HISTORIC SITES PRESERVATION COMMISSION

 

Friday, February 29, 2008

Administrative Center – Room B390

9:00 a.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Twinde-Javner, Barb Kooiman, Harriet Schuppel, Richard Bedessem, Kent Sween, King Holley (arr @9:14)

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None (1 vacancy)       

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Christian Driver, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Vicki Twinde-Javner, Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Schuppel/Bedessem to approve the minutes of January 25, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Holley absent.

 

MEET INTERN AND DETERMINE WORK PROJECTS

Vicki introduced Christian Driver as the intern for the commission as approved at last month’s meeting; he’s been working for MVAC for 3-4 years.  Chris graduated from UW-L in 2007; has a BS degree in Archaeological Studies and minor in Photography; interested in preservation and assisting the commission will give him experience in that, plus use his photography, if needed.  General agreement to have Chris work on the easy nominations first, such as Mindoro Cut, Swarthout House, Lake Neshonoc Dam & Powerhouse, followed by Striped School.

 

UPDATE ON POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS / NOMINATION PROCESS

Striped School / owner Norman & Phyllis Berg (Kooiman & Twinde-Javner) - Status quo.  Did request a copy of the deed from the Register of Deeds Office; it shows a former school district and Norman & Phyllis Berg deeding it over to the Striped Community Club, which is believed no longer exists.  The area 4-H Club has shown interest in the building and has done some repainting.  Discussion on its nomination and whose name should be listed as the owner; this needs to be determined before pursuing a designation.  Discussion on the importance of saving this old school building.  Barb offered to contact the Bergs and/or Linda Salek as the 4-H contact person; maybe transfer over to the 4-H Club.  Vicki suggested having Chris research only the building within the large quantity of paperwork as shared by the Bergs.      

Oehler Farmstead – owners Swing & Jahnel (Kooiman & Twinde-Javner) - Status quo.  Had a map made of the area by the County Land Information Office that shows which properties are within the City of La Crosse and those still in Town of Shelby.  Suggestion to include structures and bridge location on the map.  Cheryl will pursue to have the structures and bridges hand drawn on it.  Ernie Boszhardt, former member of the commission, made a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, but it was rejected by the landowners at that time.  In order to pursue County nomination, need to contact the current landowners.   

Greenfield Town Hall (Holley) - Status quo.  Need to contact the town clerk. 

Mindoro Cut (Kooiman) - Status quo.  Suggested Chris work on these nominations as they are already on State and/or National registers; could use same paperwork for the County nominations.   

Swarthout House (Kooiman) – Status quo.  (Chris can do using state/federal nomination paperwork.)

Lake Neshonoc Dam & Powerhouse/ owner Best Power (Kooiman) - Status quo.  (Chris can do using state/federal nomination paperwork.)

 

Palmer Lewis Octagon House (Schuppel) – Status quo.  Harriet noted she recently talked to Errol Kindschy and he said the move is planned for March 4th at 10:00 a.m.; she will try to attend and take some

pictures.  Harriet suggested being Barb has the national nomination paperwork, to also have Chris start the nomination process as needed for the County nomination, though she will fill out the nomination paperwork. 

Stone Cellar in Town of Greenfield – (Twinde-Javner & Holley) - Status quo.  When weather gets better, Vicki will contact the landowner. 

Onalaska Town Hall (Sween) – Kent noted the town has not made a decision.  He has contacted them and asked that the building be preserved.  

Others – Vicki noted the Iron Overhead Truss Bridge as located in Town of Hamilton is only in the discussion stages at the WI DOT as possibly being moved and used a part of a hiking/biking trail.  Barb noted that she was contacted by an interest group that is seeking support from other related organizations; there are many problems for them to resolve, including logistical and monetary issues, and whether the bridge is even stable enough to be moved.  General agreement to leave this topic on future agendas.

 

REVIEW PROCESS AND RELATED PAPERWORK FOR THE 2008 PRESERVATION GRANT

Copies of draft letter and application were sent with the agenda that also included updated due dates as well as a mailing list.  MOTION by Kooiman/Sween to proceed with the mailing of the Preservation Grant letter and application.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

DETERMINE PAYMENT OF 2008 DUES TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

A listing of outside organizations/agencies and amount of membership dues was sent with the agenda.  Noted a couple of increases in dues for 2008, those being for National Trust for Historic Preservation and Friends of McGilvray Road.  MOTION by Kooiman/Bedessem to approve payment of the 2008 dues as presented, including the two adjustments/increases as noted.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

STATUS OF 2007 CARRY FORWARD REQUESTS

Noted that they were approved by the County Administrator as presented.  They were $100 for Recording Fees and $900 for Printing; that will increase those accounts to $200 and $1,800.

 

STATUS OF COMMITTEE JURISDICTION CHANGE

Vicki noted Jeff Bluske will bring the idea to his committee on February 4th and then to the Executive Committee on March 12th as an ordinance change.  Vicki will try to attend the Executive Committee meeting, but if not available, she will present them a letter as to reasons why change would be good and how the commission is already working with Jeff’s office; both the County Board Chair and County Administrator agree with the change.

 

WEBPAGE PROPOSAL

Copies of various other department webpages were sent with the agenda as examples.  The commission has several of their pamphlets already linked to the County webpage under Publications.  A request form is required by the IT Dept. as well as guidelines need to be followed.  Suggestion to include the County designation list including photos, current members, contact information and duties of the commission, and a link to the commission’s ordinance (Chapter 22), and brochures and nomination form.   Discussion on message board as a way for people to interact or receive dialogue; not sure if the County IT Dept. would allow such.

 

POSSIBLE FUNDRAISER – JOINTLY SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

Vicki noted that she made several contacts as suggested at the last meeting.  In contacting WTC Graphics Dept., they no longer have a Printing Dept., and did not seem interested.  In contacting the La Crosse Community Foundation, they have grants available, including matching grants, for nonprofits or government entities; there is one coming up with a deadline of April 15; they prefer items not be sold for profit, but prefer that they be given away to other nonprofit groups, such as nursing homes, etc.; and they prefer matching grants.  Barb said it’s worth pursing, if not the April 15 deadline, but maybe later in the year.  Vicki will pursue the grant application.  Harriet said she contacted Jean Lunde at Onalaska Tourism; they have no funds available for this year, but would like to see a copy of the proposed booklet and more details of the fundraiser.  At this time, the copy of the Eau Claire booklet was given to Harriet.

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

 

NEXT MEETING

Friday, March 28, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Kooiman/Sween to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.

 

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

 

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder