HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 10-27-08

 

Those present:  Bob Torbert, Ashley Winkle, Vince Brewton, Betty Champion, Judy Tiffin, Hester Cope, Kitty Cox, Laura Connolly, Brett Wood, Lee Freeman, Billy Warren

  1. Billy Warren welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Kitty Cox and Laura Connelly.

  2. Vince Brewton made the motion that the minutes of the 8-25-08 and 9-22-08 meetings be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  3. Billy Warren presented these treasurer’s reports:
    1. August 25, 2008:

                                                              i.      Checking Account Balance                            $4,481.53

-    119.40

                                                                  $4,362.13

                                    Expenditures:  HiWAAY Internet, $119.00

 

                               ii.  FDR Fund                                                       $5,000.00

 

                               iii. Forks of Cypress Account                              $3,234.78

                               iv. Bailey Springs Project                                     $12,791.74     

                                                                                                            -      392.00

                                                                                                            $12,399.74

 

                                    Expenditures:  Troop 284, $392.00

 

    1. September 22, 2008:

                                                              i.      Checking Account Balance                            $4,362.13

-    594.00

$3,768.13

                                    Expenditures: Florence Main Street $200.00

                                                            Safeco Insurance        314.00

                                                            Ed Rock                        80.00

                                                                                                $594.00

 

                              ii.   FDR Fund                                                       $5,000.00

                              iii.  Forks of Cypress Project                                 $3,234.78

                              iv. Bailey Springs Project                                     $12,399.74

  - 2,600.00

$  9,799.74

 

                        Expenditures:  Stutts Construction, $2,500.00

                                                Andy Novat,                 100.00

                                                                                 $2,600.00

 

Brett Wood made the motion that the reports be approved.  Bob Torbert seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  1. Bob Torbert reported that he is now working with Akins Stoneworks in Russellville to get the gravestones in the Wilson Family Cemetery repaired.  The Boy Scouts have cleaned the interior of the cemetery and installed a wrought iron gate (which needs to be reset).  They want to cut some of the trees, but Bob plans to ask about city tree trimmers doing that work instead.  There is also a group of golfers who want to assist with the cemetery restoration.

  2. Billy Warren made this report on a conversation he had with Todd Nix regarding the fountain in Wilson Park:
    1. At this point, plans are leaning toward replacing the fountain rather than repairing it.
    2. Since the replacement fountain under consideration costs $25,000, there are no current plans to work on the wider surround.
    3. A decision to elevate – or not to elevate – the new fountain as the current one is done has not been made.

 

Billy Warren will continue conversations with Todd and will report them to the HPI Board members.  In particular, Billy will ask whether proportions have been duly considered:  the measurements of the proposed fountain in comparison with the current one and the size of the proposed fountain in comparison with the existing surround.

  1. Lee Freeman distributed copies of a flyer advertising the upcoming commemorative ceremony on Saturday, November 15, in honor of the late James T. Rapier.

  2. Lee Freeman reported that the meeting regarding the former public library building as an archival center occurred informally. It was concluded that, though the building would work very well as a center for the Florence-Lauderdale archives, that will not happen because the building is privately owned.

  3. Hester Cope reported that she called Dr. Heaton to tell him that the architectural drawings of the 1918 addition to the East Florence Freight Depot had arrived.  Billy Warren stated that Mr. Stutts, representing Dr. Heaton, borrowed the drawings and made copies of all six.  Lee Freeman announced that the original copies are now stored in the map files in the Local History/Genealogy Department at the public library.

  4. Billy Warren distributed copies of the revised document regarding HPI’s opposition to the subdividing of houses into apartments.  There were suggestions from the group for making the document better.  Billy will incorporate the suggestions into a revision and bring it to the November 24 meeting for possible approval by the Board.

  5. Lee Freeman reported that Amanda Perry is currently working on a Christmas-time musical to be staged in early December.  After that, she will issue casting calls to get started on the April, 2009, Cemetery Stroll.  It was agreed that we should ask a Civil War re-enactors’ group to set up a period camp near Soldier’s Rest, the section of the Florence City Cemetery that is set aside for graves of Civil War veterans.  Lee Freeman will notify Billy Warren of a contact person for a re-enactors’ group.

  6. Bob Torbert reported that the exterior of the Help Center building has been painted taupe.  He asked that HPI award the Center $200 for paint.  Betty Champion made the motion that HPI donate $200 to the Help Center to purchase paint for the metal awnings.  Vince Brewton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  7. Ashley Winkle, reporting for Florence Main Street, reported that these new downtown businesses are faring well:
    1. The Wine Seller
    2. Kennedy Bridal and Formal Wear
    3. Gingerbread Antiques Mall
    4. McGraw’s Coffee House – now owns two buildings and plans to create an artists’ emporium in the second building
    5. PSI – almost finished with remodeling to accommodate a department similar to Kinko’s
    6. Preemies to Plus – monogramming of children’s clothes and consignment items

  8. After a discussion, Betty Champion made the motion that HPI fund the 2009 subscription to Preservation magazine for the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.  Hester Cope seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

  9. Laura Connolly distributed copies of a bookmark-size card advertising the upcoming performances (November 6-8, 7:30 p.m.; November 9 at 2:00 p.m.) of “Our Town” at the Shoals Theatre.