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R-87-1009 - 6/11/1987CERTIFICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMEN1 PROGRAM The City of Round Rock, in consideration of having been granted Certified Local Government status, agrees to carry out the following responsibilities as a Certified Local Government, in cooperation with the National Register Department and the Texas Historical Commission. It will: (1) enforce the local historic preservation ordinance for the designation and protection of local historic properties; (2) maintain an adequate and qualified review commission for historic preservation established by the local ordinance; (3) maintain a system for the survey and inventory of local historic properties that is coordinated with the statewide cultural- resource - survey - process, with technical assistance provided by the National Register Department; (4) ensure, to the maximum extent possible, public participation in the local historic preservation program, including the process of nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places; (5) adopt the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation as the standards by which the local review commission will review all work applications brought before it under the terms of the local historic preservation ordinance; (6) review and comment upon nominations to the National Register of Historic Places for properties within its jurisdiction, and within 60 days of receiving the nominations from the National Register Department of the Texas Historical Conmision, submit the city commission's reports and the recommendations of the chief elected official of the city to the National Register Department as to whether or not the nominated properties meet the criteria of the National Register; (7) submit an annual report to the State Historic Preservation Officer about the activities of the local review commission for historic preservation by August 1st of each year, describing that year's activities; (8) assist the National Register Department, if necessary, in verifying the names and addresses of property owners within local historic districts being nominated to the National Register, and assist with arrangements for local public information meetings at mutually agreeable times and locations when such districts are nominated; c (9) monitor and report to the Texas Historical Commission any actions affecting any county courthouse, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, State Archeological Landmark, National Register property, and any locally designated landmark; (10) coordinate local historic preservation, to the extent practicable, with the National Register Department, which shall provide technical assistance, guidance, and information to the Certified local Government as feasible upon request; and (11) carry out the general program procedures as outlined in "Rules and Procedures for Certified Local Governments." .),td6 4.4 (Name) Mayor, City of Round Rock 4- /r -6r7 Date Curtis Tunnell, State Historic Preservation Officer Date ATTEST: LAND, City Secretary RESOLUTION NO. /610 WHEREAS, the City of Round Rock has long valued its rich history of people, places and events and its heritage of preserving and protecting places of historical significance; and WHEREAS, the City has determined these historical resources add significantly to the economic value of the community; and WHEREAS, the Certified Local Government Program can provide valuable contributions to city -wide efforts to enhance and preserve its history; and WHEREAS, the Texas Historic Commission has submitted a Certification Agreement so that the City of Round Rock can obtain Certified Local Government Status; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS That the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to enter into said agreement with the Texas Historic Commission, a copy of said agreement being attached hereto and incorporated herein for all purposes. j � RESOLVED this / � day of , 1987. �! x,..- MIKE ROBINSON, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texa T E X A S H I S T O R I C A L C O M M I S S I O N P.O. BOX 12276 The Honorable Michael Robinson Mayor, City of Round lock 214 East Main Street Round lock, TX 78666 CT /PFM /mc Enclosure CURTIS TUNNEIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 May 15, 1987 Dear Mayor Robinson: The staff of the Texas Historical Commission has recently completed a review of the City of Round Rock's application for Certified Local Government status, as authorized under regulations prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Texas Historical Commission. Under the provisions of the rules adopted by the Texas Historical Commission for the implementation of this program in the State of Texas, I am pleased to inform you that Round Rock's application to become a Certified Irra1 Government fulfills all of the necessary requirements. Therefore, I have enclosed a copy of the certification agreement which outlines the responsibilities incumbent upon the City of Round Rock as a Certified Local Government. Please sign the certification agreement and return it to Peter Flagg Maxson of my staff, who will enclose it as a part of the documentation to be submitted to the National Park Service for final action on the city's application. My staff is looking forward to working with the City of Round lock as a Certified Local Government. If you should have any questions concerning Round Rock's application, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Maxson at 512 /463 -6094. Upon the receipt of the signed certification agreement, the city's application will be forwarded to the National Park Service for a final decision. tis Tunnell Executive Director ✓/ze eS/ale G9,yeacyforz. /onto, 9reliwallo2 RECEIVED i r" V 2 (512) 463 -6100 Certified Local Governments in the National Historic Preservation Program 2 Benefits of Becoming A Certified Local Government • Special grants from State Historic Preservation Officers • Local historic preservation exper- tise recognized by State and Federal agencies • Technical assistance and training from State Historic Preservation Officers • Participation in nominations to the National Register of Historic Places • National historic preservation assistance network: publications, professional assistance • Information exchange with State Historic Preservation Officers • Participation in statewide preserva- tion programs and planning Responsibilities of a Certified Local Government • Maintain a historic preservation commission • Survey local historic properties • Enforce State or local preservation laws • Provide for public participation • Other functions delegated or re- quired by the State, such as the enactment of historic preservation ordinances or zoning restrictions Captions: Clockwise from the fop — Historic District Commission, Shelbyville, Kentucky (Shelby County Community Development Corp., Shelbyville, Kentucky). Park City, Utah (Debbie Temme). Historic buildings survey, (The Historic District Commission, Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, City of Gaithersburg, Maryland). Wilmington City Hall- Thalian Hall (William J. Bonet' Jr., Historic American Buildings Survey, NC 65 -WILM, 3 -3, HABS NC 7 -3). Park City, Utah, Department of Community Development. Planning a historic buildings survey. (The Historic District Commission, Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, City of Gaithersburg, Maryland). What is a Certified Local Government? The National Historic Preservation Act established a nationwide program of financial and technical assistance to preserve historic properties — buildings, structures, sites, neighborhoods, and other places of importance in the historical and cultural life of the nation. A local government can participate directly in this program when the State Historic Preservation Officer certifies that the local government has established its own historic preservation commission and a program meeting Federal and State stan- dards. A local government that receives such certification is known as a "Certified Local Government" or "CLG." What are the Benefits of Becom- ing a Certified Local Government? Certified Local Governments are eligible to apply for especially earmarked grants from their State Historic Preservation Of- ficer. At least ten percent of the annual Historic Preservation Fund grant made to States under the National Historic Preser- vation Act must be distributed among Certified Local Governments. 4 Certified Local Governments are recog- nized by Federal and State agencies as having special expertise in historic preservation. Certified Local Governments receive technical assistance and training from their State Historic Preservation Offices. Such training and assistance can help a community pursue its preservation goals and its plans for development. Certified Local Governments review nominations of properties within their jurisdictions to the National Register of Historic Places before such nominations are submitted to the State Historic Preser- vation Officer. This provides for formal local participation in the identification and national recognition of their historic resources. Motor Mill, Clayton County, Iowa (courtesy of Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, Iowa State Historical Department). Certified Local Governments become part of a national technical assistance network. They receive publications issued by their State Historic Preservation Office and by the National Park Service. They know who in the State Historic Preservation Of- fice to call upon for assistance, and how to obtain aid from National Park Service offices such as the National Register, Technical Preservation Services, Historic American Buildings Survey, and the Historic American Engineering Record. Representatives from Certified Local Governments are provided the opportu- nity to meet periodically with their State Historic Preservation Office, sharing ex- perience and information. Certified Local Governments provide local perspective to the plans and programs of their State Historic Preservation Offices, including statewide planning for preser- vation and development. Park City, Utah (Department of Community Develop- ment, Park City, Utah). 5 Guyton, Georgia (James R. Lockhart). Why should a local government participate in the Certified Local Government Program? Obtaining status as a Certified Local Government can help a local government encourage, develop, and maintain its local preservation efforts in coordination with its development plans. No one benefits as much from the preser- vation of local historic sites and buildings nor suffers as much by their destruction as the citizens of a community. It is they who live and work in historic homes and neighborhoods, who see the effects of rehabilitation projects every day, and who enjoy the economic and social benefits that rehabilitation of the community's historic properties bring. It is they who feel most personally the loss of a treasured local landmark. Each historic building and structure represents a community investment that should not be discarded lightly; maintain- ing and rehabilitating older buildings and neighborhoods can mean savings in time, money, and raw materials. The preserva- tion of a community's historical resources will enrich the lives of its inhabitants now and in the future. What sorts of resources must be present in a community to make it eligible to become a Certified Local Government? The national historic preservation pro- gram is concerned with preserving the integrity of properties significant in American history, architecture, engineer- ing, archeology, and culture. Properties significant to the history, prehistory, architecture or culture of local com- munities are specifically included. A com- munity's historic resources might include a vital ethnic neighborhood, a Queen Anne residence, a block of nineteenth century warehouses or stores, a 1930s bungalow, a park, a group of farms in their rural landscape, a shipwreck in a harbor, or the archeological remains of an early historic commercial district or a prehistoric Indian village. In short, the national historic preservation program is interested in preserving the integrity of the history of all localities — regardless of what that history is. What kinds of projects can be funded by grants to Certified Local Governments? Many kinds of projects can be assisted by State grants to Certified Local Govern- ments. Some examples are: • survey and inventory of historic buildings and other historic features of a community such as parks, fences, roads, and bridges • survey of local prehistoric and historic archeological resources • preparation of nominations of local properties to the