Landmarks Commission

Landmarks Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Wednesday, December 03, 2025 - 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 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 GUEST Linda Robinson David Saalsa Lynn Binnie Geri Kratz STAFF Llana Dostie, Zoning Specialist Brad Marquardt, Director of Public Works Brian Neumeister, Streets Superintendent 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 Board Member Reilly, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. 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. Landmarks Commission Minutes December 03, 2025 Page 2 1. Approval of November 5, 2025 Mintues. Motion made by Board Member Alwin, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member 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 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. Update and discussion regarding Starin Park Water Tower. Brad Marquardt stated the way he understood the directive from Council that Landmarks needed to come back with a cost estimate. And that cost estimate is what needs to go back to Council. Landmarks needs to fundraise for design which is the plans and specific plans. This is a three phase contract. Because this is a public works project we can't just ask a contractor to do the work. It has to be publicly bid and in order to be publicly bid we need those plans and specs. Blackmer stated that essentially McEnroe is serving as the project manager. Marquardt stated that McEnroe is serving as the City's consultant. Blackmer stated that this $20,000 doesn't get any repair or preservation to the water tower. Marquart stated that the $11,000 is only to put the plans and specs together so that a contractor can put a bid on it to do the work Blackmer asked if they are companies that could do this. Marquardt stated that this is an inexpensive cost to do this work. Strand was contacted first but they were not comfortable since this is not their area of expertise. Blackmer asked what is bidding assistance services are? Marquardt stated that we have to advertise on a platform that contractors use to bid on projects and then the contracts. Blackmer stated that the City doesn't do that, it has to be hired out independently. Marquardt confirmed no the City doesn't do this. Cartwright asked if they would help with merit on bids Landmarks Commission Minutes December 03, 2025 Page 3 Marquardt stated that on public works projects we have to take the lowest bid. Blackmer asked about construction services. Marquardt stated that would be for them to come out periodically to check on the contractor's work. to make sure it is being done correct. To look at payment request. Saalsa asked if there is a deadline. Marquardt stated that no, Orin requested an update in Quarter 1 to Council. Binnie asked about about the $600,000 it was understood that PFC was going to allow us to use that money for something other than demo the tower. Marquardt stated that the referendum failed and that the some members are leaning toward not allowing any money to be used toward maintenance. Marquardt stated there is no money. We would need to borrow for the money. We can only borrow what the project is going to cost. Marquardt stated his recommendation that Landmarks go back to council we have a $11,000 estimate to do the design work. We have the $11,000 or in the process of fundraising the $11,000. 3. Update and possible action regarding the current condition of the Birge Fountain. Brian Neumeister stated there were no major operation issues. No vandalism during the year which is unusal. They did install a new liner this year so the leaking issue was significantly this year. We replaced the pump this year. There is a float system in there the plan is to rebuild this winter. We are able to keep the water softened better this. The interior corrosion has stated the same. Alwin asked about the corrosion. Brian stated that there is a lot of corrosion but it has been maintained. Blackmer stated the the McKay report stated 2027 they thought the fountain would need to be dismantled and repaired. Marquardt stated there is a fund that we keep track of the Birge fountain expenses but there is no money in it. Cost is coming from left over money from the general fund. 4. Discussion and possible action related to exterior changes to the Delta Zeta House. Geri Kratz is the property manager for the Delta Zeta House. Geri stated that they are not going to do the storm windows. Alwin asked about the door colors. Geri stated that the front door is maghony and the wheel chair ramp door is green. Blackmer stated that there a a million colors Motion to allow Delta Zeta to change the door with a color of their choose. Motion made by Board Member Reilly, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly Landmarks Commission Minutes December 03, 2025 Page 4 Motion to approve the proposed replacements of sides of the ramp from cement board with steel and a steel gate with no change in design. Moved by Alwin seconded by K. Reilly. Voting Yea: Council Representative O.Smith, Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly 5. Update and possible action on landmarking of Lambda Chi building. (Smith) Smith stated still trying to contact to national organization. They just went through the election so they have a new president. Geri Kratz suggested that we reach out to the house corporation. 6. Update on White Memorial Library Bookcases. Remove from city owned historic property book. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS -Starin Park Water Tower -Whitewater Community Foundation Response -Lambda Chi ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.