Minutes: Historic Preservation: August 2007

Evansville Historic Preservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 7:00 P.M.
3rd Floor, City Hall

Present: Steve Culbertson, Rich Modaff, Dennis Wessels, John Decker, Steve Christens,
Betsy Ahner
Also Present: Mayor Decker

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by chair Rich Modaff. Motion by Dennis Wessels, second by Steve Christens to waive the reading of the July 18, 2007 minutes and approve them as read. Motion carried.

Applications – Appearances

30 West Church Street – owner Tony Ryerson explained there are areas where his porch roof and soffit are rotting, decking needs to be replaced and the pillars may need replacing. All materials will be replaced with like materials. Ahner asked if a railing was going to be required under code. Decker replied that it falls under the Historic Building Code and if the porch didn’t originally have a railing none would be required. Motion by John Decker to approve the application. Second by Dennis Wessels. Motion carried.

111 W. Main Street – the Petersons are on vacation and could not attend the meeting. They provided commission chair Modaff with a brochure on the materials they will be using. Work will be done to repair a leaky roof. Only broken terra cotta tiles will be replaced and underlying materials as necessary. The work will be done by an expert from Little Chute, WI. Motion by John Decker to approve the application. Second by Steve Christens. Motion carried.

133 S. Fourth Street – this home was built in the 1960’s and is not an historic home. The homeowner is not present but had talked to Mayor Decker about the work to be done. The roof clearly is in bad shape and the asphalt shingles need replacing. Motion by Steve Culbertson to approve the application. Second by Dennis Wessels. Motion carried.

16 W. Main Street – this property is on the agenda for information only. It formerly housed the Eager Law Office and had a fire several weeks ago. Rich will try to meet with Eloise Eager to find out what they are planning.

Administrative

WAHPC Fall Convention – Rich is talking to Ruth Ann Montgomery about helping with the program. We will be responsible for two program segments. Rich will be talking about our HPC and John Decker will be doing a presentation on the Main Street brick project. We will also be responsible for breakfast on Saturday morning and the Friday evening reception. Mayor Decker talked to Roger Berg and he is still planning on hosting the reception at the Eager Building, (former Ace Hardware). We will need to provide hors’d oeuvres and beverages (water, wine, beer, soft drinks).

Betsy volunteered to work on the breakfast; she will contact Grove Society members to ask for baked goods.

Entertainment may include a production of Susan Finque’s Lake Leota Girls School play on Saturday and tours of three homes.

Bricks on Main Street – John Decker reported the Common Council held a special meeting and has voted to extend the bricks to the Railroad Street intersection. This was made possible by the general construction coming in under budget. In addition it took less time and there was less waste than anticipated in reclaiming, cleaning and palleting the bricks. Some of the money saved will be used to reinstall the old Main Street lights else where in the city. Commission members expressed their appreciation that the Council is extending the bricks.

John has talked to the Wisconsin State Historical Society about the types of forms and procedures that will be needed to start a museum in the Baker Office Building. Peter Gernetzke is going to work with the Grove Society on landscaping around the building.

Redevelopment Authority – is hosting an open house at its next meeting. The consultant who has worked on the Union Street survey project will make a preliminary report. It was suggested they be sure to interview Lisa and Mathias James as they now own a building on the east edge of the downtown.

Easement Form – changes by the IRS in tax exemptions for historic preservation easements mean that our easement document is a good form but is not sufficient for someone to get a tax exemption. Rick Bernstein at the WI Historical Society suggested we hold off on adopting it until it is revised. A decision will need to be made at the next meeting. A brief discussion ensued on the best way to publicize the program and what it will mean to a property. It was suggested a big splash be made when the easement is ready.

Other Business – a brief discussion was held on redoing the Historic District signs that have been mounted above the street corner signs.

Comments and concerns – Mayor Decker spoke briefly about the new hotel that was trying to find a location on Union Street, but will now be built west of the McDonalds on the east side of town.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.



The minutes of meetings of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission are not official until approved by the Commission.