Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board

 

2007 Meeting Minutes

 

July 17, 2007

 

June 19, 2007 – No meeting

 

May 15, 2007 – Minutes pending approval

 

April 17, 2007

 

Members Present – Brian Roberts, Paul Whiting, Bill DuBeau, Kathleen Armstrong, Emelie Eaton, Armand Lohof

Members Absent – Warren Osik, Robert Munsey

Staff Present – Kevin and Ann Kooistra-Manning, Western Heritage Center, Lora Mattox, Dave Green

Others Present – Maisie Sulser, High Plains Architects

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:03 a.m.  The minutes of the February meeting were approved by a motion made by Brian Roberts and seconded by Bill DuBeau.   

 

Public Comment – None

 

Historic Preservation Ordinance Examples – Dave Green presented a review of examples of other community’s regulations regarding historic preservation.  Dave discussed that after his review, he felt that Butte Montana’s ordinance may work for Billings.  The Butte ordinance has recently been updated and adopted.  The idea of the ordinance update is to provide more guidance to the YHPB as well as property owners in regards to appropriate rehabilitation, new construction and demolition guidelines within the historic districts.  Also, with the interest from owners along Minnesota Avenue, the new ordinance would provide a procedure for the development of a local historic district.  The board will continue to review the ordinance examples, Dave and Lora will look at the development of a draft ordinance and a timeline for the ordinance review and adoption by the local government. 

 

Next Meeting Location – The board has expressed a desire to travel to other locations for meetings.  Paul Whiting has spoken to the Moss Mansion and they would be happy to have the board meet at the Moss Mansion for the May 15th meeting. 

 

Twin Coulee Subdivision Review – After review of this proposed subdivision, the YHPB did not have any comments.

 

Bricks and Boards Project – The program is set for Saturday, May 19th at 9:00 a.m.  Students will meet at the WHC and then go around the downtown to photo buildings and provide a photo log to state the reason why the photo was taken.  The participants this year will be the Boys & Girls Club from Castle Rock and Orchard and students from the Friendship House.

 

Committee Reports

§         Historic Preservation Month – Activities for this years Historic Preservation Month include the Bricks and Boards Program.  

§         Publicity Committee – Contact will be made to Mary Pickett of the Gazette by Kevin in regards to the upcoming Bricks & Boards Project in May.

§         Building Permit Review Committee – None this month.

§         Property Tax Incentive Review Committee – None this month.

 

Consultant Report –

§         44 attendants at this years Roundtable.  The board may look at reformatting the meeting later in the year.

§         Unfortunately we were not successful in obtaining a grant for the recording of 4 family irrigated farms around Billings.  We will look for other sources.

§         A Glimpse Back panel is displayed at the WHC during the 125th Anniversary Celebration.  Paul and Ann did a wonderful job on this panel and has received many positive remarks. 

§         Ann will be presenting the South Side Architectural Styles presentation to the Geneology Club and the Kiwanis in the next couple weeks.

§         Ann is working on the update of the Billings Downtown Walking Tour Maps

§         Ann was also able to get an updated cost estimate for the Laurel Walking Tour Brochures.  The estimate is approximately $550.

 

Kevin, Ann and Lora had to leave the meeting early to prepare for the annual update of YHPB activities at the Yellowstone Board of County Commissioners meeting.

 

Board Roundtable – Paul Whiting discussed the upcoming Bungalow Tour that he is hosting on May 19th.  He will also be presenting a workshop at McKinley School on May 16th from 4:30 to 7:30.  Prior to the 4:30 meeting there will be tour of McKinley at 4:00.  Also mentioned was an open house of the Oliver on Thursday, April 19th from 4-7 p.m.  The Oliver is located at 27th Street and Montana Avenue. 

 

Meeting adjourned.

 

March 20, 2007 – Annual Historic Preservation Roundtable; no official meeting

 

February 20, 2007

 

Members Present – Brian Roberts, Paul Whiting, Bill DuBeau, Kathleen Armstrong, Robert Munsey, Warren Osik

Members Absent – Armand Lohof, Velma Pretty On Top

Staff Present –Ann Kooistra-Manning, Western Heritage Center, Lora Mattox, Dave Green

Others Present – Maisie Sulser, High Plains Architects

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:03 a.m.  The minutes of the January and February special meeting were approved by a motion made by Brian Roberts and seconded by Warren Osik.   

