Historic Preservation Commission Meeting — Agenda Packet

September 8, 2026 Historic Preservation Commission Agenda 1 City of Lake Geneva, 626 Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-262.248.3673-www.cityoflakegeneva.gov Historic Preservation Commission Agenda Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 4:00 PM Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2C (2nd Floor) Members: Ken Etten - Chair, Chris Brookes - Secretary, Sonja Akright, John Halverson, Emily Hummel, Louise Rayppy, Alderwoman JaNelle Powers 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Comments from the public limited to 5 minutes, limited to items on this agenda 4. Approval of the minutes from August 11, 2026 5. Financial Reports 6. Program Reports a. Local Landmark Designation b. Historic Signs c. Historic Plaques for Homeowners 7. Discussion/Possible Action regarding the proposed dedication ceremony for the Lake Geneva Public Library as a Local Historic Landmark 8. Discussion/Possible Action regarding attendance at the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions Fall Conference, October 14-16, 2026 9. Discussion/Possible Action regarding establishing a program for Historic Markers in City of Lake Geneva Cemeteries 10. Discussion/Possible Action regarding the purchase of a prototype for the Historic Markers for Cemeteries program 11. Review of Historic Preservation Commission page of the City website 12. Adjournment A quorum of the Council may be present; however, no official Council action will be taken. Requests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the City Clerk’s office in advance so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. Page 1 of 12 City of Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – 4:00 PM Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2C (2nd Floor) Call to Order Commission Chair Ken Etten called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM. Roll Call Present: Ken Etten – Chair; Chris Brookes – Secretary; Sonja Akright; Emily Hummel; Louise Rayppy; John Halverson (arrived 4:04) Absent: Alderwoman Powers Comments from the public limited to 5 minutes, limited to items on this agenda None Approval of the minutes from July 14, 2026 Hummel/Akright motion to approve previous meeting minutes passed unanimously. Review Financial Reports No new expenditures. Current balance $19,900.00. Etten presented a $2,000 donation from The Friends of the Geneva Theatre. Presentation by Chris Brookes regarding creating a digital platform of historical records for Pioneer and Oak Hill Cemeteries and potential Heritage Trails markers with QR codes at cemeteries. Akright/Hummel motion to proceed with preliminary approval of creating a digital platform of historical records for Pioneer and Oak Hill Cemeteries and potential cemetery markers with QR codes approved unanimously. Brookes will contact Cemetery Board chair about potential collaborations. Discussion regarding Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions Fall Conference, October 14-16, 2026. Akright will contact Comptroller about registration and fees. Adjournment Akright/Halverson motion to adjourn at 5:00 PM unanimously approved. Page 2 of 12 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Finance Worksheet - Historic Preservation Page: 1 Period: 08/26 Sep 02, 2026 02:27PM 2026-26 2026-26 Variance % of Period Current year Current year Current year Budget Account Number Account Title Actual Actual Budget GENERAL FUND MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-47210 HISTORIC PRESERVATION DONATION 2,000.00 2,054.00 100.00 1,954.00- 2,054.00 MISCELLANEOUS Revenue Total: 2,000.00 2,054.00 100.00 1,954.00- 2,054.00 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 2,000.00 2,054.00 100.00 1,954.00- 2,054.00 MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-57200 HISTORIC PRESERVATION 505.00 3,734.23 19,000.00 15,265.77 19.65 11-70-00-57230 HISTORIC PLAQUE PURCHASES .00 .00 1,000.00 1,000.00 .00 MISCELLANEOUS Revenue Total: .