Historic Preservation Commission unanimously backs CLG grant application to Alaska DNR

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Special Historic Preservation Commission voted 6–0 on March 3, 2006, to support a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant application to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Office of History and Archaeology. The commission’s motion instructs staff to proceed with the application so the borough can submit evidence of the commission’s support, a requirement for the grant.

The vote followed a staff update that the draft application is being prepared and that the borough had received letters of support from State Parks and the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, staff said. A staff member told the commission that the application’s fiscal details and the match calculation remain the key outstanding items the borough needs to finalize.

“...we've received letters of support from from state parks and, also from, Tanana Yukon Historical Society with regards to the grant application,” a staff member reported. The staff member also said she and colleagues had met with three commissioners and Christy Hathaway, the borough grants administrator, to work through the application and fiscal aspects.

Commissioners discussed documentation requirements for the grant. One commissioner noted that “each person who works on a project needs a one page resume,” and staff confirmed that applicants should provide one-page resumes for contributing professionals. Staff also explained the difference between volunteer time and donated professional services: volunteer hours may be valued at a lower per-hour rate for match, while donated professional services are valued at the contributor’s normal professional rate and count toward the match accordingly.

The commission chair, speaking of an earlier offer to assist, said they might be willing to donate professional time but expressed caution about commissioners working on project tasks outside properly noticed meetings when multiple commissioners are involved. The chair asked whether a one-page CV would be required for donated professional services; staff said yes.

The commission also discussed logistics for follow-up questions with the Office of History and Archaeology. Commissioner Patty Pearsall said a Zoom meeting with OHA is scheduled for Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m. to ask further questions; she asked whether more than the three commissioners who met with staff could join. Staff replied that only the three commissioners who previously met with staff would be able to participate in that session.

After brief discussion the chair asked for a motion to show the commission’s explicit support for the application. Patty Pearsall moved to back the proposal and a commissioner seconded. The clerk called the roll; the tally was recorded as 6–0 in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Next steps: staff will finalize the fiscal match details, collect one-page resumes for contributing professionals, and submit the application to the Alaska DNR Office of History and Archaeology with the commission’s written support.