HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes
1 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES August 11, 2004 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Harold Buchholz, Carol Esslinger, Laurel Forsythe, Jim Grine, Shirley Mattox, Dick Rueckl AD HOC
MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Krueger (ad hoc member, Paine Art Center) EXCUSED: Orv Hando, Jane Westphal, Brad Larson (ad hoc member, Oshkosh Public Museum) STAFF: Susan Kepplinger CALL TO
ORDER Chair Harold Buchholz called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Esslinger moved approval of the July minutes with the correction
that she was not present but excused. Dick Rueckl seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. PROJECT UPDATES Historic Downtown Churches Shirley Mattox reported that she had contacted
seven downtown churches inquiring about the about of historical information each had. The churches provided varying degrees of information but all expressed interest in increasing public
awareness of their historic churches. Chair Buchholz asked the committee to meet and offer some specific program ideas at the September meeting. Promotion of Historic Preservation Education
in Elementary Schools Shirley Mattox reported that she had attempted to contact the School District to discuss the fact that the local history program was being moved from third grade
to second grade classrooms. There had been a locally developed book about the history of Oshkosh that was geared to third grade classes that would not be a suitable for second grade
classes and she was unable to get any confirmation that a new book would be developed for second grade classes. Laurel Forsythe suggested that the Commission try to use an existing arts
program, the Masterpiece Art Program, that is a volunteer-based effort as a way to get information on the history of Oshkosh and on historic Oshkosh structures into elementary classrooms.
The committee working on this agreed to discuss the idea further. Riverside Cemetery Related Activities Staff reported on the July 17 training program sponsored by the Museum. The purpose
was to to train volunteers to find and document unrecorded burials in a systematic manner. There is no
2 documentation of burials that occurred between the opening of the Cemetery in 1855 and roughly 1870, and between roughly 1890 and 1909. While this is a very important undertaking,
it does not address other issues of concern to the Commission. Staff will follow up on the Commissions request to arrange a staff level meeting between the Parks and Museum to discuss
formation of the proposed Friends of Riverside Cemetery organization. Development of Additional Main Street Walking Tour Brochure Greg Krueger reported that he and Jim Grine had met
to discuss ideas and had taken some digital images of architectural elements in the North Main Historic District. At this point, they are thinking that the new brochure will focus on
architectural elements of buildings rather than entire structures. Historic City Information in Northwestern EAA publication Harold Buchholz reported while the Northwestern failed to
include information on the North Main Historic District in the special EAA edition, they did public information on the City’s Historic Districts in the local section of one of the regular
editions of the paper during the convention. New Street Signs for Historic Districts Staff reported the City Sign Division will complete installation as soon as all components have been
delivered. 2005 BUDGET REQUEST Commissioners discussed the need for and the advisability of submitting a request for funds from the City’s 2005 budget for one or more Commission projects.
Commissioners agreed not to proceed with a funding request from the City and to make investigation of alternative sources of funding a goal for 2005. OTHER BUSINESS Staff advised the
Commission of the fact that the State Trust for Historic Preservation was soliciting proposals for Preservation Awards. Shirley Mattox moved that the Commission nominate the Webster
Block project for an award. The motion, which was seconded by Jim Grine, passed unanimously. Staff was directed to complete and submit the paperwork. ADJOURNMENT There being no further
business, Shirley Mattox moved the meeting be adjourned. Dick Rueckl seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Susan Kepplinger Principal Planner