The membership meeting was held at the home of Linda Anderson & Bruce Ohrlund, 1716 21st Street.

President - Linda Anderson called the meeting to order.

Vice President - Pam Saunders: The February 16 meeting will be held at Hauberg following a presentation to the RI Park Board (see below). Daryl Empen will host the March 16 Award Selection meeting at the Credit Union. Walter and Ann Lilius will host the April 20th meeting at their home at 925 17th Street in Moline. Pam is coordinating a tour of the historic Corps of Engineers Clock Tower, including seldom seen areas there. It will probably occur on a Saturday in late April or early May (before trees are fully leafed out) and we will likely ask the Moline Preservation Society to join us.

Secretary - Diane Oestreich emailed the summary of the December social meeting.

Treasurer - Terri Cone reported a balance $3350.03. Two checks haven’t been cashed but are accounted for in the balance. On a motion by Diane, seconded by Terri, we agreed to renew our dues to RICHS at the $50 level. Clayton and Linda were asked to submit bills for their donations to the Hauberg Christmas tree, but declined to do so. THANK YOU. Another thanks to Cynthia Empen who donated the materials and framing for the Hauberg Bridge picture.

Corresponding Secretaries - Martha Dismer needs materials for the quarterly newsletter. She will include the membership renewal information. A summary of the Villa arch program is on the website and there are pictures as well. Linda will provide additional information to Martha. We can mention the donation of the Hauberg Bridge picture as well. Clayton showed a large framed Harlan King print of the Villa that was donated by collector Shannon Hall that can be used in the “Villa corner” of the new school.

Committee Reports/Business

1. Endangered Properties /Preservation Projects:
   Status of Villa Arch – Linda prepared envelopes and color prints of a request for donations that was sent in bulk to 500 Villa alum for the actual address labels and mailing. According to postmarks on a few returned letters, they were not sent out by the Villa alum group until January 11. We have received 8 replies so far, which included donations as well as an indication that some would send us additional information and memorabilia. It was clarified that we stated that if we were unable to raise the needed money, the donations would be returned to the donors. Linda said that, based on architectural fees of $8 - $9000, she estimated that $60,000 would be needed to rebuild the arch in Calvary Cemetery. Both Linda and Terri will keep a list of the names, addresses, and other information from the contributors. Linda will photocopy each response as well as a copy of the checks. Clayton moved and Jean Dasso seconded that we reimburse Linda for the postage and copying expenses. Linda said she would check her receipts.

   It was also noted that the columns at the lower 17th Street entrance to Long View Park are being demolished.

2. Awards:
   Diane said that at this time, there are very few candidates for awards. Many held over from last year are not yet completed. She will contact Jill Doak, Phil Dennis, and Broadway representatives for suggestions within their neighborhoods (or elsewhere). Some suggestions were provided at this meeting as well. It was suggested that we add a request for award nominations to the website, and to include our list of criteria, so that we don’t get nominations for inappropriate renovations. Linda will provide the list to Pete.

3. Nominating Committee:
   Linda asked for volunteers for a nominating committee. No one volunteered. She asked Diane to send out an email to all members asking if they wish to be an officer or to head a standing committee. Some, including “landmarks”, are not filled.

4. Hauberg Art Project:
   Diane brought the framed picture of the Hauberg Bridge to the meeting. Linda will contact the park board to make sure can make the presentation to them at the beginning of their February meeting, which is on the same night as RIPS. We will gather at the park offices for the presentation, then move to the adjacent Hauberg for our meeting. Pam will reserve a room. Diane also read a note from Mark Cook, the artist, who donated the digital picture as well as the rights to reuse it any way we wanted. She will incorporate his comments about painting childhood memories into a story and press release. Jean noted that his mother lives in town or nearby.

   Martha will purchase frames for the awards. Last year, we authorized her to buy some (perhaps more than needed) when she finds them on sale.

5. Neighborhood Partners:
   No report but note the upcoming event below.

6. Website:
   Pete Cone has updated the opening page with Villa arch information, including pictures.

7. Meeting Structure for Future:
   we spent a great deal of time discussing our meeting structure, including items like fewer business meetings, more “event” meetings, and increased flexibility with meeting dates (not always third Tuesday). It was noted that we might have to change our by-laws to reflect any plans. Moline Preservation Society has recently adopted a schedule that includes five “event” meetings a year. Necessary business is transacted by their board, who often confer only by email.

   It was suggested that we try a revised schedule for a year. We need to determine which RIPS meetings and timings are crucial (awards selection meeting for one) and where we can have more flexibility. For example the normal May meeting, which takes place after the award presentation at a Monday City Council meeting, is usually not very productive in a business sense. The “event” type meetings could include hands-on demonstrations, speakers, tours, dinners with a speaker, etc. Suggestions for events included a presentation of the arch issues, history, dismantling and planned reassembly; a Highland Park tour in conjunction with that neighborhood organization; and a Hauberg “back yard” tour and brochure. Both C.J. Swords and Alicia Shuman volunteered to help plan a Highland Park tour.

   We do need to have an events planning committee as well. If we do some cooperative event with Moline, we need to coordinate with them early in the year. Our members will be asked via email if they have an opinion or idea of the best way to increase attendance and education about preservation and whether they’d be interested in serving on an event committee.

   Right now, plans cannot be completely firm as we feel our way through the coming year.

8. Other Business:
   

Announcements & General:
The Neighborhood Partners School-Community Task Force and the Rock Island School District cooperated to develop a plan for convenient access to the new science and math school at the former Villa site without having a negative impact on the adjacent Highland Park and Broadway Historic Districts. There will be a public presentation of the plan on Wednesday, January 27, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the second floor Community Room of the downtown library. The plan can also be viewed by going to www.rigov.org and clicking on the appropriate “headline.”

Linda said that the Black Hawk Park West neighborhood group is having an archeology program about a dig in the area. The tine is 5 pm but the date was unspecified. Diana Alm is the contact person.

ADJOURNMENT - by consensus

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