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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-09 Historical Preservation Committee Minutes May 9,2005 Call to Order Chair, Betty Fuller called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Members Present Betty Fuller, Michele Burger, Weldon Cannon, Iva Nail, Robert Nail, Dan Clark, Willie Mae McCormick, Ralph Williamson, Jean Whitener, Helen Lightbody. It was reported that Helen Payton and Evelyn Himes had doctor's appointments and could not make it to the meeting. Troy Fuller is on vacation. Staff Present Gary McKamie, Deputy City Manager Suzanne Hendrickson, Recreation Manager Ofa"Mary"Faiva-Siale, Recreation Specialist Visitors Council Member Leon Hogg Elizabeth Wilcox Treasurers Report Treasurer, Robert Nail reported that Sally McCutcheon, great granddaughter of a Tarrant County Physician from the 1900's named Dr. Rhodes, donated $500.00 to the Historical Preservation Committee. A donation of $50.00 was also made by the late Mr. Don Tharp. Robert Nail reported a final balance of$11,484.14. Approval of Minutes The following corrections were made to the minutes from the April meeting: a. Robert Nail would like it noted that the April meeting was held at Raven's Grille with lunch following in honor of Mr. Bill Byers. b. Mrs. Fuller mentioned that the spelling of Dr. Rhoades' name under New Business, item number 2 should be spelled Dr. R-h-o-d-e-s. c. Mrs. Fuller also mentioned that "brush" under New Business, item #5 should be pluralized to say"brushes". Iva Nail motioned for the minutes to be approved with the corrections and Ralph Williamson seconded the motion. Motion approved. Old Business 1. Robert Nail reported that he recently spoke with several people in the committee about a vision he has regarding Heritage Park; that is, that the entire area surrounding Heritage Park could one day be set aside as a historical district. Mr. Nail noted that those in the committee whom he mentioned the idea to were agreeable to it. Mr.Nail further reported that he spoke with Gary McKamie and Ray McDonald regarding this idea and it was suggested to Mr. Nail that the Historical Preservation Committee could further discuss this concept and if committee members were in agreement to pursue it, they could approach Council for approval. New Business 1. A pamphlet from Don Tharp's funeral service was passed around for the committee's viewing. 2. Iva Nail mentioned that Judy, an acquaintance of Mr. Tharp's, mentioned to her a possible donation to the Historical Preservation Committee after the settlement of Mr. Tharp's estate. 3. Robert Nail reported on the committee's trip to Bill Marquis' property. He mentioned that Mr. Marquis has log cabins on his property that he personally restored. He also mentioned that lunch followed the tour and everyone had a great time. Iva Nail added her thanks to the City of Euless for providing the vehicle for the tour. 4. The following discussion occurred regarding the relocation and restoration of the McCormick barn: a. Robert Nail informed the committee that the purpose of the trip to Mr. Marquis' home was to discuss the possibility of Mr. Marquis moving and restoring the McCormick barn. It was also reported that Mr. Marquis was agreeable to working on the project, however, he is currently working on another project that will take him up to 6 months to complete. Due to Mr. Marquis' schedule, the committee was informed that it is recommended the barn be moved to Heritage Park as soon as possible. This way, Mr. Marquis could start restoration work on the barn as soon as he completes his current project. b. Betty Fuller reminded the committee that Mrs. McCormick donated $7,500.00 specifically for moving the barn. If the committee were agreeable to carry forth with moving the barn to Heritage Park, $5,000 of the money Mrs. McCormick donated will need to be committed to start the project. She therefore suggested that the committee vote on whether $5,000 could be released so that work may begin. c. Gary McKamie reported to the committee that the City is in favor of using Mr. Marquis for relocation and restoration of the barn due to the quality of his work. The question was raised regarding an estimate on the total cost of the project. Mr. McKamie mentioned $30,000 as a "general" estimate. He also informed the committee that the City is financially committed to help complete this project. He further mentioned that funds are available in the Historical Preservation Committee's line item that has not been expended this year. In addition, the same funding should be available next fiscal year. Additional funds may need to be requested from Council. Mr. McKamie also mentioned that the City will need to do additional work at the site to get ready for the barn. d. Weldon Cannon motioned to release $5,000 of the monies donated by Mrs. McCormick to pay for moving the barn to Heritage Park. Michele Burger seconded the motion. The motion was amended to concede the full amount of Mrs. McCormick's donation, $7,500, for the purpose of moving and restoring the barn; all were in favor and the motion was approved. 