Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 16, 2024

The Historic Preservation Commission of Joplin, Missouri, met on July 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Chair Jill Hallbach called the meeting to order. All commissioners were present except Mr. Miller, who was excused. The commission approved the minutes of June 18, 2024, and discussed training opportunities, the future of Memorial Hall, and a grant application for the North Heights survey. The meeting adjourned after a motion.

Consent Calendar

• Excuse Commissioner: A motion by Mr. Huff, seconded by Dr. Fisher, to excuse Mr. Miller from the meeting was approved unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of June 18, 2024, were approved by a motion from Ms. Hans, seconded by Mr. Huff, with all in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public hearings were held, and no public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Budget Update: Staff reported that the conference and seminar budget was exceeded, but permission was granted to use credit cards. The city joined Missouri Main Street for one year, receiving a discount. Several commissioners plan to attend the Missouri Main Street Conference at the end of July.
• Training and Workshops:
  • Realtor Training: Scheduled for October 23, 2024, at Ozark Gateway Association of Realtors (OGAR). Two sessions: a 90-minute overview (10:00–11:30 AM) for all OGAR members, and an in-depth session (1:00–2:30 PM) for trainer-trainers. Staff is seeking a lunch sponsor. Commissioners may attend for training credit.
  • CLG Forum: The Certified Local Government Forum is scheduled for October 25, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff noted that an online option may be available. The commission has no remaining budget for hotel stays, but staff will attend.
• Memorial Hall: Extensive discussion on the future of Memorial Hall, a local landmark. The city council is considering an RFQ for a park design that would include demolition. Commissioners expressed strong support for exploring alternatives before demolition, such as selling the property with a performance bond. They discussed:
  • Sending a coordinated email campaign to all council members, with a template drafted by Chair Hallbach and staff.
  • Forming a committee of 25 registered voters to potentially initiate a ballot measure if the city passes an ordinance for demolition.
  • Making a formal presentation to the council as a commission.
  • Commissioners noted that the building is structurally sound and that the city has not yet attempted to sell it. The architect's report estimated $5.5 million for demolition, but commissioners argued that rehabilitation and tax credits (historic, brownfield) could be viable.
• North Heights Survey Resolution: Staff reported that the CLG grant application for the North Heights survey was denied due to high competition and scoring changes. The resolution before the commission (2024-01) authorizes reapplication for the next fiscal year. The pre-application is due August 16, 2024. The total project cost is estimated at $36,000 (60% grant, 40% local match). The commission discussed the need for public engagement and potential co-sponsorship with the North Heights Neighborhood Group.
• Building Codes and Inspections: A brief discussion occurred about the challenges of inconsistent building inspections and the city's regulatory environment. No formal action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Excused Commissioner: Mr. Miller was excused for the meeting.
• Approved Minutes: June 18, 2024, minutes were approved.
• Resolution 2024-01: Passed unanimously (motion by Mr. Huff, second by Dr. Fisher) to reapply for the CLG grant for the North Heights survey.
• Memorial Hall Action Plan: The commission agreed to:
  1. Develop a bullet-point template email for all commissioners to send to the city council, urging a sale attempt before demolition.
  2. Each commissioner will identify 2–3 potential members for a committee of 25, in case a ballot initiative is needed.
  3. Consider a formal presentation to the council (subject to the two-week submission deadline).
• Next Steps: Staff will coordinate the email template and continue outreach to the North Heights neighborhood group. The CLG pre-application will be submitted by August 16.