission to verify the individuals that they have identified as being appropriate to interview. Ms. Viltrakis suggested that True North also interview Tori Brannans mother Sheran Bernerth. Ms. Viltrakis further commented that some of the other names listed are very knowledgable of the area. Ms. Proue queried if there are any people from the North Pole area that are going to be interviewed. Ms. Kellner was not sure. She will check with Casey. Ms. Peirsol expressed her concern that people from North Pole need to be interviewed. Further discussion ensued regarding some of the folks that True North plans to interview. Ms. Kellner reported that the commissions hours for the grant match have been met.
Page 3 of 5 ii. Pioneer Park nomination Janet Matheson addressed the Commission. She provided the commission with an update regarding this project. Further discussion ensued regarding this topic. Ms. Kellner reported that the hours for this grant project need to be submitted. At this time, the commission is still responsible for approximately 20 more hours. She requested the commission to provide any hours for this project as soon as possible. b. Riverboat Nenana preservation work Ms. Kellner reported that the Friends of the Nenana group met recently with members of borough staff and Mayor Kassel. At this meeting, they presented to the borough what their long range plans are to support the boat. Mayor Kassel was in concurrence with what the group is attempting to do and will direct staff to support them as needed. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Spillman commented that he and Ms. Kellner are looking into other means of funding to help with this project. They will keep the commission apprised as things develop. c. Minnie Street corridor Ms. Kellner addressed the commission regarding this project. She stated that she requested a copy of the slideshow that was presented to the public at their last public outreach meeting. Ms. Kellner will forward this slideshow to the commission. She stated that the next community workshop will be held in August of September. d. Community approach to demolition of historic properties Ms. Peirsol reported that she spoke to the owner of the Masonic Temple and he has expressed interest in keeping the historic sign which is in front of where the Masonic Temple used to stand. Further discussion ensued. Ms. Kellner reported that Ms. Antonson has started the process of removing the Masonic Temple from the National Register listing. Ms. Antonson advised the commission that after checking the criteria for which the building was nominated to the register, without the building on the property, the site does not qualify for the register. The commission further discussed how historic properties could be further documented for the National Registry prior to demolition.
Page 4 of 5 e. Reporting hours for grant projects F. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Kellner requested that commissioners keep submitting their hours for both of the grant projects. a. Polaris Building update David Pruhs, City Councilmember and member of the Polaris Working Group, addressed the commission and gave a brief update regarding the status of the Polaris Building. He spoke to the fact that the Polaris Building is listed on the Alaska Association for Historic Preservations list of most endangered properties as well as the City s perceived need to demolish the building. Deb Hickok, Explore Fairbanks, addressed the commission. She concurred with Mr. Pruhs. Ms. Matheson addressed the commission with regard to this project. She clarified how the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation determines properties to include in their list. The commission discussed the list of the most endangered historic properties further and some of the properties that are on this list here in Fairbanks. Mr. Gutoski queried if the City of Fairbanks City Council will be asking for this property to be taken off of the list via resolution. Mr. Pruhs commented that the City of Fairbanks will be asking for the property to be taken off of the list. Mr. Spillman suggested that when the time comes and the City of Fairbanks requests that the property be removed from the list, this commission could offer a letter of non-objection to said action. It was determined that this item will remain on the agenda for further discussion in the future. Mr. Gutoski spoke to the Chena Building and requested Ms. Antonsons input. Mr. Gutoski gave a brief overview of the Chena Building. A question and answer period ensued. b. 2019 Alaska Historical Society & Museums joint conference Mr. Gutoski gave a brief presentation regarding the 2019 conference and the possibility of holding the conference at Pioneer Park. Mr. Gutoski commented that they recently received news that the Civic Center at Pioneer Park will be unavailable from April 2019 to late September 2019. It will not be available for this conference. Donn Hayes, Pioneer Park Manager, suggested waiting until 2020 to hold the conference at the Civic Center. Mr. Gutoski will speak with Della Hall and Ron Inuoye and suggest the conference be held at Pioneer Park in 2020.
Page 5 of 5 Ms. Peirsol suggested the Carlson Center for the 2019 conference. Mr. Gutoski will speak with Ms. Hall and Mr. Inuoye and report back at the next meeting. G. CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Kellner announced that the next round of CLG grants is open. Applications are due August 24, 2018. She further commented that if this commission wishes to apply for the next round of grants, a special meeting will have to be held in early August to meet the deadline for the application. The commission determined that they do not wish to pursue further grants at this time. This item will remain on the agenda for August 2018. H. COMMISSIONER S COMMENTS I. AGENDA SETTING J. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Peirsol requested that the 2018 Meeting Dates list with the tickler as well as the acronym list be included in each packet. Moved to adjourn by Ms. Viltrakis, seconded by Ms. Proue. The next meeting will be on August 20, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.