Minutes: Historic Preservation Commission: December 20, 2006; 7:00PM

Evansville Historic Preservation Commission

Minutes

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:00 P.M.

2nd Floor, City Hall

Present: Steve Culbertson, Steve Christens, Betsy Ahner, John Decker, Susan Finque, Dennis Wessels Absent:, Rich Modaff

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by acting chair John Decker. Motion by Susan Finque, second by Dennis Wessels to waive the reading of the November 15, 2006 minutes and approve them as written. Motion carried.

Applications – Appearances
128 E. Main – No one was present to represent this property. Motion by Steve Culbertson to table this item, second by Dennis Wessels. Motion carried.

Administrative
Budget – the 2006 budget was $3,750 and $1,200 has been spent with pending bills of:
$40 – dues Wisconsin Historic Preservation Commissions, $50 to Masonic Temple for use of the meeting room in October, $864 to Chamber of Commerce for printing Evansville Brochure. This leaves $1596.

Susan Finque stepped down from her chair at the board table to make a presentation to the commission about a play she is writing based on the Lake Leota Girls School. Plans are to stage it in her home, which housed the girls school for about 30 years in the last century, for small groups of people (approx. 25). She makes her living directing plays for groups in other cities so is experienced and qualified to do this. ECP is working with her and will handle the money. Motion by Dennis Wessels to give $500 in support of this project with the stipulation that if the project doesn’t happen ECP will redirect the money towards the downtown streetscape project. Second by Steve Culbertson.

Susan now resumed her seat at the table.

Motion by Steve Culbertson to give $800 to the Evansville Grove Society for materials for the restoration of the historic Baker office building. Second by Susan Finque. Motion carried.

Motion by Dennis Wessels to return the remaining $296 in the budget to the general fund. Second by Steve Culbertson. Motion carried.

Update on bricks – there may be a problem with the Department of Commerce grant for
the Eager Building. There is a meeting on January 3 to discuss this and if it can’t be used for

that project they will explore the possibility of using it for the streetscape.

Grove Society – Betsy reported that John Decker is the new president of the Grove Society. The
group has met its Challenge grant of $400 and is within $100 of meeting a second challenge by

Kim Vele.

Redevelopment Authority – John reported that the mayor has met with the Eager Building
developers and reminded them that there are five conditions to the TIF money that they must meet, including disclosure of their budget. Greg Ardisson of the Night Owl may be making an application to the TIF. If he decides to go with his idea for a balcony to provide outside seating he may not be able to get tax credits and the energy credits are not as generous as they hoped.

Easement draft – still waiting to hear from the city attorney on this.
Plaque program – nothing to report at this time. The plaques need drilling and numbering on the back.
Other Business

Ruth Ann Montgomery is going to do a historic tour again for the 4th of July celebration. This was very popular in 2006.

Motion to adjourn by Steve Culbertson. Second by Steve Christens. Motion carried.

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