The City Council on Sept. 2 authorized a letter permitting the Dubuque County Historical Society to apply to the Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program for work at the Matthias Ham House. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Steve Fasel told council the society leases the house under a long-term agreement that began June 1, 2006, and runs through May 31, 2031.Photo: Fasel said the society has been conducting interior restoration guided by a historic-structures report and that the society and city have coordinated exterior maintenance and grant matching for recent work including a roof replacement.Nut graf: The city owns the Matthias Ham House and its grounds and the Historical Society operates the building under a lease that assigns interior responsibilities to the lessee and exterior responsibilities to the city; the society needs the city’s authorization as owner to submit the state tax-credit application.Body: Fasel described ongoing interior and exterior work, including foundation repairs, window work and decorative molding reconstruction; he said the roof had been replaced in a prior capital project with a city contribution of $145,000 as part of a match for grant funds. Heritage Works is assisting the Historical Society in preparing the state tax-credit application. Fasel said there is no budgetary impact to the city from approving the letter of authorization. Council voted 7-0 to approve the authorization. Ending: With authorization in place the Historical Society may submit the state application; council asked Parks staff to update them on reopening dates and progress on restoration in follow-up communications.