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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/5/2003 - Landmark Commission The City of McHenry Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes August 5, 2003 The meeting was called to order at 7:22 PM by Greg Lofgren at the McHenry Municipal Center. Members present: Pat Schafer, Marya Dixon, Dawn Johnson, Gretchen Thomas, Gerhard Rosenberg, and Judy Franks. Merle Janssen was requested to attend the annual Riverwalk meeting and submit a report to this commission at the September meeting. Members absent: Ilene Wiedemann, Sue Hendrickson. It is noted that effective this meeting Greg Lofgren resumes his position as Chairperson of this commission. Pat Schafer has assumed the position of Vice Chair. July 1, 2003 Meeting Minutes: Gretchen Thomas moved to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2003 meeting. Marya Dixon seconded no discussion and the motion carried. Treasurer's Report June 3, 2003: Pat Schafer moved to approve the June 2003 Treasurer's report. Dawn Johnson seconded no discussion and the motion carried Treasurer's Report July 1, 2003: Gretchen Thomas moved to approve the July 2003 Treasurer's report. Judy Franks seconded no discussion and the motion carried. Facade Grant Report June 3, 2003: Pat Schafer moved to approve the June 2003 Façade Grant report. Dawn Johnson seconded no discussion and the motion carried. Facade Grant Report July 1, 2003: Marya Dixon moved to approve the July 2003 Façade Grant report. Gerhard Rosenberg seconded no discussion and the motion carried. Business: Sub Committee Reports: It was noted by Gretchen Thomas that the historic surveys are now in order by their addresses. Plaguing: This issue is tabled until the changes to the city ordinance are adjusted and approved • by the city council. Walking Tour Brochures: Gretchen Thomas and Marya Dixon reported this issue will be tabled until the completion of the 2003 cemetery walk. 1 Continuing Business: Demolition Requests/Facade Grant Applications: No new requests have come from the building department that requires our attention. It was noted however that the farm house located at Route 120 and Ridge Road was partially burned. Pat Schafer contacted Ryan from the building dept., and requested further information when it becomes available. She was also in contact with the new owner of the property to see if the plans were to demolish the building. She is awaiting a return call. It was also noted that the front of the old Foot Doctor building was removed. The building department will be taking photographs and forwarding a copy of them to the commission. The new owners will be restoring the terra cotta and creating a restaurant called the Green Peapod. Greg Lofgren reported that he will be contacting the owner of the China Light building(120 & Green St.) to set up a time to view the second story of the building. Further discussion followed regarding the awning for the building. Greg Lofgren also noted that Ryan from the Building Department suggested that we contact the realtor for the old Whales Tail building(Green &Pearl) to set up a time to view the basement, which in his opinion is the only area of value to the commission. 2003 Cemetery Walk: Pat Schafer reported that Gretchen Thomas will be creating a tour brochure and will forward that along with a questionnaire to be completed by the"interpreters" for each gravesite that will be highlighted on the walk. This will enable each interpreter to gather the history and present the chosen residents of the cemetery in a polished manner. Gretchen Thomas also has put together a press release for the newspaper and has advertised the walk in the city newsletter. Greg Lofgren and Pat Schafer noted that Gretchen did an outstanding job on the city newsletter. Thanks Gretchen! It was noted that tickets are in place at the Chamber of Commerce, the City Clerks office and the Parks and Rec office at the municipal center. Pat Schafer and Dawn Johnson located each proposed headstone at the cemeteries. Tents and chairs will be located along the route,particularly in St. Mary's cemetery due to the fact that there is no shade at any of the plot locations. A rehearsal will be scheduled for Sunday September 7, 2003 from 1:00 to 3:00, a week before the walk takes place. Petersen Barn and Silos: Greg Lofgren reported that he now has the security code to the home. He also requested that a number of members gather to clean up part of the homestead on Tuesday the 19th of August at 10:00 a.m. The following motion was made: Gretchen Thomas moved to approve the purchase of locks and cleaning supplies to be used at the Petersen Farm. Gerhard Rosenberg seconded no discussion and the motion carried. It was noted that a number of the sheds and smaller outbuildings will need to be cleaned and set up for storage of numerous items that the commission is in possession of. It was also noted that Greg Lofgren will be heading up the subcommittee for the Petersen Farm. Inventory of items from the home will be taken and photographed as soon as possible, and the Landmark Commission will be moving their office into the home. 2 Historic District Survey: Nothing will be done for the moment; this item will be pending until updates to the current ordinance have passed the city council. Resident Interview Forms: The interview forms are available in the file drawers of the Aldermen's conference room at city hall. CLG: Greg Lofgren reported that he has been in contact with Catherine O'Connor in Springfield regarding the verbiage for the changes to McHenry's current ordinance. A meeting will be scheduled with Doug Martin to review the changes and finalize them for submission to the mayor and city council. Greg Lofgren and Dawn Johnson will attend this meeting. After the passage of the changes to the ordinance a new application to the state for CLG status will begin. New Business: Art in the Park: This years Art in the Park was successful. We were placed in a wonderful location, the banner that Pat Schafer had made turned out to be a great addition to the tent. It was also noted that we had a number of good inquiries of our goals. The interpreters that assisted us during the day were terrific. We sold an additional 24 coloring books; therefore the commission owes the Chamber of Commerce$7.20 for its 15% share of our sales for our vendor status. We had excellent exposure to the visitors and look forward to attending in 2004. A thank you note will be sent to the Chamber of Commerce. Other: The following motions were made: Gretchen Thomas made a motion to reimburse Pat Schafer for the following expenses: $80.00 for a banner that was made for Art in the Park by A-1 Window Tinting&Signs. $17.50 for the printing of the cemetery walk flyers and tickets by Minute Man Printing. Marya Dixon seconded no discussion and the motion carried. Judy Franks made a motion to pay the McHenry Chamber of Commerce $7.20 for their 15%share of our sale of the Historic Coloring Books sold at the 2003 Art in the Park. Pat Schafer seconded no discussion and the motion carried. 3 New Business: - Continued: caiou/ Greg Lofgren reported that he will be in contact with John gilt)regarding our hosting of the McHenry County Preservation meeting on September 24, 2003. He will request the history of the Masonic Temple Hall for his presentation. Pat Schafer will speak with Nancy Fike to find out how she would like this meeting to flow. Marya Dixon also volunteered to help with the setup of this meeting. Gretchen Thomas left the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Greg Lofgren distributed an agenda of a meeting that took place with Pat Schafer, Doug Martin and Sue Low. This agenda reviewed the new chain of command, new city staff for office responsibilities, a review of the proposed historic district, the CLG and the Petersen museum. Greg requested a review of the Open Meetings Act, Dawn Johnson stated that she would locate a copy, review it, and advise both chairmen of the requirements and how they effect the commission. Pat Schafer officially donated from her personal collection the following: A McHenry High School Yearbook from 1926 A book titled: The Daniel Owen Jr. A Genealogy of the Descendants Marya Dixon requested an official letter from the commission for the art work that Colin Schultheis did on the commission's behalf. This letter will be included on his resume for college applications. Dawn Johnson and Pat Schafer will write the letter and deliver it to Colin immediately. Marya Dixon moved to adjourn at 9:17 p.m., Pat Schafer seconded no discussion and the motion carried. 4