Landmarks Commission

Landmarks Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Wednesday, December 04, 2024 - 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT Council Representative Orin Smith Board Member Gloria Buely Board Member Pat Blackmer Board Member Penolope Alwin STAFF Taylor Zeinert, Economic Development Director (EDD) APPROVAL OF AGENDA A committee member can choose to remove an item from the agenda or rearrange its order; however, introducing new items to the agenda is not allowed. Any proposed changes require a motion, a second, and approval from the Committee to be implemented. The agenda shall be approved at each meeting even if no changes are being made at that meeting. Blackmer asked that item E be removed from future agenda items. Motion made by Board Member Buley, Seconded by Board Member Blackmer. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any committee member requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. None HEARING OF CITIZEN COMMENTS No formal Committee action will be taken during this meeting although issues raised may become a part of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three minute speaking period. Specific items listed on the Landmarks Commission Minutes December 04, 2024 Page 2 agenda may not be discussed at this time; however, citizens are invited to speak to those specific issues at the time the Committee discusses that particular item. To make a comment during this period, or during any agenda item: On a computer or handheld device, locate the controls on your computer to raise your hand. You may need to move your mouse to see these controls. On a traditional telephone, dial *6 to unmute your phone and dial *9 to raise your hand. None ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN Motion made to elect Pat Blackmer as Chairman. Motion made by Board Member Buely, Seconded by Council Representative Smith. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin ELECTION OF CO-CHAIRMAN Board Alwin volunteered and than passed. Board Buley volunteered. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin STAFF UPDATE CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS 1. Discussion and possible action regarding the Starin Water Tower.-EDD Zeinert EDD Zeinert explained the City Manager had presented this matter to the Common Council in reference to the referendum question. It was the Common Council decision that the matter be sent to the Landmarks Commission acknowledging that this is a local landmark. They are asking what the next steps should be. Should it be demolition or preservation. And if the decision is preservation what that would look like. Grant writing or hiring someone to do a capital campaign. There are a lot of options. Buley stated that she understands that it was voted down by the voters. But doesn't feel that the City did enough to explain to the voters why it should be preserved. Landmarks Commission Minutes December 04, 2024 Page 3 Alwin explained that she grew up in Fort Atkinson about a block from the water tower. Maybe there is something that we can learn from them in terms of what they have down to save the tower. Blackmer stated that it would be beneficial for the commission to contact not only Fort Atkinson but Milwaukee and Beloit since they saved their water towers. She also feels that this shouldn't just be the landmarks commission we should form an Ad Hoc citizen's committee. And this committee needs to start immediately. We need to bring forth for the May meeting our recommendations. The only bid that has come in that has been accurate has been from the McEnroe Company they don't do preservation work thy only do structural analysis. The only other agency that has been contacted in our area is Cornerstone in Sullivan and they were the initial agency that came out. They are into historic preservation their cost was very high in 2021 or 2022 and they did present to Common Council. EDD Zeinert read the list of possible ad hoc committee members, Lynn Binnie, David Salsa, Bob for Dale's Bootery, Gloria Buley, Thayer Coburn, Carol Cartwright, Linda Robison, Penny Alwin, Pat Blackmer, Orin Smith, Jan Bilgen. EDD Zeinert asked if it would be helpful to put out on social media that we are starting this ad hoc committee and are looking for people. Buley mentioned that it may be good to do a press release so that residents understand what was decided at the Common Council meeting prior to asking for members for the ad hoc committee. EDD Zeinert stated that it sounds like we will be doing a press release and starting the ad hoc committee. Blackmer stated that she would like a formal vote on the press release. Motion is that we will be putting out a press release. EDD Zeinert stated that historical press releases are done by staff sent to the chair for approval and they released to the press. Blackmer would like the Daily Union, Janesville Gazette and Whitewater Register and the Royal Purple. Smith asked for clarification on what the press release would be saying. Whether it would be what the council voted on whether to use taxpayer dollars or not or will it be asking for people to join the ad hoc committee. Motion is the production of a press release that talks about where we are currently at and then the formation of the ad hoc committee. Motion made by Board Member Blackmer, Seconded by Council Representative Smith. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin 2. Discussion and possible action regarding scheduling a visioning session.-EDD Zeinert Landmarks Commission Minutes December 04, 2024 Page 4 EDD Zeinert as mentioned with the future agenda items and the fact that we have not had a quorum. This would be a good time to have a visioning session to set the goals that we would like to work on in 2025. And determine what is important to the body as a whole. Blackmer stated that in the past they had a Strategies Committee that developed a 5 year strategy for the Landmarks Commission. The list of future agenda items is a start. Smith thinks it would be a good idea to have a meeting since the list is long. We need to set priorities regarding landmarks that are more or less endangered. Commission agreed to have a visioning session meeting on January 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Motion made by Board Member Alwin, Seconded by Board Member Buely. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin 3. Discussion regarding at risk and endangered landmarks in Whitewater.-Pat Blackmer Blackmer explained that the local landmarks that are at risk are in the meeting packet. Part of the job of Landmarks Commission is to educate the public. Almost two years ago, the Landmarks commission presented to the public the local landmarks that are risk. The local landmarks that were discussed that are at risk are those owned by the City. Unfortunately, due to other priorities and budgetary concerns the local landmarks have suffered a bit. White Memorial Building is home to the Art Alliance, Chamber and Tourism Council. One of the items that needed to be repaired the back entrance and that has been repaired. The estimate to tuck point the building was over $200,000 and it does need to be tuck pointed. Birge Fountain had an analysis done on it by McKay Laboratories from Ohio they do the work for the National Park Service. The fountain looks good on the outside but is rusted on the inside. Their estimate was that by 2027 it would need to be dismantled and sent out to be preserved. Blackmer stated that it was her understanding, that the Landmarks Commission had set up a fund with the Whitewater Community Foundations for donations for the fountain. Not sure what it is the fund. The estimate for the restoration of the fountain was $120,000 to completely restore it. The Effigy Mounds have always been a source of concern since it has been landmarked in 1994. It needs landscape management. Blackmer asked about Bill Quakenbush and his report. EDD Zeinert stated he has meet with Kevin the Parks and Rec Director that she was not sure about the terminology but thought it was a cultural plan to look at the mounds. EDD Zeinert stated that the Common Council was also presented about jurisdiction because Effigy Mounds and a few other spaces cross with either the Landmarks and the Parks or Landmarks and Public Works. This now falls under Park and Rec for maintenance. Landmarks Commission Minutes December 04, 2024 Page 5 Blackmer stated that there was an informational sign at the Starin Water Tower that had been damaged. She thought that Brad from public works was going to replace it. She would like follow up on that. Blackmer asked are the Friends of the Mounds was still active. Alwin stated they are getting back there. Blackmer asked about whether there is anything budgeted for the Mounds. EDD Zeinert stated she would have to ask Park & Rec Director Kevin. Blackmer stated that Kevin would be a good member for the ad hoc committee since the tower now falls under Park and Rec. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 4. A. Discussion regarding Commission turnover. B. Discussion regarding renovations regarding Delta Zeta House. C. Discussion regarding possible new landmarks to be designated. D. Discussion regarding updating and reprinting the Landmarks Brochure.. F. Review Architectural and Historical Survey of Whitewater written by Carol Cartwright. G. Review and Discussion regarding Birge Fountain condition and needs. H. Obtain a Report form Whitewater Community Foundation regarding donations received for Birge Fountain. I. Discussion regarding having a community meeting with Jason Tish regarding the importance of historic preservation in community. J. Discussion regarding educating relators, building inspectors, community service officers and the police department regarding local landmarks. K. Discussion regarding planning for America 250 in our municipality. L. Discussion regarding sending letters to local Landmark owners to maintain their properties and join the commission. M. Discussion regarding recruiting more members to the commission and publicize the work the commission is doing. N. Develop a relationship with University and discussion regarding the two historic structures on their property. Alwin wants to know how the turnover issues occurred and the due process that was involved. Buley asked about letter L wanted to know what "maintained" means. Blackmer stated that this is a thank you letter. Smith would like to hear from Public Works and Parks and Recreation regarding what their budgets are for the properties that are cross connected with Landmarks. Landmarks Commission Minutes December 04, 2024 Page 6 NEXT MEETING DATE FEBRUARY 5, 2024 Is now January 14, 2025. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Motion made by Board Member Buely, Seconded by Council Representative Smith. Voting Yea: Council Representative Smith, Board Member Buley, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin