HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesCITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 14, 2010
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairperson Todd Clark, Dennis Arnold, Joe Blechl, Shirley Mattox Arlene Schmuhl and Burk
Tower
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF:
David Buck
OTHERS PRESENT:
None
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Clark called the meeting to order and a quorum was declared present. There was a
quick announcement that Commissioner Tina Haffeman has resigned from the Landmarks
Commission immediately so the commission is now at four voting members and one voting
Council Member and is down one citizen voting member and one alternate member.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no minutes taken at the March meeting. Staff stated they will provide a summary or
brief synopsis of the items discussed with the May agenda.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE UPDATE
Chairperson Clark stated that the artwork for the Grand is complete and will be including it as
part of the upcoming ArtWalk. Mr. Buck discussed the memorandum dated 3/18/10 from Jon
Urban, General Services Director updating the City Manager on the Grand Opera House Update.
Ms. Schmuhl said that the Grand reopening night and open house is ahead of schedule but dates
have not been announced yet. Ms. Mattox added that the State Historic Society website has
photographs of the Grand as part of its opening photo montage.
REVIEW OF GOAL DISCUSSION FROM MARCH
Chairperson Clark went over goals as discussed at the previous Landmarks meeting and opened
discussion on how the Commission wants to "attack" the items as they need to be prioritized.
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Ms. Schmuhl has continued to look at the existing website and come up with issues and areas
that need attention, especially after the assessor's website was updated. Mr. Buck said he would
speak with the City's IT Department to see if the actual website construction could be done by
the city if a layout is provided.
Ms. Mattox has and will again contact Mr. Harold Buchholz about putting his home at 1165
Algoma Boulevard up to be a landmarked home. Mr. Arnold handed out a packet of information
and research on 324 Fulton Avenue, which had been contemplated in the past. He was unable to
find any plans and thinks the City may have them. Mr. Buck stated he will look for them and
report back at the next meeting. Ms. Mattox expressed and Mr. Tower agreed that it is desirable
to have Mr. Buchholz as a voting citizen member of the Landmarks Commission as well and that
his addition would leave the commission down only one alternate member. Mr. Buchholz had
stated that he wanted to wait until his term as a Council person was done before making any
decision and also that his duties on the newly formed budget committee may be an issue with
timing.
Staff was asked to find out the ability of getting a list of demolition permits for any structure
over 50 years old. Mr. Buck stated he would ask the new Community Development Director
about how and if this policy could be instituted.
Ms. Mattox distributed information on Certified Local Governments and briefly mentioned the
benefits of that status. She stated that there are action items that need to take place to retain the
certification. Mr. Buck stated he would do some research and report back in May.
Goals as listed from last meeting that were not discussed include: 1) research of North Main
Street District, 2) budget ground work; 3) ArtWalk gallery ideas /concepts. Items left open ended
include discussion on keeping the Landmarking Subcommittee as it has been reduced to one
member and creating a pool of interested parties for future committee members.
NEXT MEETING /COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS
Ms. Schmuhl made the statement that May is Historic Preservation month and the Landmarks
Committee must choose Acanthus Award winner(s). Mr. Arnold mentioned the Crescent Moon
business as a nontraditional awardee. Ms. Schmuhl stated she had a nominee that will be
brought up at the next meeting. Mr. Clark stated he would call the City Manager's office to
coordinate the awarding as well as Historic Preservation month. It was stated that the award
determination must happen at the May meeting of the Landmarks Commission as the reading of
the Historic Preservation Month Proclamation is at the first Council meeting in May and the
Acanthus award(s) are given out at the second Council meeting in May.
The Commission requests staff asks that Mr. Allen Davis be in attendance at the next meeting to
be introduced and to discuss the Landmarks Commission and historic preservation as part of the
Department of Community Development.
The meeting concluded with discussion on the topics for the upcoming meetings:
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May Meeting
• Acanthus Award — choose winner(s)
• Historic Preservation Month — proclamation review
• Allen Davis, Dir. of Community Development — Landmarks place in Community
Development
Review of WAHPC Conference
• Meeting dates for the Commission and subcommittees
June Meeting
• Budget Requests and Grant possibilities
• Report on goal achievement —halfway through 2010
ADJOURNMENT
Other items on the agenda were not discussed due to time constraints. Ms. Mattox moved
approval of adjournment of the meeting. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously (4 -0)
Respectfully Submitted,
David Buck
Principal Planner
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