Historic District Meeting Minutes 1-14-16City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 126' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
January 14, 2016
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Thursday, January 14,
2016 at 5:30 P.M. in the City Council Room of the Municipal Complex.
Members Present —Chairman Vicki Davis, Vice Chairman Lisa Willis, Derald Porter, Paul Gibson,
Cathy Gifford and Lonnie London, TOTMA. Others Present — Maryl Koeth, A&P Commission
and Planning Assistant Julie Copple.
Chairman Vicki Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The first item on the agenda was to
approve the minutes from the previous meeting. A motion was made by Paul Gibson and
seconded by Derald Porter to accept the minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was Maryl Koeth from the A & P Commission. Ms. Koeth informed the
commission about what the A&P is planning for 2016. Some of the ideas mentioned were walking
costume tours, tours on the new trolley, and life-size statues of some historical figures from Van
Buren so visitors can take pictures. The A&P is in the process of implementing some type of
interpretive signage along Main Street. Ms. Koeth stated the A&P has ordered a mural sheet of
metal with photo bonded to it for the wall that is under Tim's Auto Shop, from PAC's printing. We
can use that same process on a smaller scale for the buildings downtown if we wanted. Wayfinding
signs have been approved for city. Also, a kiosk sign stating "you are here" will also be
implemented for down town. The new trolley will arrive on April 1` . Tours will be provided to
the Drennen Scott house and Fairview cemetery. There will be a full time driver for trolley. Vice
Chairman Lisa Willis and Chairman Vicki Davis will be meeting with Maryl Koeth before the March
HDC meeting. Decisions need to be made concerning location, size, and type of signs wanted on
Main Street.
The next item on the agenda was a geocache coin update. Derald Porter brought in some samples of
the coins for the spring geocache. The commission chose the larger coin with the darker wood and
depot emblem marked on it. Derald can order 1,000 coins if it's under $300. A motion was made
by Paul Gibson and seconded by Vice Chairman Lisa Willis to order the geocache coins. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Next item on the agenda was for other business. The 2016 CLG Grant is due by March 4, 2016.
The commission will need to review and come with ideas and costs to the next meeting. Derald
Porter will be checking on the cost of powder coating the gate for Fairview Cemetery.
Chairman Vicki Davis announced the upcoming conference for the Forum 2016 in Mobile,
Alabama. For those who would like to go, there will be grant money available. Vice Chairman Lisa
Willis stated the 2014 Forum in Philadelphia was a great experience and encouraged new members
to attend. Great connections with other people and some great ideas are always at these conferences.
Chairman Vicki Davis brought up another item to discuss under other business. Last year the
commission voted on the positions for Chairman and Vice Chairman, and the vote stated after that
year the Vice Chairman would take the Chairman position. Vice Chairman Willis would like the
commission to vote again, since it has been a year, and it's only fair if someone else would like to
run for the position. A motion was made by Paul Gibson and seconded by Cathy Gifford to accept
Lisa Willis as the Chairman for the Historic District Commission. The motion was approved
unanimously.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Lisa Willis and seconded by Cathy Gifford to adjourn. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Lisa Willis, Chairman J ph Hurst, Planning Director