Those present: Lee Freeman, Bob Torbert, Brett Wood, Judy Tiffin, Betty Champion, Dick Jordan, Mary Peck, Jim Ingrum, Andy Betterton, Hester Cope, Billy Warren

1. Betty Champion made the motion that the minutes of the 10-26-09 meeting be approved. Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

2. Billy Warren presented this financial report:

a. General Fund Account Balance $2,523.73

b. Forks of Cypress Account Balance $3,234.78

c. FDR Fund Balance $5,000.00

d. Bailey Springs Project Balance $5,655.80

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

a. Approximately 500 people attended the storytelling tours during October.

b. Restoration of the porches is almost complete.

c. Efforts are underway to get a new roof.

d. Work on the foundation of the house has been ordered.

e. A non-profit has been established for the money received during the storytelling event.

f. The owner wants to make the house available for parties, weddings, etc. at some future time.

g. The Florence Electricity Department installed eight lights which have sensors so they switch on at dusk each day.

4. Andy Betterton stated that everyone at City Hall now understands that Charlotte Dean is the spokesperson for the Sweetwater Mansion. Having one designated person eliminates confusion. Andy also stated that, before any event may be held inside the mansion, a certificate of occupancy must be obtained from the appropriate office at City Hall.

5. Betty Champion and Billy Warren, representing the Design Committee of Florence Main Street, presented the 2010 calendar entitled "Historic Houses of Worship in Downtown Florence, Alabama." These calendars are available at various businesses in downtown Florence and at the Main Street office on North Pine Street.

6. Bob Torbert circulated a photograph of a marble urn mounted on a base. He explained that the image in this photograph is very similar to the elegant grave marker located in the cemetery at the Sweetwater Mansion.

a. Vince Brewton, who first suggested at an HPI Board meeting that the fountain should be restored;

b. Dick Jordan, who worked diligently with his fellow members of the City Council to get the funds allocated for the restoration; and

c. Brett Wood, who recommended the artists from Franklin, Tennessee, who eventually received the contract to do the restoration work.

Everyone agreed that this project ran smoothly from beginning to end and that the resulting restoration is superb!

8. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter from the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) which notes the AHC’s acceptance of HPI’s approval of the demolition of the structures at 403 and 405 Ironside Street. Billy explained that the request for demolition came from officials at the Brandon Ministry Center and that he communicated with Gary Williamson, Head of the Building Department of the City of Florence, before writing the letter to the AHC.

9. Billy Warren reported a monetary gift to HPI by Ms. Sue King Hufstedler. He stated that he has written her a thank-you note in behalf of the Board of Directors of Heritage Preservation, Inc.

10. Dick Jordan announced that Mr. Andy Brown has been awarded the contract to create a new fountain to replace the current one on the northwest corner of North Seminary Street and Mobile Plaza, next to Legends Restaurant.

a. It will begin at First Presbyterian Church at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 17.

b. Besides First Presbyterian, these churches are also on the tour: Calvary Fellowship, Trinity Episcopal, Wood Avenue Church of Christ, and First United Methodist.

c. Cost is $10/person ahead of the date of the tour; $15/person at the door.

d. It is being planned and executed by the Organization Committee as a fundraiser for Florence Main Street.

12. Billy Warren distributed copies of a packet containing e-mails between him and Lee Freeman regarding the existence of a cemetery on the Florence Country Club property which is being purchased by the City of Florence. Also in the packet were two maps, one drawn by hand and one by a professional surveyor, showing the location of the cemetery.

Billy stated that the packet of information is intended to illustrate HPI’s interest in the future of the Country Club property. There will be further discussions at HPI Board meetings as the proposed transaction between the Board of the Country Club and the City Council moves forward.

13. Following a discussion of the matter, Jim Ingrum made the motion that HPI fund the annual subscription for the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library to the monthly magazine published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Hester Cope seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

14. Considering the holiday season in December, it was agreed that the HPI Board will hold its monthly meeting on MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, at 12:00 NOON.

15. It was agreed that the annual meeting of Heritage Preservation, Inc., as required by the By-Laws, will take place at Richards Education Center on SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, at 2:00 P.M.

Billy Warren agreed to make a follow-up contact with Mr. Frank White, Executive Director of the Alabama Historical Commission, in an attempt to schedule Mr. White as the speaker for HPI’s annual meeting.

16. In a discussion regarding nominees for the Capital Award which will be given during the annual meeting of HPI in January, these names of individuals and businesses were put forth:

a. Billy Reid (commercial)

b. City of Florence – restoration of the Wilson Park fountain

c. Rosie’s Cantina (commercial)

d. Delana Neese (residential)

e. Pat Mahan (individual)

f. Michelle Farris and Chuck Hyde (residential)

Discussion of this matter will continue at the December meeting of the HPI Board.

17. Lee Freeman agreed to bring to the December Board meeting a proposed list of personages to be highlighted at the Cemetery Stroll on April 24, 2010.

18. Jim Ingrum distributed copies of these two documents:

a. A hand-drawn map with this handwritten title at the top: "Plan of Florence;" and

b. A handwritten list of early Florence property owners (e.g., James Madison, John Bedford, James Jackson, Thomas Bibb, etc.).

Jim said that the originals of these documents were purchased by a local person at an auction in New Orleans, Louisiana.