National Register of Historic Places. B • activities related to comprehensive community planning such as: — providing staff support for a Cer- tified Local Government's historic preservation commission — developing published design guidelines for use by historic preservation commissions in Cer- tified Local Governments in their review of new construction and alterations to properties within historic districts — writing or ammending preserva- tion ordinances — preparing preservation plans for the protection of local historic resources • testing archeological sites to deter- mine their significance • programs for public education in historic preservation such as: — preparing and producing exhibits and brochures concerning local historical resources and their pro- tection and the activities of the historic preservation commission — preparing special events that educate the public about local history, the community's historic resources, and preservation issues. Can Certified Local Govern- ments apply for funds from their State Historic Preservation Officer other than funds speci- fically earmarked for the Cer- tified Local Governments? bradley Building, Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Land- marks Commission). Yes, but so can other governments that are not Certified Local Governments, as well as non - governmental institutions, organizations, and individuals. Status as a Certified Local Government gives local governments an advantage in the com- petition for scarce funds as their pro- grams are already coordinated with their State Historic Preservation Office. What is the National Register of Historic Places, and what is the involvement of Certified Local Governments in the pro- cess of nominating and review- ing nominations to it? The National Register is a working list of properties determined to be of national, State, or local significance and worthy of preservation and consideration in plan- ning or development decisions. The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. 9 to Fredrick, Maryland (Harriet Wise). Properties are listed in the National Register primarily through nominations by State Historic Preservation Officers. The significance of potential entries in the National Register are reviewed against established criteria. These criteria, established by the National Park Service, are worded in a flexible manner to pro- vide for the diversity of resources across the country. Sources of further informa- tion concerning the National Register are listed at the end of this booklet. Certified Local Governments participate in the National Register nomination proc- ess by reviewing all nominations of prop- erties in their jurisdictions. Before a prop- erty within the jurisdiction of a Certified Local Government may be nominated by the State Historic Preservation Officer for inclusion on the National Register, the State Historic Preservation Officer must notify the local historic preservation com- mission, the chief elected official, and the owner of the property. After providing opportunity for public comment, the historic preservation commission can prepare a report as to whether or not, in its opinion, the property meets the criteria of the National Register. Subject to appeal, if both the chief elected official and the local historic preservation com- mission recommend that the property not be nominated to the National Register, the State Historic Preservation Officer can take no further action on its nomination. The property may, however, be formally determined eligible for the National Register, even though it may not be nominated, to ensure that Federal agen- cies will consider it if Federal assistance or a Federal license is involved in projects that will affect it. How does listing on the Na- tional Register benefit Certified Local Governments? National Register listing can enrich local preservation efforts by publicly establishing that local properties are significant enough to merit national recognition. Federal tax law provides incentives for the preservation of properties listed on the National Register or included within registered historic districts. Investment tax credits are provided for the substan- tial rehabilitation of certified historic structures, and tax deductions are permit- ted for the contribution of easements on historic properties to qualified entities. Current information on Federal tax incen- tives can be obtained from your State Historic Preservation Officer, or from the National Park Service's Regional Office in your area. Your State Historic Preserva- tion Officer can also provide information on State incentives for the preservation of historic properties. 11 12 The National Register is central to a number of Federal programs that en- courage protection and improvement of historic properties. A description of several such programs that may be of use to local governments can be found in Ap- pendix II of the revised National Park Service publication, Guidelines for Local Survey: A Basis for Preservation Planning. National Register status, or a determina- tion that a property is eligible for the National Register, identifies a property as one whose historical value must be con- sidered in planning by Federal agencies and by communities using Community Development Block Grants and other forms of Federal assistance. These agen- cies and communities are required by the National Historic Preservation Act to ob- tain the comments of the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on the effects of their projects. Further informa- tion on the Advisory Council can be ob- tained from the sources listed at the end of this booklet. What is a Certified Local Government required to do? The National Historic Preservation Act re- quires that a Certified Local Government: • enforce State or local legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties, • establish and maintain a qualified historic preservation commission, • maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties in coor- dination with its State Historic Preser- vation Office, • provide for public participation in its activities, and • perform other agreed upon functions delegated to it by its State Historic Preservation Officer. Local preservation ordinance Many States require local governments to enact historic preservation ordinances as a condition of certification. The require- ments of such