5. Betty Fuller discussed the following with the committee: a. Mrs. Fuller suggested that committee members should consider making long term plans and goals for the committee. To start with for example, develop a mission statement for the Historical Preservation Committee. Members of the committee were agreeable to Mrs. Fuller's suggestion. It was further discussed that a "mission statement" committee be set up to gather samples and to develop three mission statements for presentation to the regular committee. Dan Clark, Chris Jones, Weldon Cannon, Robert Nail, Helen Lightbody and Suzanne Hendrickson volunteered to serve on this committee. Suzanne Hendrickson will lead the committee in facilitating this request. b. Suggested a brochure be made for the purpose of recruiting new members and volunteers for the committee. A brief discussion followed with Michele Burger suggesting that this could be advertised in the Euless Today magazine. Suzanne Hendrickson was asked if this was possible and she answered in the positive. Weldon Cannon motioned for advertisement for new members and volunteers to be included in the Euless Today magazine. Ralph Williamson seconded the motion. Motion approved. The motion was amended to include a separate handout to be kept at the Museum for handing out to visitors. c. Reminded the committee about the history `write ups" various members were going to complete with regards to historical facts on artifacts, locations, memories, etc. d. Mrs. Fuller asked the committee to consider the idea of having a Heritage Room at the Library for displaying artifacts, art work and things of historical value. 6. Dan and Michele Burger will act as docents on May 14. Troy Fuller and Bill Byers will docent on June 11. Although the committee will not meet during the months of July and August, docents will still be needed for Museum tours. Dan Clark and Helen Lightbody will act as docents for the month of July. 7. Suzanne Hendrickson reported on the following: a. Reported that Arbor Daze went very well. The weather was good and everything went smoothly during the event. b. City pools and the Splash Pad at South Euless will open for the summer on May 28. c. Work at the Preserve at McCormick Park is coming along very well. Some of the trails have been poured. d. Informed the committee that the Parks and Community Services Department is ready with programs and activities to keep children busy for the summer. e. The list of artifacts at Fuller House has been entered into the Museum's database. Suzanne mentioned that the list is incomplete with various pertinent information missing. The committee agreed that more data will need to be gathered in order to be current with the project. 8. Elizabeth Wilcox asked if it were possible to have description plates made up for some of the trees on the McCormick property. She further mentioned that most of the trees on the property were planted by her parents, Mack and Willie Mae McCormick, in 1928. Trees were bought at the State Fair of Texas and could be of historical value. 9. Weldon Cannon reported on the following: a. Mr. Cannon showed the committee an area map from 1905 which shows surrounding school districts. Additional work needs to be done with regards to the map. When completed; a copy will be donated to the Museum. b. Weldon Cannon briefly discussed Sally McCutcheon's family history including the fact that her great grandfather, Dr. Rhodes, came with the Rock Island Railway and settled in the area. Ms. McCutcheon's father was also a physician in the area. Although she resides in Arizona and is a school teacher there, she expressed great interest in the preservation of Euless' history and the Fuller House. c. Reported that additional changes were made to the proof for the First United Methodist Church historical marker. It's been sent back to Austin for corrections. Mr. Cannon estimated that the marker will not be ready until sometime in the fall or spring. d. Mr. Cannon completed a narrative on the history of the Fuller House and the Himes Log House. A copy was given to Suzanne Hendrickson. 10. Dan Clark asked about the cover sheet for the display case at Fuller House. Work will begin on the cover sheet now that Arbor Daze is complete. Adjournment Chris Jones motioned for the meeting to adjourn and Iva Nail seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m. Respectfully submitted by Ofa"Mary" Faiva-Siale Recreation Specialist, Projects&Events Euless Parks & Community Services