Financial Report
By Emily Ramos Treasurer
Checking Account Balance as of 9 / 19 / 2017: $ 30,102.68
• Income: $ 224.40
• Expenses: $ 561.54 Checking Account Balance as of 1 / 19 / 2018: $ 29,765.54
Certificates of Deposit Balance as of 9 / 19 / 2017: $ 59,958.66 Certificates of Deposit Balance as of 1 / 19 / 2018: $ 60,028.90
Villa St. Properties: Update
By Alison Hicks Director-at-Large
In a surprise decision early last month, Councilmember John McAlister saved the Weilheimer House and Tied House from imminent destruction or removal from their historic site on Villa Street. The buildings are listed on the city’ s historic register as two of downtown Mountain View’ s significant cultural resources.
At a packed study session Nov. 28, dozens of residents urged council to preserve the buildings. The group Livable Mountain View turned in petitions with over 2,500 signatures urging the city to save the buildings in place. Ultimately a bare majority of four council members, including McAlister, voted to replace the buildings with a four-story office building and restaurant. Mayor Rosenberg and Councilmembers Matichak and Abe-Koga voted to save the two buildings in place, while the rest of council voted in favor of removal.
MVHA Board Updates
By Nick Perry MVHA Vice President
A few miscellaneous updates from the last MVHA Board of Directors Meeting:
• Board Changes. Annemarie Montavon has resigned from her position as Director-at-Large to focus on other priorities. We thank her for her service! The Director-at-Large position is a very flexible position and is a great way to get involved! Please contact any Board member if you are interested or have any questions.
• Barbara Kinchen Memorial Plaque. Plans are moving forward for a plaque honoring our late City Historian and MVHA Board Member Barbara Kinchen. Our goal is to have the plaque manufactured as soon as possible with an official dedication ceremony on Barbara’ s birthday, June 20. We’ ve contacted a manufacturer and are in the process of finalizing the design. The proposed plaque would be etched stainless steel on a glass backing. In memory of Barbara’ s love of Mtn. View’ s history, the new design features a historic map of Mountain View lightly etched in the background. The latest mock-up is shown below.
At a little-attended council meeting a week later, Councilmember McAlister announced that he would employ a rarely used council option to change his vote within the week, thus reversing the majority vote to favor saving the buildings.
Most people learned about the surprise change when they read about it in the Mtn. View Voice. Public comments generally supported the decision. Adrian McCombie said,“ My father put his soul into making Chez TJ thrive. Thank you for saving a little piece of Chef Thomas J. McCombie.” And Jerry Steach commented,“ Bravo, Councilwomen Abe-Koga and Matichack, Mayor Rosenberg, and now Councilman McAlister for the vision and courage you’ re demonstrating in support of Downtown Mountain View’ s character, historic resources and continued vitality!”
In memory of Barbara McPheeters Kinchen
JUNE 20, 1920— JANUARY 1, 2017
Mountain View’ s �rst of�cial City Historian, Honored Member and Board Member of the Mountain View Historical Association, and dedicated library volunteer. For decades Barbara was the face of the Mountain View History Center; her knowledge of our city’ s history and her passion for sharing it with the community epitomized the spirit and mission of this room.
DEDICATED ON JUNE 20, 2018 BY THE
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