 

Public Comment – None

 

Eugene Carroll Award Nominations – Ann gave an overview of the two nominations received.  Richard Clawson (2 nominations) has been very active in historic preservation and played a role in the Montana Avenue revitalization.  In addition, he revitalized the St. Louis Café.  Mr. Clawson has included historic integrity in revitalization work and has been involved in numerous community projects.  Mr. Clawson has always remained in the background during these revitalization activities without formal recognition.  The next nomination is Sue Hart (1 nomination).  Ms. Hart is employed by MSU-B and has written several books on Billings and Montana.  Unfortunately, the nomination that the board received did not provide much information.  A motion was made by Brian Roberts, seconded by Bill DuBeau to vote on the nominations.  After discussion, the board voted 6-0 to present Mr. Clawson the 2007 Eugene Carroll award. 

 

Best Practices Award Nominations – The board received one nomination for the Old Maverick Fire Station.  The Marshal-Wells warehouse was nominated but not eligible due to the requirement that the agency involved in the renovation must be submit the nomination.  After discussion, Brian Roberts moved to vote on the nomination, Bill DuBeau seconded.  The board voted 6-0 to present High Plains Architects with the 2007 Best Practices Award.

 

2007 – 2008 Work Plan Implementation – The board members reviewed the work plan on status of projects and where the board needs to concentrate efforts.  At the end of the minutes, the work plan is attached with notes regarding projects.  

 

Consultant Report

§         Bricks and Boards:  Ann informed the board that the grant applied for from the American Architectural Foundation’s Accent on Architecture was granted.  This $1,000 will help cover expenses for the photography work completed by students. 

§         Ann reported that she met with the Minnesota Avenue property owners in regards to the nomination of this area as an historic district.  Lora stated that she also met with representatives and that at this time there are no funds available to assist with this effort.  But staff and the board will continue to look for funding sources.

§         An article Ann contributed information to will run in March.  The article was about history and architectural styles of the South Side Neighborhood.

§         Then and Now:  Paul and Ann have been continuing work on this project and will have it ready for the March 15, 2007 exhibit.

§         Roundtable preparations are beginning.  Plaques, invitations and refreshments will ordered. 

 

Historic Preservation Officer Report – Lora reported that she has submitted the Certified Local Government Grant.  Lora has also submitted an application through Community Services Division for a CDBG grant to assist with local match.

 

Board Roundtable – Paul Whiting mentioned that he is still looking for examples of Craftsman Bungalows for a presentation he is working on, so if anyone has information regarding these structures, to please let him know.  Paul also stated that he will bring goodies to next months meeting. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.

 

February 6, 2007

 

Members Present –Armand Lohof, Kathleen Armstrong, Robert Munsey, Warren Osik

Members Absent – Brian Roberts, Paul Whiting, Bill DuBeau, Velma Pretty On Top

Staff Present –Kevin Kooistra-Manning, Western Heritage Center, Lora Mattox, Dave Green

Others Present – St. Vincent DePaul Representative

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m.     

 

Public Hearing – Building Permit #07-31 – Dave Green gave a brief background on the proposed project.  The project includes the construction of a concrete handicap accessible ramp in the back of the St. Vincent DePaul building located at 2610 Montana Avenue.  The public hearing was opened by co-chair Warren Osik, the representative from St. Vincent stated that they have an employee who is currently confined to a wheel chair.  Currently this employee uses the front entrance.  This ramp is being proposed as an emergency exit for those with disabilities.  The stairs located on the east side of the building will be removed.  No public attended the meeting.  Public hearing closed.  Board discussion:  Member Armstrong raised a concerning the aesthetics of the ramp as it is visible from 27th Street.  She would like to see the railing compliment the building and also suggests that a color could be added to the concrete to compliment the existing brick.  At this time, the applicant does not have the handrail design picked out.  Dave Green informs the applicant that Public Works Engineering Division may require a hard surface to the ramp for access.  Armand Lohof states that most of these building behind Montana Avenue adjacent to the railroad tracks were mainly designed for loading and unloading and that the removal of the existing stairway and the construction of a new ramp will be an improvement.  Warren Osik suggests that the concrete ramp facing the 27th Street be tinted to compliment the existing brick building.  A motion was made by Armand Lohof to recommend conditional approval, seconded by Robert Munsey.  Conditions include: 1) A decorative handrail that will aesthetically compliment brick building, and 2) Tinted or painted concrete ramp to compliment brick building.  All approved.

