City
of
City Hall
August 10, 2005
Members Present: Rebecca McGovern; Cara Vonk; Ted Thoeny; Dante Bains; and Susan Brady.
Staff Present: Jennifer Coile, City Manager; Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk.
There were no comments from the public.
A motion to approve the Affidavit of Posting of the August 10, 2005 Agenda was made by Board Member Vonk and seconded by Board Member Thoeny. The motion carried unanimously.
City Planner Caraker stated that, upon a second review by the State Historic Preservation Office, the RFP should be complete and made available to historical specialists by the end of the week.
City Manager Coile stated she is identifying cultural landscape specialists to receive the RFP as well.
To Board Member Vonk’s query whether the list of architectural historians was being revised and updated, City Planner Caraker responded affirmatively.
City Manager Coile reported she had secured a room at the library to be used as a headquarters for the Inventory Grant Subcommittee. The room, previously occupied by the Literacy Program, would be available October 1.
Subcommittee Chairperson Georgana Gularte gave a
report, stating they need additional volunteers. City Manager Coile stated she
asked for volunteers in the City’s newsletter and could ask
Subcommittee member Cara Vonk reported on suggested context themes; “San Juan Bautista, a Place of Significance, “Heroes of the VFW”, and “Lawmen”.
Subcommittee member Ted Thoeny suggested that oral history videos could be reviewed and used as a resource. City Planner Caraker stated that future filming of oral histories should be done under the direction of the consultant, as they need to be done in a specific way.
5.
Informational Items
A.
Sign
Violations
Chairperson McGovern stressed that the Historic District is their responsibility, and it is gradually being destroyed with sign violations: large signs in the windows, windows painted displaying information, and neon signs. Additionally, she pointed out that there are buildings in the Historic District that are not being kept up. She suggested sending a letter to the merchants explaining the HRB’s function, and cites the things that are violations.
Board Member Bains stated the merchants are operating in a survival mode, and painted windows and signs are to attract customers. He added that store signs have been used to attract customers for decades, dating back in history. Board Member Brady stated she felt it was more an issue that the buildings appear to be falling apart and the Board needs to get building owners to take pride in their buildings. Board Member Thoeny commented that buildings in the Motherlode are well taken care of; and, would State building code allow the Board to notify the City to notify the owner to paint their building and put a lien on their taxes if they don’t pay the bill. Board Member Vonk stated that the signs are not attractive and do not attract tourists.
The Board reviewed the November 2004 amendment to the sign ordinance. They discussed the procedure to be taken to cite violations; specifically, submit a list to City staff to follow-up on enforcement. City Manager Coile suggested providing information to the Merchant’s Association.
City Planner Caraker said she would review a list of suspected violators against City records of approved sign permits.
Board Member Dante Bains submitted his resignation from the Board due to personal reasons, stating he would continue for the next 60 days.
Board Member Thoeny, said he would not be able to attend the County Historical Board meeting that week; for which he is a member; and asked if anyone else would like to attend in his place. The County Historical Board meets every second Thursday of the month.
The next Inventory Grant Subcommittee meeting was
scheduled for August 19 at 6:00 p.m. at
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is
holding their annual conference in
B.
City Manager
Comments
City manager Coile announced that a City Hall newsletter has been produced and all residents of San Juan Bautista as well as those residing outside the community would be receiving it in their post office boxes. Additionally, she announced that an administrative procedure had been put in place in regards to press inquiries to City staff, and stipulated in that administrative procedure was that elected and appointed officials of the City were responsible for their own responses. In regards to the newly vacated seat on the HRB, staff would begin the process of soliciting for applicants.
C.
City Planner
Comments
No comments were received.
7.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. was made and passed unanimously.
___________________________
Rebecca McGovern, Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk