01/12/2004 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? that focus. It is hard to put a dollar figure on that. It is a reasonable request to be knowledgeable about things they are asked to make decisions on. Mrs. Lord said they have tried to take advantage of seminars when people are available. She mentioned that Mr. Lang and Mrs. Davis both participated in the National Trust conference two years ago and they were grateful for that. The biggest issue has not been a lack of interest but rather a lack of availability to attend. Mr. Yager said he would also suggest that the president of the local AIA be contacted to ask what groups are the most active and have the most ability to support things they are looking at. He said he can report back on that next month. Mrs. Lord said they have gotten a lot from the National Trust over the years and that is the group that does the most comprehensive overview of preservation. They have certainly benefited from being a part of the Cleveland Restoration Society. Mr. Lang asked for the figure paid for memberships in 2003. Mr. Barker said it was $229. He said there are some organizations that they have to belong to. To follow up on the CLG application, the Cleveland Restoration Society is the local outlet for funding purposes. They have to have an application process and it goes first to them and then the Ohio Historical Society. Those are two organizations that are indispensable to the board. The National Trust keeps them advised as to the Secretary's standards and keeps them forewarned about endangered properties and the dangers to historic properties both locally and nationally. Mr. Nasher asked if any of those organizations have been asked to come out to give a presentation. Mr. Lang said they have not as of yet. The Ohio Historical Society does have a speaker's bureau that is available to talk to residents of the community who have historic properties. They will even do home inspections for historic properties with some front money. Because of the situation the commission is in, they never had the front money to put up to have these organizations come out and do a presentation. Mr. Nasher asked what the cost would be. Mr. Lang said he did not recall an exact amount but he believes it was a couple hundred dollars the last time he checked. Mr. Yager said he thought that was a bit high for them to come out and just spealc about what the organization does and how it might help support our City. He would think they would come out at no cost. Mr. Lang said the Cleveland Restoration Society will do it for free. Mr. Yager said he likes that idea and thinks a speaker could come out every other month from a different organization. He thinks that once they hear the city is interested, they will look to help us out. Mr. Nasher mentioned that something like that can be put on the cable advisory. Mr. Yager said they should get the Green Building Coalition out here because right now older buildings are being asked to be reused in a number of ways and there is very little money from the federal government to do historic elements now, so they are finding ways of using this Green Building as a way of getting money to help support the renovation and restoration of their buildings. Mrs. Lord asked if Mr. Yager has a contact for that group. Mr. Yager said he has information at his office. He then recalled the contact's name is Bill Doty. Mr. Lang said it should be rioted they will look around for available speakers to come out to speak to interested citizens on a variety of topics. Mrs. Lord said they have done that in the past in cooperation with the library. She said that last month they talked about another budget item but it is not in the minutes. Mr. Barker said it was the Heritage Home Loan Program at a cost of $5,000. Mr. Lang went on record to inform Mr. Nasher that the Cleveland Restoration Society is advocating membership in the Heritage Home Loan Program, which provides low interest loans to residents of a community who own historic buildings. They provide inspections, they oversee the application process. They will set it up with the County Treasurer to have deferred taxes, inform residents as to which banks are inembers of the low interest loan group. They will oversee the construction of the project which must be completed within a two year window. They send inspectors out to ensure the remodel is being done according to the standards of the Secretary of the Interior. Mr. Lang said if the board's concern is for remodels meeting standards, then membership in this program would be beneficial. They have not done a survey as to how much interest there is in the community. The cost is $5,000 for the City of North Olmsted to belong to the program and make it available to the residents each year, from January to January. He said W. Barker, Mr. Copeland, and the Building Department are all aware of the program. The Building Department has a brochure called the "Housing Enhancement Loan Program" that is almost identical to the Heritage Home Loan Program, except for the inspections and the compliance to the Secretary's standards. He cannot impose upon the Building Department but if they were to take the 3