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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks Minutes 01-09-13 CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 09, 2013 PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Steve Cummings, Dennis Arnold, Sharon Kipetz and Karen Heikel EXCUSED: Arlene Schmuhl STAFF: David Buck CALL TO ORDER Mr. Arnold called the meeting to order at 3:03 pm and a quorum was declared present. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 12MEETING MINUTES Mr. Arnold corrected a spelling error of “conscience” in the second paragraph of Item I to “conscious”. Ms. Redlin motioned to approve the meeting minutes as amended. Motioned seconded by Mr. Cummings. Minutes were approved 6-0. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON Mr. Arnold made the statement that when Mr. Clark and he took the Chair and Vice-Chair positions with the commission they were junior members but the focus of the Commission was much more related to old home repair and maintenance, which is his area of concentration. He added that he was willing to serve as Vice-Chairperson but was not interested in being Chairperson. Ms. Heikel asked if the duties of the Chairperson could be explained and Mr. Buck explained that they were primarily running the meetings, drafting the annual report and presenting the Acanthus Awards. Ms. Brabender Mattox added that they act as the liaison with the Common Council and “face” of the Commission as well. Mr. Arnold stated that he felt the Chairperson needs to be a “people person”. Ms. Redlin said she would be willing to be the Chairperson. Mr. Cummings made the motion to elect Ms. Redlin as Chairperson and Mr. Arnold as Vice Chairperson which was seconded by Ms. Heikel. Motion carried 6-0. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW & DISCUSSION Mr. Buck presented the list of building permits that were issued in the month of December and described work done. Ms. Brabender Mattox asked if the Homeowner Tax Credit information was supplied to owners proposing to do over $10,000 worth of work when they came in for their building permit. Mr. Buck stated that they currently do not but that it was a very good suggestion that would be very easy to implement. He stated he will bring it up to the Director of Inspection Services. 2013 COMMISSION GOALS/ACTION ITEMS Mr. Buck went over the list of the 2013 goal list that was decided upon at the December meeting and asked if the Commissioners would like to assign themselves to work on specific items. Items and members working on them were determined as follows:  Website Update – Ms. Kipetz and Ms. Heikel  Tourism/Brochures – Mr. Cummings and Ms. Redlin  Landmarking Designation [HOLD FOR DESIGN STANDARD REWRITE] – Ms. 1 of 3 Brabender Mattox, Mr. Arnold and Mr. Cummings  North Main Street Bungalow District – Ms. Brabender Mattox and Mr. Arnold  Historic Signage/Plaque Program – Mr. Cummings and Ms. Redlin  Research and Apply for Grants – Ms. Brabender Mattox and Ms. Kipetz  Research and Market Historic Bar Elements – Mr. Cummings and Ms. Heikel  Municipal/Zoning Code Update Relating to Landmarks [HOLD FOR DESIGN STANDARD REWRITE] – Ms. Redlin and Ms. Brabender Mattox  Acanthus Awards – All  Annual Report – Ms. Redlin SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Fishing Shanty Investigation - Mr. Buck provided a history of the item and an update on the meetings of the subcommittee. Mr. Buck described the extensive documentation and research conducted by Mary Joan MacGregor and also described other work done such as interviews and on- site inspection. He read a letter sent from a Board Member of the Winnebago County Archeological and Historical Society regarding the topic and also read a letter from Julie Johnson with the Winnebago County Archeological and Historical Society that informs the Commission that the previous letter does not necessarily reflect the views of the society but that she would no longer participate in the investigation committee because she didn’t feel she could represent the society. Mr. Buck stated that he wanted to have a draft document to the Commission in January but it was taking longer and was hoping to get it on the February agenda. He added that it should be considered that the draft report be brought or sent to the County Historical Society for comment and send those comments with the final report to the City Manager. Discussion took place regarding levels of passion on the topic at previous meetings and the comfort level of the individual Commission members. Discussion took place on whether security could or should be put in place and that meeting decorum must be maintained as it is a topic very close to people and emotions could run high. Mr. Buck stated he would speak to his boss to determine how meetings with highly emotional topics are handled with other commissions. B. Website Update – There was no update to report. C. Tourism Brochure – There was no update to report. D. North Main Street Bungalow District – Mr. Buck read an e-mail from Bob Short, with Legacy Architecture stating they were almost finished with the nomination application and will be th presenting it at the May 24 State Review Board Meeting and that another informational meeting should be held on May 1 or May 15. E. Riverside Cemetery - There was no update to report. F. Historic Bar Elements – Ms. Kipetz asked if a Commission tour was planned. Mr. Cummings said that the goal is to have not only tour for the Commission but to have a public tour. Ms. Kipetz suggested that it be wrapped up in a fund raiser for the Commission and be organized with tour guide and what-not. Mr. Cummings mentioned that there was an article in the Scene Magazine and that he had a few phone calls with information about Brand Bars. G. Property Landmarking – There was no update to report but Ms. Brabender Mattox suggested that the Commission need look at public (City, County, State, School, etc,) owned properties for landmarking. Mr. Buck suggested that the subcommittee could start these communications as one 2 of 3 of their actions. H. Ordinance Rewrite Subcommittee – Mr. Buck updated the Commission on the Residential Design Management Program and recapped the Joint Workshop with the Landmarks Commission. He stated that a facilitator from UW Extension will work with staff and a group of special interests such as the Homebuilders, Realtors, Neighborhood Association, etc. to flush out the issues associated with it and continue to finalize the document. Mr. Buck asked if anyone was interested in being part of that group and Mr. Brabender Mattox volunteered. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS Ms. Redlin suggested that the Commissioners review the website and provide ideas for its improvement to Ms. Kipetz to report during subcommittee reporting. Mr. Arnold added that determination on the images for the CN Railroad bridge marker had to be decided upon and suggested we revisit that item in February. The Commission briefly discussed it and stated they preferred the Bridge with Fisherman, Sailboat, Entry with Date Plaque and the Fisherman on Shore with Bridge in Background. Mr. Buck stated that while the City Hall parking lot is being reconstructed beginning in March that the Landmarks Commission meetings will be switching primary location to the Seniors Center but alternate locations, such as the museum or the Grand, can still be utilized as the opportunity comes up. He will keep them up to date on the timing for this move. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 4:38 pm was made by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Ms. Heikel. Motion carried 6-0. Respectfully Submitted, David Buck Principal Planner 3 of 3