HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 8-25-08

 

Those present:  Jim Ingrum, Betty Champion, Hester Cope, Vince Brewton, Jerry Dowd, Carolyn Waterman, Judy Tiffin, Mary Peck, Iva McClure, Brett Wood, Lee Freeman, Ashley Winkle, Billy Warren

  1. Vince Brewton made the motion that the minutes of the 7-28-08 meeting be approved.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                                        $ 4,481.53
    2. Forks of Cypress Project Balance                                  3,234.78
    3. FDR Fund Balance                                                        5,000.00
    4. Bailey Springs Project                                                 12,791.74

There were no deposits and no expenditures of money in either of the four accounts.

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

  1. Bob Torbert (in absentia) reported that John Beckman from Florence Marble Works has begun work on the Wilson Family Cemetery next to the Blackberry Trail Golf Course.

     
  2. Betty Champion reported that she delivered to the Local History/Genealogy Department at the public library the three portraits done by G. W. Landrum and discovered under the linoleum on the second floor of the former HyTech building on East Tennessee Street.

     
  3. There was not report on the status of the project to restore the fountain in Wilson Park.  Billy Warren stated that he will send an email to Todd Nix to learn any new information that might be available regarding the fountain’s restoration.

     
  4. Lee Freeman reported that the ad hoc committee that is planning the commemoration service for James T. Rapier in November will meet on Saturday, August 30, at the public library.  He stated that the service will take place in the Greater St. Paul AME Church and that the reception will be held across the street from the church at the Burrell-Slater School building.

     
  5. Billy Warren stated that he is working, at the request of Robert “Scooter” Muse, with the City of Florence Planning Department to create an accurate map that reflects the exact boundaries of all historic districts – and free-standing historic properties – in the City of Florence.  Having an exact map is extremely important economically (e.g., tax breaks for owners of income-producing properties) and aesthetically (e.g., pre-approval of exterior changes to historic properties).  It also serves as a public statement to everyone, residents and non-residents alike, of what the broader community of Florence values.

     
  6. Lee Freeman stated that Amanda Perry will soon announce a casting call for actors for the April, 2009, Cemetery Stroll.  (A casting call is a surer guarantee of the best, most committed actresses and actors for the Stroll.)  Lee further stated that we must soon determine the personages in the Florence City Cemetery whom we wish to portray in the 2009 Stroll since the casting call will occur before long.

     
  7. Ashley Winkle:
    1. Stated that Grand Opening events for the renovated Shoals Theater will take place Thursday and Friday, September 4 and 5 – and that the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be staged on September 4, 5, 6, and 7;
    2. Reported that bids have been let to have the 4’ x 6’ granite replica of the 1852 map of Florence created so it can, before long, be embedded in the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Court and Tennessee Streets;
    3. Stated that the opening of the Wine Sellers on North Court Street on Friday, August 22, was a resounding success;
    4. Announced that a new consignment shop (name: TBA) will open in the former Wild About Purses shop on North Court Street;
    5. Stated that the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at UNA, with the Breast Cancer Foundation as its chosen charity, will take a primary lead in October’s First Friday with the color pink dominating the entire celebration; and
    6. Announced that the Book Lion has moved forward one space in the East Tuscaloosa Street building and has changed its name to the Book Shoppe.

       
  8. Mary Peck and Brett Wood reported on a recent hearing at City Hall for a person  who requested a variance to subdivide a house at the corner of Tuscaloosa and Cherry Streets into apartments.  (Because a fairly new ordinance prohibits such a subdivision of a house, approval of a variance is the only way that it can occur.)  The Zoning Board rejected the request.  Mary and Brett had praise for people who live near the house in question, and others as well, who appeared at the hearing or wrote letters of opposition.

     

This report prompted a discussion among HPI Board members regarding the ordinance that prohibits subdivision of houses.  Based on this discussion, Hester Cope made the motion that Billy Warren develop the draft of a resolution stating HPI’s opposition to the awarding of variances to this ordinance so the resolution may be used when a variance is requested.  She further moved that Billy Warren be allowed to issue the resolution without having to convene the HPI Board should the hearing for a variance request be scheduled before a regular meeting of the Board occurs.  Brett Wood seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Billy Warren stated that he will bring a draft of the resolution to the September meeting of the HPI Board so the Board can make suggestions for changes, additions, deletions, etc. before the draft is finalized.

 

  1. Jim Ingrum reported that the Malone House, the pre-Civil War era house on East Hawthorne Street across the street from Jim’s house, is currently in a deteriorated state.

     
  2. Billy Warren distributed copies of an email from Edmund Rock in which Mr. Rock offers a set of six original drawings for the proposed 1918 addition to the Railroad Freight Station in East Florence.  His asking price is $55, plus shipping charges.  Mary Peck made the motion that HPI purchase the drawings for a total of $55 + shipping charges of approximately $30, for a grand total of approximately $85.  Jim Ingrum seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     

It was agreed that, when the drawings arrive, the HPI Board will determine the best disposition of them.

 

  1. Ashley Winkle presented the written request that the owners of Ye Olde General Store on North Seminary Street be selected as participants in HPI’s paint project.  Jim Ingrum made the motion that HPI award $200 to Ye Olde General Store toward the repainting of its façade.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren shared a brochure from Grapevine, Texas, a town that has effectively marketed its historic downtown.  He suggested that HPI begin to consider ways that it might collaborate with Florence Main Street to develop great marketing strategies based on historic downtown Florence