Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting

Ready?

Ready. We'll call the meeting to order. We welcome all of you once again. and we have two visitors with us and we welcome both of them. We appreciate what they've already been sharing with us and they're going to have an opportunity to share some more during the course of the meeting and we'll call upon them at at that time. But uh welcome. Nice to have you with us. And uh it's it's a a very warm evening so you're in a very cool spot but we're still going to try to hurry the meeting along because we know we've been here for a while already. And for that reason, by the the size of the packet that you have, uh should already indicate to you that we're we're going to move quickly uh along as as as we proceed. Um we are going to begin as we normally do with the pledge of allegiance and we're going to ask once again for Elizabeth because she's standing right there to lead us as we join in the pledge of allegiance.

Mr. Chair, do do you want to call roll first so we can be officially a meeting? Okay. Sorry. Right. You're right. On behalf of the secretary who is absent, we're going to ask that you call the role. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh it looks like our secretary, Mr. Henzik, is not with us. Uh Commissioner Larson, present. Commissioner Broyals, present. Chair Bocker present. Vice Chair Gordon present. Commissioner Berllo is not with us. She sends her regrets. Uh Commissioner Showfell here. All right. Council member Mabberry

here. And Council Member Rambo with you in spirit. Well, you're here on Zoom actually. Uh our HPC advisor, uh Mr. Scott here. and Commissioner Raggy Ramen present. And Commissioner Boret and I I don't believe our Wildwood Historical Society uh liaison is here with us, but do we have any members? No, we don't have any members in the audience. Uh but we do have quorum. Mr. Chair,

Robin, we have no video out here unless there's not supposed to be yet. [Music] We're hearing you. Yeah, Mr. Rambo, we can see we can see you. There you go. There you go. Just got it. Oh, you found us. Okay, thank you.

Oh, I didn't I didn't do anything. It just showed up. You wondered if anyone was here. Now, we will try once again to rise and pledge allegiance to the flag. and Elizabeth will us to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. Thank you. and you have before you a copy of the minutes. Uh once again, as has become our custom, we will approve them by consent unless someone has a concern about the minutes or any additions or corrections to the minutes. If not, they will stand approved as printed. And thank you very much. We'll move uh immediately to public comment. Is there any public comment, Robin, that that you're aware of?

Uh Mr. Chair, I have no speakers cards. However, I will still put it out to the audience. If anyone would like to make comment at this time, feel free to come forward. Uh and there's no attendees on Zoom. Thank you. Thank you. and the historical society is not present. Uh anything that we should know about their happenings?

Uh well, I would just say that we are uh very thankful to the Wildwood Historical Society for uh hosting our focus groups for the historic preservation plan effort tomorrow at their facilities. Uh they've um made everything ready for us. They've already pre-arranged the tables, gotten their coffee maker ready. So, um, so it's been a warm welcome. We're excited to partner with them on this and hear their input, uh, later tomorrow afternoon as part of their own focus group as well. Uh, so thank you to the Wildwood Historical Society. If you watch this uh after this meeting, um, we we appreciate you. Thank you.

And you might was all stand at stay at the microphone because we're going to move right on to old business and uh, talk about the Essen log cabin. Joe is here to do that.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair and members of the commission, the Department of Planning has prepared for your consideration tonight a memorandum relating to the second bidding process for the reassembly of the Essen Log Cabin. For those that might not remember, the bid, the original bid was released in December of 2024 with an opening in January of 2025. That process concluded and the bids as presented and opened were provided to the Historic Preservation Commission. The bids had quite a range, a low bid of $140,000 all the way up to a half a million dollar. Ultimately, the commission recommended that the two biders in the middle of that range be contacted and efforts made to understand the bids, their capabilities, etc. We were vetting them. That process ultimately took from March of this year to approximately June and ultimately the commission recommended that we proceed forward with the reassembly. As part of that, one of the contractors attended a meeting of the planning and parks committee of city council and began a negotiation process that voided the bids. And so from that perspective, the city attorney acknowledged that although time had been spent, a rebidding process would be necessary. That rebidding process was kicked off in the early part of July with only two weeks to respond to bids. As part of the second bid package, the Detroit did without the permission of the commission have some ad alternates to the bid process and those changed for the most

part. Yeah. The use of manufactured stone instead of native stone to basically shield or disguise the new foundation wall for the cabin. The use of synthetic shingles versus the natural cedar shake. And then finally pavers which we have an abundance of in l of natural stone. Three biders responded. Of the three biders creek excavating was the low bid. base bid was just over $300,000. And with the new ad alternates, there were all deducts that brought the amount to approximately $280,000. If you're keeping track, the original bid set was somewhere around 320 to $325,000. So, the savings is substantial. Cherret Creek Excavating was interviewed by Miss Keefe and I for the first bidding round and we felt that they were very qualified given that they had done a number of reassemblies of a similar log cabins in the Hervin, Missouri area. As I say, the process has been somewhat of a long and winding road, but we now have before you a bid that is substantially less in cost. And for the most part, I believe Miss Keef and I still believe Tourett Creek Excavating can do a good job of reassembling the cabin in Village Green. I also have to acknowledge that given the time frames, the department had the opportunity to present the bid recommend bids with recommendation to the council planning and parks committee without the benefit of the historic preservation commission seeing them first. Timing was essential. If if the department waited, it would be the latter part of August before the

committee would ultimately have the bids in front of them, which meant it would be September or October before city council would be in a position to take action. Therefore, the department again without the benefit of consulting the historic preservation commission presented the bids. They selected that being the committee Sheret Creek Excavating to proceed forward. Tonight the department is respectfully requesting a motion second and vote on Cherret Creek Excavating. The rationale is the committee of city council is only eight members. So we need one more and that one more member wasn't in attendance. So your recommendation would coincide with that of the planning and parks committee of city council and then we would go to full city council with both endorsements and hopefully a successful conclusion to the bidding process. So again tonight respectfully the department would like a motion second and vote on an endorsement of Shereet Creek Excavating for the SM log cabin reassembly. There are any questions? Miss Keef and I would be glad to answer them at this time.

Good. Thank you. Let's let's get that motion on the floor if we can. Can Would someone make that motion? Someone ready to do that? Shet. You did, ma'am.

Thank you. Thank you, Steve. Is there a second? Any discussion? Yes, Mr. M. Microphone, please. The Yes, director Vunich. The the use of um these mad materials. had that given much pause to the uh committee for the $50,000 delta.

Um from the perspective of the committee, one of which of the members is Dr. Rammo, they actually thought it was an improvement from the standpoint of just the longevity and the durability and ultimately saving the city money at some point in the future. And uh last question I promise. Does the city consider the use of a different contractor than the contractor performing the the bulk of bull work for um our park? Is that seen to be a a a complication to the critical path schedules of either or both? Well, Sherek Creek Excavating believes it might be because if we can provide them a clear construction pathway, they'll do another deduct of over $5,000 if the project is still underway with bombshell construction. The deduct wouldn't be applicable. I'm hopeful that bombshell construction will be done with Village Green. I've been hopeful about that for many months now. So, I'm not counting on it. Part of what ultimately the department would do if the commission supports Sheret Creek Excavating, the city council endorses it, passes legislation for the city contractor agreement, is to try to fashion a separate and accessible roadway for Sharet Creek so that the dig can come into play. And that would be an effort between the owner of the contracting company and the city. Um, suffice to say, I would argue that having multiple contractors are on the

site. Very good example is Amry, Missouri will probably be out there next week. Bombshell Construction along with the city can't wait to have that contractor on site because that's been the delay. And so I'm not one that was worried about having just a sole source contractor on the property. I think we can make it work. We may not save the extra $5,000, but I think we're all in the same opinion. It's time to get the cabin reassembled and make good the promises we've made to the community. Thank you, director. Thank you.

It appears that Mr. Rambo's got his hand up. Yes, if um I just wanted to ask if everyone would be careful to make sure that they put their microphone button on because the motion and the second um weren't on weren't recorded and I couldn't hear them. Um so uh that's all I wanted. Stephen,

looking I've looked at uh Shred Creek. I they're very impressive resume. I think they can do it. The price is good and I would recommend it. I have some reservation about the alternate for the synthetic roofing. I'd like to find out some more about that. It may have some effect on the authenticity appearance of the building, but I'd like to find out more about that. But if it takes that to build it, let's do it. But I would like to look into that a little further. But but I sure would I I recommend uh a positive vote on this.

You're you're speaking for the motion. I'm speaking for the motion. Yes, please. Mr. Mr. Chair, with your permission

for relative to Mr. Scott's comment, I can certainly have Elias Johnson, the owner of Shack Creek Excavating, contact you and if you'd like to ask him questions directly, that'd be fine. And certainly he can provide you information that he used to develop the deduct relative to that. I would just like if you I just like to get the information on the roofing and how it's installed, what's required and uh I am not that familiar with uh shingle roofing but uh if if it requires an underllayment I that could be a problem but it's not it's not a killer. It's a concern. I just would like to find out more about it. at least know you know what we're paying to save the money.

Obviously it cost something to save money. I'm speaking for the motion even though you have a question. Yes. And I just want to find out more about that and be more comfortable about it and make sure that we're going the right direction there and the department will be glad to get that information for you. Right. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Are you ready to vote? Mr. Chair Dr. Rambo's hand is still showing on the screen. Did you have any additional comments? Yeah, I did. I just wanted um my um

I hope I'm recognized. I'm sorry. Uh kind of jumped in there, but uh my eye is not as discerning as Steve's uh perhaps, but I looked into these pretty extensively, these shingles um a few years ago for another project. and Steve, they're visually they're virtually indistinguishable from from uh cedar. They just don't uh age. I mean, the color that you put up is the color that you get. So, you have to be careful with that. But I would suggest that that depends on the actual um manufacturer of the project of the product. So maybe you can look into that and we can do some a little bit more research and find the ones that have the best appearance overall um and make sure that they don't have any underllayment that's visible from beneath and so on and so forth. But I think you'll be pleased once you once you look at the product. I just kind of wanted to endorse the idea of um saving this money because the uh the stone veneer that's going to be better. It's, you know, it's a much better foundation and the same thing wi with the roof. That's just my opinion.

