HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/3/1995 - Landmark Commission City of McHenry Landmark Commission Meeting
February 3, 1995
TheiJanuary meetinglof the Landmark Commission was called to order at
7:19 by newly appointed Chairman Barbara Gilpin. Mrs. Gilpin then
furnished a rough agenda which was followed for the meeting. Members
present included: Barb Byron, Marya Dixon, Nancy Fike, Adele
Froelich, Barb Gilpin, Debbie Lane, Carol Jean Smith, Lori Wilhelm and
student member Jenny Lange. Absent members: Tom Bolger, Ruth
Fenwich, Donnabelle Glosson, Larry Huck.
The Treasurer's report was given by Marya Dixon in the absence of
treasurer Donnabelle Glosson. Two questions from December's report
have yet to be cleared up. One concerned the possible extra payment
of dues for the combined Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois and
the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Councils. The
second question concerned a bill of $28.60 to Shirt-Works. President
Gilpin will check on both bills. As shown on the report, the
Commission has $3,552.18 available for Facade Improvement Grants. Of
that amount, over $2,000.00 resulted from the sale of Landmark School
shirts. Lori Wilhelm noted that the remaining 8 shirts will be
delivered to Landmark School to be given to needy students.
Discussion followed as to the amont actually available for the Grants
as Carol Jean had talked to City Manager Peterson about money in the
Commission budget being carried over from year to year with a possible
amount of $12, 109.30 being available.
Discussion followed on the Facade Improvement Grants. Nancy Fike will
contact a Northwest Herald reporter for a story on the availability of
the grants for applicants. Barbara Gilpin will contact the Chamber
for networking the same information. The Treasurer's report was moved
for approval by Nancy Fike and seconded by Marya Dixon. All approved.
Under New Business. The first order of business was the election of a
slate of officers. With the President being appointed by the Mayor,
other officers voted on by the Coo®ission included: Marya Dixon as
Vice Chairman, Debbie Lane as Treasurer, Nancy Fike as Secretary,
Carol Jean Smith as Corresponding Secretary. On a motion by Adele
Froelich and a second by Barb Byron the slate was approved
unanimously.
A motion by Lori Wilhelm and second by Debbie Lane appointed Jenny
Lange, an honors senior at East Campus High School, as the Commission
student member. Motion passed. Jenny noted that she had lived in
McHenry all her life but knew little of its history. She hoped to
learn more about the history of McHenry's buildings. The Commission
welcomes Jenny and the perspective she will bring.
In other new business, Barbara Gilpin reported that she had talked to
the Librarians about acquiring space in the new library for the
collection of McHenry items being developed and acquired by the
Commission on McHenry history. That possibility sounded promising.
Carol Jean raised the question of security for documents and primary
materials of the Commission being available at the library.
Provisions for the protections of one of a kind materials would have
to be made with the library. Also noted was a request from the
library to help with fund raising for special projects such as this.
Further discussion included how to involve students in their local
history by making them aware that the Commission has materials
available for such study. Teachers also need to be informed as to the
Commission and its willingness to help. Jenny Lange will contact
writers for the high school newspaper for a possible article on the
Landmark Commission resources. Along with this project was the
examination of a recent publication in Marengo on the historic houses
of Washington and Prairie Streets, Vol I. as a possible project for
our Commission. Under final new business it was reported that McHenry
Junior High Social Studies teacher Greg Lofgren had taken out an
application for the Commission.
Under Old Business: As of yet the City Council has not voted on the
landmark status of the Church of God building on John Street. Barb
Gilpin will have it put on the agenda. A question arose as to where
the remining landmark plaques are located as well as what the current
costs for the recipent would be. Nancy Fike will check the past
minute records to see if charges have been changed. Barb Byron will
check to see which plagued sites were displaying their plaques. Barb
Gilpin will check to see if the plaques are at City Hall.
Old Business continued. No report yet as to whether the architect
William Ewald had been contacted by Tom Bolger as a possible
Commission member. In other business the questions the Commission had
with the short notification period over buildings up for demolition
remained unanswered. Barb Gilpin will check with the Building
Inspector. The Commission discussed the possibility of joint meetings
with the Planning Commisssion, Zoning Board of Appeals and the
Environmental Commission. As several new members had been appointed
to those bodies it was decided to wait a few months before approaching
them.
Old Business continued. Carol Jean raised the question of Commission
operations and effectiveness if those who do not attend meetings on a
regular basis and participate continue to remain on the Commission.
It was decided to send a yearly report of Commission accomplishments
to the City Council in March of each year along with an attendance
report on members.
Historic Preservation Ordinance Discussion. Members received at the
January meeting a proposed list of questions that need to be answered
in connection with establishing an historic preservation ordiance for
McHenry along with the elements needed in such an ordinance. Nancy
Fike went over the sheets (absent members will be sent copies) and at
the next meeting the Commission plans to discuss the plan and,
perhaps, establish a time table. Members will work on the first
section of the proposed ordinance material for the February meeting
(question 4 A through G). Members are also asked to bring in a list
of their own candidates for landmark status for discussion. Barb
Gilpin will get copies of the current Landuse Plan and Zoning Ordiance
to see how historic preservation fits into these documents. In
addition, a copy of the 1987 (?) Historic Survey Report will be made
available to the Commission members.
1995 Goals: First priority is preparing an Historic Preservation
Ordiance for the City to review. Secondly, was to refamiliarize
members with the historic landmark survey undertaken by the Commission
in 1985-86. Members will try to review the materials worked on by
Donnabelle Glosson and Jerry Freund now at City Hall.
There was some final discussion raised in a letter from City Manager
Jerry Peterson to Carol Jean Smith about a low interest loan program
the Commission could involve itself in but no conclusions were made.
At 8:50 on a motion by Adele Froelich and a second by Carol Jean Smith
the Landmark Commission adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
-7)(491ey, 7462
Commission Secretary