OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – May 27, 2026

Public Meetings — Wednesday, May 27, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, May 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 47:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

All right.

0:08

Um we need to call the historic preservation commission to meeting.

0:11

Uh can you conduct a roll call?

0:15

Yes.

0:19

Chair Lermy.

0:21

Oh, walking right in.

0:27

Um Vice Chair Levine.

0:35

Here.

0:35

Commissioner Stodle.

0:38

Commissioner Hotchkiss.

0:40

Commissioner Serifice.

0:42

Here.

0:42

Commissioner Cosgrove.

0:44

Commissioner Palacios.

0:46

Commissioner Moody.

0:48

Commissioner Perdue.

0:51

Commissioner Grimmer.

0:53

Here.

0:53

Commissioner Harper.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Commissioner C.

0:57

Brant.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Gillespie.

1:01

Here.

1:02

Thank you.

1:02

We do have a quorum.

1:05

Great.

1:05

Thank you.

1:07

Our second item is an announcement regarding compliance with open meeting law.

1:12

Yes.

1:13

Yes, we are in compliance.

1:15

Okay.

1:16

Our third item today is public comment.

1:19

Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action.

1:25

If you wish to be heard, please come forward and give your name for the record.

1:29

The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any speak single speaker is allowed may be limited.

1:35

Do we have anyone from the public wishing to speak today?

1:41

Okay, seeing no one, item four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the special meeting of April 29th, 2026.

1:53

Do we have any comments or a motion to approve from the commission?

1:59

Commissioner Cosgrove, I motion to approve the minutes.

2:03

All those in favor, please say aye.

2:06

Aye.

2:07

Any opposed?

2:10

That motion carries with the chair also voting in favor.

2:15

Item number five two six dash zero one eight five-hpc one discussion for possible action regarding approval of a certificate of appropriateness application for a building expansion project at the historically listed U.S.

2:32

post office and courthouse located at 300 Stewart Avenue.

2:38

Thank you, Chair.

2:39

If I could have just for a second, uh I'm a member of the uh uh the Board of Museums for the excuse me.

2:46

I I think Dr.

2:47

Seabran's gonna provide us some of that information right now.

2:51

No, I this is regarding uh my voting on this matter.

2:54

I'm on the board of the uh mob museum, a non-paid position.

2:59

Uh and the advice I've received is that I simply need to make a declaration that uh I'm on the board non-paying, but I will be voting on this matter.

3:10

Thank you.

3:10

I understand.

3:11

Thank you.

3:12

Um, Dr.

3:12

Seeger.

3:14

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████87%
Procedural█████10%
Public Engagement██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – May 27, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission of Las Vegas convened at 7:01 PM on May 27, 2026, with a quorum present. The meeting included the approval of prior meeting minutes, a certificate of appropriateness for the Mob Museum expansion, presentation of historic preservation awards, and discussion of future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the final minutes by reference of the special meeting of April 29, 2026 (motion by Commissioner Cosgrove, carried with the chair also voting in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 3 – Public Comment: No members of the public came forward.
  • Item 11 – Citizens' Participation:
    • Jeff Alpert (former HPC award recipient) offered free copies of his self-published book on early Las Vegas history to commissioners and staff, and offered to donate remaining copies for educational use. Commissioner Stodle commended his accuracy and thoroughness.
    • Victoria Rocha (daughter of award recipient Guy Rocha) expressed gratitude for the Career Achievement award given to her father posthumously, noting his role as a son of Las Vegas and his dedication to historical accuracy.