Thanks. I I agree. I Yeah, I just like to look at the product. I know know what we're getting here. Thank you,

Mr. Chair. One last comment, then I will also conclude. Um I think Dr. Rambo could attest to this. The project was teetering in terms of cost. We've not been following. We basically have paid almost in excess of $1.2 million for additional roadway improvements that came in over budget. That's the capital improvements program which reassembly of the cabin comes from. And so I guess I would have danced with the devil to get the project moving forward. And I don't know if the ad alternates is equates to that, but we have a favorable recommendation from eight of the city council members. counting on you to give another tonight. Hopefully sometime in August or early September, we'll have a project underway. Thank you.

The question goes before you. All in favor of the motion, please say raise your right hand. Any opposed? Carried unanimously. historic preservation plan.

Mr. Chair, members of this commission, uh I think all of you were here for our uh historic preservation plan openhouse, so I don't need to say too much. Um but I do want to say this is the one part of the agenda that we are not going to rush through. uh you are essentially our sixth uh well now fifth fifth focus group. Uh we really want to hear your input and your really um you know your your deeper thoughts. We've been having this discussion as kind of a warm-up the last several months. That's what this whole visioning question we've been posing at every meeting has been about. it's so that you have started your your wheels turning um in preparation for this uh more in-depth discussion with our consultants here tonight. So with with that said, I'll turn it over to uh Marcia Bole and Lorie Matthews uh to lead and facilitate this discussion. Thank you.

Thanks. See, it's red, so I assume I don't think your mic is on. I'm not should be now. Can you hear me now? Better. Okay.

Do you have the presentation? Yeah. Can you hear me on this? Okay. As long as Rob can hear. Yeah. Um, so we have a similar presentation to earlier, but because I think you were all here, we're going to not do the presentation um and skip to the discussion portion, which is what we want to focus on. Um, so I guess kind of one key question, Robin, if you want to go if you want to go up just a little bit first. I want to just talk really briefly about on slide 11 or yes, slide 11, the um key categories from the existing condition conditions report. Um, I know you guys have seen a draft of the report and we're continuing to work with Robin to refine a few things in it um and make sure that it it looks good before we then move to kind of a formatted version of it. Um, but I want to just first pose the question of whether um of whether the categories are feeling correct to you guys. If there's anything that's seems to be missing um that you feel like needs to go in there. Um if there's a category you want us to explore. Um in some meeting minutes that we had reviewed that Robin provided from a previous HPC meeting. Um I think someone had mentioned ongoing preservation efforts and we can certainly we're certainly capturing those kind of across the four categories. So wanted to assure you that that is in the document and will be in the document. We'll continue to enhance that as we go. But first before we get into other discussion, wanted to at least provide the opportunity for any highle input on the draft existing conditions report and see if the categories especially feel correct. Seems okay so far. No comments. Okay. We'll continue to work with Robin to We're at the stage we're making some minor edits um just to make sure we have everything correct. So, we'll continue to do that and then

like I said, we'll work to refine or to format it after that. Um, so we want to really focus on the kind of visioning conversation. We have these three key questions for you. Um, and we can we can really go in any order that you guys want to, but wanted to at least have these up here as some some items for you to think about and respond to. Um the first of which is as a commission member. I know some of you have been on the commission longer than others. Um some of you are very new to the commission. And so thinking about um what you're most proud of as an accomplishment or something that you're continuing to work on, but something you're really proud of and want to make sure continues. Um also think about kind of the flip side of that, what the biggest opportunities might be that you want to make sure we're exploring as part of this planning effort. Um, and then as our kind of general overarching question, what your vision for the program is kind of tacks on to number two there, but thinking about moving the program forward. Um, how can we do that and what can we focus on to make that happen? And I'll just say real quick before we dive in, we also have um some vision input that you've provided already. I know Robin, you mentioned you've had some of these kind of discussions starting to happen um from the meeting minutes. These are some of the highlevel pieces that we saw in the minutes. Um, and we've heard a lot of those today too with our tours and our focus group conversations already. So, we're starting to hear some of the same themes, which is great. Um, but wanted to at least let you know that we've seen these. Um, we're not just making you answer the same questions over and over again to make you do that. But, um, I'll put it back on the previous slide so you can kind of think through those questions. Yeah,

if I may start to I would say the thing I'm I'm proud of. We we're not quite there yet, but it's the way

