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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 2012 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings and Sharon Kipetz EXCUSED: Karen Heikel, Arlene Schmuhl and Dennis Arnold STAFF: David Buck and Elizabeth Schultz INTRODUCTION OF SHARON KIPETZ Ms. Kipetz was greeted and introduced. She was appointed to the Landmarks Commission by the Common Council on September 11, 2012 and fills the unexpired term of Ms. Redlin as an alternate member. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm and a quorum was declared present. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 12 MEETING MINUTES There was no discussion on this item. Ms. Brabender Mattox motioned to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Motioned seconded by Mr. Cummings. Minutes were approved 4-0. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW & DISCUSSION Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of July and described work done. Discussion took place regarding the demolition of the Gunderson Building/King’s Laundry at 118 High Avenue. Ms. Brabender Mattox inquired if the property was a Brownfield site. Ms. Buck stated that he was unsure of the exact status of the property but that he believed it was contaminated and that it would be left undeveloped for some time after the improvements were removed. ANNUAL REPORT DISTRIBUTION Mr. Buck went over the Landmarks Commission Annual Report with focus on the general design and added graphics that were put together by Elizabeth Schultz, Planning Technician with the Planning Services Office. It was generally felt that the Annual Report was nice looking and reflected the actions taken by the Commission for the timeframe it covered but it was recommended that language be added on the Canadian National Railroad Bridge item highlighting the Landmarks Commission role in receiving the grant from the railroad for the signage and the donation of the date plaques. A motion to amend the report as discussed was made by Ms. Brabender Mattox and seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion to amend passed 4-0. A motion to forward the report to the City Council with the change was made by Ms. Redlin and seconded by Ms. Kipetz. Motion carried 4-0. HISTORIC MARKER DISCUSSION/UPDATE ON RIVERSIDE PARK MARKER The Commission reviewed the map showing the 12 zones for signage along the Fox River Corridor as well as the topics for them. Mr. Cummings commented that the first sign for Riverside Park will be installed shortly and then the promotion of additional signs could commence. Ms. Redlin suggested that a request of the City Rotary groups, especially the Southwest Rotary be made as they may take interest in sponsoring. Mr. Cummings added that the University also has expressed 1 of 3 interest in a marker; however that would most likely be located on campus. Mr. Cummings highlighted the donation logo from the Heaney family and the addition of the QR code, which will link to the Museum website. Mr. Cummings stated he is now on the Winnebago County Archeological and Historical Society Board and they have marker signage on their agenda to discuss. Mr. Buck stated that this sign is the “prototype” to learn from and that the focus of the first program is the riverfront. Additional signs off City property will need further discussion as it is unknown who would perform installation and maintenance. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Fishing Shanty Investigation - Mr. Buck stated that the group has faced a setback as Mr. Clark will no longer be participating in the research for the shanties and that the group charged with the work is very small. He added that Mr. Clark was going to contact the Historical Society to see if other communities have had to deal with this issue but that will have to be done by others now. The group will be meeting again at the beginning of November and we will be able to have a better feel of where things stand after and will report back at the next meeting. B. Website Update – Mr. Buck and Ms. Schultz pulled up a test webpage that was developed by Mr. Clark, Ms. Schultz and the City IT Department and went over its content. When reviewing the Commission member list, Ms. Brabender Mattox asked that her full name be used rather than just Mattox. Ms. Schultz inquired if the commissioners would be okay with having their e-mail addresses put on the page. The Commission felt it would be acceptable. When discussing the History of Oshkosh link, staff stated that it was very rudimentary and thought a good goal for next year would be to improve on it. Ms. Brabender Mattox agreed and suggested that Joshua Ranger should be utilized. Mr. Buck stated that Ms. Heikel has agreed to be a liaison to Mr. Ranger so we will mention this to her at the next meeting. Mr. Cummings thought a connection to reference books on Oshkosh would be a good thing to add and Ms. Schultz said that the Commission could add a “related readings” link but that those would have to be identified and located. A motion to allow the page to go live was made by Ms. Redlin and seconded by Mr. Cummings. Motion passed 4-0. C. Tourism Brochure – There was no update to report. Ms. Redlin suggested that the subcommittee should coordinate with the Visitor and Convention Bureau. Ms. Brabender Mattox informed the Commission that Jim Draeger with the Wisconsin Historical Society wrote a tourism and history oriented book called “Bottoms Up”. D. North Main Street Bungalow District – Ms. Brabender Mattox reported that the historic preservation contractor Ms. Jennifer Lehrke, with Legacy Architecture will be up in Oshkosh on November 14, 2012 to do some more research and we will be hosting a second neighborhood meeting to keep owners up-to-date on progress that will take place in the evening after the regular Landmarks Commission meeting. Mr. Buck added that he has hoped to get a representative from the Wisconsin Historical Society to be present as well and wanted to have the meeting at the Museum, but that he has to coordinate with Brad Larsen for room availability in the evening following the Landmarks Commission meeting. E. Riverside Cemetery - There was no update to report and it was discussed that this subcommittee be reexamined in 2013 when goals were determined. F. Historic Bar Elements – Mr. Cummings said he will be meeting with Ron Aiken to discuss his book “Brewing in Wisconsin” for an article in the Scene publication and believed that the history of the Brandt Co. could be included in the research. He further mentioned that he has a longer term 2 of 3 goal in putting together historic bar tour material. G. Property Landmarking – Mr. Buck mentioned that Mr. Arnold had put together an exterior inspection of 324 Fulton Avenue (formerly 105) as well as a brief historic background for the property in September. Mr. Buck believed that the information may be enough to get a local landmarking process started but suggested the Commission wait until Mr. Arnold would be present to discuss. Mr. Buck stated he would put copies of the materials in the November packets and it could be discussed under the subcommittee communication item. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested the Commission target City owned buildings in 2013 and the local government should be preservationists and lead by example. H. Ordinance Rewrite Subcommittee – Mr. Buck briefly described a project that the Planning Services Division is working on that relates to a Residential Design Management Program that preliminarily pulls in the Historic Preservation Ordinance design standards as a regulatory rather than an advisory item. He stated that Mr. Arnold, Ms. Heikel and Mr. Cumming were involved in the initial focus group discussion in late August and that he would provide an update at the November meeting. He also supplied Ms. Redlin with a document put together by Ms. Brabender Mattox that showed which communities in the state were Certified Local Governments that may be useful to do comparisons with any future work on preservation ordinances. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Items to include on the November agenda include: -Museum Master Plan -North Main Street Bungalow District -2013 Goals ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 5:08 pm was made by Ms. Redlin and seconded by Ms. Brabender Mattox. Motion carried 4-0. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3