Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2025 09 15

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes February 24, 2025 Page 4of5 Motion to approve Resolution 3, Series 2025, was moved by Beauchamp and seconded by Whidden. The motion was adopted by a vote of 7 to 0. Discussion Items a) HSA Grant Amount Increase Staff Presentation: Zuccaro introduced the presentation for the discussion on changes to the HSA grant process. He said that the proposed changes were for HSA grants specifically. He went over history of the grant program, then covered proposed increases to HSA grants, and for the introduction of an extraordinary circumstances criteria that would allow for higher grants. He covered other changes such as to who would be able to conduct HSA and what needed to be included. Commissioner Questions of Staff. Anderson asked whether the requirements for structural engineers was geared more towards commercial structures. Zuccaro said that it would most likely be for commercial projects, but could be for either. Haley said that she appreciated the requirement for 2 bids for extraordinary circumstances. Beauchamp thought that these changes were long overdue, and suggested they should revisit it every few years. He thought that the grant amounts were reasonable. Wilt said that the amounts were reasonable and that they had been overdue for change. Anderson said that he liked the changes to the grant amounts, and said that he would be hesitant to ever use the extraordinary circumstances, but appreciated that it was an option. Beauchamp spoke about the difficulty there would be in finding two competing HSA bids. Zuccaro said that the reason for this was to try and reduce the overall cost on an extraordinary circumstances request. Haley suggested a potential scenario where this could be necessary. Zuccaro said that they could use alternative language where the Commission could potentially ask for a second bid if necessary rather than requiring it. Haley on whether it had ever been requested before. Zuccaro said no, but there had been one case where the grant did not cover the total cost of the HSA. Haley wondered whether more people would have extraordinary circumstances if they opened this up as an option. Public Comment: Andy Johnson, resident, thought changes proposed were great. He spoke about the past costs of HSAs that his company has conducted in the City, and the billing rates. He suggested that the building type also be considered in extraordinary circumstances, like building materials, etc. He agreed that finding a second bid would be very difficult. He spoke to what he thought would count as extraordinary circumstances.