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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMontana Historical Society (2)MONTANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 225 North Roberts * EO. Box 201201 + Helena, MT 59620-1201 (406) 444-2694 * FAX (406) 444-2696 .~ www.montanahistoricalsociety, org + 14 December 2006 Mayor Ken Olson City of Laurel 115 W lSl Street Laurel MT 59044 [~: ~.'., DEC ]5 2006 Dear Mayor Olson, Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you of the very successful evaluation of your Cedified Local Government (CLG). Each of Montana's fifteen CLGs is reviewed and evaluated by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office at least every four years. We meet with the local Historic Preservation Officer and the Historic Preservation Commission as part of the evaluation process. This evaluation is based on the meeting, past performance, and other related materials, activities, and projects. As the enclosed report states, the combined CLG of Billings, Laurel, Crow Reservation, and Yellowstone County, meets or exceeds all programmatic requirements and remains in good standing. If you have any questions or if I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at 406-444-7742 or by email at rschliesman~,mt..qov. Kind Regards, Rolene R. Schliesman CLG Coordinator cc: Lora Mattox, Historic Preservation Officer (406) 444-7715 + FAX (406) 444-6575 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE ~ ~41o 8*Ave ~ ~O. Box20]202 ~ Helena, MT 59620-1202 CLG PROGRAMMATIC EVALUATION (2002-2006) Each Certified Local Government (CLG) is reviewed and evaluated by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at least every four years. SHPO staff meets with the local Historic Preservation Officer, the historic preservation commission, and the chief elected official if invited or necessary. This evaluation is based on the meeting, review questionnaire, quarterly reports, performance since the last evaluation, and other related activities, projects, reports, and contacts. Review Meeting: The SHPO staff met with the Yellowstone HPO and Historic Preservation Board on 21 September 2006 at 5:00 pm at the Parmly Billings Libra~, Planning Office. Present at the Evaluation meeting were'. Commissioners: Brian Roberts, Chair Jennifer Johnson Robert Munsey Paul ~ifing A=and Lohof David Green [ Warren Os~ HPO: Lora Mattox O~ers: Ann Koois~a-MmNng, Consultant, Western Heritage Center SHPO staff: Rolene R. Sch~esman, CLG Coor~nator Me'sa K~ser S~ness, Grant Manager Overall Performance Evaluation Status: The CLG meets or exceeds the programmatic requirements and is in good standing. SHPO Comments: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board and Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) are highly effective, work well with their local government, and are one of the stellar programs in the state of Montana. HPO Lora Mattox is fairly new to the program but oriented herself quickly, and is a pleasure to work with. Her predecessor, John Walsh, was an excellent HPO, responding well to the Board, SHPO, and the Yellowstone community. The CLG has renewed interest in downtown Billings by nominating five additional commercial buildings to the National Register of Historic Places and surveyed 42 properties on Montana Avenue and south of the railroad tracks. Once listed, many opportunities are available to property owners, such as the federal and state historic rehabilitation tax incentives, and historical signage, and local preservation incentives. The Board assisted in the Preserve America Community application, created the Bricks and Boards school curriculum, and helped plan and host the highly successful 2005 statewide Preservation Workshop. SHPO Recommendations: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board is encouraged to continue its survey, nomination, local incentive initiatives, and excellent educational awards and programs. Current]}, match is generated by the City of Billings. Because the CLG is a combination of local governments, Laurel, the Crow Reservation, and Yellowstone County, are encouraged to provide matching funds for the Board's many preservation efforts and activities. See also the SHPO Comments and Recommendations throughout this Evaluation. Performance Standards and Evaluation Meets Requirement 1. The CLG complies with all federal, state, and local legislation (ordinance, resolution, other legal instruments). SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board is studying ordinances and incentive programs to enhance their preservation efforts. Among them are: a local register of historic places, tax incentives, subdivision review, and historic bnilclmg code. SHPO Recommendation: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Commission is encouraged to draft ordinances, incentives, and regulations that will enhance their community's preservation efforts. Meets Requirement 2. The CLG insures historic preservation concerns are considered at all levels of local government planning and are incorporated as goals of other local, state, and federal projects. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board has incorporating preservation into Billings' ~nd Yellowstone County's Growth Plans. SHPO Recommendation: The Board needs to consider incorporating preservation into the City of Laurel's and t?i~'Cmv,;Reservafion's Growth Plans as well. Meets 3. Requirement The CLG promotes preservation and enforces appropriate local legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties eligible for and hsted in a local register if applicable, the National Register of Historic Places, and National Historic Landmarks within its jurisdiction. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board cooperates and communicates well with the City and Tribal Councils, and the County Commission. The Board addresses sigrdficant preservation issues with education and marketing the importance of retaining historic properties and sites. Meets 4. Requirement The CLG administers local preservation legislation, including design and demohtion, if so authgrized. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board administers exterior design review within the Billings Historic Townsite only. SHPO Recommendation: The Board is encouraged to expand the design review ordinance to include additional historic properties and districts within its jurisdiction, even significant interiors. Design review is an effective tool for preserving the historic character of the city's districts and individual historic properties, maintaining property values, and providing technical assistance to owners for building maintenance. The Board is also encouraged to consider a demolition ordinance that helps the community explore demohfion alternatives, prohibits demolition of key (identified) buildings, requires prior documentation to demolition, and/or requires minimum maintenance of neglected buildings. The Board is encouraged to consider how to provide timely (1 to 2 weeks) responses for added responsibilities (such as additional board or subcommittee meetings, and/ur staff) Exceeds Requirement 5. The CLG engages in preservation activities that are eligible and allowable under Historic Preservation Fund grants. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board engages the Western Heritage Center to accomplish many preservation activides and programs that dearly enhance the community and its awareness of historically significant buildings, districts, and landscapes. Meets Requirement 6. The CLG established and maintains a historic preservation Commission of at least five members who have a demonstrated a special interest, experience, or knoxvledge of history, architecture, or historic preservation. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board members are active, cohesive, and care deeply about preserving them historical resources. They represent a broad geographic area and a spectrum of interests. Meets Requirement 7. The CLG appoints at least three Commission members who possess professional expertise in the disciplines of history, planning, archaeology, architecture, architectural his tory, his toric archaeology,, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, or other preservation-related disciplines to the extent that is available within the community. Meets Requirement 8. The CLG demonstrates that attempts are made through public notification to invite qualified professionals to serve on the Commission. Meets Requirement 9. The CLG fills the vacancies of the historic preservation Commission in a timely manner, preferably within sixty days. Meets Requirement 10. The CLG estabhshed term lengths for Commission members. Meets Requirement 11. The CLG has the resumes of each Commission member on file in the CLG office. Meets Requirement 12. The CLG annually forwards a current hst of Commission members with their contact information and professional disciplines to SHPO. Meets Requirement 13. The CLG annually forwards the resumes, contact information, and professional disciplines of new Commission members. Meets Requirement 14. The CLG meets at least quarterly, preferably monthly. SHPO Recommendation: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board meets monthly to meet the needs of their community. Meets Requirement 15. The CLG meets in accordance with public meeting laws, including public notification of meeting, place, time, agenda, and public participation. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone HJsturic Preservation Board includes public comment on each agenda. Meets Requirement 16. The CLG mainta/ns written minutes of each meeting on file in the CLG office. Meets Requirement 17. The CLG submits written minutes of each meeting to the SHPO with its quarterly' reporting. Exceeds Requirement 18. The CLG ensures public participation in its preservation program. SHPO Comment: The HPO is available dally for publ/c inquiry and comment. The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board engages the public often and encourages their input. One of the most notable is its annual Preservation Roundtable. The Board also met with Minnesota Avenue property owners to see if there was interest in an historic district listing and federal and state historic rehabilitation tax incentives. Meets Requirement 19. The CLG informs the pubhc of all decisions made by the Comrmssion. Exceeds Requirement 20. The CLG is represented annually by at least one Commission member and/or the local Historic Preservation Officer for at least one SHPO-sponsored CLG meeting or training opportunity. SHPO Comment: HPOs Lora Mattox and John Walsh, and contractor Kevin Kooistra-Manning attended many of the trainings offered. John Walsh, Kevin Kooistra-Manning, and Ann Kooistra-Ivlanning also served on 2005 planning committee and hosted the highly successful state.vide Preservation Workshop. Board members welcomed and staffed much of the Workshop. HPO Lora Mattox and Kevin Kooistra-Manning sMllfully presented at the Montana Histo~ Conference held in Billings, September 2006. Meets Requirement 21. The CLG is kept informed of the preservation activities of the Commission and the local Historic Preservation Officer at least annually. SHPO Comment: The CLG and HPO Lora Mattox cooperate well together. She is informed of many governmental proposals, actions, and functions. Meets Requirement 22. The CLG invites the local Historic Preservation Officer and/or Comrmssion members to serve with its other -- governmental functions (such as planning, zoning, economic development)~ Meets Requirement 23. The CLG maintains a hst of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (historic districts and individual historic resources). Meets Requirement 24. The CLG maintains current survey data that is available and easily accessible to the public.' SHPO Comment: The YeLlowstone Historic Preservation Board maintains their building documentation (survey forms) in binders located in the HPO's office. They need some organization. Currendy 12 site forms are available online. The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board is considering a plan to make their whole inventory available online. Meets Requirement 25. The CLG maintains survey data that is compatible with SHPO inventory, standards, and criteria. Meets Requirement 26. The CLG maintains survey data that is compatible with the local and state historic preservation plans, and other appropriate local and state planning processes. Meets Requirement 27. The CLG produces new survey information on historic properties. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board hired a consultant to complete a survey along Montana Avenue and south of the railroad tracks. Forty-two site forms were completed to determine which properties may be eligible for listing in the National Register, individually and/or in an historic district. Meets Requirement 28. The CLG prepares new and revises National Register nominations. SHPO Comment: Western Heritage Center consultant Ann Kooistra-Manning prepared the Billings Townsite Historic District (Boundary Increase I) nomination for five commercial buildings. They were listed 21 April 2006. Listing will provide property owners with historic rehabilitation tax incentive and historical signage opportunities. Meets Requirement 29. The CLG reviews National Register nominations according to procedures outlined in the Montana Certified Local Government Manual. Meets Requirement 30. The CLG seeks professional expertise when a National Register nomination requires the review of a certain professional disciphne not represented in the Commission membership. Meets Requirement 31. The CLG prepares recommendation reports, including public comments, on National Register nominations on behalf of the Commission and the local chief elected official, and submits them to SHPO at least sixty days before consideration by the State Historic Preservation Re'~'iew Board. Meets Requirement 32. The CLG may grant a xvaiver to SHPO for a nomination review period of less than sLxty days. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board prefers to have the full time allowed to follow the notrdnafion procedures. SHPO is trying to accommodate their request. Meets Requirement 33. The CLG forwards to SHPO all original, official concurrent/objections upon receipt from property owners. Meets Requirement 34. The CLG accurately and completely reports preservation activities to SHPO on a quarterly basis. Meets Requirement 35. The CLG submits their quarterly reports on or before the deadline. SHPO Comment: The HPOs' reports have been consistendy early over the past four years. Meets Requirement 36. The CLG applies on or before the announced deadline for grant funding from SHPO, xvhen available. Meets Requirement 37. The CLG completely spends its annual historic preservation grant funclmg in an allowable and timely fashion. Meets Requirement 38. The CLG provides for minimal funding match (cash or in-kind) requirements, preferably providing and reporting overmatch m SHPO on a quarterly basis. Meets Requirement 39. The CLG maintains well-organized programmatic and financial records for at least three years. SHPO Comment: HPO Lora Mattox agreed to the CLG review during a office space reorganizations and was still able to locate all her CLG materials. Meets Requirement 40. The CLG maintains a list of equipment purchased with h/storic preservation grant funds and the equipment is in the possession of the CLG. SHPO Comment: The CLG has not purchased equipment with federal funds. Exceeds Requirement 41. The CLG performs preservation outreach activities, such as technical assistance, publications, Preservation Week, and public programs. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board hosted the 2005 statewide Preservation Workshop, annually hosts the Preservation Roundtable, preservation month speakers, kids activities such as Bricks and Boards and the architectural scavenger hunts at the museum and schools, public presentations in Billings and Laurel, and a portable exhibit in progress called Downtown through the Decades. They also provide walking tour brochures of Laurel, Billings, and Montana Avenue, and virtual tours on their webpage. The highly successful Preservation Roundtable draws 40-60 people to discuss their museums, historic sites, cultural resource and art business, and support for preservation. The growing event also is a marvelous vehicle for the Board's Historic Preservation Best Practices Achievement Award for professionals and the Eugene T. Carroll Historic Preservation Award for individuals, groups, and proiects. Meets Requirement 42. The CLG provides preservation education opportunities to the public. SHPO Comment: See Comments on 41. Meets Requirement 43. The CLG submits to SHPO five copies of preservation publications it produce. Meets Requirement 44. The CLG prints sponsor/disclaimer information provided by SHPO as part all CLG-sponsored activities & proiects. SHPO Comment: All but one (Laurel brochure) contained the disclaimer. Meets Requirement 45. The CLG appointed and retains a local Historic Preservation Officer according to locally establ/shed procedures, SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board expressed their deep appredation for the excellent work of HPO John Walsh and Lora Mattox, and their contractors Kevin Koois tra-Manning and Ann Koois tra-Manning. Meets Requirement 46. The CLG makes the local Historic Preservation Officer accessible to the public and SHPO. SHPO Comment: The Historic PreServation Office is located in downtown Billings - in the city' offices of the Parmly Library. Exceeds Requirement 47. The CLG provides emall service to the local Historic Preservation Officer. SHPO Comment: The CLG provides webpages to the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board. Meets Requirement 48. The CLG participates in the Montana CLG List-Serve, if available. Meets Requirement 49. The CLG created and adopted a comprehensive preservation plan within two years of certification. Meets Requirement 50. The CLG utilizes the comprehensive preservation plan and updates it at least every five years to meet the needs and goals of the commurdty. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board prepares annual xvork plans. SHPO Recommendations: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board is encouraged to develop and pursue incorporating a plan into the fides', tribal's, and county's Growth Plans to accomplish comprehensive preservation goals. Meets Requirement 51. The CLG plans goals, activities, and projects that are consistent with the state historic preservation plan. Meets Requirement 52. The CLG submits its annual and long-range preservation plans to SHI?O. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preser*'afion Board's annual plans are outstanding. Their goals are excellent and meet the needs of the communities its serves. The format of the plans, describing the task, person(s) responsible, quarterly progress, and manageable deadlines, is the best in the state. SHPO Recommendation: The Yel/owstone Historic Preservation Board needs to consider long-range preservation plans, incorporate them into its jurisdiction's Growth Plans, and submit them to SHPO. Meets Requirement 53. The CLG prepares and participates in the CLG Evaluation. SHPO Comment: Almost every board member attended and participated in the Evaluation meeting. They brought their thoughts, insights, and ideas for the future. The HPO Lora Mattox met with us separately as well, and took us on a tour of Billings' rehabilitation projects. Meets Requirement 54. The CLG avoids conflict of interest. Requirement 55. The CLG submits signed confl/ct of interest statements from historic preservation Commissioners to SHPO. SHPO Comment: SHPO forgot to ask for these signed forms and w'dl follow-up by sending them to the HPO. Meets Requirement 56. The CLG communicates well and often with the local chief elected official, SHPO, and other CLGs. SHPO Comment: HPOs John Walsh and Lora Mattox and contactors Kevin and Ann Kooistra-Manning are excellent advocates and eloquent supporters of the program. They ~.vere and are a pleasure to work with. Meets Requirement 57. The CLG monitors agreements under the provisions of 36 CFR 800 if designated and authorized by SHPO. SHPO Comment: Not applicable. Meets Requirement 58.' The CLG responds as a consulting party under the provisions of 36 CFR 800.2 in a timely manner if required under local ordinance. Otherwise, the CLG responds as time and staff allow. Exceeds Requirement 59. The CLG cooperates with individuals, organizations, and groups in furthering CLG preservation goals and projects. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board's annual Preservation Roundtable is perhaps the best example of irs cooperation with others in the community. They regularly consult with the Western Heritage Center, Downtown Billings Partnership, Moss Mansion, Yellowstone County Art Museum, Yellowstone County Museum, Hunfley Project Museum, Parmly BilLings Library., Boys' and Girls' Club, other local, state, and federal historic sites, museums, and parks, other CLGs, Montana Preservation Alliance, and other organizations and individuals. The Board collaborated with the City of Billings and the Downtown Billings Partnership in preparing the Preserve America Community application. Meets Requirement 60. The CLG works in good faith to resolve difficulties regarding preservation issues. Meets Requirement 61. The CLG conducts CLG business in a professional, appropriate, and timely manner. Meets Requirement 62. The CLG explores ideas, funding sources, new technology, etc. for promoting its preservation program. SHPO Comment: The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board stands ready to embrace new ideas. Currendy the City of lT~llings is providing funding for the Board. The Board seeks ideas for raising funds from the each of the local govenm~ents in the CLG program (City of Laurel, Yellowstone County, and the Crow ReserTadon). The Board launched the website: www. billings.com as part of their preservation efforts. This technology greatly helps the Board educate the public about the many significant sites under their care. Meets Requirement 63. The CLG satisfactorily performs other duties formally delegated by SHPO, SHPO Comment: No other duties are delegated by SHPO.