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Historic Preservation Commission <br />Meeting Minutes <br />April 21, 2008 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />Koertje suggested that if the existing site's headstones need fixing or maintenance, it <br />should be done by professionals. <br />Kron noted that there have been thoughts about moving the World War I memorial to a <br />new location within the cemetery, but no decision has been made. Kron introduced Ron <br />Sladek of Tatanka Historical Associates. <br />Sladek stated that he has extensive experience with cemeteries and noted that the <br />Louisville cemetery has some unique features including the entry gateway, the fence <br />corner posts (but the fencing is not historic), the number of concrete headstones, and <br />the funerary art. <br />Lewis asked if the building on the site had been reviewed. <br />Sladek reported it had, it is relatively good condition, and noted that it should be <br />retained. <br />Sladek noted that a part of the master plan could be to recommend that a full <br />preservation plan be completed, including documentation of the entire site. Such <br />documentation projects are eligible for State Historic Fund money. <br />Lewis asked if preservation funding was currently in the master plan budget. Kron <br />reported not at this time. <br />Tofte asked what the role of the HPC would be in the planning. <br />Sladek stated that cemetery preservation is similar to building preservation so HPC's <br />thoughts and suggestions about the project would be taken into consideration. <br />Whiteman asked if the World War I memorial is historically significant in its current <br />location. If so, it should be kept there. <br />Muth reported that the memorial was originally in front of the old City Hall on Main <br />Street. Kron added that the City took over the cemetery in the late 1980s and it was <br />there at that time, but there is no clear record of when it was taken from its Main Street <br />location and where it might have been in the interim before being placed at the <br />cemetery. <br />Whiteman asked what type of headstone restoration might be included. <br />Sladek stated that 90% of what they would do would be cleaning and straightening the <br />stones to keep any from falling. He added that from a preservation stand point what is <br />mostly needed is documentation and guidelines for future usage. <br />Lewis asked if they thought any remains would need to be moved. <br />Kron stated that they do not think there will be any need to move any remains. Ledbetter <br />added that no remains would be moved unless there was a very good reason. <br />