uh is the parent saving of the Connell. it look that we possibly have found a house somebody wanted to tear down that we've been able to save and uh it's nice to have at least some some success. It's we're not there yet. We're just almost there yet and uh that's log cabin has been fun and that'll be neat to have done but I think our job is to save these old buildings and I think we might have we might have done it there. the other the opportunities and I think is that we can do something unique with the Route 66 Carter and come up with something that doesn't exist someplace else but is something that is positive and unique to us. Those are the two things I'm I'm looking at. Thank you. So, I like the uh um the plaques that we're putting throughout the community. You know, if you're from this area or not and you stumble upon one of those, whether you were out looking for it or not, I think there's a lot of information that people are getting from plaques and they're, you know, they're attractive, they're wellplaced, they're, you know, a lot of thought went into where they're placed and how they're how how they're posted. So, that's uh a good a good thing. Also, in looking at the boards that were up here, there's there was a lot of comment about people wanting there to be more communication through social media, which you know, if we're trying to geared towards a younger set and getting them involved in the history, then I think they are all all about social media aspect. Um, and uh, you know, where there's been talk about changing the the age of these houses that are considered historic and, uh, I'm always

an advocate of of staying with the older houses and trying to to maintain those or get those, you know, hopefully find buyers that want to buy those and keep them, you know, keep them as they are or update them to where they still maintain their integrity, showing the history of the building. So, those are just a few points I have.

Yeah. Thank you. What? And with that also like answering the second question as well. Uh I would think like a lot more uh youth initiatives for the development of the preservation program would be nice. Like for example like we've made a Wildwood book so far. Maybe also make a children's book get more youth involvement and also a lot of more student-based commissions like with high school students and middle school students and such like how the Route 66 committee was like two years ago. Like more programs like that would be really great. Any other comments? I would say I I think one of the things that that uh has made a huge difference in the years that I have served on the board uh is the participation in our history tent and the PR that we get out of that in the community on a one-on-one basis because we are specifically talking to people. They can specifically ask us questions. we can specifically answer their questions and it's not we're not selling a program. We we are talking about the historical development of our community and how that affects all of us. Uh I I think that's very significant and and I think the more we

can build on that program as we have been doing with the games and the things that we've we've added to it. I I think we need to continue to look for things like that that stimulate the people uh enough to come over or their children to become involved so that we have an opportunity to communicate with them. And I I sometimes think too that we as a board need to even be better prepared to do that to be one-on-one with these people to to talk with them and and uh be involved with them. But that's certainly what I would like to see continue to develop and I think that's been a good program. Beyond that, I think our book is very significant. Our history is probably the highlight of the years that I've been on the board. Nothing I don't think has been more more important than the time that was spent on that book and and its involvement long time long period. You know, that's not something we're putting away. Uh that that's something that that's that's pretty significant for us, I would believe. Anyone else?

Yes.

Um I hear it um described and I made comment before maybe even the last meeting that I'd like to see 50 more markers uh on top of the eight or 10 that I think we have collected so far in the city. Um just tonight there were two individuals who are members of a St. Louis uh orientering club. They're, I believe, employees of Babler Park. And they they pinpointed no fewer than six uh names of cabins um that I'd never heard of before that I'm sure somebody's heard of, but there weren't marked on the map, but I made sure to have them put stickies on where they were and asked a favor that they'd get in touch with Miss Keefe um to go through those again. So every time there's a cabin uh and it seemed for what peculiar reason that these names came up were either um what seemed like uh a a mix but a a prepoundonderance of uh African-Americans who I think had uh a much greater um involvement contribution to this area because Wildwood to me is the antithesis of urban development. They were pockets of individual cultures of communities and towns that vanished. Have no remnants of any proof they were even there. Um, but every time you come across a name of a prominent family or a community, um, then that's worth a plaque. And we need to swallow people up in their drives with coming. There's 10 of these plaques I never heard of before. just this such a culturally diverse and complex area that I never had a glimmering of a clue where I live. And to give them that glimmering of a clue uh just by the simple cost of a plaque

that we go and research and it could just be four houses together that became called the the something cabin uh that I heard about even tonight. So, we've got an opportunity to show in our 66 square miles um how many dozens of these communities had packed together and cooperated with with each other to um survive this area together and not be called a city.

Thanks. uh like even though we're still in progress with this initiative, I think we should be really proud of the African-American history trail that that we're doing because I know in the last few meetings we've discussed a lot about like different veterans in the Civil War and also different stories like that and this is a really great project to like preserve all of that into this trail. So, as far as the kind of the last question goes, I think a lot of the themes that you guys are talking about are education, research, and kind of the storytelling aspect. Um, preserving the buildings still. That's clearly very important. Um, and I think those are kind of some of the main things. Um, the youth involvement is definitely something that's been brought up a lot today. Um, are there other, as you think about the overall vision and making sure we're capturing kind of each element that you want to focus on for the next 10 to 15 years, are there any other pieces of that that you feel like are missing from that set or do you think those capture it so far at least?

