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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLHC 2017-11-15 HISTORICAL COMMISSION Dennis Wright Greenmead Historical Park MAYOR 20501 Newburgh Road Livonia, Michigan 48152 Linda McCann (248) 477-7375 DIRECTOR Fax (248) 426-8568 Emily Tchorz PROGRAM SUPERVISOR Community Resources Department 33000 Civic Center Drive Livonia, Michigan 48154-3097 (734) 466-2540 Livonia Historical Commission Minutes of the November, 15, 2017 Voting Meeting The meeting was called to order on November 15, 2017 at the Alexander Blue House at 6:30 p.m. Present: Deanna Brown, Mary Cambridge, Nancy Frye, Barbara Mansfield, Michael Marihugh, Stephanie Miner, Gary Pritchard, Sandi Pritchard, Patty Trojan Also Present: Emily Tchorz The September 20, 2017 and October 18, 2017 meeting minutes have been reviewed. Motion 11/01: Approve the September and October meeting minutes as written. All in favor, motion carried. Mary Cambridge was unable to present the official treasury report for October. It will be reviewed at the January 2018 meeting and placed on file. The rough totals are as follows: Special events: $1,375; Tours: $68; Gift Shop $77.50; Hill House Rentals: $1,500; Church Rentals: $400; Meeting House Rentals: $990, Blue House Rentals: $4,498.39; Security Deposits for Rentals: $1,500; Donations: $50. Barbara Mansfield, Chairman, reported: Terms reinstated until 2020 are Mary Cambridge, Deanna Brown and Patty Trojan respectively. A review of the 2018 Sunday Tour schedule including 12 Sundays that will need Commissioner coverage and tour guides was done. The Annual Report for 2016 from the Department of Community Resources was given to Barbara Mansfield by Emily Tchorz. A list of who belongs under the Department of Community Resources was presented. The current 2017 report was given to each Commissioner and summarized by Patty Trojan. The creation of a timeline for all things related to the purchase and move of the Nankin Mills School House was proposed by Nancy Frye to maintain an accurate record of the key events. Each Commissioner received an email regarding the collections policy at Greenmead for acquired artifacts as well as a copy of the Commissioner responsibilities. Motion 11/02: We request that in the 2018 calendar year, an inspection of all buildings on the Greenmead property be done by the City of Livonia Inspection Department with a copy of the final report sent to the members of the Livonia Historical Commission. Motion made by Patty Trojan and seconded by Michael Marihugh. All in favor, motion carried. Commission’s reports of activities & participation since last meeting: Mary Cambridge has been working on continual cleaning of the “chair room” at the Hill House, priced and organized a large stock of jewelry for the jewelry sale (4 hours), and has started to weed through the Christmas decorations and remove unnecessary items. Patty Trojan and Deanna Brown worked the Halloween walk. Stephanie Miner has worked on creating a master list of maintenance needs. Nancy Frye is working on the tour book for the 2018 season. Michael Marihugh facilitated the cleanout of the North Barn with students from Madonna University. Gary Pritchard and Sandi Pritchard have been absent due to health concerns. Emily Tchorz reported: • Maintenance Update: The screen door and the handrails will be done by November 30, 2017. Mayor Wright has visited Greenmead and was taken on a tour by Emily to review maintenance concerns. He brought with him a gentleman named Dave Bradshaw who will potentially be doing some maintenance work at Greenmead. Integrity Building gave us an estimate for the restoration of the Greenhouse of $65,000. 2 more bids will have to be obtained. • WiFi Expansion: This has been completed for the Hinbern. • Rental Income to Date for 2017: For the Meeting House we have brought in $5,325 in rental fees. The Church has brought in $11,825. The Blue House has brought in $21,255.89 which goes to the City of Livonia. Special Activities have brought in $49,980.07 • Nankin Mills Schoolhouse: The foundation block is done. The beams will need to be removed and the utilities are being worked on. The foundation floor in the basement will hopefully be done before winter starts. • The Parking Lot at the Alexander Blue House: this project is done for the moment, but not in its entirety. There are sewage drain needs that must be addressed. Grading needs to be done for the remaining dirt roads. • Madonna University Service Project: Michael Marihugh and a group of University of Madonna students from University 1010 classes came and cleaned the North Barn and the lean-to of unnecessary items and debris. The Madonna students enjoyed being at Greenmead and due to the need for service projects in the community, we may be getting more volunteers in the future. • Greenmead Clerk Posting: Carol McKinley is now full time as of October 30, 2017. • Greenmead Sign: The banner has been obtained and is available for use. • Budget