The membership meeting was held at home of Ardo & Carolyn Holmgrain, 1840 22nd Street

President - Linda Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:25 with ten present.

Vice President - Pam Saunders reported that our September meeting will be at the home of Diana Alm, 4601 14th Street. Pam also made arrangements to hold the October 20 meeting at Hauberg. She has a contract to sign and noted that the cost is $10. Cancellation may be made up to 72 hours before the meeting. The new Hauberg director is Debbi Weston. A possible October meeting site is the renovated Evald Hall at Augustana. However, depending on student activities and athletics, there may be a parking problem. It was decided to wait till next spring or even summer for that meeting spot.

Secretary - Diane Oestreich emailed the minutes of the June meeting which were taken by Linda. We did not have a meeting in July due to numerous conflicts.

Treasurer - Terri Cone reported a balance of $2865.51. She has paid for the newsletter, Sec. of State, and membership dues for RICHS and Moline Preservation Society. She said the CD is due in October and that the new interest rate is even lower, close to 1 percent. Terri also said that our checking account is actually dunned each month by American Bank, resulting in an effective negative interest rate. Diane moved, and Terry Anderson seconded that Terri investigate alternative financial institutions, banks or Credit Unions, that do not charge fees to small nonprofits. Diane said that the FOLV account is at US Bank and there are no fees – but also no interest. Terri will ask Daryl for input, too. Carolyn moved and Pam seconded that we renew our P.O. box for an annual fee of $44. Approved.

Corresponding Secretaries - Martha Dismer published the Quarterly Newsletter. Special thanks to Diana Alm who provided stories about the Black Hawk West area, where she lives and where our September meeting will be held.. An article about identifying former summer cottages along the Rock was particularly noted.

Committee Reports/Business

1. Neighborhood Partners:
   Terry asked Diana to talk about a July 30 NP meeting where United Way presented a program on “Volunteer Solutions.” See www.unitedwayqc.org and click on “volunteer” in the heading. This is a national program that is intended to help all non profit organizations find and utilize volunteers. In order to register an organization, there must be an initial event or volunteer opportunity. Linda had paperwork from the website and suggested that RIPS could seek volunteers for research for landmarking. Members are asked to look at the website for examples of appropriate listings for organizations and for volunteers.

2. Website:
   Pete Cone said he still not received the pictures from Daryl of last year’s and this year’s award properties. It was also suggested later in the meeting that the Villa arch picture and a brief description of the project be included on the website. Pete also needs newsletters, converted from the Publisher files in which they were created to pdf files. Martha can do this with the Publisher software.

3. Endangered Properties:
   Linda reported that neither of the grant applications to provide planning and design work for placing the arch was awarded. Linda made a donation to the society that will pay for the architectural work, so that later fundraising efforts can be more specific. She also said that the Calvary Cemetery board approved the placement of the arch. Discussions of potentially less expensive ways to display the arch were discussed, including laying it on the ground. It was generally conceded that the upright arch would be best, if at all possible. Linda has not been called back by Fr. Mirabelli from Alleman, who reportedly knows how best to raise funds. She also said that the Villa alums only have one annual mailing and they have not committed to including a fund request in their annual Christmas mail. There has been no additional discussion of the Villa bell, but it is thought that it may be used in one of the Catholic schools.

   Another endangered area is the brick entrance wall outside the Villa on 16th Avenue. It was damaged somehow and is now deteriorating and being vandalized by children. One estimate to repair it was believed to be much too high – it was speculated that the bidder didn’t really want to do it. Terry, representing both RIPS and the Highland Park neighborhood,will contact Bill Cleaver of the School Board and ask if the damaged area can be enclosed in a fence to keep people away and then repaired later.

   Diane reported that the Illinois DOT had reversed its stand on the historic Moline depot and that the depot will be moved, to a site chosen by the city of Moline, as part of the bridge construction financing. Issues of future maintenance still must be resolved.

4. Hauberg Art:
   Diane passed around a copy of a painting of the bridge at Hauberg. It was done by former Rock Island resident, Mark Cook. He gave the painting to another friend, but provided us with a high resolution scan and permission to use it in any way we chose. The original is only about 8 x 10. Diane also said she’d contacted Bill Nelson, who said that it would be hung in Hauberg if a framed copy was provided by RIPS. There was a consensus that we investigate the cost and report with no specific budget requested. Diana suggested printing it on a linen type paper, which could be used on a color printer. She will check into its availability and appearance and may even have some to donate.

5. Possible Fall Project:
   It was generally conceded that it is much too late to plan a tour for fall. Linda said we needed to make a commitment in winter or spring to give us time to plan and follow through. Diana said that we might be able to join the Black Hawk Park West group for an activity on Sunday, October 4. The group will be having a potluck picnic, and then either visit the as yet unopened display of Saukenuk at the lodge or do a walking tour of the Saukenuk village site. She will keep us updated.

Announcements & General:
Free Firewood (hardwood) from Mark & Deb Holmes (786-3292)

Pam received an announcement of the Gifford Park (Elgin) house tour and said it was excellent last year. Tickets are $15 in advance, $10 for seniors and juniors. There are 8 homes of a variety of styles open this year on Saturday, September 12.
See http://www.prairie.org/events/19628/between-f

ADJOURNMENT - by consensus.to Carolyn’s wonderful coconut cake and other delights.

Diane Oestreich
(309) 788-1845
blueskies78900@yahoo.com