Historic District Meeting Minutes 01-08-2015City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Annex
1 11 North 12' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 8, 2015
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday,
January 8, 2015 at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present — Chairman Vickie Davis, Lisa Willis, Derald Porter, Paul Gibson,
Cathy Gifford and Lonnie London.
Others Present — Planning Director Joe Hurst, Assistant Planner Julie Copple and Facility
Maintenance Merle Reynolds.
Chairman Vickie Davis welcomes new members Cathy Gifford and Lonnie London.
Historic District Commission Chairman Vickie Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30
P.M. The first action by the commission was to approve the minutes from the previous
meeting. A motion was made by Paul Gibson and seconded by Lisa Willis to approve the
minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was to introduce the new Planning Assistant. Planning
Director Joe Hurst introduced Julie Copple.
The next item for discussion was the Geo -cache brochure update. Lisa Willis updated the
commission concerning changes that needed to be made to the brochure. After a general
discussion between the members it was concluded that the following areas need to be
changed to the brochure:
• Time (hours of operation)
• Better Photos
• Color
The projected launch date for this event is March 21, 2015. Lisa Willis suggested the
Commission have a rehearsal of the Geo -cache to see if the event needs any adjusting
after next month's meeting.
The next item on the agenda was for fundraiser ideas. Planning Director Joe Hurst
introduced Facility Maintenance supervisor Merle Reynolds who presented preservation
maintenance issues that need to be addressed at the King Opera House. Mr. Reynolds has
been performing maintenance to the King Opera House for about six years. He would
like to find a fundraiser or grant idea to raise money to replace the existing sign on the
building. Chairman Vickie Davis mentioned several contacts, ideas, and grant
opportunities to Mr. Reynolds. Teresa Russell, Randy Smith, Judge Steven Peer and
Ralph Irwin were some of the contacts mentioned.
The next item on the agenda was other business. Paul Gibson mentioned a couple items of
concern. The first issue is with the merchant who owns EKG, who would like to put a
flagpole with a light in the flower bed next to his property. Chairman Vickie Davis
mentioned holding off on making a decision until more information is gathered by Lonnie
London of TOTMA. Secondly, Paul Gibson mentioned that Sue Deaton is interested in
purchasing the building next to the King Opera House. Lisa Willis suggested she obtain a
copy of the Van Buren Historic District Design Guidelines from the planning department
before the next meeting.
Paul Gibson made a motion to adjourn and Lisa Willis seconded it. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Vickie Davis, Chairman
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Joseph Hurst, Planning Director
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