Historic preservation staff reports issued certificates, new contractors and upcoming commission vacancies

Historic preservation staff reported administrative certificates issued by the chair and staff, updates to the city’s contractor lists, and vacancies coming on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Staff recounted recently issued minor approvals and no-material-effect certificates, including porch and roof repairs, internal-gutter repairs and a rear-deck replacement on a nonhistoric property. Staff described a detailed porch restoration proposal that will use treated tongue-and-groove flooring primed on all sides where proximity to grade required a durable substitute for Douglas fir.

Friends of Historic Preservation funded five scholarships for local contractors to attend Bob Yapp’s window repair and rehabilitation classes in Hannibal, Missouri; two contractors have completed that training and were added to the commission’s window-rehab list. Staff also said it had located three contractors able to repair and recoat historic metal roofs — and at least one who can repair internal gutters — and added them to the department’s referral lists. Staff said these lists are distributed on request but are not published on the city website to avoid overwhelming contractors.

The commission chair also reminded members that two current commissioners (Christina for the Brown Street district and Jordan at-large) plan not to seek reappointment after June, and staff encouraged potential applicants to apply and to contact City Council if they intend to seek reappointment. Staff offered to email the contractor lists to commissioners or residents who request them.