Landmarks Commission

Landmarks Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Wednesday, May 07, 2025 - 7:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT Council Representative Orin O.Smith Board Member Pat Blackmer Board Member Penolope Alwin Board Member Kelsey Reilly Board Member Jordan Reilly STAFF Llana Dostie, Neighborhood Services, Administrative Assistant 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. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any committee member requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Rielly 1. Approval of Minutes of April 2, 2025. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member K. Reilly, Board Member J Reilly 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 May 07, 2025 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 CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS 2. Discussion and possible approval for the wheelchair ramp for Hamilton House. Located at 328 W Main Street. Tax parcel # /OT 00036. Blackmer welcomed Kari and Mark Barber, the new owners of the Hamilton House. They have come before the Landmarks Commission for the discussion and possible approval of a wheel chair ramp. Kari explained that at the last commission meeting the drawing showed a lift. However, after looking at the weather impact on a lift in Wisconsin, they decided to go with a ramp instead of a lift. The architect came out and laid the ramp out in two tiers. The first tier is not attached to the house, however gets guest from the parking lot to the ground level. The second tier, attached to the home gets them from the ground level into the home. There are a couple of ways to enter the building. You can go through the Queen Anne porch in the front or go through the sun room in the back. We would like to do the backside of the house, where there is a little nook that actually hides the wheelchair ramp from view. The drawing shows a switchback ramp, so you can only go up 30 feet and then you need a resting platform. Than you can go another 30 feet. Because it is about a 42" height increase we need 42 feet of ramp. It is an 1" for every foot and than the space for the resting platform. The ramp will end up being about 50' feet. The current drawings show you go up 20 feet or 24 feet probably, rest than turn and go up to the house and the location we have going in is the sun room that is actually attached to the historic house. Going through the sunroom you are entering through the backside of the home. Blackmer stated we have already given you approval for the expansion of door in the sun room correct? Kari stated I believe so. The sun room has a large window and the door that's too small for a wheelchair. What the architect recommended, is to take the window and make it a door and take the door and make is a window. That also helps because the door is on the inside instead of the outside. So that's the route that would be easiest for somebody in a wheelchair and also allows the ramp to go right along the house and not have to come out from the building that far. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member K. Reilly, Board Member J. Reilly Motion Approved. Landmarks Commission Minutes May 07, 2025 Page 3 3. Consideration to Approve and Recommend to Common Council recommendations regarding the Starin Park Water Tower. Motion by Smith to introduce the preliminary plan for the Starin Park Water Tower from the Starin Park Water Tower Committee, as well as their recommended amendments to the record. Motioned seconded by J. Reilly. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member K. Reilly, Board Member J. Reilly Motion is unanimously carried. Motion by Smith to make the recommending amendments both clerical and restructuring from the Starin Park Water Tower Committee recommendations. Motion seconded by K. Reilly. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member K. Reilly, Board Member J. Reilly Motion is unanimously carried. Motion by Smith to send the amended plan to the May 20th council meeting. Motion second by Alwin. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly 4. Discussion and possible action regarding the landmarked personal property of the bookshelves that were part of the White Building. (Orin Smith) Smith stated that Kevin Boehm, Park and Rec Director reached out about the bookshelves. They were in the basement of the White Building. They have been moved all over. The library decided they didn't want the bookshelves. They are currently in the armory basement and in the municipal building. We need to find another new home for these bookshelves. They are very large bookshelves. Dostie stated that there are two in Finance Director Blitch's office. They are about 72 to 84 inches high to about 64" wide. Alwin asked about the last time, did we every send out a notice to other places. Smith stated that they last time the library was the only place discussed, but if anyone else has any other suggestions. Jordan asked if we reached out to the Irvin Young library. Smith confirmed the committee had and they didn't want them. Jordan asked if we had reached out the University's Anderson library at all. Landmarks Commission Minutes May 07, 2025 Page 4 Alwin asked if we should check if anyone in the City wanted them for their offices. Smith stated that they will still be City property. So if we need to take them back we can. Alwin stated they are on loan for 100 years. Blackmer suggested the archives, which are in the Anderson library. Smith stated that he could reach out. Blackmer stated we could ask historical society. But I don't think they have any room. Smith stated that he can reach out to other department at the University. Blackmer stated let them know that it is City owned property and can be taken back at anytime. 5. Update on progress toward landmarking the Masonic Lodge. K Reilly did contact her dad. He has not approached them yet. He wanted to know what the pros and cons are, prior to going to the lodge. He didn't want to go in and have them ask a whole bunch of questions he didn't have the answer to. Wondering if someone had a script. Right now it seems a lot of the perks would not apply to them since they are a nonprofit. Alwin asked if K. Reilly's dad felt that they would be interested in. K. Reilly stated that her dad feels that they would need some clear advantages in doing it. I think the assumption is than you have restrictions on what you can do to the building. So trying to get some advantages instead of just seeing the cons. Blackmer stated obviously there wouldn't be any remodel to the building that they would be doing. It is a brick structure that would not be changed. They only thing that could be changed is the paint conditions of the building. There are a million different paint swatches out there. I think that just the status of it being a local landmark would be sufficient. At some point and time, if we were to expand the historic district. However, they are a 501c 3., they don't qualify for the tax credit benefits. They are in the same situation as the Bassett House. K. Reilly stated it really is just the prestige of the designation. Any changes that they would want to make to the outside are very minimal and should not effect them. 6. Update on progress toward landmarking the Premier Bank Building. Jordan Reilly stated that he didn't have much of an update. Learned about what the benefits of being a landmark building is. Wanted to make sure he had an understanding of that prior to reaching out to them. Has a contact at the bank and will reach out within the next week to see if they're interested in landmarking. Blackmer stated that she did give J. Reilly her packet. Chances are they will not know the history of their own property. I would recommend that you have that with you and Landmarks Commission Minutes May 07, 2025 Page 5 apprise them of that. It is an architecturally designed bank. The architect was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. The architect was located in Fort Atkinson at one time. J. Reilly was he the architect who designed the Fireside? Alwin asked if it was Ajango. Blackmer confirmed he did indirectly. The architect that designed it worked at Ajango's firm at the time. Alwin asked when it was built. Blackmer stated don't feel bad if they turn you down. I don't like to do this, and I wouldn't do this, but you don't have to have permission in order to landmark something. 7. Discussion and update regarding plans for the America 250. (Orin Smith) Smith stated he didn't have much to update. Spoke with Lisa Dawsey-Smith who works with the July 4th committee. She stated to reach out to her after July 4th. Which Smith confirmed he would. There is a local school competition that Smith would like to promote. The current year's is closed however, they will have another for the 2025-2026 school year. Looking for recommendations of who to reach out to for the committee. Alwin asked for the committee? Smith explained that he was asked to chair an America 250 committee about three meetings ago. Blackmer suggested someone from the Whitewater Historical and someone from the Walworth Historical Society. Would Lisa Dawsey Smith serve on the committee. Smith stated that if she doesn't he is certain that someone else from the July 4th committee would. 8. Discussion and approval of a thank you letter to send to local landmark owners. Blackmer stated that a copy of the letter is in the packet. This is just an example. She has always sent a letter to the landmark owners and to the City since they own a large number of our local landmarks. That letter would go to John. In addition, to each residential landmark owner would get a letter. Alwin stated that she uses her maiden name. Blackmer stated that she would correct Alwin's name and would remove Gloria. Smith asked if we had a vice chair. And was that Gloria at one point. Dostie confirmed that it was Gloria. Blackmer requested from Dostie to provided the address for the new owner's for the Sanger Marsh house, to send them a letter. K. Reilley stated it was the address for the Sanger Marsch house was 522 W. Main. Motion by Smith to approved the letter to send to the local landmarks owners with the amendment of fixing Penny's last name and removing Gloria. Landmarks Commission Minutes May 07, 2025 Page 6 Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly Motion approved. 9. Update on Effigy Mounds Blackmer was very pleasantly surprised. The maintenance has improved. It is a welcoming site. She stated that Kevin stated that 6 or 7 of the mounds have been cleared so they are visible. There was a tree that came down during the last storm. Kevin indicated that the Department of Public works would be getting to that. They are really backed up right now. He thought about a month for tree removal. Kevin got a bid for $30,000 to remove other trees that are threatening the mounds. He indicated that he would put that request in to the upcoming budget. Will continue to work on the reminder of the Mounds. Kurt Sampson is an archologist who has worked on mounds before. He will be coming down next month. He has a group he works with that helps clear mounds. Alwin stated that there had been a very specific plan about what plants to leave and asked whether that plan was followed. Blackmer stated that she didn't know the answer and the question would have to be directed to Kevin. Kevin indicated that the burn they did last year, was really helpful in clearing particularly the raspberry canes on the mounds. Smith stated that Kevin is very dedicated in maintaining the mounds in the way they should be. And is very confident that Kevin followed the recommendations that he was given. Blackmer stated that they had an archologist when she was still on the commission last time. We hired a company from Brookfield to put the buffer zone around the mounds. Kevin added an additional two feet of buffer around the mounds. If you go out there you will see white and orange poles in the ground. That is in addition to the original 15 feet buffer zone. Each mound must have a 15 foot buffer zone around it. So that would help with the mowing of the whole preserve, so they don't interfere with the buffer zone. Alwin stated she just wants to talk to him she has so many questions. Do you remember the current archologist when she was here one or two years ago found what she thought was an ancient garden. What happened to that? Blackmer stated that she last saw Amy Rosebrough a year ago. She is extremely busy. Blackmer stated that Alwin can call the Wisconsin Historical Preservation office. Blackmer asked about the Friends of the Effigy mounds. Alwin stated that they are not doing well. They lost a lot of people. And would like to talk to Blackmer about getting the group back running. Blackmer stated that she since has been associated with the mounds, they haven't looked this good in 10 years. Alwin stated that she appreciates Kevin's efforts too. It was a long time coming. Landmarks Commission Minutes May 07, 2025 Page 7 10. Discussion and possible approval of start time change for meetings. Meeting staying at 6:00 p.m. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS -Elections of a Vice Chair -Update on the historical gardens next to Effigy Mounds-Alwin -Premier Bank -June -Masonic Lodge-June -Update second signer -America 250 updated-Smith -Bookshelf updates-Smith NEXT MEETING DATE JUNE 4, 2025. NEXT MEETING DATE JUNE 4, 2025. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 7:42 p.m. Motion made by Council Representative O.Smith, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly