City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2009 02 24

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TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: MALCOLM FLEMING, CITY MANAGER DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2009 SUBJECT: UPDATE/DISCUSSION -HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE SUMMARY: Members of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will meet with the City Council to discuss the following: • 2008 Accomplishments • 2009 Work Plan • Recommendations for programming of the new Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) The programming recommendations for the HPF are outlined in the attached document. Highlights of that document include: • In conjunction with the City's budget process, the HPC will present the City Council with an annual funding recommendation for the following year, based on the expected revenue as determined by the Finance Department. • Division of the funds into specific categories: o Administrative (staff, surveying, plaques, public outreach) o Incentives ^ To maintain historic character (resource must be landmarked to be eligible) • Rehabilitation/Restoration Grants • Low-interest Rehabilitation/Restoration Loans • Rebates of City taxes or fees ^ For new construction to meet stricter design guidelines (must give City a conservation easement on the exterior of the property) o Acquisition Funds ^ To purchase properties for rehabilitation and landmarking and then resell the property ^ To purchase conservation easements o Contingency Funds -These fund shall be accessed only for incentives or acquisitions that become necessary due to exigent circumstances Review (and update if necessary) of the existing Downtown Design Guidelines to determine what is required of new construction to qualify for HPF incentive funding. All decisions on HPF funding (grant applications, incentives for new construction, acquisitions, etc.) will require final approval from the City Council following a recommendation from the HPC. SUBJECT AGENDA ITEM UPDATE/DISCUSSION - " HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION