HISTORIC SITES PRESERVATION COMMISSION

 

Friday, September 5, 2008

Administrative Center – Room B390

9:00 a.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Twinde-Javner, Barb Kooiman, Richard Bedessem, King Holley, Beverly Mach

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Harriet Schuppel, Kent Sween     

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

OTHERS PRESENT:  John Thornsen and Robert Dempsey (Bangor VFW Post #8278), Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Vicki Twinde-Javner, Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Bedessem/Holley to approve meeting minutes of August 1, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; excused Schuppel and Sween.

 

UPDATE ON NOMINATIONS / RESOLUTION PROCESS

Iron Overhead Truss Bridge (tabled) – status quo. 

Update on VFW Post #8278 (former Hussa Brewery Office) - Representatives of Bangor VFW Post #8278, John Thornsen (Commander) and Robert Dempsey were present to discuss what options, if any, could be done to save the historic designated Hussa Brewery Office (now the Bangor VFW Post) in which the Village of Bangor is proposing a TIF District.  Barb Kooiman noted that she called the State Historical Society; she is waiting on an application to seek nomination to the National Register; she filled out the on-line form and also sent in pictures; waiting to hear back; without the main building (the brewery) the office may not be eligible.  Beverly Mach noted that she also visited the site and took pictures.  John Thornsen noted the proposed TIF District is considered rehabilitation which means they cannot force condemnation, unless they look for code violations.  Barb noted another option could be support by the Jeffrey Family Foundation to rehabilitate the building to its original historic form, but they usually require 50% match.  Mr. Thornsen noted the VFW Post is active and community oriented; they hold fundraisers, sponsor the Halloween event at the school, places flags on cemeteries, attend funerals, etc.  Barb will give an update at the next meeting.

Others – None mentioned.

 

UPDATE ON POSSIBLE NOMINATIONS / NOMINATION PROCESS

Striped School / owner Norman & Phyllis 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) – Per Harriet who checked with Errol Kindschy, the new location is not in the Village of West Salem; she in turn gave the nomination form to Mr. Kindschy to fill out. 

Stone Cellar in Town of Greenfield – (Twinde-Javner & Holley) - Status quo.  Vicki said she will give the owner a call to see if she and King can view the site.

    

Onalaska Town Hall (Sween) – Not sure why Kent wanted it removed; why not pursue as historic designation.

Others – None mentioned.   

 

PREPARE PACKET OF INFORMATION FOR PRD COMMITTEE

A packet of information was assembled; it included the following:  designated sites listing, copy of nomination form, check-list for nominations, last 3 years Annual Reports, listing of preservation grant awards since 1995, past year minutes; 3 brochures, and copy of 78-page “An Intensive Architectural and Historical Survey Report of La Crosse County.”  General agreement to present the information at a future PRD Committee meeting – sometime beginning 2009.  Ms. Mach took the packet of information to review prior to presentation to the PRD Committee in which she is also a member of.

 

REVIEW AND CONSIDER REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 22 OF COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES

Copies of Chapter 22 were sent with the agenda.  Vicki noted suggested revisions were made a few years ago, but determined at that time to hold off until the County approved its Comprehensive Plan.  Need to check the portion of the Comp Plan that relates to historic preservation and share this with the commission.

 

POSSIBLE FUNDRAISER – JOINTLY SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION

After some discussion, general agreement to not pursue as a fundraiser; after sending letters to other area historical agencies, there were 2 that showed interest but offered no monetary assistance.  The booklet that was created by City of Eau Claire cost in excess of $4,000.  Currently, the commission has $1,800 in 2008 budget for such purpose ($900 carried over from 2007 and $900 for 2008).  Other suggestions included commission website, posters, bookmarks.  Vicki offered to contact the County IT Dept. on how to pursue a website for the commission.  Suggestion to leave on future agendas as “educational publication or website.”

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Most of the same items.  Barb offered to give a report on her attendance at the State Historical Society Workshop that she plans to attend at the end of September.

 

NEXT MEETING

Friday, October 3rd at 9:00 a.m. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Kooiman/Holley to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; excused Schuppel and Sween.  The meeting adjourned at 9:56 a.m.

 

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder