Minutes_Historic Preservation Education Task Force 4 4 13THE CITY 0
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
EDUCATION TASK FORCE
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Conference Room B, City Hall
PV
Committee Members Present: Chairperson David Klavitter, Committee Members Bob
McDonell, Julie Schlarman and Benjamin Beard.
Committee Members Excused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 1:04 p.m.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an- Affidavit of Compliance verifying
the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by McDonell, seconded by Beard, to approve the March 7, 2013
minutes as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Klavitter, Beard and
McDonell; Nay — None.
ACTION ITEMS:
Challenges and Opportunities for Advancing the Historic Preservation Commission
Program: Staff Member Johnson noted the Planning Services Department is still
waiting for the final schedule of events to be completed and provided by Dubuque Main
Street. He noted the Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Award Ceremony will be held in
conjunction with the Dubuque County Historical Society Award Ceremony on April 23,
at 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Klavitter noted he is available to participate. Staff Member
Johnson welcomed participation from other Committee members and noted once the
schedule is provided to the Planning Services Department it will be forwarded by email
to Commissioners and provided in the April 18, 2013 agenda packet.
Committee Member Schlarman entered the meeting at 1:10 p.m.
Committee Member Beard reviewed issues he had been working on since the last Task
Force meeting. He stated he has compiled a list of questions a homeowner might ask
before or in the process of considering a contractor for a historic preservation project.
He reviewed the benefits of using a design professional to help understand and apply
architectural guidelines and appropriate treatments. He noted it is important for
homeowners to familiarize themselves with the historic district guidelines before
beginning rehabilitation projects. He suggested a direct link be provided to the
Architectural Guidelines. He stated homeowners should also be advised on the
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Education Task Force
April 4, 2013
Page 2
difference between recommendations and an ordinance as it pertains to historic
preservation. He explained the importance of making homeowners aware of financial
incentives such as historic tax credits to assist with preservation projects. He reviewed
important considerations for homeowners when selecting a contractor, noting
requesting documentation as to a contractor's qualifications and workmanship. He
elaborated it is important for homeowners to request any certifications, awards, and
references relative to historic preservation projects. He noted pictures of past projects
would be helpful; however, the contractor's specific role in that project must be clarified.
He noted the importance of also obtaining the qualifications of subcontractors that
worked on the project.
Committee Member Beard discussed suggestions for improvements to the City of
Dubuque Architectural Guidelines. He explained many of the suggested edits are
minor. He suggested removing the Durrant watermark from the guideline documents.
Staff Member Carstens explained the timing is good because the City of Dubuque is in
the process of updating and consolidating the Downtown Design Guidelines and
Architectural Guidelines into one document. Staff Member Johnson invited Committee
Member Beard to serve on the Design Guidelines Technical Committee to help respond
to and craft specific content in terms of the document. Committee Member Beard
welcomed the opportunity. Staff Member Johnson stated Committee Member Beard is
also going to be asked to serve on the Steering Committee as a design professional
with Straka Johnson.
The Task Force and staff reviewed the historic preservation content on the City of
Dubuque website. The Task Force and staff agreed to review the Historic Preservation
web page on the City of Dubuque website at the next Education Task Force meeting.
The Education Task Force discussed hosting Historic Preservation workshops and
seminars that would qualify for continuing education credits. The Task Force noted the
benefits of educating real estate agents on the benefits of preservation and historic
properties in the city of Dubuque. Chairperson Klavitter stated he will send a list of
continuing education classes provided by Board of Realtors Executive Director Joe
Leiser to staff.
Committee Member McDonell recommended keeping the class to three hours or less.
Staff and the Task Force discussed past continuing education programming for
Dubuque Realtors. Staff Member Carstens noted the City offered a program on
federal, state and local financial incentives to assist historic rehabilitation which
qualified for continuing education credits a few years ago. The Task Force agreed that
program would be beneficial to Dubuque Realtors and preservation in the city of
Dubuque. Committee Members Klavitter and McDonell stated they will look further into
sponsorship opportunities for such a program.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Education Task Force
April 4, 2013
Page 3
ITEMS FROM THE TASK FORCE:
Renovation Boot Camp: Staff Member Johnson explained this is an informational item
in response to a request from the last Task Force meeting. He noted the 2011
Renovation Boot Camp was hosted by the Des Moines Rehabbers Club, which was
established in 2007. He explained he cannot find any evidence this Club or the
Renovation Boot Camp still exists. He stated the boot camp was a series of classroom
seminars designed to give participants a basic understanding the renovation process
from the time a property is purchased to project completion. He referenced the
schedule of seminars. He explained the experts who presented were mostly local
people from the private sector as well as homeowners. He explained these seminars
were designed to have experts with first -hand experience. He noted the only public
officials who participated were building and health inspectors, who spoke about building
permit requirements and lead paint abatement. He stated the program was promoted
as demystifying the renovation process by providing practical advice, support and
encouragement and resources for a successful renovation project.
The Committee discussed the boot camp, noting a similar approach to education and
outreach should be considered for future programming in the city of Dubuque.
Contractor Recognition: Staff Member Johnson stated in response to the
Commission's and Task Force's efforts to recognize contractors, research has begun
on historic tax credit projects and projects that have received Ken Kringle Awards in the
city of Dubuque. He referenced a spreadsheet of every project in the city of Dubuque
that has received tax credits or had credits reserved. He noted the contact name for
those projects has also been provided. Staff Member Johnson stated he will continue
to research contractors involved in those projects.
Staff Member Carstens noted she prepared a comparison of Preservation Iowa and
City of Dubuque Historic Preservation website content and links for Preservation Iowa.
She stated she has provided the information for the Task Force's consideration, and
noted that Preservation Iowa is a resource for contractor recognition. The Task Force
reviewed the information and noted it would be important to form common links.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Preservation Month Activity: Staff Member Johnson noted time ran out at the March
Task Force meeting to confirm the Task Force's Preservation Month activities. He
stated the Task Force has recommended the Historic Preservation Commission ask
City Council to proclaim May as Historic Preservation Month and host a Washington
Neighborhood Green Alley Ribbon Cutting in May in recognition of Historic Preservation
Month. Staff Member Johnson noted he and Staff Member Wernimont will present a
program on researching historic properties in May as part of Preservation Month. Staff
Member Carstens noted she and Civil Engineer Jon Dienst, who is in charge of green
alleys and complete streets, will be presenting on the Millwork District in May in
recognition of Historic Preservation Month as well.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Education Task Force
April 4, 2013
Page 4
By consensus, the Task Force agreed to the Historic Preservation Month activities.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted