HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 9/2/2003 - Landmark Commission i
The City of McHenry Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Greg Lofgren at the McHenry Municipal Center.
Members present: Greg Lofgren, Pat Schafer, Dawn Johnson, Gretchen Thomas,Judy Franks,
Merle Janssen, and Marya Dixon. Members absent: Sue Hendrickson, Ilene Wiedemann,
Gerhard Rosenberg
Guests present: Marie Wilt and Mayor Sue Low
July 1, 2003 Meeting Minutes: Gretchen Thomas moved to approve the minutes of the August
5, 2003 meeting. Merle Janssen seconded no discussion and the motion carried.
The treasurer's and facade grant reports were unavailable. These reports will be addressed at the
October meeting.
Business:
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Greg Lofgren submitted a billing for cleaning supplies. This will be forwarded to Marcie in
Doug Martin's office for handlin . It was noted that the commission made a mOtiion to approve
billings or c eanmg supplies that Greg incurs for the Petersen Farm.
Mayor Sue Low:
Marya Dixon presented Mayor Low with a student application for Colin Schultheis for the
position of student commissioner. Mayor Low agreed that Colin would be a great asset to the
commission and that she would present it to the city council as soon as possible.
$1.500.00 was set aside by the city to obtain artwork from Lori Wilhelm's collection. Mayor
Low is having a listing of artwork that is currently in the cities possession, and then the
commission will assist the Mayor in choosing additional pieces. In addition Pat Sch er reported
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that the Swedish Qi rh wished to make a donation to the commission in memory of on
fxli Wilhelm, discussion followed regarding ideas for the donation.
Greg Lofgren reported that the changes for the preservation ordinance will not be going before
the city council until October 6th. Mayor Low is aware of the changes requested.
Mayor Low gave the commission some insight into her background and family ties to the city of
McHenry. She also explained how much the Landmark Commission is an essential part of the
community and that she is willing to help in any way that we require. We welcome her to her
new position.
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Upcoming Events/Cemetery Walk:
Pat Schafer reported that Ken Fisk contacted her regarding the October 4, 2003 Historic Barn
Tour that is sponsored by McHenry County College, and that the Petersen Farm will be part of
the tour. Ken asked if some of the commission members would like to be on hand at the farm.
Discussion followed regarding ideas for the tour, and that the house itself would not be open for
viewing.
itk Pat Schafer has a basic outline of the walk, including a list of the items that are necessary for that
day.
Dawn Johnson—Tent, chairs
( p,l .\t Pat Schafer—Table, chairs, coloring books, mission brochures
Vs' Bill
&Dawn—Water bottles
Bill Thomas—Ice, fog the cemetery for bugs
Gretchen, Pat, Merle—tubs for the water bottles
Greg Lofgren—Sign for the street
Traffic control—Dawn, Merle &Bill Thomas
Tent, ticket sales—Marya Dixon, Gretchen Thomas
Tour Guides—Marie Wilt, Gloria Mack, Judy Leiftheit, Judy Franks, Holly Wood(Sgt. Wood's
wife)
Brochure—Gretchen Thomas, Dawn Johnson
Set up for the event will begin at 11:15 a.m.
Walk thru: 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2003
A schedule will be handed out at the walk thru.
Demolition requests:
Doug Martin requested the commission to look at the structure located at 903 N. Green St.
(Green&James Sts.) as a possible demolition
Petersen Farm:
Greg Lofgren began working on the Petersen Farm, such as cleaning the barns and organizing
items located within. In the home, the office was cleaned (Greg &Pat Schafer) in preparation
for the transferring of the Landmark Commission office to the homestead. Special locks and
security systems are notcompleted. Barbara Miller is being updated on the activities going on.
CLG:
This is on hold until the passage of changes to the preservation ordinance by the city council.
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Historic District Surveys:
This issue is also on hold until the preservation ordinance is changed by the city council.
Resident Interviews:
No report
Other:
The October 7, 2003 meeting of the Landmark Commission will be held at the Petersen Farm.
At that meeting the 2004 coloring book will be discussed. Eight new historic structures should
be determined.
Greg Lofgren made attempts to contact those responsible for the China Light and Brewery
buildings. It was suggested that contractors such as Hank Nell, Paul Freund and/or Eugene
Freund be asked to view and give an opinion on the structural soundness of the brewery. The
commissioner's best time of day for viewing these buildings would be after 4:00 p.m.
Kelly Klein, the new city Financial Advisor is investigating the legal process of receiving
donations and giving tax deductions for the Petersen Farm. Also, it may be necessary to set up a
separate group to handle the daily responsibilities of the museum under the guidance and control
of the Landmark Commission.
In the future, work by the commission can be scheduled 1-2 hours before the Tuesday, 7:15 pm
meeting.
On September 24, 2003 the Landmark Commission will host the county's preservation joint
council meeting at McHenry's Masonic Temple on Court St. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.;
Landmark commissioners are expected to arrive at 7:00 p.m. Greg Lofgren will give a historic
background on the building and an open session and discussion of county activities will follow.
John Gealow will meet with Greg &Pat next week to view the building.
There is a statewide preservation meeting being held in Springfield on September 18-19.
Marva Dixon moved to adjourn at 9:12 p.m., Merle Janssen seconded and the motion carried.
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