.png)
|
HIDALGO COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION DECEMBER 3, 2023 2:30 P.M. |
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551 Texas Government Code and Section 318.005 of the Texas Local Government Code, that a Meeting of the Historical Commission will be held at the Old Hidalgo County Courthouse on First Street and Flora Street, Hidalgo, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Introduction of Members and Guests
3. Approval of Minutes from September 17, 2023
4. Public Comments
Members of the public are welcome to speak and raise issues that are not on the agenda during the public comments portion of Hidalgo County Historical Commission meetings. However, a limited amount of time of no longer than thirty (30) minutes will be set aside during each regular or special meeting of the Commission. A member of the public who desires to address the Commission must request and be recognized by the Chair. The Chair may choose not to recognize the individual or may impose a time limit on the individual's comments. Commissioners may take no formal action on any matter discussed during public comments, unless it directly relates to a pre-existing agenda item. Commission members are not required to answer questions raised during public comments. No public comments will be allowed during any subsequent agenda item unless so recognized by the Chair.
5. Montezuma Cypress Tree in Abram, TX
A. Update on a request from Commissioner Everardo Villarreal (P3) regarding obtaining a historical maker for the 900+ year old tree.
B. Discussion and possible action on identifying the Montezuma Cypress Tree in Abram as a historic resource in Hidalgo County.
C. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to Commissioners Court to establish a countywide local landmark program with standardized markers under the purview of the Hidalgo County Historical Commission.
6. Discussion on a recommendation to Commissioners Court for the establishment of a historic site tax exemption program for certain historic properties in Hidalgo County.
7. Committee Reports:
A. Executive Committee………………………………………………Adela Ortega
B. Preservation Committee…………………………………….……Gabriel Ozuna
i. Update on inspection and RTHL request for Austin Elementary (Edinburg)
ii. Report on a public concern over recent use of the San Juan Hotel (San Juan)
iii. Report on the Water Tower Theater (Weslaco) and its designation status
C. Marker Committee……………………………………………Alejandro Oyoque
i. Update on undertold marker applications for Austin Elementary (Edinburg), Colegio
Jacinto Treviño (Mercedes), and Al Ramirez (Edinburg)
D. Finance Committee..….………………………………………Alejandro Oyoque
i. Report on Hidalgo County budget workshop
ii. Request for HCHC members to submit their volunteer hours at the end of December in
order to show Commissioners Court our total annual contributions
E. Collection & Archives Committee………………………………..Shannon Pensa
F. Cemetery Committee……………………………………………....Melissa Knerr
G. Publicity Committee…………………………………………….René Ballesteros
i. Update on member emails on public webpage and new county HCHC email address
ii. Update on county authorizations for logo and social media accounts
H. Section 106 Reviews……………………………………………...Gabriel Ozuna
i. TxDOT Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge expansion (FONSI)
ii. TxDOT SH 107 expansion project from La Villa to Santa Rosa
8. African American Cultural Heritage Commission Proposal
A. Discussion and action on a recommendation to the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court regarding the creation of a proposed African American Cultural Heritage Commission, its scope, and relationship with the HCHC.
9. Other Business:
A. Reminder: the Texas Open Meetings Act training is required for all new members.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/governmental-bodies/pia-and-oma-training-resources/open-meetings-act-training
B. A reminder to Commission members to log their hours spent doing HCHC activities, including drivetime to and from meetings, etc.
C. If members have any goals for the upcoming year, please let the officers know so they can be included for discussion at the Executive Board meeting in January.
D. Texas Treasure Business Award Nominations
i. The following historic businesses have been approved as Texas Treasure businesses:
McCreery Aviation Co. (McAllen) Taco Olé (Mission)
ii. The next quarterly deadline to submit a nomination is February 1st.
