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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022-01-06 minutesCity of Jefferson Historic Preservation Code Revision Committee Minutes Regular Meeting – Thursday, January 6, 2022 Boone/Bancroft Room and Virtual WebEx Meeting Committee Members Present Via Webex Bunnie Trickey Cotten Donna Deetz Debra Greene* Brad Schaefer Holly Stitt Steve Veile *Arrived late Committee Members Present in Person Glover Brown Committee Members Absent Cassandra Gould Doug Record Roger Jungmeyer Stacey Young Council Liaison Present Via Webex Laura Ward Staff Present Rachel Senzee, Neighborhood Services Supervisor Karlie Reinkemeyer, Neighborhood Services Specialist Guests Present Via Webex Vanessa Adams-Harris, Guest Speaker Michael Shine, News Tribune Call to Order Ms. Cotten called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Adoption of Agenda Mr. Brown moved and Ms. Stitt seconded to adopt the agenda as printed. The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 4, 2021 Ms. Stitt moved and Mr. Veile seconded to adopt the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 4, 2021 as written. The motion passed unanimously. Old Business A. Local Preservation Code – Guest Speaker Vanessa Adams-Harris, John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation Ms. Vanessa Adams-Harris, John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, Tulsa, OK, grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. Ms. Adams-Harris shared a short video of the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park: International Site of Conscience in Tulsa, OK. She stated that she came into what happened in Tulsa by way of interest in historical events. In particular historical events that happened to African Americans and Native People. In 1921 a massacre happened against the African American communit y area of Tulsa known of Greenwood. Greenwood was a street within that community that was approximately 30-40 square block area. In 1921 the community was attacked by fire, looting and airplanes dropping bombs on the community. Over 18 churches and several businesses were in this 30- 40 square block area. At least 7000 members of the community survived the attack. That survival is everything to the community because they just do not survive, they rebuild their community. They rebuilt their churches, office buildings and homes. The Booker T Washington School was left standing because it 2 was a government building. A graduate of The Booker T Washington School was Dr. John Hope Franklin who became a noted historian. The City of Tulsa passed an ordinance that said you cannot rebuild unless you build with fire retardant materials. A lawyer in the Greenwood community knew that it was illegal to prevent a man from providing shelter and filed a brief and the community was able to rebuild. From 1922 through the Depression the community continued to build and rebuild itself in the area that was designated for an African American community. Through the 40’s there was a thriving community. The 50’s and 60’s saw desegregation and the 70’s saw urban renewal. Now that historic tax credits are available it is disappointing because you cannot use them unless you have a building. The buildings have to be of significance. In 2001 there was a survey called the Tulsa Race Riot Commission Survey. It laid out what happened and it also denoted that there needed to be something significant to recognize this event and that is how we got the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. After urban renewal there are 9 buildings on the corner of Greenwood and Archer remaining. Mt. Zion Baptist Church is located ono another street in the community of Elgin. Mt. Vernon AME is located on Greenwood and Maple B. Little Heritage House also on Greenwood. Our district is discontinuo us because of Mt. Zion Baptist Church located on Elgin. Knowing that this was the main area, with the assistance of the National Parks Service Historian we have been able to cull together a district. We are just now starting to show where the neighborhood is today, what was built and where it sits today further north. At least this will acknowledge that this is the historic area that was known as the African American communities bound area. We were constantly working with our State Senator and Representative. There were three factors that were helpful: (1) the Tulsa Race Riot Commission Survey Report; (2) the National Park Services Reconnaissance Survey; and (3) the City Council members promoted a resolution for the actual boundaries of the community. Last year we were able to establish a historic business district. Currently we are trying to establish an overall discontinuous business district. Ms. Adams-Harris encouraged to establish a collective voice of community advocates that will bring forth what they want to a formal committee. New Business A. Meeting Schedule/Time Ms. Senzee commented that she has been asked by Committee members about the mission of this group. The mission of this committee is to review existing codes with city ordinances related to historic preservation and make recommended updates or changes to the City Council. We are in the middle of this paradigm shift with historic preservation. I think it makes it complicated for us, because it is not just about the built environment any more. As we are reviewing our existing code, I do not want to use the existing code as just a template. I also want to make sure people are thinking along the way as we undergo this process, are we being fair and equitable to all of our citizens within the City. If we are not, is there a way we can do better. I have heard from committee members that they are frustrated with this committee. This is because we are in the middle of this shift, I do not believe think it is because of this group or the different personalities. I think it is because everybody has a different idea of what historic preservation should be. On a local level it is truly what we make it. I want to review the code to make sure it is updated and functional and also that it is available to everyone. At our last meeting we did include an archeological component, but there are areas that we could be potentially more creative. Ms. Senzee reviewed the timeline with committee members. The consensus of the committee is to meet in person at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. A virtual option will be offered as necessary. In response to Mr. Brown’s question regarding Ms. Harris-Adams comments, Ms. Cotten stated that a subcommittee is needed to accomplish the work that needs to be done. I am supportive of your goal that you are trying to accomplish, I just do not think that it is the mission of this group. I would be happy to assist with that subcommittee. Mr. Brown commented that when this committee was brought together that we were to review and revise ordinances relevant to historic preservation and had the Lafayette Street issue had not been brought up it would have not been in the conversation. Therefore Ms. Adams -Harris would not have given a presentation and we would not have known any direction that needed to be taken. 3 Ms. Cotten commented that this committee previously made a recommendation to include an archeological component. Dr. Greene explained that one of the comments that the speaker made was that there needs to be a community group so that Mr. Brown is not handling this on his own. Ms. Adams-Harris recommended to get other people from the community to help you do the various and sundry networking, advocating, researching, etc., in order to get this done. If we revise the code in this way then the thing that the Jefferson City African American Community wants to get is our district recognized whether there are buildings to be recognized or not. All of these things can happen but it cannot be this committee to do it. Mr. Brown stated that we previously reached out to survey both the black and white community and from the business and political side. We have covered all of th e bases and never had a consensus of everybody at the table. Mr. Brown stated that he is not immune to reestablishing contact but I just wanted to let everyone know that we have already done this outreach. Dates to Remember The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Boone/Bancroft Room. Adjournment Ms. Stitt moved and Mr. Brown seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.