 

There was no other business.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

 

January 16, 2007

 

Members Present – Brian Roberts, Paul Whiting, Armand Lohof, Kathleen Armstrong, Robert Munsey, Warren Osik

Members Absent – Bill DuBeau, Velma Pretty On Top

Staff Present –Ann Kooistra-Manning, Western Heritage Center, Kevin Kooistra-Manning, Western Heritage Center, Lora Mattox, Dave Green

Others Present – Maisie Sulser, High Plains Architects

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m.  The minutes of the December 5, 2006 meeting were approved by a motion made by Brian Roberts and seconded by Paul Whiting.   

 

Public Comment – None

 

2007 – 2008 Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant – Lora Mattox gave an overview of this years grant application and changes to grant funding.  The grant amount available this year is $4,031 which is a decrease of $1,469.  Currently the YHPB contracts with the Western Heritage Center to carry out historic preservation activities on behalf of the board.  The current contract amount with Western Heritage is $12,000/year.  Under the new funding availability, additional local match will have to be contributed to remain at the $12,000/year consulting fee.  After some discussion it was decided by the board to request funding for the local match from the City of Billings, Yellowstone County, City of Laurel and the Crow Agency.  Below is a break down of the amounts that will be requested from each entity.  In addition to the local match, YHPB will be requesting additional funds to assist the board with upcoming projects. 

 

City of Billings:                    $6,500.00

Yellowstone County:           $1,500.00

City of Laurel:                     $   500.00

Crow Agency:                    $   500.00

 

Kevin, Ann, Dave and Lora will be presenting the work plan and request to the local governing bodies in the month of February.  

 

2007–2008 Work Plan – The board members reviewed the draft work plan.  After review, Brian moved for adoption of the 2007–2008 Work Plan, seconded by Armand, approved. 

 

Local Governing Body Update Schedule – This item was discussed under the 2007 – 2008 Certified Local Government Grant discussion. 

 

Consultant Report

§         Bricks and Boards:  Ann applied for a grant from the American Architectural Foundation’s Accent on Architecture to fund this year’s event.  We should be notified whether or not grant funds were received this week.

§         Awards:  Ann sent out over 100 letters and nomination forms for the Eugene Carroll Award and about 23 requests for submission for the Best Practices Achievement Award.

§         National Register:  Ann was invited to attend an award ceremony in Helena for the official listing of the historic District expansion on January 17, 2007.  The Ruth Residence nomination goes before the State Review Board on January 18, 2007.  Shaun Jones contacted Ann requesting information on how to get the Wold Building in Laurel listed on the National Register, and she sent him a packet of info and contacts. 

§         South Side Presentation:  On December 21, 2006, Ann was the featured speaker for the WHC’s High Noon Lecture Series.  She gave her presentation on architecture of the South Side to an audience of 35 – 40.

§         Requests for Information: Mary Pickett from the Gazette is writing an article about the history and architecture of the South Side, and Ann provided background information, photos and contacts.  Ann received a request for information on the Enterprise Garage, which recently many have begun to call the Yellowstone Garage because of the ghost sign on the back of the building.  After researching the building’s history, Ann found that the building housed the dealerships but not the Yellowstone Garage.  The ghost sign advertised a neighboring garage.  This info will be helpful when rewriting the walking tour brochure.

§         Then and Now:  Ann has been searching the archives for historic photos and then checking to see if buildings still exist to take contemporary shots.

§         New website:  Ann has it up and running, although there are still some glitches to be worked out.

 

Historic Preservation Officer Report – Lora reported that she will continue work on the Certified Local Government Grant which is due at the end of the month.  In addition, Lora will be completing the quarterly reports.  Lora also discussed with the board the addition of Dave Green as staff liaison to the board.  Dave will be leader in the areas of the projects.  Lora will remain in the capacity of secretary and assist with financial aspects of the board.  The board has requested that future agendas have an area where the specific committee’s can report on activities.

 

Building Permit Review – Lora informed the board that a building permit was received for the Montana Avenue Historic District.  The request is for St. Vincent DePaul.  They are proposing the construction of a free-standing handicap ramp in the rear of the property.  The ramp will not be attached to the building.  Dave and Lora will send out the information to the Building Review Committee.  Dave will contact the applicant to determine the timeline for the permit.  If possible the board can meet on February 6, 2007 to hold the public hearing and discussion on the permit.

 

Telecommunications Tower – Lora received a request for review from EBI Consulting from Corvallis, Oregon in regards to the construction of a 100-foot monopole tower and equipment shelter in a lease area located at Colton Avenue and 38th Street West.  After review the board stated that they do not have any comments or concerns with the placement of this tower.  Lora will forward this response on to EBI Consulting.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

 

2006 Minutes

 

2005 Minutes