Yeah. I have a feeling um Exactly.

That microphone's not working well, folks. Oh, it's not working well. Sorry. Um, so I think that's really really important that we highlight those communities as best we can. And of course the signs that are up calling them signs. What do they call them? Signs. What? Plaques. Plaques. Thanks. I did hear you say that. Um I think that's really rich. I know that when we first moved here, we were in Hollow and we lived there for almost

many years. many years in hollow and uh and not until I became a member of this group did I really understand what that meant. So, one of the areas I I think is really important is just communicating to the Wildwood residents and finding ways to get the word out about the different types, different levels of history that we have, whether it be the Route 66 Main Street or or uh the different communities that are in the Wildwood area or specific homes, houses, that type of thing. Um, there's just so many different aspects to the history of the area. And I I just in general don't think overall um many a lot of people know what that history is. And so, two things. one is I I think we have a beautiful area and I would love it if people knew more about the history. Um, I also know that I can see how much work goes into this commission and it I just really think that if we can get the communication out there on an ongoing basis, just kind of figure out whether it's social media, newsletters, updating the website, having events, um, just that variety of things um, that will make a big difference. Yeah. Anything else, Steve?

Yeah, I'll just add to that, too. I am new to the commission, relatively new, and um been fascinated with the whole history of of Wildwood. And I think the communication with the community is is probably of utmost importance, but also the transparency, um which I think you've shown, Wildwood has shown. Um I think it's a good partnership. Um, having things like this forum tonight with the open house really is a great way to to reach out to the community and get their input, get their feedback. So, um, the transparency for the project, I think, is important and I think from what I've seen, it's there and I just want to see that continue as well. Um, and and the vision is I think that this is obviously not a oneanddone. This should be an ongoing living project and and I think that's what Wildwood's plan is as well. So, those are things that I've been pleased to see. Thank you.

Is that helpful? This is great. Yeah. No, I think it's it's great to hear you guys confirm a lot of what we've heard today already um and seen in the survey and it's just kind of reiterating some of those key themes. So, I think this is really helpful. Um we'll continue to be asking these questions. We've got a lot of focus groups tomorrow. Um, so we'll continue to get feedback tomorrow and then we'll have a lot of digesting to do after that and to figure out kind of the the overall draft vision um so we can bring that to you as well and then kind of move into the how do we advance the program um and start drafting some strategies um over the next few months. So

yeah, this has been really great. It's been nice to meet you all in person. Um enjoyed being here already obviously and um excited for tomorrow too. Um, any other questions you want to make sure we get to tonight?

I did have one follow-up question for uh, Miss Broyals over there. So, uh, Elizabeth Broyals recently joined our commission as a regular member, but previously she served as its planning and zoning commission liaison for several years. And I'm curious if you have anything to say to that perspective having served with the planning and zoning commission and where historic preservation comes into that and how that might uh affect our planning for the next 10 years. Thank you.

Well, I learned a lot in the four years that I was here and um and I just returned u recently. Um, I think if I I had to honestly tell you it was hard not to be able to vote. It was hard and I know that was the rule and uh but I absorbed and learned a great deal um being here and that's why I decided to return. Um, so I can't imagine not doing this today with the group that we have. And I I echo the same thing that you all u have spoken about is getting more people on this committee and and I think we can do that.

We can have subcommittees have to be on the board of of or on the commission in order to function with the commission. And and I think we probably need to get that across to people and begin to establish some committees like that. Does that answer the question somewhat? Yeah, she's shaking.

That was just inside me. Well, if you think of anything else in the next couple months before we're back again in September, let us know or let Robin know and she'll communicate with us. But I'll be back in September for Celebrate Wildwood and forward to Thank you again. Thank you both for being here.

Mr. chair. Speaking of celebrate Wildwood, our next uh our next uh topic is back to school party and celebrate Wildwood uh and planning for those events. Uh so, as you may be aware, I I've been running around crazy planning with uh Marsha uh this event. Uh, so I have yet to really go full gear on back to school party or even celebrate Wildwood, though we started talking about that a little bit today. Um, however, I do want you to be prepared because uh just in a few weeks we are going to once again engage at back to school party and this will be our primary uh youth engagement I think uh for this planning effort. Uh we'll bring back uh zombie road beanag toss. I have to figure out where that went. Um, and the Lincoln log challenge. Uh, but we also want to do a historic preservation planning uh visioning. Um, and we're trying to brainstorm how to make it fun and engaging uh for the youth so that we get some input uh with that voice and that perspective as well in these efforts. Uh, so I'll be putting that together. Uh right now I have Vice Chair Querneick, Advisor Scott, Commissioners Larson, Shoenfeld, Raggy Ramen, and Boray on board to volunteer for back to school party. So thank you. That's a great crew. I don't know if uh Miss Stevens wants to join us, but you're welcome. Um so so I think we've got a great crew uh to pull it off and I'm very excited. So, Marcia and I will will be brainstorming on how we might uh do that third component and um and we'll we'll run with it at the back to school party. So, be there, be square. Uh that is Friday, August 15th. Um volunteers there

