Landmarks Commission Meeting

Landmarks Committee Cravath Lakefront Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Thursday, January 4, 2024 – 6:00 PM Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Landmarks Commission Jan 4, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 PM (America/Chicago) Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/902144517 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 902-144-517 United States: +1 (872) 240-3311 Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number: (262) 473-0108. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER - Adamitus called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. ROLL CALL Present: Olm (Virtual), Adamitus, Weigel, Richardson, Schreiber Absent: None Others Present: Ben Kloskey, Brad Marquardt, Kevin Boehm, Peggy Van Scotter 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 Committee Agenda January 4th, 2024 Page 2 1.) Approval of Agenda 2.) Approval of the Minutes of December 13th, 2023 - Motion to approve made by Schreiber, seconded by Weigel. - Unanimously approved via voice vote. 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. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1.) Delta Zeta Sorority Shed a. No DZ representative present, item removed from agenda until further notice per Adamitus. 2.) Water Tower Signage Repair a. Brad Marquardt will discuss the signage repair with the public works and parks departments, there will also be steps taken to possibly improve the quality of the photographs. 3.) Birge Fountain Funds / Conduit Account a. Conduit documents have been sent over to the Whitewater Community Foundation. b. Commission would like to get an outside group formed to take the lead on fundraising and community outreach/event planning. c. There was an account already in existence which contains funds to the tune of three to five hundred dollars. 4.) Territorial Oak Site a. Richardson wanted to make it clear that it is the site not the tree itself, that is the designated landmark. b. There are no plans yet on what to do with the remains of the tree or what is going to be done with the site. c. Marquardt and Boehm are going to report back next month with what is being done. Landmarks Committee Agenda January 4th, 2024 Page 3 5.) Initiating Commission Members a. The commission would like to ensure that new members are given information on: what the commissions capabilities are, how to do historical preservation, what our local landmarks are and what they mean to people, and what the commission’s mission statement is. b. Going to be a continuing item on future agendas. NEW BUSINESS 1.) New Meeting Day/Time and Approval a. Commission proposed a new meeting date of the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00PM. b. Next meeting date would be February 7th, at 6:00PM. - Motion to approve made by Weigel, seconded by Schreiber. - Unanimous approval via voice vote. 2.) Birge Fountain Anniversary Party and Special Event Rules a. Brad Marquardt will look into this information in the future, but for now this will be removed from future agendas. 3.) Esterly Carriage House Sale a. The commission agreed that owners need to disclose that their property is a landmark during sale. b. The commission agreed that they need to send letters and remind owners that their property is a landmark to avoid new owners trying to delist their property. c. The commission will reach out to Walworth County Register of Deeds office to see what can be done about this disclosure request. d. Adamitus said he will reach out to certain realtors about the sale of landmarked property. 4.) Year’s Plan for Mounds a. January 15th is a workday at the mounds for high school students to remove invasive fauna. b. UW-W Sustainability Office made a prairie seed donation to the mounds. c. Conduit account for the Effigy Mounds has been made by the Friends of the Effigy Mounds group. d. Weigel is reaching out to the Walworth County Prairie Enthusiasts chapter. e. Weigel stated that there needs to be a burn and then the mounds can be remarked. 5.) 5 Year Strategic Plan a. This will start to be developed at the next meeting. 6.) Library Showcase Display a. Commission agreed that they would like to make an Effigy Mounds display, or potentially split the display between the mounds and the Birge Fountain. b. Will be discussed again at a later meeting. Landmarks Committee Agenda January 4th, 2024 Page 4 7.) Introduction to New Parks & Rec Director a. Kevin Boehm, Parks and Recreation Director, introduced himself to the commission. CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS 1.) Effigy Mounds Report a. This was covered during the Year’s Plan for Mounds section of the agenda. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Suggested future agenda items: Information Needed to List Landmarks for Sale, Water Tower Signage, Birge Conduit Account, Territorial Oak Site, Initiating Commission Members, Initial Framework for 5 Year Strategic Plan ADJOURNMENT. - Motion to adjourn made by Schreiber, seconded by Weigel. - Unanimously approved via voice vote. A quorum of the Common Council may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken at this meeting. Anyone requiring special arrangements is asked to call the Office of the City Manager / City Clerk (262-473-0102) at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.