legislation vary widely. For example, some States require that local governments have the authority to estab- lish historic districts which are protected by zoning restrictions. Other States re- quire the delineation of historic districts but do not require local zoning ordinances. The National Park Service encourages the enactment of local preservation legislation for the protection and designation of historic properties. Several publications that detail some common issues concern- ing local preservation ordinances are listed in the publications section below. To find out the policy of your State regarding local ordinances, contact your State Historic Preservation Officer. Historic Preservation Commissions Many communities already have historic preservation commissions that designate historic structures, sites, and districts in accordance with criteria established by the ordinances under whose authority they operate. Usually these commissions also have the authority to review proposed changes to designated buildings and structures and the design of new con- struction near historic buildings or within historic districts. The degree of authority granted to such commissions varies wide- ly; some commissions are basically ad- visory bodies, while others have the power to control alteration or prohibit the demolition of designated properties. 13 14 To participate as a Certified Local Government, a local government must establish a historic preservation commis- sion according to State or local law, and give the commission responsibilities and authorities coordinated with those of the State Historic Preservation Officer. What is a historic preservation commission required to do? Historic preservation commissions of Cer- tified Local Governments are established in coordination with State Historic Preser- vation Office procedures. They are designed to meet the needs of individual communities and to complement the preservation program administered by the State Historic Preservation Officer. All historic preservation commissions of Cer- tified Local Governments review nomina- tions of local resources to the National Register. Some States require that commissions review and make decisions on alteration or demolition of designated historic prop- erties, and that they establish and use written guidelines for their review. In other States, such reviews are optional. In others, the primary activity of a local historic preservation commission is de- fined by the State as educating the citizens within its jurisdiction about historic preservation. To find out what is required of local historic preservation commissions in the Certified Local Government program in your State, con- tact your State Historic Preservation Officer. Who is qualified to serve on historic preservation commis- sions of the Certified Local Governments? National Park Service regulations define an "adequate and qualified" historic preservation review commission as one in which all members have demonstrated in- J serest, competence, or knowledge in historic preservation. The regulations say that professionals from among the fields of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archeology, or some historic preservation disciplines, such as urban planning, American Studies, American Civilization, cultural geography, or cultural anthropology, should be ap- pointed to the commission to the extent available in the community. The kinds of expertise needed on historic preservation review commissions will vary to some extent with the nature of local historic properties. For example, if a community was once the site of signifi- cant developments in prehistory, it would be well to include a prehistoric arche- ologist. If a community contains many buildings representing different architec- tural styles and periods, the presence of an architectural historian on the commis- sion would be important. Union National Bank, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Mary Taylor). 15 16 What if there are no profes- sionals in the fields recommend- ed by the regulations who live in a community or are willing to serve on a historic preserva- tion commission? The regulations for Certified Local Governments stipulate only that all members of a local historic preservation commission must have demonstrated in- terest, competence, or knowledge of historic preservation. Certified Local Governments are required to appoint pro- fessionals from the disciplines listed to the extent available in the community. However, subject to some restrictions, each State may specify the minimum number and type of professional members that the local government must appoint to its commission. If a local government is certified with a historic McLoughlin Historic District, Oregon City, Oregon (Oregon City Planning Department). preservation commission lacking the full range of professional expertise required by the regulations, the State must require that the community obtain specific exper- tise as necessary. For example, if a historic preservation commission is to consider a prehistoric archeological site for nomination to the National Register, and the commission has no member with expertise in that field, the State must re- qure that it consult with a professional prehistoric archeologist before its decision is forwarded to the State Historic Preser- vation Officer. Archeological test excavation, Baltimore County, Maryland (Maryland Historic Trust). Preservation Publications and Information The following is a partial list of publications, some free and some for sale, that may be helpful to local governments. For further in- formation, you are encouraged to write your State Historic Preser- vation Officer, your regional office of the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, or the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Procedures for Approved State and Local Government Historic Preserva- tion Programs, Final Rule. 36 C.F.R. Part 61, Department of the In- terior, National Park Service, Federal Register, Vol. 49, No. 73, Part V., pages 14890- 14906, April 13, 1984. Arrheologi Survey: Methods and Uses. Thomas F. King. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. The Brown Book: o Directory of Preservation Information, Dane Mad- des, editor, with Ellen R. Marsh, The Preservation I'ress. National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C., 1983. 17