at 400 p.m. Um and stay until about 7:30ish. Uh so, thank you. Uh moving on to Celebrate Wildwood. Again, this is an all hands on deck type of event. We do need every last one of you. Uh last year we had an activity that we dreamed up. We thought it was so wonderful. It was going to be this beautiful litup tree at the end of the night with all these family names and photos and you know, we just we just did not have the bodies to do it. Uh so everyone at Celebrate Wildwood is so needed. It's a full day of events. everyone's signing up for a couple shifts here or there. Um, but we need like actually enough people per shift uh to make some of these activities happen. And uh with this next round, we'll we'll be full-on engaging people again for the historic preservation plan effort. So, there'll be additional engagement that we need to do. So, um so your help is is critical at Celebrate Wildwood. Please put that date on your calendars and uh I'll be s sending out a sign up um a little closer to the event probably right after back to school party. Um and then I'll I just kindly request you to sign up for as many shifts as you feel able to do. Uh because I I think it is going to be a big big moment to engage the community. And we've also talked about uh we really need a floater this year because part of this engagement for the historic preservation plan should happen with our community members. So a lot of people who come to the tent, yes, there's interested Wildwood residents and everything, but we get a lot of out oftowners, too. Really, we need to be going to some of these other tents like the Wildwood Historical Society tents, the United Baptist Church tents. We have business owners, uh, you know, all kinds of Wildwood businesses out there with

their tents. Uh, we need to reach our community and those are those are some of our target audience members. So, um, so we're also going to need to go probably offsite, off tent, uh, to do some of this engagement as well. So, again, that speaks to why we need more bodies um, at the tent. So, uh I do uh plead with you to sign up for Celebrate Wildwood and uh next month we will certainly be discussing that more in depth as to what what we might be uh doing and what that looks like. Thank you.

I think we need to think about too whether we're going to do the parade and if so whether whether uh we're going to do a float or for we're just going to walk or uh ride in convertibles or what what we want to do. But we need to think about that further in advance than we have the last couple years because it kind of gets pushed together at the end and everybody's concerned about the tent and and rightfully so. But the the the parade happens at a certain time and it it either does or doesn't. And we we've done well with what we've been able to put together, but I think we could do better. And I I think some planning and some people dedicated to doing something with a float or whatever we want to do with that. I I I I think the time is now for us to do that. And maybe the 66 theme is is a plus for us because that's the theme of the parade and the day. Uh and I think we can we can do that too. show.

Uh well, for the last few years, I know that the the commission has received one of the many golf carts we usually have in the parade. Um and um we've got generally a formula with the Celebrate Wildwood history book poster and some of our Route 66 bling and then we can class it up with some balloons and other things. Um, so, so we could probably pull off that component of it, but I don't know. Is there anything else we could do this year that might be a little more creative? If this commission has some ideas, by all means, I agree with our chair. I should be hearing hearing them now so I can be thinking about how to execute it. Um, I just I haven't had the bandwidth lately to think about Celebrate Wildwood. It it will go full swing now that we get past this event. And if anyone would like to serve on that committee to do some planning or brainstorming about this, we' we'd certainly be welcome to hear from you and uh love to have you involved in doing that. I'm sure I know we have creative people here that that uh could could be helpful. So, thank thank you. Just wanted to remind you of that. And so maybe not this year, but next year with it being the anniversary, maybe we could do like a car show or have some vintage cars, you know, more more of them in either in the parade or on display somewhere, you know, on site.

Yeah, absolutely. We'll we'll try to work on something for our 100th anniversary. I have a neighbor that just moved two two places from me that has two sets of driving horses and two carriages. So, I'm I'm going to talk to him about the possibility of maybe are incorporating one of those carriages into into the parade and have have some ride on the in the carriage or walk with the carriage. I love that idea.

But no promises. All right. Well, if you have any additional ideas, please send them via email. Again, don't wait till la don't wait till next month. By next month, I'll probably have a a plan in place. And this is what we're doing, guys. But if you have any ideas from this meeting until next meeting, please send them my way. Um, I'm happy to figure out how we might be able to incorporate them into our Celebrate Wildwood planning. Um, it's always a it's always a fun time, though. The parade is definitely on you all because I will be at the tent get getting everything set up for the day. [Music]

Yes.

Yes. Thanks. Um, yes, Miss Keith. Um, could you provide a um a um just a brain dump to us of what stray voltage and errant brainstorming you're thinking of the the top 25 and say uh whittle this down to 10 and the other 15 you hate. anything of the nature of we need we need 12 floats borrowed from the veiled profit parade because that doesn't exist anywhere in St. Louis anymore or we need this or we can rent this, we can get these golf carts that look like ships. Um, and make that a theme. Just anything that gives us wild ideas to shoot down so that what's left over uh rises to the top of the cream of of potentials.

