Staff updates: Alice House MOU approved by council; deconstruction, DEIB outreach and archives digitization discussed

At the March 18 meeting the commission received several staff updates: city council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Friends of San Damiano governing use of the Alice House; the commission’s Frostwoods Historic District progress report remains due in April; and staff flagged multiple community initiatives related to sustainability, DEIB and archival preservation.

Staff said the Alice House MOU, approved by the City Council, outlines how the Friends group may use the city facility and requires adherence to historic preservation procedures for any building modifications. Commissioners discussed whether the MOU should have come to the commission earlier in the review process; staff acknowledged the procedural timing and said they would note it for future flows.

On sustainability, commissioners described recent conversations about deconstruction ordinances and the difference between demolition and deconstruction, noting a webinar on deconstruction ordinances and local interest in making salvage materials available. Members raised that some structures in severe disrepair may not be suitable for deconstruction and that asbestos abatement could limit reuse of materials.

Staff announced a Monona‑resident hazardous‑materials/clean‑sweep event with discounted landfill vouchers April 14–19 and said 100 discounted vouchers would be available to residents; commissioners encouraged publicity to residents. Finally, members discussed the condition and dispersal of local archival collections (files in City Hall, library basement directories, and boxes in public works), noted an interest in digitization, and suggested pursuing grants or university partnerships to scan large‑format plans and consolidate materials for public access.

No formal votes were taken on these staff updates; items were informational and generated follow‑up directions for staff.