Landmarks Commission

Landmarks Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Wednesday, January 07, 2026 - 6:00 PM MINTUES CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT Board Member Pat Blackmer Board Member Penolope Alwin Board Member Kelsey Reilly Board Member Jordan Reilly ABSENT Council Representative Orin O.Smith STAFF Llana Dostie Zoning Specialist Kevin Boehm, Park and Rec Director 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 Alwin. Voting Yea: 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 Board Member Reilly, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly 1. Approval of December 2, 2025 Minutes. Motion made by Board Member Alwin, Seconded by Board Member Reilly. Voting Yea: Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly Landmarks Commission Minutes January 07, 2026 Page 2 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. Discussion and possible approval for new awnings and railing for the White Memorial Building locate at 402 W Main Street. Tax Parcel #s /OT 00037 and /OT 00038. Kevin Boehm Park and Rec Director stated that to be ADA complaint we have railings for the bottom set of stairs that currently doesn't have railings. The contractor will duplicate the railings that are currently on the top portion of the stairs. Blackmer asked what is the projected time for replacement? Boehm stated installation would be this Spring. Alwin asked for cost of the project? Boehm stated this project was budgeted for. Boehm stated that the second part of the project is to replace the awnings. The current ones are in disrepair. Motion to approve the railing modification and awning replacement to the White Memorial Building. Motion made by Board Member Reilly, Seconded by Board Member Alwin. Voting Yea: Board Member Blackmer, Board Member Alwin, Board Member Reilly, Board Member Reilly 3. Update and discussion on Starin Park Water Tower. Blackmer stated there was not much of an update since there a so many variable issues that are compounding what is going on. Rather than report to Common Council in the first quarter she has asked for a delay until we are able to determine certain factors. One of the factors would be the establishment of an account with the Community Foundations, they have not gotten back to Blackmer. The last contact was just before the holidays. Still no word from the Community Foundation. We need to have that in place to move forward. Blackmer stated she is concerned after the meeting with Brad Marquardt where he stated that if we tapped into that supposed "600,000" that was allocated to remove the tower. Once we tapped into that fund, it was stated that we couldn't continually tap into that funding. Landmarks Commission Minutes January 07, 2026 Page 3 Another variable is the climate in the City of Whitewater where there is a lot of contention with regards to the increase in taxes. It is not a favorable climate to approach our Common Council at this time asking for funding. Penny asked about the bids. Blackmer stated the city can't go out to bid without money. 4. Update on Whitewater Community Foundation Account. Spoke about with Water Park Water Tower. 5. Discussion and possible action on landmarking of the Lambda Chi building. Blackmer stated that this was Orin's project and he is not here today so not discussed. 6. Discussion regarding American 250 Project. Discussed in Whitewater Arts Alliance Collaboration. 7. Discussion regarding collaboration with the Whitewater Arts Alliance on America 250. Blackmer stated that she has met with the Whitewater Arts Alliance to collaborate with the Landmarks. They would like to do an grand opening the week after the 4th of July at the Whitewater Arts Alliance for a display. They would like to do something related to the history of Whitewater. Suggested a photo collage of the Landmark buildings in Whitewater. Kelsey stated that Landmarks would be contributing one piece toward the exhibition. Penny stated that she would like to include the Mounds. Blackmer stated that America 250 may not be fully supported by the indigenous people. Blackmer stated that the Arts Alliance would be happy to hand our our brochure. NEXT MEETING DATE FEBRUARY 4, 2026 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS America 250 with Whitewater Art Alliance Lambda Chi Community Foundation Account CLGS annual report ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned 6:20 pm.