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CITY OF OSHKOSH LANDMARKS COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 09, 2014
PRESENT: Vicky Redlin, Dennis Arnold, Karen Heikel, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Sharon Kipetz,
Angela Merrill and Steve Cummings
EXCUSED:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Redlin called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm and a quorum was declared present.
2. APPROVAL OF MARCH 26, 2014 MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Arnold motioned to approve the minutes of March 26, 2014. Motion was seconded by Mr.
Cummings. Motion carried unanimously.
3. BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW
Mr. Buck went over the permits that were issued in March. Discussion took place about the roof
replacement at 808 Washington Avenue regarding that staff had contacted the owner after the permit was
issued to let him know that the type and amount of work being done on the reroofing could be eligible for
tax credits but that the work had already been started. This information led Mr. Buck to believe that the
Inspection Division had not provided the tax credit information at the time of permit issuance and that he
would check with the Chief Building official to see how the tax credit information was being, or not
being, disseminated.
Ms. Heikel informed the commission that the Oviatt House on the University Campus was vacated and
the Honor’s Program will now be the occupants. She also stated that there will be a change of occupants
at the Pollock building as well and she suspects it may become the home of a Faculty Club.
4. ACANTHUS AWARDS DETERMINATION
Mr. Buck stated that at the March 26 meeting the Acanthus Award awardees were determined to include
606 Franklin for painting and restoration, 609 Jackson Street for painting, 426 W. South Park for exterior
reconstruction, 301 E. Irving for painting, 716 Bowen for restoration work, Market Street shops at 300
block for interior remodeling, and 1369 Washington for roof replacement. Discussion on the properties
and projects took place. It was determined that the property on South Park should be held over to next
year as the work is not complete and the Bowen property was actually sided with vinyl rather than
painting. It was also felt that the Washington property should be held over to see how the roof is
completed.
The commission discussed that the next year awards should be preempted by nominations being taken
from the public. Information can be placed in the newspaper, sent to the neighborhood associations and
historic districts. It was also discussed that many of the most recent awards have been on the north side
and that the south side should be targeted for nomination.
The commission asked staff to set up and notice a workshop for Monday, April 28th at 5 pm at Mahoney’s
Restaurant so additional discussion can take place. Mr. Buck said he would get the Historical Society’s
Inventory information for each of these properties and send out to the commissioners.
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5. INFORMATIONAL PACKETS FOR EDUCATION
Mr. Buck went over the three examples of work included in the packets including Ms. Merrill’s
information on general historic property classification and also on the Landmarks Commission example
from Orlando and a previous attempt created by staff. Mr. Buck said he would attempt to do a tri-fold on
tax credits. Ms. Redlin said the historic walk brochure will also be a great addition to historic
informational packets. Ms. Merrill added that the informational brochures will be good to have for the
public and that the tax credit information would be great to have at the Inspection Division counter that
can be picked up when they come for their permits. Mr. Redlin stated she has some software that will
make the creation of the materials easier. Ms. Merrill said she will possibly have a general mock-up of
her topics for the April 28th workshop.
6. HISTORIC MARKER ON RAILROADS REVIEW
Mr. Buck went over the information that was provided by Austin Frederick, the City’s Historic Research
Assistant. He read the text and went over the photographs with the commissioners. The commission had
a few minor editing comments. When the commission reviewed the photographs they showed preference
for Wisconsin Central/Soo Line Depot near North Main Street, circa 1920; Chicago & Northwestern rail
yard in south Oshkosh, circa 1920; and Soldiers leaving Oshkosh for the Spanish American War, circa
1898. They expressed the desire that a commercial oriented railroad photo showing a "working" train line
much like the Paine Lumber Co. Ltd photo could be found but had a concern using the Paine Lumber Co.
Ltd photo as they felt the locomotive in that picture would have been a private company engine most
likely on a spur or in a yard and not actually on the track system. Also, they were interested in getting a
few more photos to look at as alternates in case the graphic artist who puts the marker design together has
issues such as the old photo being too grainy or cloudy. Ms. Brabender Mattox said she would contact
Mr. Dan Radig to see if he has any additional photographs. Mr. Buck stated he will share the information
with Mr. Frederick and bring back the railroad information to the next meeting so it can get to the graphic
artist for a mock-up.
7. WORKING GROUP REPORTS
There were no working group reports. Mr. Buck said that the Markers program is coming along and as
the Railroad Bridge Marker has been pretty much completed, we are close with the railroad topic and that
the fishing topic is being researched and that the commission could start soliciting for additional marker
sponsors. Ms. Redlin suggested coming to the Rotary for sponsorship. Mr. Buck stated he would be
willing but would need to have some type of presentation for them. Ms. Redlin also suggested talking to
the South Side Association. Mr. Buck handed out the map and outline of topics and asked the
commission to think of specialty groups that can be approached.
8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING/COMMISSIONER STATEMENTS
Mr. Buck mentioned that the Acanthus Awards final review, the election of officers, historic railroad
marker finalization, and general discussion on working groups that can include the educational material
will all be on the next agenda. Ms. Brabender Mattox will have a summary of the WAHPC Conference in
Commissioner Statements. Mr. Buck also informed the commission that historic street signs are going up
in the North Main Street Bungalow District and the Washington Avenue Historic District.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Brabender Mattox motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Mr. Arnold. Motion approved
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Buck, Principal Planner