HISTORIC SITES PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Friday, January 25, 2008
Administrative Center – Room B390
9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vicki Twinde-Javner, Harriet Schuppel, Richard Bedessem, Kent Sween, King Holley
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Barb Kooiman and 1 vacancy
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vicki Twinde-Javner, Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Bedessem/Sween to approve the minutes of November 30, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Kooiman excused.
STATUS ON DESIGNATIONS / RESOLUTION PROCESS
Iron Overhead Truss Bridge Resolution – Discussion on the status of the bridge that is located in Town of Hamilton. King Holley noted that he heard the State Dept. of Transportation would like to move the bridge and use as a bicycle/hiking trail between Onalaska and West Salem. General agreement to contact Jeff Bluske or other County staff, or a representative of DOT, as to status of that proposal. MOTION by Schuppel/Holley to table the resolution pertaining to the historic designation of the Iron Overhead Truss Bridge. Motion carried unanimously; Kooiman excused.
UPDATE ON POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS / NOMINATION PROCESS
Striped School / owner Norman Berg (Kooiman & Twinde-Javner) - Status quo.
Oehler Farmstead – owners Swing & Jahnel (Kooiman & Twinde-Javner) - Status quo.
Greenfield Town Hall (Holley) - Status quo.
Mindoro Cut (Kooiman) - Status quo.
Swarthout House (Kooiman) – Status quo.
Lake Neshonoc Dam & Powerhouse/ owner Best Power (Kooiman) - Status quo.
Palmer Lewis Octagon House (Schuppel) – Status quo. Per the letter received from West Salem Historical Society, the house is ready to be moved and just waiting on the mover.
Stone Cellar in Town of Greenfield – (Twinde-Javner & Holley) - Status quo.
Stone Cellar in Town of Medary or City of La Crosse - Noted that it may have been destroyed as well as area was also annexed to the City of La Crosse. General agreement to remove from future agendas.
Onalaska Town Hall (Sween) – Kent noted the town has not made a decision. In the meantime, the Holmen Historical Society sent a letter to the town indicating that they would like to use the old town hall as a museum.
Others – None mentioned.
FINAL REPORT FROM WEST SALEM HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS RECIPIENT OF 2007 PRESERVATION GRANT
West Salem Historical Society sent a letter to the commission as their final report for receiving the 2007 $1,000 Preservation Grant. Per their letter, the Palmer/Lewis Octagon home is not moved to its new location; it was originally to be moved in July, and then the moving company asked them to hold off until August, and then the heavy rains and flooding occurred which had priority. The letter noted all contracts are signed and permits secured for the move. No photo was enclosed with the letter as indicated. MOTION by Bedessem/Schuppel to accept the final report from the West Salem Historical Society. General agreement that the move of the home did not occur due to the August rains and that the situation was beyond their control. Motion carried unanimously; Kooiman excused.
HIRE AN INTERN AND DETERMINE WORK PROJECTS
Vicki reviewed noting the $500 to hire an intern was approved in the commission’s 2008 budget. The commission needs to decide who to hire and what projects to have the individual work on. She passed around a letter from Christian Driver that also included a resume and references. Christian was a former student at UW-La Crosse and now works for Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, though is laid off during the winter months; he has expressed his interest in assisting the commission. Vicki noted that in checking with the County Finance Dept., the individual would be a limited term employee, be required to turn in timesheets, and be paid an hourly rate; out of the $500, $36 would be paid out for Medicare and FICA, leaving balance of $464 for actual payment for work done. Some discussion on what the hourly rate should be and what projects to consider. Discussion on Striped School; general agreement to research the deed to see who is the actual owner – Norman Berg or the Community Club. Also discussion on Oehler District; not sure if landowners are in Town of Shelby or annexed to the City of La Crosse. MOTION by King/Bedessem to tentatively approve the hiring of Christian Driver as a paid intern at an hourly rate of $8.00, contingent upon meeting him at the next commission meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Kooiman excused. Work projects will also be determined at the next meeting.
POSSIBLE FUNDRAISER – JOINTLY SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION
Vicki noted that she talked to the City of Eau Claire Planner who assisted the Eau Claire Landmarks Commission in compiling the booklet: “Eau Claire Landmarks - Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.” They received a $5,000 grant for the first printing of the book; it was printed by a company in Arcadia at a cost of $7,342 for 2,500 copies which were then sold for $5 each. Since, a second edition was printed which this commission received a free copy; and they plan to print a 3rd edition soon.
The commission discussed options; some included: 1) check with Sheila Garrity at the La Crosse Community Foundation regarding possible grant, 2) work with West Salem and Bangor Historical Societies and La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau who have indicated their interest in assisting with a project, though originally offered no monetary assistance, 3) check with Lee Rasch, as President of WTC, regarding their Graphics Dept. and if they would assist in the printing as a school project, 4) check with Jean Lunde of Onalaska Tourism regarding possibility of businesses’ interest (Harriet will call her).
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
NEXT MEETING
Friday, February 29, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Schuppel/Holley to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Kooiman excused. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder