Recent News | City of Blanco

Mayor’s Update: HPO and Gateway Monument

9/22/2022

Historic Preservation Officer Vacancy

The City is currently looking for a new Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) who administers the historic preservation ordinance and advises the historic preservation commission on matters submitted to it. The following are the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Translates the goals, objectives, and policy of the historic preservation or landmark commission into programs, projects, and activities;
Plans, coordinates, and supervises the work of city planners and secretarial support staff involved in historic preservation work;
Provides technical, architectural, design, historical, and policy guidance to city staff, governmental officials, boards and commissions, and regional, state, and national preservation agencies;
Reviews and makes recommendations to the historic preservation or landmark commission regarding historic preservation overlay zoning applications;
Evaluates and make recommendations and/or decisions on proposed changes for historic preservation-zoned properties;
Makes presentations to a variety of groups and the media on historic preservation issues;
Conducts community-wide training, awareness, and advocacy workshops on
historic preservation issues;
Works with contiguous jurisdictions and the state and county on common historic preservation problems or conflicts;
Writes reports and recommendations by the historic preservation ordinance;
Defines and reviews issues of historic preservation as they related to the city;
Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service

The full job description can be found on our website, https://blanco.municipalimpact.com/documents/383/COB_HPO_Job_Description.docx.pdf. If you are interested in becoming the City's new HPO, please send your resume to mayor@cityofblancotx.gov or drop it off at City Hall.

RFP for Gateway Monument

The City is seeking Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of a gateway monument that will welcome people to our town. The sign will read “Welcome to Historic Blanco Texas Founded 1885” and proposals for both wood and metal signs are preferred. It shall be constructed of limestone or rock and other materials native to the Texas Hill Country. The proposal should include the stone structure as well as materials and labor surrounding a painted sign, and the painted sign itself. Proposals are due at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022; please submit a proposal of services and statement of qualifications to:

Warren Escovy, City Administrator

City of Blanco

300 Pecan Street

Blanco, Texas 78606

After years of research and planning, the Blanco Historic Preservation Commission (BHPC), joined by the City and others, are very eager to continue moving forward with this project. Once bids have been received, the plan is to pull together a core committee to develop the project. If you are interested in joining this project committee, please contact Wendy Cambridge, BHPC Commissioner/Project Coordinator; Libbey Aly, Executive Director, Blanco Chamber of Commerce; or myself, Rachel Lumpee, the City of Blanco Mayor. This gateway monument will reflect our town’s character and heritage and we welcome all to join.