MINUTES

                                                                 CITY OF AMES

                                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

MOTION:  (FRAHM/CATHCART) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of September 12, 2005.

MOTION PASSED:  5-0.

7:01 p.m. Ms. Joan Van Norman, Commission member, arrived at the meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF August 8, 2005:

MOTION:  (FRAHM/VAN NORMAN) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of August 8, 2005 as amended.

MOTION PASSED:  6-0.

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no public comments.

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Continue the Public Hearing from the July 11, 2005 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting for the Request to Designate the Roosevelt School Property, at 1000 9^th Street, as a Local Historic Landmark.

Ms. Betcher explained that the City of Ames does not have the authority to designate the Roosevelt School property as a Local Historic Landmark.

MOTION: (DUNN/CATHCART) to close the public hearing on the request to designate the school as a Local Historic Landmark.

MOTION PASSED:  5-0 1-abstain (LESLIE).

Mr. Warren Frahm, Commission member, wanted to know how the process would continue if the Commission does not have any authority in this matter.

Ms. Betcher stated that if the school board sells the property the Commission would be able to act on a new application. The applicant would need to resubmit the application at the time that the property changes ownership to a private individual.  The Commission would then have the authority to proceed with the process for designation as a local Historic Landmark.  Ms. Betcher stated that the school district could choice to pursue a National Register nomination, which does not grant protection against demolition, but it does add to the value of Roosevelt School as an historic place within the State of Iowa and the City of Ames.

7:12 p.m. Mr. Daniel DeGeest, Commission member, arrived at the meeting.

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Review of the Draft Historic Preservation Plan for the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Ms. Betcher discussed the Draft Historic Preservation Plan for State Historical Society of Iowa and asked for comments and suggestions from the Commission.

Ms. Betcher stated that she would like clarification made as to the relationship between local governments and school districts, possibly changing the State legislation in this matter.

Ms. Dunn stated that she would like clarification of what is meant by a confidential archeological site.

Ms. Cathcart wants clarification of what the State means by “local historic disaster planning.”

Ms. Carthcart stated that having information on the internet would be beneficial. 

Mr. DeGeest stated it would be beneficial for the State to provide an internet hosting environment.

MOTION:  (LESLIE/DUNN) to have Ms. Betcher pass along the comments and suggestions to the State Historical Society of Iowa.

MOTION PASSED: 7-0.

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Discuss Public Education and Involvement for the West Ames Historic Study.

Ms. Dunn went over the handout that she had about public schools in the proposed West Ames Historic District. 

Mr. Jeff Benson, Planner, went over the hand out of the West Ames Historical Study that was made from the discussion at the last Commission meeting.  Mr. Benson suggested that the Commission present their suggestions and goals to the City Council so that City Council may direct staff.

Ms. Betcher suggested the Commission consider which items to initiate, that do not require staff time or money, before the proposal is sent to City Council. 

MOTION:  (DUNN/VAN NORMAN) to move that the Commission present this plan for public education and awareness for the West Ames historic study to the City Council on September 27, 2005.

MOTION PASSED:  7-0.

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COMMISSION COMMENTS: 

Ms. Betcher welcomed Tom Leslie to the Commission.

Ms. Betcher asked if there was any new developments on the Certified Local Government (CLG) grant application and what the deadline was for submittal. 

Ms. Betcher asked about website resources.  Ms. Jill Hahn, secretary for Historic Preservation Commission, stated that she could not find any rules or regulation on what can and can not be put on the website but she is still waiting to hear back from the Public Relations Officer.  Ms. Hahn said she would check to see if any Commission member could have access to the website.

Mr. DeGeest stated that he arrived late to the meeting and he wanted to go on record that he is very disappointed about the outcome of the Roosevelt School project. 

Mr. DeGeest stated that the school board election is Tuesday, September 13, 2005 and he encouraged everyone to get out and vote.

Ms. Cathcart wanted to know if the Commission could respond to the comments received about the Roosevelt School project.  Mr. Anderson stated that staff would have to make sure that the Commission could respond to all the comments received.

Mr. DeGeest wanted to point out that all the comments for the Roosevelt School project were in favor of the Local Historic Landmark designation. 

          MOTION (CATHCART/DEGEEST) to move that the Commission respond to the letters, phone calls and e-mails for the Roosevelt School project.

MOTION PASSED:  7-0.

Mr. Leslie stated his thanks to the Commission and staff for working with the neighborhood on the Roosevelt School project.   

Mr. DeGeest stated that he found out that Delta Chi, 405 Hayward Avenue, Ames, Iowa, is not going to be utilized in the future, as a fraternity, and it will be sold.

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STAFF COMMENTS: 

Mr. Anderson stated that the staff would like to thank the applicants from the Roosevelt School neighborhood.

Mr. Anderson also welcomed Mr. Leslie to the Commission.

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MOTION TO ADJOURN:

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

MOTION PASSED:  7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

_______________________________                            _______________________________

Jill Hahn, Principal Clerk                                                   Gloria Betcher, Chairperson

Department of Planning & Housing                                  Historic Preservation Commission