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Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission approves Certified Local Government annual report
Summary
The commission approved the city’s Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report after staff reviewed work-plan items, preservation fund activity, nominations and outreach from the past year.
The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve its Certified Local Government annual report after staff summarized last year’s activities, expenditures and outstanding issues.
Jessica (staff member) told the commission the online CLG submission asks about survey, nomination and landmark activity. The commission did not complete any new surveys or National Register nominations in the prior year, though a member of the public nominated the Iowa City Recreation Center for the National Register and the commission reviewed that nomination as part of CLG duties. The commission did designate a local landmark at 302 East Bloomington Street in the reporting year; staff uploaded the ordinance and survey documentation for that designation.
Staff reported the preservation fund approved 63 projects on 49 properties and paid out $222,000 in awards; the total cost of those projects was about $559,000. The preservation fund has been budgeted at $40,000 annually historically, was increased to $42,000 for the reported year, and is set to return to $40,000 in the coming fiscal year beginning in July, Jessica said. Staff also said the office experienced a record number of inquiries — 312 — up roughly 80 over the prior high year.
The report summarizes outreach and education work, awards program scheduling changes (awards postponed from September to February), and partnerships with Parks and Recreation on the Oak Park rehabilitation naming and with facilities on an appropriate metal roofing option for the Ned Ashton House. Staff noted continued challenges from work done without permits and uncertainty in the code about when historic review is required for “material changes;” the commission is working with other departments to clarify which alterations require historic review.
Commissioners discussed clerical items in the draft (member terms and contact information tables) and a small correction Jessica had already made to a published numeric error. Brenda Barter, a member of the public, asked where the official CLG files are kept; staff confirmed they are in the Neighborhood Development Services department in City Hall.
Carl Brown moved to approve the CLG annual report as presented; Commissioner Bowman seconded the motion and the commission approved it by voice vote. The approved report will be submitted online with attachments the commission provided and with any minor edits the commission sends before staff completes the submission later in the awards week.
The commission also approved minutes from its Jan. 9, 2025 meeting and heard updates on certificates issued administratively and on the upcoming annual awards presentation schedule.
