HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes, Monday, January 28, 2013
Strother Conference Room / City Hall
220 SE Green Street
Chairperson Smith called the January 28, 2013 meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission to order at 6:05 p.m.
Roll Call
Chairperson Kathy Smith
Mr. Brett Methner
Mr. Eric Graham
Mr. Joseph Towns
Present
Present
Present
Present
Mr. Art Jones
Ms. Rachel Norton
Ms. Linda Tompkins
Absent
Absent
Present
Liaisons present: None
Also present was Christopher Hughey, Staff Planner; Carrie Craver, Planning Secretary
Chairperson Smith asked for a motion to approve the agenda as published. Ms. Tompkins
motioned for approval and was seconded by Mr. Graham. The Historic Preservation
Commission voted unanimously by voice vote to approve the agenda.
Public Comments
None.
1.
Approval of Consent Agenda:
Preservation Commission meeting
A. Minutes of the December 17, 2013 Historic
Ms. Tompkins motioned to approve the consent agenda and was seconded by Mr. Graham.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously by voice vote to approve the consent
agenda as published.
2.
Brainstorm – 2013 May Preservation Month Activities
Mr. Hughey stated this was an opportunity for the Commission to have further discussion about
May Preservation Month Activities in order to finalize some of the ideas.
Chairperson Smith stated she had spoken with Mr. Ben Jewell about incorporating the story of
Dr. Pleasant Lea and having the event at Pleasant Lea Middle School. That location will not
work out, but they are looking at the Gamber Center as a possible location. The inside entrance
would work well for displaying pictures and information about Dr. Pleasant Lea. Since the
Gamber Center is near the Historical Cemetery, the event might also incorporate some of the
historical persons that are buried in the cemetery, like the Younger’s and Oliver Shepherd. It is
the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and of Dr. Lea’s death. For a re-enactment of Dr. Lea’s
funeral there are a couple of known characters that can be impersonated, including Mr. Hargis
and one of Dr. Lea’s slaves. The Long Jack Historical Society has agreed to partner with us for
this event, utilizing some of their re-enactors and their historical supplies, books, etc.
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January 28, 2013
The first week of May is not a good weekend for the event, but the second week in May would
work better; also, it may be possible to hold events in the latter parts of April.
Mr. Graham asked where Dr. Lea lived, and Chairperson Smith stated at Douglas & Chipman.
She also mentioned that there were many pictures of Dr. Lea, and of his 2nd wife and children.
They would also tie in the pictures of Mr. Younger and the relationship between him and Dr.
Lea. Mr. Younger was killed within 3 months of Dr. Lea, and the events could incorporate
pictures of the two together. They were friends, and it was important to emphasize that people
from their time period did know each other. A booklet may be created with stories of these
relationships and with photos of these historical characters. Tours will begin at the Gamber
Center and then progress to the grave sides of historical characters in the cemetery.
The issue of advertising for the event needs to be narrowed down. Ms. Norton was going to
follow up on getting the advertising arrangements made. Volunteers for setting up tables and
displays are needed. The student volunteers will wear historic clothing/costumes as well as
help with set up.
Chairperson Smith had worked on researching the Hall/Younger house and discovered that it
was built in 1876, not by the Halls, but by another family. Also, that house was where Bob
Younger’s wake was held. She also located a description of the interior of the house. An image
of the house might be included on the plaque. Chairperson Smith is working on a timeline of the
record of ownership from the date built to present time.
Mr. Hughey will contact Bank of Lee’s Summit and provide an update of the plaque and event
progress.
Chairperson Smith will contact the Gamber Center to confirm use of the building. She will also
contact Bill Rust at the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery. The tentative date of the event is
May 11, 2013. If additional events are held into April, the 27th might be another tentative date.
Historical Society has two easels. Planning & Development has three or four, and can round up
a couple others from City departments.
Chairperson Smith confirmed, too, that the Bank of Lee’s Summit is giving a $500 grant this
year that can be used toward an event booklet.
Mr. Hughey asked if the Commissioners had ideas for the location of a historic preservation
dedication plaque to be presented at the Strawberry Lawn Feté. There were three houses on
3rd & Jefferson that had been discussed, and Chairperson Smith stated that the owners of those
homes had expressed interest in having such plaques on their property. Mr. Hughey stated that
the language and information for such plaques needs to be developed by late March/early April.
Additionally, the bank plaque language needs to be ready 6-8 weeks prior to the date of
completion.
Maintenance of these plaques was briefly discussed, and Mr. Hughey stated that the HPC and
the City of Lee’s Summit are not required to maintain them, since they are located on private
property.
Ms. Tompkins had an idea of ordering plaques ahead of time, since costs are only going to rise.
If the HPC could come up with a tentative list of how many plaques they intend to present in
upcoming years, it might be possible to order some of the plaques ahead of time to try and save
money.
3.
Review and Discuss – Updated HPC Tracking Log of New Ideas
The Commissioners were given a printed log of the updated list of new ideas. Mr. Hughey
noted the changes that were made to the log. The HPC letter of support for re-location of the
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January 28, 2013
Lee’s Summit Historical Museum was complete and will be removed from the log. The idea of
compiling a list of the most endangered buildings in Lee’s Summit was added, and a
proclamation for Lee’s Summit’s HPC’s 25th anniversary was added.
Chairperson Smith asked how we could put together a slide show of the City’s National Register
Historic Districts to present to City Council. She wanted something well-put together that was
colorful and attractive to bring an impressive presentation before City Council. She felt like
much of the work being done has gone under the radar, and it would be nice to showcase it to
others.
Chairperson Smith wanted to establish a timeline for hosting an informational seminar on
restoring historic windows for citizens to attend. Mr. Methner stated that the Commission could
contact contractors to instruct at the seminar. Chairperson Smith wants to check with Saint
Genevieve, MO on who their person was that instructed a past event. A main focus for the first
informational seminar could be about vinyl, educating about ‘blue vinyl’.
Another priority topic for an educational seminar is information about local historic districts,
simply making citizens aware of what it involves, but not actually initiating it. The seminar could
emphasize that the citizens have to initiate a local historic district.
OTHER ITEMS
4.
Review new HPC website under construction
Mr. Hughey briefly displayed some of the changes and features of the new HPC website to the
Commissioners as a preview and explanation of what is being changed. Mr. Graham asked if
there was any way to connect the local historic properties with Google Earth so that people
viewing the site can link into Google Earth to view the property. Mr. Hughey will look into this.
5.
2013 Certified Local Government FORUM conference
Mr. Hughey advised the Commissioners to save the date of Friday, April 19, 2013, for the
Certified Local Government FORUM conference that is held by the SHPO. If Commissioners
are interested in going, there are funds budgeted for 3-4 commissioners to attend. Mr. Hughey
will need a definite answer by mid-March.
ROUNDTABLE
Chairperson Smith wanted to recognize Ms. Julie Cawby with a plaque for her years of service
on the commission. Mr. Hughey was not familiar with having plaques made for the
Commissioners, but he would look into this and see if a plaque or even a nice certificate could
be presented.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further comment, Chairperson Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
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