HRC tables proposal to create city archives, asks staff for staffing and digitization plan

The Historic Review Commission voted to table an enabling ordinance that would formally create a city archives program until staff can produce a more detailed implementation plan covering staffing, storage, digitization and funding.

Cultural Resource Manager Matthew Falcone described the city’s existing collection of donated documents and objects and said the proposed enabling legislation would create a program and advisory structure to inventory and make records accessible: "we've been working through to collect old documents, primarily documents, but also the city is, in in receipt of lots of different objects as well," Falcone said.

Commissioner Melinda Myers cautioned that assigning archivist responsibilities to the cultural resource manager would create a significant workload. "I just want to note just how large of a responsibility that is," Myers said, urging specialist staff, IT representation on any advisory committee and clear identification of digital‑archive obligations. Other commissioners raised concerns about climate‑controlled storage, security, cataloguing templates and long‑term funding.

A motion to table the archives item until staff can provide more detail was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff indicated the enabling legislation was intended to create the program framework before seeking funding and partnerships; the commission expects a more detailed proposal at a future meeting.