Minutes: Historic Preservation: October 2007

Evansville Historic Preservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 7:00 P.M.
3rd Floor, City Hall

Present: Dennis Wessels, Steve Culbertson, Rich Modaff, John Decker, Steve Christens,
Betsy Ahner
Also Present: Mayor Decker, Albert and Jessica Kaether, Beverly Krueger

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by chair Rich Modaff. Motion by Steve Culbertson, second by Dennis Wessels to waive the reading of the September 19, 2007 minutes and approve them as read. Motion carried.

Applications – Appearances

23 N. First St – Albert and Jessica Kaether were present to explain that they would like to replace the windows in their home with identical looking windows and add a new garage door. A structure at the rear of the house is collapsing and they would like to replace it with a new structure along the entire rear of the building. A drawing of the proposed structure was exhibited. Motion by John Decker to approve the application. Second by Dennis Wessels. Motion carried.

31 Mill Street – Beverly Krueger was present to explain the need for a fence along the rear of the property. This is rental property and there is a problem with people cutting through the yard to travel between Mill Street and the alley. Most recently someone road a motorcycle through the yard. Motion by Steve Culbertson to approve the application. Second by John Decker. Motion carried. 4 yes, 1 no.

Old Business

16 W. Main Street – there has been no word on what the owners intend to do with this property.

327 W. Main Street – Rich noted he had received a phone message from the property owners wondering why their application was turned down. He will call them on Thursday.

Administrative

WAHPC Fall Convention – Events will be held Friday at Union Bank & Trust, Company starting at 1:30, Reception and awards ceremony Friday 6:00 pm at the Eager Building. Saturday morning at St. John’s Church from 8:30 to 1:30 followed by tours of three homes. Betsy asked for help moving chairs for the reception from St. Johns to the Eager Building. She will also check to see if Real Coffee needs any help with serving lunch on Saturday. Sue Farnsworth is working with La Trattoria on food for the Friday reception.

Update on Bricks – the brick laying should be completed early next week.

Grove Society – nothing new to report

Redevelopment Authority – no new projects to report

Easement Form Update – the easement application is now on the City’s website

Plaque Program Applications – applications have been received from the Grove Society for the Historic Baker Office Building and from the property owners at 143 W. Main Street.

Management of HPC Documents and Records – the City is working on a document management plan for all records. They are talking about digitizing them. Mayor Decker talked about the need for individual house files on each of the plaqued homes.

Second Historic District – we have missed the opportunity to apply for funding to pay for a National Register Application this year. A letter of intent will be due in early September. It needs to include an estimate of the cost of preparing the application. We have two possible new districts, each about a block in size. We should start preparing the application in July next year.

Historic Landmarks – at this time no suggestions were made for additional designations of Landmark status for any structures in the City.

Other Business

Rich noted that David Somppi has sent the brochures about his program and Mayor Decker has them.

(Steve Christens joined the meeting at this time.)

Next month we will need to talk about our budget. It was suggested that we wait to see how much has been spent on the WAHPC Convention before deciding how to spend the rest of our funds. Motion by Dennis Wessels to approve up to $500 for catering and refreshments for the WAHPC Fall Convention. Second by Steve Christens. Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn by Dennis Wessels. Second by Steve Culbertson. Motion carried.



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