Commission authorizes SHPO-funded update to Pierre Historic Hill District, sets conditions

The Pierre–Ft. Pierre Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 17 authorized its president to sign a State Historic Preservation Office consulting contract worth $16,000 to update the Pierre Historic Hill District, while placing three conditions on the agreement.

Commission member Alan Haarstad moved and Larry Eliason seconded the motion authorizing President Buscher to sign the SHPO–Pierre Historic Hill District consulting contract; the motion passed. The Commission’s role, as described in meeting materials reviewed by members, is limited to facilitating contractor payments as discrete work increments are verified complete.

Under the authorization, the Commission required that the consulting contract be amended to explicitly include Ft. Pierre in the commission title; designate who will affirm that each incremental task is complete before the Commission releases payment; and require SHPO to advise the Commission on how residents in the historic district will be informed about the survey prior to and during implementation.

Treasurer Donna Leslie had earlier briefed members on the Commission’s February 13 financial planning document and confirmed SHPO had placed the $16,000 contract cost into the Commission’s current budget. The Commission reviewed the proposed contract and related correspondence before voting.

The motion does not itself direct any survey work; it authorizes the president to sign a contract on behalf of the Commission once the three stated contract edits or assurances are in place. Commission members said they expect SHPO to take the lead on notifying property owners and to supply more detail on resident outreach before the survey begins.

The Commission did not set a start date for the survey during the meeting. Members said they will revisit implementation details once SHPO provides the requested clarifications and the amended contract is available for signature.