Status: There is currently $210,410.72 in the trust fund, but number hasn’t changed since August. A proposed 2017-2018 General Expenses report given by Emily Tchorz to each Commissioner. Motion 11/03: Motion to approve the 2017/2018 General Expense report as reported. Motion made by Sandi Pritchard and seconded by Mary Cambridge. All in favor, motion carried. Past and Future Events: • One Room School: We had an academy visit October 25-26. The first day was comprised of kindergarten – second grade students and the second day was comprised of third – fifth grade students. The General store was opened. • Volunteer Appreciation Party: This has been planned for the 24th of January from 4-7pm to recognize the volunteers of the 2017 season. A suggestion of a dinner consisting of mostaccioli, salad, bread sticks and a Costco cake was made. Patty Trojan will look in to the catering of the main meal. Coffee and punch will be served and a gift of little notepads, carabiners, pens, a calendar and a Greenmead tote will be given to each volunteer. Paper products will need to be purchased for the event. • Halloween Event: $6 tickets brought in people from Livonia as well as people from local counties. It was a success. • The Highland Tea: This event has passed and was well attended. • Grandma’s Attic: This event is coming up and preparations are being made at the Alexander Blue House regarding the setup of items for sale. • Christmas Walk: This event is coming up and the workers have been lined up. • Sunday Tours: i) December 3 Commissioners: Deanna and Richard Brown Church Program: Gale Boyd 3-4pm ii) December 10 Commissioners: Danielle Lewton and Stephanie Miner Church Program: Livonia Civic Chorus 3-4pm Additional Business & Action Items: • Garden Appreciation: The gardens have looked phenomenal this season. A plan was made to attend their beginning-of-the-season meeting and give each gardener a pair of gardening gloves. Motion 11/04: A special meeting is to be held in late April/early May for the gardeners to recognize them for outstanding work in the 2017 season where they will each be gifted a pair of Greenmead garden gloves. Motion made by Nancy Frye and seconded by Deanna Brown. All in favor, motion carried. • Tour Guides: The regular tour guides will be recognized and given a magnetized nametag at a special meeting in May where they will be given a refresher of the buildings. Calling for tour guides needs to be done by the Greenmead Clerk instead of by a Commissioner so that there is a set person calling them that they are able to report to. Motion 11/05: In May of 2018, a tour guide volunteer reception will be held to include a review of buildings, procedures and refreshments. Motion made by Nancy Frye and seconded by Deanna Brown. All in favor, motion carried. Election of 2018 Commission Officers: Officer nominations were announced by Sandi Pritchard as follows: Chairman: Stephanie Miner Vice Chairman: Nancy Frye Secretary: Patty Trojan Treasurer: Mary Cambridge Motion 11/06: Motion made to approve the officer ballot as slated. Motion made by Deanna Brown and seconded by Michael Marihugh. All in favor, motion approved. Programs in 2018: The 2018 proposed schedule has been presented to the Commission. Bridal Show Booth – Patty Trojan looked in to doing the Brides to Be bridal shows out of Shelby Twp. to promote Greenmead rentals. There are shows March 11th at the Regency Hotel in Southfield, May 6th at the Holiday Inn in Ann Arbor, and August 19th in Novi. Normally, the booths are $400 and tables + skirting are provided. Patty spoke with the event coordinator and was given a discounted price of $250 per show ($500 total) if we signed up for 2 shows, or $300 if only one was selected. We would have to bring promotional materials, a TV to show a loop of wedding photos, and potentially a datebook in which to schedule appointments to look at the rental spaces. It is suggested that 2-3 people attend each show. Patty Trojan, Deanna Brown and Jan Bryja have been mentioned as persons to run the booth thus far. Motion 11/07: Motion to participate in the Brides to Be bridal shows on March 11, 2017 and August 19, 2018 for the price of $500. Motion made by Sandi Pritchard and seconded by Nancy Frye. All in favor, motion carried. Other Pertinent Information: • Bungalow Drapes: Drapes and shades have been ordered for the Bungalow. • Photography at Greenmead: discussion was had regarding the use of cameras within the walls of the tour buildings and professional photographer’s use of the grounds is of question. Further discussion is needed on the topic. 2018 Voting Meetings: January, April, May, August, September and November. 2018 Non-voting meetings will take place in February, March, June, July, October and December. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. The next meeting will be a voting meeting on January 17, 2018 at the Alexander Blue House at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Miner Secretary Livonia Historical Commission