Official Minutes
    Muscatine Historic Preservation Commission
    July 18, 2006
     
     
    The Muscatine Historic Preservation Commission met in regular session on
    Tuesday, July 18, 2006. Members present included Jo Ann Carlson, Diane Mayer­Day,
    Devin Pettit and Maryrose Peterschmidt. Others present included Judd Anderson, Barb
    Sabbath, Charles Potter and Jim Rudisill.
     
    There were no changes to the agenda. Day moved to approve the consent agenda,
    including the June 27, 2006 minutes as distributed; seconded by Clark; motion passed, all
    ayes.
     
    The commission first discussed the possible development of a Certified Local
    Government (CLG) grant request to create a National Register nomination for a proposed
    West Hill Historic District.
    Pettit said he had talked with Gary Carlson of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of
    Commerce and Industry concerning a donation to cover at least a portion of the
    nomination’s estimated $12,000 to $15,000 cost. Carlson indicated it was unlikely a
    donation similar to that provided for the downtown nomination would be provided. He
    told Pettit that donation had been made because of the strong economic development link
    with downtown businesses. Since West Hill is residential, Carlson said the donor who
    helped fund the downtown nomination did not see as strong a connection. Carlson did
    suggest sending a letter to the owners of the more than 200 properties that had been
    identified as significant, seeking financial assistance to meet the 40% local CLG grant
    share.
    Sabbath asked what Rebecca McCarley’s future role would be concerning the
    district. Sabbath said she thought McCarley would continue to promote establishment of
    the district.
    Commissioners said since the West Hill survey had been completed, McCarley’s
    contract had been fulfilled. Peterschmidt said the commission’s next step would be to
    decide about developing a West Hill district nomination and then initiating a new
    contract process that McCarley or any other qualified consultant could apply to fill. She
    told Sabbath and Anderson the commission felt developing a nomination was an
    important process and that just completing the survey and not moving forward would
    amount to a dead­end.
    Pettit also pointed out that McCarley’s report did identify the West Hill area as a
    potential historic district.
    Following this discussion, Pettit moved to submit a CLG grant application to
    develop a National Register nomination for the recently surveyed West Hill area; Carlson
    seconded; motion passed, all ayes.
     
    In a related discussion after the motion, Anderson said he was concerned about
    resurfacing work on Third Street and suggested the extension of period lighting similar to
    the downtown would be appropriate for West Hill.
    MHPC Minutes
    July 18, 2006
    Page 2
     
     
    Peterschmidt suggested Pettit raise the issue with MAPS. He agreed to discuss it
    at the July 27 meeting of the group.
     
    There was also a discussion on the possibility of seeking local funding support for
    the nomination from the Community Foundation of Muscatine. Sabbath said she was a
    member of the foundation board of directors, but was unsure if the organization could
    provide funds for a nomination. Peterschmidt said she and Pettit would meet with
    foundation executive director Frank Kelly to inquire about that possibility. Sabbath also
    said Questers might be a funding source.
     
    The commission next agreed to meet on August 15.
     
    Election of officers was then held. Peterschmidt nominated Pettit for chair;
    Carlson seconded the nomination; there were no additional nominations and the motion
    passed, all ayes.
    Pettit nominated Peterschmidt for vice­chair; Carlson seconded the nomination;;
    there were no additional nominations and the motion passed, all ayes.
     
    There was no report on the 2006 Historic Month activities.
     
    Pettit then reported on his research into potential costs for printing the proposed
    book on the historic downtown. He presented quotes from Life Touch Printing of Love’s
    Park, Illinois. A four­color, hardbound book would cost $11.4994 each. The hardbound
    book with 112 pages of one color and 16 pages of four color would cost $5.7135 each. A
    four­color perfectbound book would cost $10.2149 each. The perfectbound book with
    112 pages of one color and 16 pages of four color would cost $4.4343 each. The same
    book with one color throughout would be $3.8490 each. He recommended going with a
    perfectbound format because of the cost savings, but did not identify amount of color.
    The perfectbound book would be similar to the fire department’s history publication. He
    also pointed out the cost estimates were based on 1000 copies and did not include any
    writing or editing costs – only printing. He said there would be about one page per
    property. He had also contacted Sycamore Printing, but had not heard from them. He had
    said they had reported earlier some concerns about using the Microsoft format. Pettit also
    said he would meet with Dan Clark and they would contact the Muscatine Journal for a
    bid.
    Peterschmidt said she also favored the perfectbound style and using one color.
    After further discussion, Carlson moved to table a final decision; Day seconded;
    motion passed, all ayes.
     
     
     
    MHPC Minutes
    July 18, 2006
    Page 3
     
    Pettit then set membership on the commission’s three standing committees. Jo
    Ann Carlson and Maryrose Peterschmidt were appointed to the Research and
    Development Committee. Diane Mayer­Day and Jerry Lange were appointed to the
    Education Committee. Jim Nepple and Dan Clark were appointed to the Projects
    Committee. Pettit said he would circulate between the committees.
    In a related discussion, Peterschmidt asked if a Friends of Historic Preservation
    should be investigated. No decision was made.
     
    The commission then agreed to discuss goals and objectives for 2007 at the next
    meeting. Carlson also said she would begin sending out plans of actions following each
    commission meeting so members to remind members of items to be completed prior to
    the next meeting.
    Peterschmidt also reported on a program sponsored by KWPC to donate $100 to a
    local charity. The information is on the radio’s website. Commission members were
    unsure if the commission would qualify for the donation.
     
    The meeting then adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
     
     
    Respectfully submitted,
     
     
     
    ___________________
    Chairman
     
     
     
     

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