MINUTES

                                                                 CITY OF AMES

                                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

MOTION:  (DUNN/LESLIE) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of October 10, 2005.

MOTION PASSED:  4-0.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF September 12, 2005:

MOTION:  (VAN NORMAN/DUNN) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of September 12, 2005.

MOTION PASSED:  4-0.

Mr. Daniel DeGeest, Commission Member, arrived at the meeting.

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

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no public comments.

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Discuss Opportunities for Commission Members to Participate in Public Education and Awareness for the West Ames Historic Study.

Ms. Betcher went over the memo from staff.  Ms. Betcher stated that the Commission could have access to the resources and staff from the City’s Cable Channel department for the video and consult with the Public Relations Officer about the website.

Ms. Elaine Dunn, Commission Member, wanted to know if the video could be in the form of a question and answer session.  Ms. Betcher summarized input from the Commission member stating that the video should be informative, show part of the upcoming public meeting with Will Page and have testimonials of businesses in the area.   

Ms. Betcher indicated that she would contact the Ames Historical Society about possibly hosting the Historic Preservation website.

There was discussion by the Commission as to which Commission members would take on what roles.  The following was decided:

·         Ms. Betcher will coordinate the video production and Mr. DeGeest and Ms. Van Norman will assist.

·         Ms. Betcher will coordinate the tours and Mr. Frahm will assist.

·         Mr. DeGeest will work on the website content and Ms. Betcher will assist.

·         Ms. Dunn will coordinate the media coverage and Ms. Betcher and Mr. Leslie will assist.

·         Mr. Leslie will coordinate the display content.

·         Ms. Dunn will be the contact person for volunteers to do research.

·         Mr. Ray Anderson, Planner, will coordinate the neighborhood meetings and Ms. Betcher will assist.

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COMMISSION COMMENTS: 

Ms. Betcher indicated that the Commission comments were given to the State Historical Society on the draft of the Historic Preservation Plan for the State of Iowa and they are considering the idea of hosting a website and they will make a change to the definition of natural disaster planning.

Ms. Betcher reminded the Commission of the presentation by Jeff Benson on Lincoln Highway Association at 11:00 a.m. at the Ames Public Library on Saturday, October 15, 2005 with additional display material at the Octagon Center.  

Mr. DeGeest stated that he attended a forum at Collegiate Methodist Church with the candidates for City Council and Mayor.  He indicated that there was interest from all candidates to find ways to revitalize existing neighborhoods.

Ms. Betcher stated that the City Council meeting for October 11, 2005 will have the revised plan for University Impacted Area Sub Plan with removal of the stay on pre 1941 demolition and also the definition of brick as clay brick not material painted to look like brick. 

Mr. DeGeest stated that a group of alumni from Iowa State University are going to meet on homecoming weekend about the Delti Chi house to discuss the future of the house and hopefully it will be able to stay open for one more year and then it would be up to Delti Chi to decide what happens to the site.  Ms. Betcher stated that the danger of the property being sold is the potential to put up another apartment complex and tear down a historic resource.  Mr. Anderson stated that the Commission could submit a landmark application since it is private property.

Ms. Betcher stated that each Commission member should bring a list of potential historic landmarks in Ames to the next Commission meeting.

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STAFF COMMENTS:  There were no staff comments. 

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MOTION TO ADJOURN:

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

MOTION PASSED:  6-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

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Jill Hahn, Principal Clerk                                                   Gloria Betcher, Chairperson

Department of Planning & Housing                                  Historic Preservation Commission