EAU CLAIRE
LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Meeting of March 14, 2011

Members Present: Barbara Lozar, Katrinka Bourne, David Klinkhammer, Carrie Ronnander, Patrick Kurtenbach, Karen Nusbaum

Members Absent:    Jenny Ebert

Minutes.    The minutes of the February 7, 2011 meeting were approved as written.

The meeting was chaired by Barbara Lozar.

New Commission Member.  The Commission welcomed Karen Nusbaum to the Commission.  Karen replaces Ken Fulgione as the Realtor member on the Commission.

1. Discussion of Commission Rules and Operating Procedures.

The item was tabled until the next meeting.

2. Review and Discussion of Historic Preservation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.

Pat Ivory provided an overview of the goals, objectives, and policies of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2005.  The Commission noted that the Commission has been working on a majority of the policies contained in the plan.  The Commission discussed the policy relating to the title of the Commission.  The policy statement states that the City should consider a change in the title of the Commission to better reflect the wide variety of work undertaken by the Commission. 

ACTION TAKEN:  David Klinkhammer moved the Commission should consider a change in the title of the Commission to the Eau Claire Heritage Commission and that the Commission initiate the process for amending Chapter 2.65 to reflect this change in the Commission’s title.  Katrinka Bourne seconded the motion.  All votes were in favor.  Motion carried.

The Commission also reviewed a draft mission statement for the Commission that was prepared by Katrinka Bourne.  The Commission indicated that they would review this further at their April meeting.  Any comments on the draft statement should be forwarded to Pat Ivory.

3. Discussion of Third Ward Landmark District Questionnaire.

At the February meeting of the Commission, Pat stated that the City Manager had indicated that the Commission should prepare a report summarizing the findings of the Commission relating to the questionnaire, public meeting and research completed by the Commission relating to the Third Ward Historic District.  This report should be forwarded to the City Manager’s office.  He will in turn forward it to the members of the City Council in one of their informational packets.  Pat indicated that he had not had an opportunity to work on this report.   Commission members indicated that they would like to review the summary report prior to having it forwarded to the City Manager’s Office.

The Commission discussed the status of the Third Ward Historic District and the direction provided in the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.  David Klinkhammer stated that he felt that the wording of the policy statement was quite passive and should be updated to reflect the issues of non-compliance with State provisions for the Certified Local Government program and that Eau Claire is the only community in the State that has allowed properties of opt out of a local historic district.  The revised wording should better support the goals and objectives of the chapter.

Pat noted that the Plan Commission would be scheduling public meetings in the next few months to discuss possible updates to the 2005 plan.

ACTION TAKEN:  David Klinkhammer moved that staff draft language to update policy #7 on page 6 of the Historic Preservation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan relating to the status of the opted-out properties that includes a stronger narrative pertaining to the need to reinstate the opted-out properties to comply with provisions of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the goals of the Historic Preservation Chapter.  Patrick Kurtenbach seconded the motion.  All votes were in favor.  Motion carried.

4.  Recommendation of National Register Nomination for 1615 State Street.

The Commission reviewed a letter from the Wisconsin Historical Society notifying the Commission that they had received the National Register nomination for 1615 State Street which had been prepared by Timothy Heggland as part of the Commission’s CLG Grant.  The Wisconsin Historical Society is requesting comments from the City on the nomination.

ACTION TAKEN:  Katrinka Bourne moved that the Commission support the National Register nomination for 1615 State Street.  Patrick Kurtenbach seconded the motion.  All votes were in favor.  Motion carried.

5. Update on Landmark Activities and Properties.

A.  Preservation Month Project.  The Commission discussed possible projects for Preservation Month.  Pat asked the Commission to develop list of possible projects to discuss at the April meeting.

B. Update from the Eau Claire Historic Preservation Foundation.  Pat Kurtenbach provided an update of Foundation activities, which included their annual meeting on April 11th, and home tour on May 14th. 
 
C. 2011 WAHPC Spring Meeting.  Pat Ivory informed the Commission about the spring meeting of the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions on April 9th.  Patrick Kurtenbach stated that he planned on attending the meeting and Katrinka Bourne indicated an interest in attending.

D. Chippewa Valley Museum Cultural Vision Meeting.  Pat Ivory informed the Commission that the Chippewa Valley Museum had scheduled a meeting for March 29th to create a cultural vision of Eau Claire County.  Barbara Lozar indicated that she would be attending on behalf of the Commission.

E. Commission Meeting on Researching the History of a Property.  It was noted that the Commission meeting to discuss reference materials available for researching the history of a property would be held in July rather than at the April meeting of the Commission.  This meeting will be held at the Chippewa Valley Museum.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.  

Submitted by,

Patrick Kurtenbach, Secretary