Historic Pres Notes--Oct. 18, 2006

(Ed.note. The following is a portion of the Historic Pres. Minutes of 10-18-2006.)

Administrative

Intensive Survey and Wrap-up meeting - the event went well with a number of homeowners present from the proposed new districts. The next step will be to submit a grant application in the next grant period to fund the writing of the application for the creation of the historic districts. The application for the Standpipe is being prepared.

Bricks on Main Street – John Decker urged members to attend the next two Public Works Committee meetings at 6:00 PM on the 4th Mondays of October and November to give input on the final design work. 30 truckloads of bricks have been removed during the Madison-Main Street intersection work and they are stored at the public works department. It is estimated that 60-70% of them will be reusable. A pile of identical bricks has been found in Janesville and we can have them for the hauling away. Jeff Farnsworth and Chris Eager are still working on the application to the Commerce Department for funding. They must have an 80% response rate on their income survey of the residents in the project area. It is proving to be a difficult task.
Preserve America – the brick project is a key element in our application for Preserve America designation. Wes Webendorfer of the Wisconsin State Historical Society is working on the application. John presented a resolution which the City Council must approve for the application. Motion by Susan Finque to recommend the adoption of the resolution by the City Council. Second by Steve Culbertson. Motion carried.

Building Improvement Grant Committee – the committee met on Tuesday evening and approved
the application of Peter Dast for funding of the door installed on the east side of the building. Mayor Decker also asked if the HPC would consider removing the stipulation that the $3,000 donated to the fund be used only for updating nonconforming signs in the historic district. This will be on the November agenda. The committee will also reopen the application period until the end of December to accommodate businesses that want to do work on an alternative entrance for 2007.

Steve Christens joined the meeting at this time.

History Hunters – each year the HPC gives a small grant to the school for this active 4th grade
group. Their activities will also be a component of our Preserve America application. Motion by Susan Finque to give $200 to the History Hunters. Second by John Decker. Motion carried. Commission members also requested a printout of the 2006 expenditures to aid in discussion in November meeting.

Grove Society – Betsy Ahner distributed a list of upcoming activities that the Grove Society has
planned to the end of this year and invited members to participate. She pointed out the Eager Free Public Library is hosting an open house to highlight the books it has purchased. The $600 remained from the Intensive Survey grant and the State Historical Society allowed us to give it to the Library for new materials on historic preservation, architecture, etc.

Baker Building – a copy of a bid from architect Melissa Destree was distributed and Ahner asked
for input from the Commission on the proposal and also inquired if there would be any interest in partnering financially on hiring Destree Design. This will be discussed further at the next meeting when we have a financial statement. (Destree is doing the design work on the Eager Building.)

Dennis Wessels and Mayor Decker joined the meeting at this time.

Redevelopment Authority – John Decker reported the owners of the Eager Building Project have been
very active in applying for grants, loans, and tax credits to make their project work. They have successfully applied for a Commerce Department loan of $300,000. As this is paid back the money will stay in our community to establish a revolving loan fund for future projects. They have also received design approval from the Wisconsin Historical Society. Roger Berg and Jeff Farnsworth have been doing all the application work and will be a very valuable information resource for future projects.

Easement Form Draft – a discussion on using this as a means to prevent the destruction of healthy mature trees. This will need to be researched. The City Attorney is currently reviewing this document.
Plaque Program – waiting approval and adoption of the Easement document.
A motion to adjourn was made by Steve Culbertson. Second by Dennis Wessels. Motion carried.

These minutes are not official until approved by the Historic Preservation Commission at the next regular meeting