Rock Island Today

City of Moline Historic Preservation Commission met Sept. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Commission Members	Present	Absent
Frank Ege	x
Jeff Adamson	x
Dan Mizner	x
Brandon Tidwell	x
Dick Potter	x
Barb Sandberg	x
Jeff Dismer		x
Jennifer Bizarri - Staff	x
Savanna Cruz - Staff	x
Chris Mathias – Staff (Virtual)	x
Mereidth Peterson - RICOHS	x
Jane Stoffer - Other	x

Meeting called to order: At 4:02 pm by Chairman Mizner.

Roll Call

Introduction of Guests – N/A

Approval of the Meeting Minutes for August 14, 2023 Meeting

Motion made by Commissioner Sandberg, seconded by Commissioner Potter to approve the minutes from August 14, 2023 meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

New Business:

• Meredith Peterson, Rock Island County Historical Society (RICOHS): Presentation and request for a Certificate of Appropriateness related to repairs to the Carriage House landmark (Atkinson-Peek property, 822 11th Av).

Ms. Peterson went through the Certificate of Appropriateness Application she had sent in. Out of the two companies that had responded with bids for the repairs to the building, the RICOHS has decided to go with Dan Hanell due to the age difference of the shingles for the roof, and Hanell also has a couple of retired gentlemen willing to do carpentry projects. The roof will cost approximately $16, 511, the gutters & downspouts would be $11,500 to repair, and the repairing of the facia, crown molding, & the roof in the back would be $2,400 plus a small charge for lumber to fix cricket.

Motion made by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Sandberg to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. Motion carried unanimously.

• New Commissioner Jeff Adamson introduced himself to the Historic Preservation Commission.

• Code suggestion: HPC review buildings over 50 years prior to issuing a demolition permit. Commissioner Sandberg handed out suggested changes to pages 4 and 5 of the Council Bill regarding demolition of properties. The suggestions state the HPC Commission should have up to three days to review an application and determine if the subject structure to be demolished could meet the criteria of being architecturally or historically significant to meet the criteria for landmark designation. Chairman Mizner suggested if the Commission has received an application for a demolition of a property, they should call a special meeting for the HPC if it is submitted right after a regular HPC meeting. Commissioner Sandberg had also suggested changing Section 6 of the Ordinance from Demolition of Structures 20 Years old or Older to structures built prior to 1950. Commissioner Tidwell stated that structures built prior to 1950 is a good place to start, but the HPC may need to revise the date in the future. Discussion was had about 6(b)(1) and the two officially designed Historic Preservation review Commissioners (one to be a Chair and the other a Designee), and how both Commissioners shall be able to report back to City Staff. Mr. Chris Mathias stated Staff needs clear direction from the Commission on what they want the Council Bill to say so staff can get it back to City Council for approval. Ms. Jennifer Bizarri is going to inquire on how many demolitions permits for commercial and residential properties there have been in the last three years and report back to the Commission. Commissioner Potter suggested to keep the days in section 6(b)(3) to 60 days only. Ms. Bizarri will also bring back a final clean version of the Demolition Ordinance to the HPC at their next meeting.

• MHPC By-Laws

Commissioner Sandberg stated the HPC’s bylaws call the Commission an Advisory Committee, and that should be changed to Commission. She also added under Article II Section 3, the absenteeism should be updated. Chair Mizner agreed, and also noted everything that states Committee should be changed to Commission in the bylaws. Under Article V, the number of a quorum should be stated. Article VII, Section 3, the Secretary needs to be corrected. Article VIII, meeting dates should be changed to monthly. Ms. Bizarri will update the bylaws and bring back to the Commission.

• Gordon Memorial Church 1330 26th St. Moline Redevelopment

Ms. Bizarri and Mr. Mathias are going to check and see if this has passed through City Council.

• Depot Clock Monument

No Action on the Depot Clock.

Old Business:

• Historic Mural Brick Repair

Commissioner Tidwell explained that the Historic Preservation Commission noticed that the mural needs repair, and as they had investigated and received bids for repair for the mural, they found the actual wall itself needs significant repair to the brick. The Commission now have bids upwards of $14,000 to $15,000 of structural work that needs to be done. The Commission went back and found the legal document from when the HPC worked with the previous owner whom was responsible for the upkeep of the mural. It is not clear in the legal document if the Commission, the City, or the property owner is obligated for the $15,000 structural repair. Or is it valid at all because the owners have changed hands multiple times throughout the years? The Commission had asked if staff could go back and review that previous legal document with the city attorney to get legal feedback on the feasibility of that document, then they would know how to proceed forward.

• City of Mills Mural Funds

Commissioner Sandberg stated the funds have been put in the City of Moline’s Trust Fund.

• Redevelopment of the JCPenney Building

Mr. Mathias explained there are a lot of things happening right now with the JCPenney Building, and will get back when he has some answers.

• Draft RFP for the Historic Structures Survey

Chair Mizner stated he has been in touch with Jon Pressley at State Historic Preservation Office whom said there were grants available this year that closed in June, and no one knew because the notifications were getting sent to Jeff Anderson, former City Planner. So now Mr. Pressley has updated his contacts for notifications to go to Chair Mizner and Mr. Seán Foley.

Reports:

● Fire Station #3 (502 River Drive) - Damage & Neglect – N/A

● Public Arts Commission - N/A

● Proposed Riverfront Redevelopment

Commissioner Sandberg asked when the public meeting for the Riverfront Master Plan would take place. Mr. Mathias stated there will be kickoff meeting with the stakeholders on September 21, 2023, and October 14, 2023 will be the first public input session.

● David B. Sears Recognition

Commissioner Ege is meeting with Bob Vitas, City Administrator, and Macy McManus, Executive Coordinator, to discuss putting signage on the river for the recognition.

● Main Street & Commercial Façade Improvement program

Commissioner Sandberg stated their meeting was canceled for the Façade, but three projects were completed: McDermott, Cruz, & Gnatovich.

● Downtown Heritage Tour Web site and promotional materials - N/A

● Quad City Preservation Consortium - N/A

● Spiegel Building (1506 River Drive)

Mr. Mathias stated Alexandra Elias, CEO Renew Moline, is working on a food hall concept and hydroponic growing.

● Leedy Building (1530 5th Ave) - N/A

● John Deere House (1217 11th Ave) – N/A

● McKinley School (4th Ave & 41st St.) – N/A

● Manual Arts Building Redevelopment – N/A

● Other: Commissioner Tidwell stated F.O.E. Building has been fixed.

Public Comments

Jane Stoffer stated the Porch Party will take place Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House.

Ms. Bizarri explained the former Skelly Gasoline Service Station, 820 5th Ave., has been added to Moline’s Historic Local Landmarks page.

● Announcements: Next meeting Monday, October 9, 2023

● Adjournment: Motion made by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Sandberg to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9412