Chairman Victor Greco called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. In addition to Chairman Greco, other voting members present were Tommy Bailey, Dr. Melissa Bingmann, Dr. Robert Conte (via phone), Nat DeBruin, Dr. Charles Ledbetter, and Nathan Randolph (via phone). Voting members absent were Darlene Hassler, Audy Perry, and Dr. David Trowbridge. Ex officio voting member absent was Fredrick Armstrong, president of the West Virginia Historical Society. Ex officio non-voting members present were Joe Geiger, director, Archives and History Section; Hanna Law, representing the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (via phone); and Susan Pierce, director, Historic Preservation Section. Ex officio non-voting members absent were Charles Morris, director, Museums Section; Randall Reid-Smith, commissioner of Culture and History; and J. Logan Smith, president of Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Also present were Historic Preservation staff members Pam Brooks and Jeff Smith.
Chairman Greco asked for a motion on the meeting minutes of June 1, 2018. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Randolph with a second by Dr. Conte. The motion was approved.
Turning to Old Business, Chairman Greco called for an update on previous National Register nominations. Jeff Smith informed members that the New Deal Resources in Seneca State Forest Historic District was listed on September 4 while the other four nominations presented at the Spring 2018 meeting are still pending.
Turning to New Business, Chairman Greco called for the presentation of the National Register nominations.
Isaac F. Lane House, Wood County, nominated under Criterion C, with period of significance being 1904, was presented by Jeff Smith. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination with Dr. Ledbetter providing the second. Motion carried.
The Market Street Bridge, Brooke County, nominated under Criteria A and C, with period of significance being 1905-1968, was presented by Jeff Smith. Following the presentation, Dr. Ledbetter moved for approval of the nomination and Mr. Randolph provided the second. Motion carried.
Welch Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase), McDowell County, nominated under Criteria A and C, with period of significance being 1900-1941, was presented by Jeff Smith. Following the presentation, Chairman Greco asked why these structures were not included in the initial nomination. In reply, Mr. Smith stated that it was unclear why they were omitted and that no explanation for their omission was provided in the original nomination from 1992. Mr. Bailey moved for approval of the nomination and Mr. DeBruin provided the second. Motion carried.
Fayetteville Esso Station, Fayette County, nominated under Criterion C, with period of significance being ca. 1945, was presented by Jeff Smith. Following the presentation, Mr. DeBruin stated he was pleased that the owner was determined to maintain the integrity of the building. Mr. Randolph moved for approval of the nomination and Mr. DeBruin provided the second. Motion carried.
New Deal Resources in Babcock State Park Historic District, Fayette County, nominated under Criteria A and C, with period of significance being 1934-1942, was presented by Jeff Smith. Following the presentation, Dr. Conte moved for approval of the nomination and Dr. Ledbetter provided the second. Motion carried.
Chairman Greco then called on Pam Brooks to present the second round of FY2018 Survey and Planning Grants. She explained that the grants panel had met in September and prepared a recommendation (copy attached to official minutes). Eight applications had been received and the panel recommended funding five projects.
Mr. Randolph made a motion to accept the panel’s recommendations for FY2018 Survey and Planning Grants for the Wheeling Historic District, Wildwood, and the St. Albans C & O Depot with the provision authorizing staff to move funds from cancelled projects or projects unable to use all available funding to the next project in order of priority or to increase funding to an approved project needing additional funds, subject to the availability of funding. The second was provided by Dr. Conte. Motion passed.
Mr. Greco recused himself. Mr. Randolph assumed the chair.
Dr. Ledbetter made a motion to accept the panel’s recommendations for FY2018 Survey and Planning Grants for Moorefield and the Goff House with the provision authorizing staff to move funds from cancelled projects or projects unable to use all available funding to the next project in order of priority or to increase funding to an approved project needing additional funds, subject to the availability of funding. The second was provided by Mr. Bailey. Motion passed.
Mr. Greco re-assumed the chair.
Chairman Greco noted that the Winter meeting is to be held at 1:00 p.m. at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on Thursday, February 21, 2019, with a backup date of March 2. The Spring meeting will be held on May 31 with June 7 as backup date at a location to be determined.
Mr. Bailey made a motion to adjourn and Chairman Greco declared the meeting adjourned at 2:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph N. Geiger, Jr.
Secretary