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 MISCELLANEOUS Expenditure Total: 505.00 3,734.23 20,000.00 16,265.77 18.67 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 505.00 3,734.23 20,000.00 16,265.77 18.67 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 2,505.00 5,788.23 20,100.00 14,311.77 28.80 GENERAL FUND Revenue Total: 2,000.00 2,054.00 100.00 1,954.00- 2,054.00 GENERAL FUND Expenditure Total: 505.00 3,734.23 20,000.00 16,265.77 18.67 Net Total GENERAL FUND: 1,495.00 1,680.23- 19,900.00- 18,219.77- 8.44 Net Grand Totals: 1,495.00 1,680.23- 19,900.00- 18,219.77- 8.44 Page 3 of 12 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Detail Ledger - Historic Preservation Page: 1 Period: 08/26 - 08/26 Sep 02, 2026 02:28PM Reference Account Debit Credit Date Journal Number Payee or Description Number Amount Amount Balance HISTORIC PRESERVATION DONATION 07/31/2026 (07/26) Balance 11-70-00-47210 54.00- 08/12/2026 CR 800000124 FRIENDS OF THE GENEVA THEATER - FRIEN 2,000.00- Description: FRIENDS OF THE GENEVA THEATER - FRIENDS OF THE GENEVA THEATER YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual -2,054.00 Total -2,054.00 YTD Budget -100.00 Unearned (1,954.00) Total MISCELLANEOUS: .00 2,000.00- 54.00- Page 4 of 12 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Detail Ledger - Historic Preservation Page: 2 Period: 08/26 - 08/26 Sep 02, 2026 02:28PM Reference Account Debit Credit Date Journal Number Payee or Description Number Amount Amount Balance HISTORIC PRESERVATION 07/31/2026 (07/26) Balance 11-70-00-57200 3,229.23 08/20/2026 AP 800 TIMBER LINE SIGN CO INC 505.00 **Desc: INDIAN TRAIL SIGNAGE YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual 3,734.23 Total 3,734.23 YTD Budget 19,000.00 Unexpended 15,265.77 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 505.00 .00 3,229.23 Number of Transactions: 2 Number of Accounts: 2 Debit Credit Proof Total GENERAL FUND: 505.00 2,000.00- 1,495.00- Number of Transactions: 2 Number of Accounts: 2 Debit Credit Proof Grand Totals: 505.00 2,000.00- 1,495.00- Page 5 of 12 WAHPC Fall Conference Oct 14-16, 2026 Schedule and Registration online Page 6 of 12 Project Proposal for LGHPC: Hazel Ridge Cemetery in Elkhorn recently received a Walworth County Historical Society grant to implement the Heritage Trail Digital Journey project. I spoke with John Gunyon, President of the Hazel Ridge Cemetery Board, and visited the cemetery on July 13. Hazel Ridge was the third cemetery established in Elkhorn. The Heritage Trail marks the graves of the founders and settlers of Elkhorn. I propose adapting this project for Lake Geneva’s cemeteries, perhaps starting with Pioneer Cemetery - 2 of our founders and many early settlers are buried there. The project involves: ➢ Signage ➢ Individual metal markers ➢ QR code biographies Sign at the cemetery entrance ($300) Introductory exhibit sign and pedestal base ($710) made by Pannier Graphics Page 7 of 12 John bought the mounting hardware and installed it himself. The plaque has the top mount included on the frame. They have 4-5 hanging banners throughout the cemetery indicating the veterans’ section, etc, or just saying cemetery. A second exhibit sign was in the veterans’ ($710) Grave markers – most supplies at Menards (approximately $10 each plus labor) ➢ Aluminum card (business card size) to be engraved with laser ➢ Steel base, epoxy, and soldered on 2-foot piece of rebar Page 8 of 12 ➢ Biography information (see Beckwith) ➢ QR code – research file created for each person, stored on internet accessible site (City of Lake Geneva web page) (Ellen at LGPL can assist) John Gunyon available to attend HPC meeting, make the markers (he has the equipment), and assist if needed 262-745-2230 jgunyon@charter.net Possible LG collaborations with Cemetery Commission, Public Works, maybe later with LG Museum, American Legion, DAR, etc. – cemetery walks Page 9 of 12 Page 10 of 12 Page 11 of 12 Page 12 of 12