OFFICIAL MINUTES
    MUSCATINE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
    FEBRUARY 16, 2011
    The Muscatine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) met in regular session
    on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at 5:15 p.m. in the city hall lower level conference
    room. Members present included Jane Reischauer, Ramiro Vazquez, Anna Mack, Devin
    Pettit and Jim Schmidt. Also present were Michael Maharry and Jim Rudisill.
    The commission reviewed the consent agenda, including the distributed agenda
    and the minutes of the regular January 19, 2011 meeting. Pettit moved to approve the
    consent agenda; Vazquez seconded; motion passed, all ayes.
    The first agenda items were under Certified Local Government (CLG) activities.
    Rudisill presented copies of the city’s monthly building and demolition permits, which he
    is now able to access. Commissioner members requested the reports be distributed with
    the regular meeting information.
    The next item discussed was the possibility of meeting with Andrew Fangman,
    new city planner; and Steve Boka, Community Development Director. Reischauer said
    she thought it would be useful to have Boka attend a meeting to update the commission
    on various issues. Fangman was included because his position will be involved in many
    projects with a historic preservation association. Members agreed to invite both to the
    same meeting as soon as possible.
    The 2010 CLG Annual Report was then presented to the commission for action.
    Schmidt moved to approve the report; Pettit seconded; motion passed, all ayes.
    The commission next discussed potential nominations to the National Register of
    Historic Places. John Peterschmidt recently submitted a draft report on the Oscar
    Grossheim House at 110 E. Eighth Street, identifying it a potentially eligible for the
    register. However, he also asked the commission to discuss whether its focus should be
    on identifying individual properties or districts.
    Reischauer pointed out the commission had worked on a Mulberry Avenue
    designation, but it had been recommended that project stop. Pettit said he had made that
    recommendation because the project was basically not moving forward. He also
    explained the commission had been developing partial reports on Mulberry Avenue
    properties because of the high cost of using a consultant.
    Maharry said Historic Resource Development Project (HRDP) grant applications
    are due in May. In-kind contributions could help reduce the amount of local match
    required through this program and Maharry said the Friends of Muscatine Historic
    Preservation might be willing to help with assistance or funding. He reminded the
    commission that Peterschmidt had developed the Grossheim report and wondered how
    much additional work from a consultant it would take to complete the report. Reischauer
    suggested asking consultant Rebecca McCarley, who has conducted previous work in the
    city, for a bid on completing the report.
    Pettit said he would favor conducting district surveys rather than individual
    property reporting. He said Mulberry Avenue could be divided into two separate survey
    sections – one in the south end of the street that would deal more with 19
    th
    buildings; and
    one in the north end that would focus on 20
    th
    century construction.
    MHPC Minutes
    February 16, 2011
    Page 2
    Reischauer said the issue should be left on the agenda and McCarley contacted to
    provide cost estimates for completing a site inventory/historic register nomination for the
    Grossheim house; and an estimate for completing a district-wide survey and nomination.
    Maharry said he would forward McCarley an email detailing the HRDP application
    process; and Rudisill said he would ask her to present cost estimates for an individual and
    district survey/nomination.
    The commission next discussed historic property and district issues.
    Rudisill updated the members on the status of the Alexander Clark National
    Historic Landmark project. He reported the process is continuing, but according to an
    earlier phone discussion between him and Kent Sissel, the project may extend longer.
    Rudisill said Sissel had reported he was still talking to the National Park Service (NPS)
    on developing a Network to Freedom (Underground Railroad) application for the
    Alexander Clark House. Sissel said the NPS favored submitting the Network to Freedom
    application before the National Landmark. Rudisill said he had pointed out to Sissel the
    city’s grant agreement for the National Landmark nomination expires in November 2012,
    but Sissel had indicated state officials had told him that date was flexible. Sissel had also
    indicated possibly moving ahead with the National Landmark project without city
    participation, if he would be able to have the current grant transferred, Rudisill explained.
    That discussion had taken place several days before the MHPC meeting and no additional
    contact had occurred since.
    The remaining discussion item under historic property and district issues was the
    status of the proposed district signage. That discussion was tabled.
    The 2011 Preservation Iowa Annual Conference, set for August 5-6 in Muscatine,
    was discussed next.
    Maharry said the Friends were continuing to review possible locations for the
    conference, which could draw as many as 200 participants. Potential sites identified have
    included Muscatine Community College; Riverview Center; Masonic Lodge; Hotel
    Muscatine; and possibly other sites. The Riverview Center would not have any charge if
    the MHPC was a conference sponsor.
    Maharry said plans being discussed included eating at the Button Factory, taking
    a river cruise and conducting seminars and workshops on selected topics. Possible topics
    included tax audits, Muscatine history and possibly a program from Jim Schmidt on
    historic plaster restoration. Maharry said a representative from the Center for Nonprofits
    might be asked to speak.
    He said the Friends had decided to move its historic house tour to Saturday
    afternoon.
    The conference cost will be $35 per person. This would match the amount
    requested by the commission for the 2011 budget, but it was not known if this request
    was included in the proposal presented to the city council.
    MHPC Minutes
    February 16, 2011
    Page 3
    Maharry said the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s
    Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB) had agreed to print 500 brochures on the
    conference and would also assist with booking a block of rooms in area hotels. The CVB
    had also agreed to provide a “goodie” bag of local items for distribution at the
    convention.
    Maharry said he expected additional issues to be settled during a telephone
    conference call the next day. In the meantime, he requested the commission approve a
    motion to help sponsor the event.
    Schmidt moved the MHPC agree to become a co-sponsor of the 2011
    Preservation Iowa Annual Conference with Preservation Iowa and possibly the Friends of
    Muscatine Historic Preservation; Mack seconded; motion passed, all ayes.
    Schmidt next moved to request $35 from the city for each commission member
    wishing to attend the annual conference; Mack seconded; motion passed, all ayes.
    Maharry next presented a miscellaneous report from the Friends.
    He identified several homes that might be included in the tour of homes in May as
    part of Preservation Month activities.
    The meeting then adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.
    The next regular meeting of the commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March
    30, 2011 at 5:15 p.m. in the Muscatine City Hall lower level conference room.
    Respectfully submitted,
    ___________________________________
    Chair

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