With the permission of the chair, Mr. Mr. Mayberry, we have a commission that's established by ordinance that oversees the Wildwood Celebration Commission. I would I would ask that you let them do your their job and not necessarily um try to plan the parade. They've been at it since October of last year, shortly after Celebrate Wildwood was completed. So if you have suggestions, they are more than open to accept them and implement them if they can. But again, Miss Keefe is not part of the commission. And so from that perspective, if you would coordinate through either Chris Nagger or Stacy Chansky, we would appreciate it. That's that's good. I was uh putting my historic preservation commission hat on and only that hat. So that anything that that had come from planning the historic preservation commission float or cart or convertible or horse carriage or whatever means might just be 20 people walking in single file each with a placard for the historic preservation commission. That was really all it was. uh we we aren't going to find a more competent uh chair for that commission this year than uh former council member uh Lauren Edens.

Uh yeah, we've always we've always kind of thrown it back on this commission to come up with the parade involvement. Uh generally I'm running around uh trying to get the historic um display uh for the day uh together, which is a pretty big undertaking. Um, this group has had some good ideas year after year. We now have materials to help, you know, we at least have kind of a formula going where even if we don't come up with a great idea, we could probably throw something together pretty quick just to get some some presence out there. Um, but if you have a great creative idea, actually that's what I was asking you to do was provide me provide me those ideas so that we can see what we're capable of of doing. Okay, I had it perfectly backwards. Very seldom I'm perfectly correct.

Yes. There's no sound. I I think your microphone's not working again.

I think I have a cool v volume and I apologize for that. Um, I don't apologize for that, but apologize I didn't have it on. Um, and there were it was a number of people that came up and were moving into this area and they didn't know that you that this group was together and if we hadn't been in the parade, they wouldn't have known. And so we got a few people who looked us up and online and and decided they they would like to be involved and they were moving here to this area. But we didn't contact this lady here. We contacted the people that Mr. Vunish just mentioned and they were wonderful to help us

on to the work program. All right, Mr. Chair, members of this commission, our last item on the agenda tonight, uh, because we are we are trying to move through this quickly, um, is our work program. And I just have a few highlights, uh, for you and then we can open it up to discussion on anything that's on our work program. Uh but just this last Tuesday evening, the citizen oversight group of the master plan update um group uh met to review recommended changes to the environmental element and also to start discussions regarding the planning element. Uh in fact our consultant uh Marcia Bole did present to this group about our historic preservation effort. So, they got uh a really nice presentation similar to the openhouse uh before they went into their discussions. And I'd like to assume that's the reason they pretty much unanimously endorsed um a much broader uh historic preservation goal as one of our goals. Um and uh and then a related, we haven't voted on it yet, but a related objective or policy regarding implementing our historic preservation plan. Uh so it was a good good opportunity to reach our master plan group and uh get historic preservation uh firmly planted in their minds as they move forward on that important process for the city. Uh any questions regarding that before I move on to my next highlight? Okay. Uh next I would just mention that the nomination for the Missouri River Freedom Crossing uh with Archer Alexander and 16 men uh was submitted on July 15th uh by the deadline. Uh so uh the National Park Service will be reviewing that. We won't hear back from

my understanding from uh Ms. Keven Frankie who you know has been assisting with that nomination application. Typically, we don't hear back until late fall as far as whether it's accepted and it it becomes officially designated. Uh but we are excited to have at least one of our nominations in place uh for our network to freedom projects. Any questions on that one? All right. Excellent. Uh let's see. Oh, yes. I think I already mentioned it once this evening. Uh but we did meet again uh with leader publications in the cities of Eureka, Pacific and Wildwood. And at that time we committed uh Wildwood, Eureka and Pacific to each of us showing one of the cars films and another cars movie night uh similar to what we had a couple years ago with the student task force. Um we're going to cross-promote uh these movies as cities. Uh, I think I think it's Eureka who's taking Cars one, Wildwood's taking Cars 2, and uh, Pacific is taking Cars 3. And we're thinking the best opportunity to show it would be to incorporate it with next year's back to school party as a special Route 66 element to the event. Uh, because we'll already have the families and and youth there. Um, and hopefully they'll stay for the movie.