10. Announcements, Events, and Upcoming Meetings:
A. From the Texas Historical Commission
i. Real Places Conference (Austin, TX) will be April 3-5, 2024
ii. Registration, scholarship and hotel stipend applications now open (realplaces.us)
B. Announcements from Commission members…
i. UTRGV CHAPS Ancient Landscapes of South Texas project
C. Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, February 18 at a location TBD.
i. Upcoming meeting dates for 2024 (subject to change) are:
May 19 / Sept. 15 / Nov. 17
11. Adjournment
2. Introduction of Members and Guests
3. Approval of Minutes from September 17, 2023
4. Public Comments
Members of the public are welcome to speak and raise issues that are not on the agenda during the public comments portion of Hidalgo County Historical Commission meetings. However, a limited amount of time of no longer than thirty (30) minutes will be set aside during each regular or special meeting of the Commission. A member of the public who desires to address the Commission must request and be recognized by the Chair. The Chair may choose not to recognize the individual or may impose a time limit on the individual's comments. Commissioners may take no formal action on any matter discussed during public comments, unless it directly relates to a pre-existing agenda item. Commission members are not required to answer questions raised during public comments. No public comments will be allowed during any subsequent agenda item unless so recognized by the Chair.
5. Montezuma Cypress Tree in Abram, TX
A. Update on a request from Commissioner Everardo Villarreal (P3) regarding obtaining a historical maker for the 900+ year old tree.
B. Discussion and possible action on identifying the Montezuma Cypress Tree in Abram as a historic resource in Hidalgo County.
C. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to Commissioners Court to establish a countywide local landmark program with standardized markers under the purview of the Hidalgo County Historical Commission.
6. Discussion on a recommendation to Commissioners Court for the establishment of a historic site tax exemption program for certain historic properties in Hidalgo County.
7. Committee Reports:
A. Executive Committee………………………………………………Adela Ortega
B. Preservation Committee…………………………………….……Gabriel Ozuna
i. Update on inspection and RTHL request for Austin Elementary (Edinburg)
ii. Report on a public concern over recent use of the San Juan Hotel (San Juan)
iii. Report on the Water Tower Theater (Weslaco) and its designation status
C. Marker Committee……………………………………………Alejandro Oyoque
i. Update on undertold marker applications for Austin Elementary (Edinburg), Colegio
Jacinto Treviño (Mercedes), and Al Ramirez (Edinburg)
D. Finance Committee..….………………………………………Alejandro Oyoque
i. Report on Hidalgo County budget workshop
ii. Request for HCHC members to submit their volunteer hours at the end of December in
order to show Commissioners Court our total annual contributions
E. Collection & Archives Committee………………………………..Shannon Pensa
F. Cemetery Committee……………………………………………....Melissa Knerr
G. Publicity Committee…………………………………………….René Ballesteros
i. Update on member emails on public webpage and new county HCHC email address
ii. Update on county authorizations for logo and social media accounts
H. Section 106 Reviews……………………………………………...Gabriel Ozuna
i. TxDOT Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge expansion (FONSI)
ii. TxDOT SH 107 expansion project from La Villa to Santa Rosa
8. African American Cultural Heritage Commission Proposal
A. Discussion and action on a recommendation to the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court regarding the creation of a proposed African American Cultural Heritage Commission, its scope, and relationship with the HCHC.
9. Other Business:
A. Reminder: the Texas Open Meetings Act training is required for all new members.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government/governmental-bodies/pia-and-oma-training-resources/open-meetings-act-training
B. A reminder to Commission members to log their hours spent doing HCHC activities, including drivetime to and from meetings, etc.
C. If members have any goals for the upcoming year, please let the officers know so they can be included for discussion at the Executive Board meeting in January.
D. Texas Treasure Business Award Nominations
i. The following historic businesses have been approved as Texas Treasure businesses:
McCreery Aviation Co. (McAllen) Taco Olé (Mission)
ii. The next quarterly deadline to submit a nomination is February 1st.
10. Announcements, Events, and Upcoming Meetings:
A. From the Texas Historical Commission
i. Real Places Conference (Austin, TX) will be April 3-5, 2024
ii. Registration, scholarship and hotel stipend applications now open (realplaces.us)
B. Announcements from Commission members…
i. UTRGV CHAPS Ancient Landscapes of South Texas project
C. Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, February 18 at a location TBD.
i. Upcoming meeting dates for 2024 (subject to change) are:
May 19 / Sept. 15 / Nov. 17
11. Adjournment