Discussion Items

  • Certificate of Appropriateness (Item 5 – 26-0185-HPC1) – Building expansion at the historically listed U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (300 Stewart Avenue) for the Mob Museum.
    • Dr. Diane Seabron (Community Development) reminded the commission that the item had been presented at the December 2025 and April 2026 meetings, with design changes incorporated from previous feedback. She recommended approval conditioned on the applicant obtaining all other required state and federal approvals.
    • Jonathan Ullman (Mob Museum President/CEO) introduced the project team (Robert Chattle, historic preservation architect; Alexia Chen, LGA Architects) and noted that the design had not changed since the April informational meeting. He confirmed the museum would return if later design modifications were needed.
    • Commissioner Stodle asked about preservation of the north facade (historic courtroom and portico). The design does not wrap the building around the existing structure, maintaining visibility of the historic courtroom.
    • Commissioners Harper, Grimmer, and others expressed support for the revised design, noting it minimizes impact on the historic building while meeting the museum’s needs. Concerns were raised about the east facade view from SHIPO (State Historic Preservation Office) regarding materials and prominence. The commission acknowledged these but deferred to the concurrent SHIPO and National Park Service review processes.
    • The city attorney clarified that the certificate of appropriateness is not effective until the Historic Preservation Officer confirms all other approvals are obtained, and that any design changes from other agencies must return to the HPC.
  • Historic Preservation Awards (Item 6) – The commission presented five awards as part of Preservation Month:
    1. Dorothy Wright Bricks and Mortar Award – Junior League of Las Vegas (preservation and restoration of the 1959 Morelli House).
    2. Legacy Business Award – Eddie Escobido Jr. (founder of the Almundo newspaper, decades of service to the Hispanic community).
    3. Historical Media Project Award – Jeffrey Carlson (Vintage Las Vegas website and social media, dedication to accurate local history).
    4. Preservation Education Award – Claire White (educational programming on Southern Nevada history, forensic science, and constitutional law).
    5. Career Achievement Award – Guy Rocha (posthumously; received by his daughter Victoria Rocha; recognized for decades of service and commitment to historical accuracy).
  • Report: Project Update List (Item 8) – Dr. Seabron reported that all projects are either completed or in progress. Update on Floyd Lamb Park signs (needs contractor), nomination of Johnny Rocco’s Ringside Boxing Gym to the register, and training details (state camp in Carson City and local training) still being finalized.
  • Future Agenda Topics (Item 10) – Commissioner Levine requested a presentation from city staff (legal, planning, etc.) regarding the Hunt Ridge Theater and the Dapper Group, including how long the city has been involved, any deals made, and the feasibility study funding. No action taken; item noted for a future agenda.

Key Outcomes

  • Certificate of Appropriateness (26-0185-HPC1): Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Stodle) with a condition that the applicant must obtain all necessary approvals from state and federal agencies, and the COA does not become effective until the Historic Preservation Officer confirms compliance with all laws, regulations, covenants, and restrictions.
  • Historic Preservation Awards: Presented to five recipients; luncheon held afterward.
  • Future Agenda: A presentation on the Hunt Ridge Theater and city involvement will be scheduled at a later meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Um we need to call the historic preservation commission to meeting. Uh can you conduct a roll call? Yes. Chair Lermy. Oh, walking right in. Um Vice Chair Levine. Here. Commissioner Stodle. Commissioner Hotchkiss. Commissioner Serifice. Here. Commissioner Cosgrove. Commissioner Palacios. Commissioner Moody. Commissioner Perdue. Commissioner Grimmer. Here. Commissioner Harper. Here. Commissioner C. Brant. Here. Commissioner Gillespie. Here. Thank you. We do have a quorum. Great. Thank you. Our second item is an announcement regarding compliance with open meeting law. Yes. Yes, we are in compliance. Okay. Our third item today is public comment. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, please come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any speak single speaker is allowed may be limited. Do we have anyone from the public wishing to speak today? Okay, seeing no one, item four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the special meeting of April 29th, 2026. Do we have any comments or a motion to approve from the commission? Commissioner Cosgrove, I motion to approve the minutes. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion carries with the chair also voting in favor. Item number five two six dash zero one eight five-hpc one discussion for possible action regarding approval of a certificate of appropriateness application for a building expansion project at the historically listed U.S. post office and courthouse located at 300 Stewart Avenue. Thank you, Chair. If I could have just for a second, uh I'm a member of the uh uh the Board of Museums for the excuse me. I I think Dr.

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