Final Minutes August 2019
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Great Falls/Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Minutes from the August 14, 2019, meeting held in Rainbow Conference Room – Civic Center Members Present: Ellen Sievert, Ken Sievert, Peter Jennings, Carol Bronson, Suzanne Waring and Ken Robison Members Absent: Steve Taylor, Jerry Stinson, Rick Ecke Staff Present: Kate McCourt, Tom Micuda Ex-Officio Members Present: Joan Redeen, Jane Weber Visitors: Jenn Rowell The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Peter Jennings at 12:00 pm. 1. Approval of the June 12, 2019 HPAC meeting minutes: Ken Robison moved that the minutes be accepted with no corrections, and Ellen Sievert seconded. Motion carried. 2. Monthly activity report from HPO: The Quarterly Report was turned in successfully on July 31, and we have already received the quarterly payment. The Neihart blacksmith shop research has been on going and uncovering some interesting dates and facts, although there is no word on negotiations between the Monarch-Neihart Historical Group (MNHG) and the McDaniel brothers (owners). Peter Jennings asked for clarification on what the plan is. Kate explained that she is trying to get the brothers to turn the building over to the MNHG, even if temporarily, in order to apply for grants from the Montana History Foundation or another entity. Kate was also able to get inside the building recently with the MNHG. Kate volunteered for two events during the last weekend in June. She staffed the information booth for the National Heritage Area effort in Fort Benton, and acted as host for the “Waking the Dead” event in the Highland Cemetery. Along with Andrew Finch, Kate wrote the text for and designed a new sign at the Black Eagle Dam/Smelter site overlook. The Parks & Rec Department received a donation for the sign. In Belt, Kate met Ellen and Ken Sievert, as well as the Mayor, business owners and a delegation of Main Street program employees from Helena, to discuss the possibility of making Belt a Main Street community. Kate completed the first draft of the Monarch Depot National Register Nomination, and has already received the draft back with suggestions from Kate Hampton at SHPO. Last week Kate attended a log workshop in Bannack and learned about testing and making mortar, and chinking and daubing. 3. Downtown Block Visioning Project – Upcoming Montana Main Street Grant project to be carried out by the Downtown Development Partnership (DDP) Tom led the discussion about the Downtown Block Visioning Project. The City of Great Falls has received a $20,000 grant from the Main Street program with which they will fund a block-visioning project. The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is handling the day-to-day management of the grant. The goal is to take a more detailed look at underdeveloped areas in the downtown that have not reached their full potential. An RFP was released, and six firms submitted proposals. The local architectural firm LPW was chosen as the design consultant. Tom stressed that this project will be moving forward rapidly and that as soon as September there will be public design charrettes that the HPAC members should attend. There may or may not be historic preservation involved. The project is staffed by Kate and Brad Eatherly. Four areas were chosen for review. If the property owners are not receptive to the project, their properties will be pulled from the project. LPW will be reaching out to the property owners and the process will begin within the month. The next Main Street grant cycle will open in November and the DDP would like to apply for another one at that time. 4. Update from Rainbow Powerhouse Committee – HPAC Approval for Press Release: Peter: NorthWestern Energy has accepted Susteen’s proposal for repurposing the powerhouse. They have submitted it to FERC, and we are waiting for FERC’s approval before proceeding. Although they do not anticipate that FERC will deny the proposal, they are still asking for letters of support from politicians and key players. Jon Tester (D-MT) toured the powerhouse on August 13 (yesterday) and gave his full support. Steve Daines (R-MT) missed the tour, but he has offered their office’s support as well. Susteen has sent out an RFP to receive proposals for the rehabilitation of the building if they are able to move in. Ellen mentioned that the National Trust for Historic Preservation should receive a press release if the building is saved. 5. National Heritage Area update: The feasibility study is being finalized for the late fall. The next step is the final public comment opportunity, called a “community conversation,” which will be held at the Belt Theater on September 12. This final meeting will garner comments that will go into the feasibility study, a document expected to be 150-200 pages. It will then be submitted to the National Park Service. There will also be a tour of the Belt Theater before the public meeting, from 5:30-6. 6. Announcements from HPAC: Del Darko has requested that he sell the remainder of the Belt Theater Christmas ornaments with a 50/50 split of the profits. Ken then mentioned that the Great Falls High School ornament has recently had a resurgence of sales due to reunions happening of late. Ken Robison informed the group that the first brewery in Fort Benton in many years will be opening, called the Golden Triangle. There will be a soft opening at the end of August, and the official opening will be the end of September. In other Fort Benton news, this coming Sunday at 11am the DAR will be presenting an interpretive sign about the restored Blockhouse from the 1907-1909 period. There will be a reception at the Agricultural Center after that. Ken also suggested that the HPAC get a tour of the new construction at the Great Falls High School, which Tom believes can be arranged. The work should be completed by October 25. Carol Bronson reminded the group about the September 7 tours and events at the Russell Honeymoon Cabin. “Charlie and Nancy” will renew their vows, and there will be an ice cream social, pig roast and period dress dance. Jane Weber mentioned the Little Shell Pow Wow at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump on August 24. The NHA display will be set up there, and the tribe would like volunteers to assist in putting up the tipis and park cars. Jerry Stinson has not attended one meeting since his appointment on HPAC. Tom and Kate will help Rich draft a letter formally asking the County Commissioners to remove him from the HPAC due to inactivity. Joan Redeen talked about the upcoming Arts Festival, a mural festival in which artists will learn how to make large-scale murals, and several buildings will receive them. The alley behind the Dragonfly will get a mural, as well as the Speaking Socially building. Another possible option is the back of the Cory Block building. There will be a night market on August 22, and the festival will kick off on the 23rd. The Montana Downtown Conference will be held from October 23-25 in Missoula. Suzanne Waring informed the group that the Brother Van House has reupholstered a settee. They have also acquired a book of essays to reprint for profit, and will be allowing a carpentry group of volunteers called the Nomads to do some much-needed work in the house. Jane reminded HPAC of a presentation being given this evening about John Muir and Gilbert Pinchot. 7. Public Comment: N/A 8. Meeting adjourned at 12:59 .