MINUTES

                                                                 CITY OF AMES

                                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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CALL TO ORDER:  Gloria Betcher, Commission Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

MOTION:  (DEGEEST/DUNN) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of January 9, 2006.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF November 14, 2005:

MOTION:  (VAN NORMAN/LESLIE) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of November 14, 2005.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0.

Mr. Warren Frahm, Commission Member, arrived at the meeting.

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no public comments.

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Progress update by Commission Members on their tasks for the West Ames Historic Study.

Ms. Betcher indicated that the Ames Public Library’s meeting rooms were full for January and the next meeting for the West Ames Historic Study needs to be scheduled. Ms. Jill Hahn, Commission Secretary, will check the calendar for the evening of January 30, 2006 for the City Council Chambers and e-mail the Commission members of the status.

Ms. Elaine Dunn, Commission Member, stated that as soon as the West Ames Historic meeting is set up she will contact Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer, to help publish the meeting details.

Ms. Betcher stated that the Iowa State University Alumni Association wants to help to design walking tours in the Campustown neighborhood and an Iowa State University editing class will help design some walking tour maps. 

Mr. Daniel DeGeest, Commission Member, wanted to know if Ms. Betcher has any more information about a hosting space for the website.  Ms. Betcher stated that the director of Eserver, the nations top humanities server, said that there is space available to host the Historic Preservation website.  Ms. Betcher stated that the Commission would have full access to add content and have editorial rights but this all depends on what Eserver is able to do.

Mr. Leslie stated that he is ready to begin work on the poster and he would like some direction from the Commission as to the content.  Ms. Betcher explained to Mr. Leslie where the information that she collected is located to use for the content of the poster.  Ms. Betcher suggested that the poster might be able to go in Kingland Systems and Ames Public Library display cases. 

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COMMISSION COMMENTS: 

Ms. Betcher stated she attended a meeting regarding the Adams House, the house and entire site has been willed to the City of Ames and is currently in consideration by the Parks and Recreation department for park space.  Ms. Betcher indicated that the Parks and Recreation department was not aware that an application was going to be submitted for a Historic Landmark.  Mr. Anderson said that the Historic Landmark application needed more information before it is brought to the Commission.  Ms. Betcher stated that the Parks and Recreation Department has already done analysis on the site to determine the feasibility of accepting the property for ownership and maintenance by the City. Ms. Betcher indicated that the Ames Historical Society has already accepted the items inside the house. Ms. Betcher indicated that the Historic Preservation Commission can make a recommendation for Historic Landmark status but it is up to the City Council to decide the outcome.

Mr. Leslie went over fence samples and catalogs of aluminum fencing.  There was a discussion among the Commission members about fence materials and the Commission decided that Ms. Betcher will go to a City Council meeting and ask for staff time to research the fence guidelines of Historic Districts in other communities, including fencing materials, placement, height, and manufacturing processes.

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STAFF COMMENTS:  There were no staff comments.

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MOTION TO ADJOURN:

MOTION:  (DUNN/DEGEEST) to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

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Jill Hahn, Principal Clerk                                                   Gloria Betcher, Chairperson

Department of Planning & Housing                                  Historic Preservation Commission