01/12/2004 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? ".. inventory. It would be much easier to accomplish that if they have their own camera. They would be able to imbed a picture on the application. There are opportunities to use a camera. Mrs. Lord said when they had access to a camera more frequently, they would often have digital pictures of the properties that were coming before the board. That was helpful when trying to determine where a resident was asking to put a deck for example. She concurred that a camera would certainly be used. Mr. Lang asked for further suggestions for a dollar amount to put in the budget. Mr. Barker said he thinks the $1,300 figure is a little high. Mr. Yager explained he is considering there is a video tape as well, so if they want to document around an entire home instead of a few still shots, they can actually film the entire thing and put that into an archive. He indicated that as an architect, he does that on a regular basis. There are some real merits to having a video element when they go back to review the historical attributes of a redesign. There was discussion about shopping around to find a good price on a camera. Mr. Yager said he knows in other cities when someone goes before the Planning Commission or a Landmarks Commission, there are TV's and they videotape the entire site so the members can view a site. The sites are taped during the day so working board members are able to see the site and talk about the project as it comes before the board with a better understanding. Mr. Lang said he will put $1,000 in the budget. He recommended they combine the price of the date strips and the plaque amount. He suggested they increase the price of the strips to $50 because it is an old amount they have been using for each strip. He would recommend they incorporate at least 12 strips so it matches the number of plaques they have on hand. Mr. Yager asked how many plaques were handed out in 2003. Mr. Lang replied they did not hand out any. They have not had an active plaquing program. He then explained the program and the process to Mr. Yager. Mr. Lang suggested that 1VIr. Nasher review the 2003 budget and take note of the money spent on memberships. He said they joined the Cleveland Restoration Society, the National Alliance for Preservation, the National Trust, and the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums. Mr. Yager asked if anyone on the commission attends those meetings. Mrs. Lord said they have had people attend the meetings, and they do receive the publications. Mr. Yager said he has attended such meetings for his personal interest and they are very good. It would not hurt if someone on the board was assigned to attend if they already have the inembership paid for. There is a lot of good information to help them find money, and information on how a layman goes about designating a building or a property in a historic manner. He said being a member of these organizations is only effective if they participate. If someone goes to a meeting and comes back to report to the board about what is going on, that is where the benefit would lie. He cannot say what organization is best. The Historic Preservation Society seems to find the most amount of money. W. O'Malley said it appears one of the criteria for being a CLG will be maintaining the membership of some kind and also encouraging the members to attend conferences at least once a year. Mr. Lang indicated they do see monthly publications from each of the organizations they joined and out of 12 meetings last year, he has made reference to at least one periodical each month. There is always something timely and topical. For example, when people come before the board, they make reference to the most current information they have available through the publications. He said there guiding hand is the Secretary of the Interior, and the National Park Service and the Standards for Rehabilitation and Restoration. He added that he went to the Restoration Society regarding the Thompson House on Butternut Ridge and had a lengthy chat with them. It was based on that conversation that the board reluctantly gave permission to have the house sided, but noted full well on the certificate of appropriateness that the board foresaw handicaps that if they should ever materialize, the resident could not say he was not warned. Mr. O'Malley said the budget should include, and they should explore, the possible numbers for conferences. They should aim high. Mr. Yager again said the conferences can be very valuable and they can learn a lot. He is on the executive board of the Cleveland Chapter of Architects and the state convention is in October. There are elements of history, elements of Green Building design that are a real benefit to relaying information back to any group. He would suggest at least one member of the commission going to that convention and report back to the board. They talk about finding funding, writing grants, things that are critical to ensure that buildings are maintained. Those are not the areas he focuses on at those meetings, so it would be helpful if someone went with 2