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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2013 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Dennis Arnold and Sharon Kipetz EXCUSED: Arlene Schmuhl, Connor McGee and Karen Heikel STAFF: David Buck CALL TO ORDER Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm and a quorum was declared present. Mr. Buck informed the Commission that he had an incorrect telephone number for Mr. McGee but they had been in contact and stated he could not attend this meeting but would be at subsequent meetings. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 09MEETING MINUTES Mr. Arnold motioned to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Motioned seconded by Mr. Cummings. Minutes were approved 5-0. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW & DISCUSSION Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of January and described work done. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if the Homeowner Tax Credit information had been supplied to Inspection Services to distribute and Mr. Buck replied that they have them and will make people aware of them. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that it is quite the encouragement and financial incentive to rehabilitate historic properties correctly. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Fishing Shanty Investigation - Mr. Buck stated that the subcommittee had finished their investigation and the draft report is being finished. He stated that it includes an inventory, history, opinion on historical significance, and potential future roles. Mr. Buck suggested that the draft report come back to the Landmarks Commission at the next meeting and also be brought to the Winnebago County Historical Society for comment. He added that Julie Johnson, President of the County Historical Society, had initially been part of the subcommittee but because of issues on her board, opted not to participate so it would be good to get their opinion as a board that could be forwarded to the City Manager as well. Mr. Cummings suggested that it be brought to the Landmarks Commission before the County Historical Society as he sits on that board as well and would like the Landmarks Commission to endorse before it is distributed. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked that the comments be brought back to the Landmarks Commission in April after the County Historical Society comments at which time the Commission will decide if it chooses to forward it or amend it. Mr. Cummings inquired to the path it takes after going to the City Manager and Mr. Buck replied that it is a communication from the Commission to the City Manager as an information piece, as requested, and how he chooses to utilize it will be at his discretion. B. Website Update – Ms. Kipetz stated that Ms. Heikel and she started reviewing the website and have suggestions. She added that if the Commission had any that they should forward them to her or Ms. Heikel. Ms. Brabender Mattox said she had comments that she would forward them but thought the website was too difficult to find. There was general discussion that the architectural 1 of 3 style examples may have incorrect or misleading photographs and that better examples could be found to replace them. Mr. Arnold stated that the route to the State Historical Society link brings you to an area that does not list all the properties in Oshkosh and requires further searches. Ms. Kipetz suggested that the Commissioners e-mail or send changes/issues to herself or Ms. Heikel and they will put together a “laundry list” to correct at a single time. Mr. Arnold suggested that the interested Commissioners hold a special meeting to discuss the website update as the only topic. Ms. Brabender Mattox also commented that the historic timeline was sparse but not incorrect. Mr. Arnold agreed that it was “bare bones”. Ms. Brabender Mattox commented that it could be added to and then it could be sent to local and regional historians for review and comment. C. Tourism Brochure – Ms. Brabender Mattox handed out an example of an extensive tourism document from Portage. Mr. Cummings mentioned that he felt we needed to put together a list of the types of tourist elements the Commission wished to create and then attempt to find funding for them. Mr. Buck stated the funding is difficult to acquire. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested getting advertisements to help fund especially from those users that are included in the brochure. Ms. Redlin thought the Convention and Visitors Bureau would be a good partner for these activities. Discussions took place on modifications and expansions to the existing North Main Street tour brochure to make more of a downtown oriented brochure and then maybe take it back to the BID to see if they would fund or gather advertisements from individual businesses. Mr. Cummings mentioned that it should be more city center rather than only Main Street and also possibly include interiors of the historic buildings. Ms. Redlin suggested we see what we have as well as the CVB and go through them. Mr. Buck stated he would get the older brochures that the former Landmarks Commissions had put together and get copies to the subcommittee for consideration on new ones and then they can come back to the full Commission for further discussion. D. North Main Street Bungalow District – Ms. Brabender Mattox showed the draft report prepared by Legacy Architecture. Mr. Buck said they are going to the State Review Board on May th 24 and that we will be having another informational meeting to be held on May 1 or May 15. Mr. Arnold said both dates are open for him. Ms. Brabender Mattox also was available either date. The st Commission chose the May 1 date for the meeting. E. Historic Signage/Plaque Program – Mr. Buck updated the Commission on the Canadian National railroad bridge sign and is waiting for comments from the museum on the topic then he will get together with the Parks Department on ordering and installation process. Mr. Cummings said that the next step for additional markers will be to put together some type of promotional literature to get future ones donated as well as expanding to the region/county for collaboration. Mr. Buck stated his intention was to go out to the Historic District’s property owners and the Neighborhood Associations to promote the plaque program but did not have time to do so beyond the Stevens Park Neighborhood Association meeting. He also added that he must double check the pricing. Ms. Kipetz stated she brought info to a group and believes two people will be doing it soon, which will help to go through the process of home researching. Discussion about outreach and a list of who to speak with will be needed. F. Grant Research – Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that grants are available for Certified Local Governments and can be researched online. G. Riverside Cemetery - There was no update to report. Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that the 2 of 3 Chapel get some attention this year and that we should contact Bill Sturm. H. Historic Bar Elements – Discussion took place about a blog called “Riding the Oshkosh Beer Trail” and potentially creating a historic bar tour with potentially a narrator and/or fundraiser effort. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Mr. Buck mentioned that the draft Fishing Shanties Investigation Report will be on the agenda for review before Mr. Cummings it brings to the County Historical Society. Ms. Brabender Mattox wanted the Acanthus Award Nominations to be included for discussion. Mr. Buck reminded the Commission that the Landmarks Commission meetings will be switching primary location to the Seniors Center. Mr. Cummings brought up the idea of changing the name of the Commission to something that includes “preservation” in it. Ms. Brabender Mattox stated that she was not in favor of this for various reasons. Ms. Brabender Mattox mentioned that she was approached to host a Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commission conference in Oshkosh and she inquired if that was something the Landmarks Commission would be interested in doing. There was general discussion on the mechanics to do this and it was felt that if the Commission focused their attention and if there was collaboration with the CVB that it could be accomplished. Mr. Redlin added that she felt this could be a good thing for the City and for historic interests. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 4:15 pm was made by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Ms. Kipetz. Motion carried 5-0. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3