CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT

EVALUATION CRITERIA

 

 

Name of CLG:  Adams Co                     Date:  February 2011             Period under review:  FY 2007 - 2010

SHPO Reviewer:  Ann Swanson             CLG Representatives Present: Elaine Johnston

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

1.   ESTABLISH BY STATE OR LOCAL LAW AN ADEQUATE AND QUALIFIED HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW COMMISSION COMPOSED OF PROFESSIONAL AND LAY MEMBERS.

 

 Authority:  36 CFR 61.5 Approved Local Programs (c) (2) Idaho Certified Local Government Program, rev.1/88, pp. 5-8

 

A.   Do all commission members have a demonstrated interest, competence knowledge of historic preservation?  (This will be checked by SHPO staff based on resumes of current HPC members?)       ___xx______ Yes     

Current members:  Jim Camp, James Peart, Elaine Johnston, Dale Fisk, Tim Toomey

 

            B.   Are all positions on the commission currently filled? ___x___ Yes

 

C.   Are a minimum of two members of the commission professionals from the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology or other historic preservation related disciplines such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, cultural anthropology or folklore?  (36 CFR 61 Appendix A will be used for the evaluation.  Evaluation of HPC members will be made by SHPO staff based on current resumes.)   __________ Yes  ____XX______ No

 

Although the current members do not technically meet the requirements outlined in 36 CFR 61 Appendix A for “preservation professionals”, they have exhibited a vast and long interest in local history and historic sites.  The County – as well as the state - is well served by their dedication to the Commission and our shared history.

 

D.   If the answer to C is "no", explain the "good faith effort made to locate and appoint such professionals." (newspaper articles, personal requests, solicitation at universities, etc.) 

 

A newspaper article was published to notify of the formation of the Commission and to invite interested parties to apply for a position.  Members verbally encourage anyone interested in the history of Adams County to become involved.   In the future, SHPO encourages a more formal process to announce openings on the Commission.   

 

 

            E.   Has a representative of the commission attended at least one meeting each year for the last 3 years sponsored by any preservation organization or related organization?   Yes

 

List names of participants, meeting dates and names of meetings:

 

               1. Capitol Rededication – 1/9/10, Tim Toomey & Elaine Johnston

               2. Chinese study tour – 6/18-19/09 – Tim Toomey & Elaine Johnston

               3. CLG Training in Moscow – 6/28-29/08 – Tim Toomey & Elaine Johnston

 

F.   Have there been any changes to the ordinance in the last 3 years?   NO   

 

G.   Are the commission's duties and responsibilities complementary to and coordinated             with those of the SHPO.  YES

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2.   MAINTAIN A SYSTEM FOR THE SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES

 

Authority:  36 CFR 61.5 Approved Local Programs (c) (3) Idaho Certified Local Government Program, rev. 1/88, pp. 9-10

 

A.   Is the CLG inventory compatible with the Idaho State Historic Inventory (buildings,             objects, structures, historic sites) and the Idaho Archaeological Survey (archaeological             sites), such that inventory materials can easily be entered into those state inventories and             can be integrated into the statewide comprehensive historic preservation planning process?              ___XX____ Yes 

           

B.   Are ASI site forms for minimal or National Register level documentation being used?

 ___xx___ Yes 

 

C.   Is documentation consistent and thorough in meeting the Secretary of the Interior's             Guidelines for Identification at reconnaissance and intensive levels?  ____xx___ Yes

 

            D.   Is inventory data accessible to the general public, except in the case of location of             sensitive archaeological             sites? ____XX_____ Yes  

            Inventory data is available at the Adams County Clerk’s Office and/or the Council             Valley Museum.

 

            E.   Is the inventory periodically added to or updated?  __xx__ Yes

 

            F.   Does the inventory and survey system meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards             for Identification?              ___xx___ Yes

 

Comments:  The Adams Co. HPC has cooperated with SHPO from their first efforts             at survey.  They hire consultants who have experience with survey documents.  In         the past several years, the county has undertaken survey of archaeological             properties.

 

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3.   PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE PROCESS OF RECOMMENDING PROPERTIES TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

 

 Authority:  36 CFR 61.5 Approved Local Programs (c) (4) Idaho Certified Local Government Program, rev. 1/88, pg 10.

 

A.   There shall be a public announcement of all meetings of the historic preservation             commission and they             shall be open to the public and follow the requirements of Idaho's             open meeting laws as identified in the Idaho Code 67-2340 through 2347.  Describe how             the meetings are announced to the public and how many were held the last year under             review.

 

ACHPC holds monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at             the jury room of the Adams County Courthouse.  Anyone is welcome to attend the             meetings.  Last year, 11 regular meetings were held, as well as several special             meetings with the architect, engineers, etc., involved with restoration of the old             courthouse.

 

          B.   Are the requirements of Idaho's open meeting law followed? __XX____ Yes.

 

            Describe the method  used to announce the meetings to the public: The agendas of the all             meetings are posted at the Courthouse and the Post Office at least two days before             the meetings are held.

 

C.   Are written minutes kept?  ___XX_____ Yes

 

D.   Are minutes available to the public?              Describe:  Copies would be available on             request through the County Clerk.

        

E.   Are copies of the minutes regularly sent to the SHPO?     __XX____ Yes

 

F.   Are the commission's procedures and by laws available for public inspection?                   Describe:  All files are available on request through the County Clerk’s office.

 

            G.   Have other activities been undertaken by the CLG or HPC to encourage public input             in the preservation process locally?  Describe: 

·        Newspaper articles are written and published in the Adams County Record occasionally. 

·        A website reflecting activities is available at adamscountyhistory.org. 

·        Activities and future plans are reported in person to the Adams County Board of Commissioners on a regular basis, during public meetings being attended by newspaper reporters.

           

            H.   Are preservation files accessible to the public through a public agency or public   official?  __XX______ Yes  

 

Describe:  Preservation files are available through the Adams County Clerk’s Office.

 

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4.   ENCOURAGE LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING

 

                 Authority:  36 CFR 61.5 Approved Local Programs (c) (3) Idaho Certified Local             Government Program, rev.1/88, pg. 11

 

    

Describe what activities have been taken to encourage preservation planning in the framework of the local government system or other system.

 

 

Members of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) have worked in the creation of the county’s comprehensive plan.  Preservation activities are identified in Section 7. Special Areas or Sites.  See question 5 for further SHPO comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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5.   ENFORCE APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL LEGISLATION FOR THE DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES

 

Authority:  36 CFR 61.5 Approved Local Programs (c) (1) Idaho Certified Local Government Program Rev. 1/88, pp. 12-13.

 

A.   Local governments are required to produce a comprehensive plan according to state law IC 67-6501, Local Planning Act of 1975.  The government must consider "special areas or sites" to include historic, architectural and archaeological properties in the plan.

 

     1.   For a first time review, submit the current section of the comprehensive plan dealing with "special areas or sites”.  The plan is found on the County’s web site.

 

       2. If the plan has been amended since the last program review, submit revisions.  It has not been amended.

 

       3. Are there current or future plans for addressing historic preservation needs currently             identified in the plan?  

 

Describe: Yes.  Goals, Objectives and Policies include: continue to participate in the Certified Local Government Program; encourage County residents to participate in listing sites; ensure a means by which sites can be added to the Comprehensive Plan; foster coordination between communities within the county; require a review of special sites for any proposed development, coordinate the economic development and recreation elements of the Plan; and work with the US Forest Service to protect and/or develop sites on national forest land.

 

The SHPO suggest the following additions/elaborations in Section 7 Special Areas and Sites be considered when the plan is open for amendment:

 

a.                     National Register of Historic Places: The process of listing a historic place on the register can be lengthy and expensive. However, a site only has to be listed as eligible for nomination to the register (a process requiring less time and money) in order to qualify for protection and funding.  The National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.  These contribute to an understand of the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation.  In Idaho, the program is administered by the Idaho State Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).  Sites in Adams County listed on the National Register as of February 2011 are: …..”

 

b.                  Regional Coordination:  Since the organizations identified in this section are created under different circumstances and are responsible to various boards and audiences, it is recommended that each organization have a brief description of their mission to better clarify their duties.  For example, “Idaho State Historical Society:  a state agency whose mission is to preserve and promote Idaho’s heritage.  The Society is comprised of several departments including the Public Archives, Idaho State Historical Museum located in Boise, historic sites, and the State Historic Preservation Office.”

 

c.                   Another might be for the Adams County Historic Preservation Commission:  “Established in 2002 by ordinance 2002-1, the HPC consists of at least 5 members that advise the elected officials on matters dealing with historic preservation in the county.  Their duties include the identification, evaluation, designation, and protection of sites that reflect significant elements of the County’s cultural heritage.”

 

B.   State law IC 18-7027, IC27-501, Antiquities Act of 1984, prohibits the disturbance of prehistoric human burials, or the possession of human remains or artifacts removed from a burial, unless the excavation is conducted by a qualified archaeologist with the prior approval of the State Historical Society and the appropriate Indian tribe.

 

            1.   Has application to the Idaho State Historical Society been made by the local government for an excavation permit? ____NO________

 

            2.   Does the HPC review actions by the local government that could possibly violate this law?               _____________Yes     _______XX_______ No

 

 

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6.   HAS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER PROGRAM?

 

Authority:  36 CFR 60 National Register of Historic Places 36 CFR 61 (2) (i) Procedures for Approved State and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs Idaho Certified Local Government Program, rev. 1/88, pp 17-18

 

A.   Have any National Register nominations been generated in the jurisdiction of the        CLG in the last 3 years?                    ________Yes ____XX____ No 

 

            B.   Has each nomination been reviewed by the appropriate professional (either historic             preservation commission member or a professional available in the community or larger    region) and a report prepared?       NA       ________Yes ________No

 

            C.   Does the report state why the property meets or does not meet the National Register             criteria for evaluation?  NA            ____Yes ____No

 

            D.   Was the report transmitted to the mayor or county commissioner?

         NA             ________Yes ________No

 

            E.   Was the report submitted to the SHPO along with the Mayor or county             commissioner's recommendation?         NA  ________Yes ________No

 

            F.   Was the above transaction completed within 60 days from notice given by the             SHPO?              NA  ________Yes  ________No

 

            G.   Did the CLG allow for public comment on the nomination (holding public             hearings, soliciting comments in news media articles or announcements or in legal notices or other means as appropriate)?  NA                    ________Yes ________No  

                                           

            H.   Has the HPC given written notification of their decision to the applicant of a             property to be submitted to the National Register? NA      ________Yes  ________No