Excellent. So, I I think that's a great opportunity to partner with these other cities. Um, I would also just like to mention the city of Eureka has been extremely gracious in uh offering to uh allow us to use their movie screen and audio equipment for the event. So, they'll be bringing it to us and setting it up and um in in partnership with us. So, uh that was really nice of them to offer. Uh any questions regarding that? Moving on. Uh, recently, I think I told this group at a a Western Greenway meeting at Babler State Park, we had a very positive conversation with everyone involved about our historic marker uh for the United States Colored Troops. Uh apparently we are still very much on the minds of the Missouri uh state park staff um including the regional director and they believe it will be a real highlight or key feature of the western greenway trail through Babler State Park. So uh so the good news is, you know, it's not it's still being thought about. Um, we're probably going to need to wait until this trail has been developed, is my guess, before they they get uh the memorandum of understanding together. Um, but uh they are very interested in that component and they're interested in the African-American heritage trail and how that connects as well. So, I think that was a very positive discussion and hearing everyone sound so excited about it was was very good. Um, I think that might be my last highlight. Yes, it is. So, at this time, I would say uh if there's any questions from this commission from for director Vunich or myself about anything on this work program, this is your opportunity.

Thank you. Yeah, chair. Yes.

Yes. Not at all. uh under inactive projects for uh it mentions that this is not fallen out of the tree, but it's it's um it's a placeholder for other items yet to complete. Are there are there um is there a list of items that are um need swatting away and completed before the um American history trail project Monarch just field levy before that um gains traction again? Uh yes, currently our uh communication materials are saying that we're planning to move into it with more earnest in 2026 after the citywide historic preservation plan process has been completed because right now that's taking up most of our most of our planning space.

Thank you. Thank you. not ready for action. Are you ready for that? Oh, we have Yep. Mr. Chair, respectfully, anything under not ready for action means we're not ready for action for discussion. We waited for someone to say that all year. Thank you. these things,

but then you can identify those things that are on the the table at some point, but they're not going to come off the table tonight. So, uh they they are things that we're still looking at and and involved in. How about new business? Mr. Chair, there are no items ready for action under new business. See you. You are helping make this faster. How about the review of proposed zoning plots, site development plans, demolitions requests? No items. That's correct. Joel,

that's correct. Any other matters of cons for consideration. Upcoming meeting dates August 21st. regular meeting Thursday.

I the department would just note that all of these meeting dates next month are a week earlier than normal. So typically we meet on that fourth Thursday of every month. Just be aware that 21st date is actually the third Thursday of the month. Uh we did that to accommodate no meetings week at the end of the month and so it moved forward uh all of our boards and commissions for that month. I have no closing remarks. I've said enough. Any Anyone else have any closing remarks? Yes, drop.

It could be a good closing. Um I've recently been invited personally to uh upcoming periodic scheduled monthly u either council or commission or committee meetings. And I'd called in and say that this is a thing. This is new. uh being personally invited to attend or decline and found from talking with city staff that it's it's to become a thing. And I just wondered if that's extended to uh all commissions and committees as in addition to the council and the uh one meeting for this uh open house and commission that I that I agreed to attend. So, are these now going to be every month regardless whether it's kicked up or moved back or shifted that all these commission meetings will be um by invitation and confirmation so that everybody's reminded when a move when a meeting is moved up or back part of the drill. No.

Uh, and that would be a question maybe for director Vunich. Expect it would. I think we have an answer for that again with the permissions. Chair. Certainly.

Mr. Mayberry. Typically, we send an invite and to all our board and commission members in advance of the meeting. It typically includes packet information, the link, um if it's a Zoom, so if you want to do a hybrid, it has the Zoom link. So, we do that and typically when we ask for confirmation of attendance and we start recognizing that it may be close to holding a quorum, we'll follow up with another email or call. We can't do business without our volunteers. So, it's imperative that we know if they're going to attend or not. Certainly, we appreciate your time.

Okay. Then then that's making sense because as elected officials um uh drawing a little distinction between elected officials and um committee assignments. Okay. Now, that makes that makes logical sense. Thank you. Any other comments or questions?

Mr. Chair, I would just like to thank this group, every one of you, for attending uh the very successful open house. I think um your uh your help and assistance and facilitating our stations and welcoming everyone in um and you know, presenting and welcoming the group and doing the introductions uh were also appreciated. I'd also like to thank Commission Member Schoenfeld and Advisor Scott for helping to lead our historic tour for our two guests here um earlier today. They were uh absolutely uh indispensable to me and and making sure all that narration happened while I was driving us around. And uh thank you also to our MIG consultants uh for coming here, visiting our community and providing so much insight to us. Um it's it's really a pleasure having you here

and we thank you for all the arrangements that uh made this possible and Mr. Chair, not to miss an opportunity, but there were about 15 other people that worked for the city of Wildwood that helped set up this room will help break down this room, move things around, went out and bought snacks, did other things. So there's a lot of faceless people that make things work and I think it's my responsibility as the director of the department to acknowledge that and make sure you understand. Absolutely. Thank you.

Thank you. And we will do that. If not, we stand adjourned. Sorry I couldn't make it, guys. But uh I if I had known there were snacks, I might have made it more effort. There was ice cream. Rob, you missed the ice cream. Oh, no. Rub it in. All right. Well, maybe next time. Bye, guys. I hope you feel better. Uhhuh. Thank you.