HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/7/2003 - Landmark Commission The City of McHenry Landmark Commission Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:18 PM by Greg Lofgren at the Petersen Farm. Members
present: Greg Lofgren, Pat Schafer, Gretchen Thomas, Judy Franks, Merle Janssen, and Marya
Dixon, Ilene Wiedemann and Gerhard Rosenberg. Members absent: Sue Hendrickson, Dawn
Johnson.
Guests present: Marie Wilt, Barbara Miller,Karen James
September 2, 2003 Meeting Minutes: Marya Dixon moved to approve the minutes of the
September 2, 2003 meeting. Merle Janssen seconded no discussion and the motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: Under September 24th and 29th 2003 invoices, are expenses from Art in
the Park. Gretchen Thomas moved to approve,Merle Janssen seconded no discussion and the
motion carried.
Facade Grant Report: Gretchen Thomas moved to approve,Judy Franks seconded no
discussion and the motion carried.
Business:
2003 Cemetery Walk: Pat Schafer reported that the Cemetery Walk sub- committee met at at
Marie Wilt's house on October 3,2003, to evaluate the tour that took place. The overall
conclusion was favorable, some discussion followed. It was further discussed to continue
another tour next year, scheduling Sunday Setember 12, 2004. Marie Wilt submitted a work
schedule beginning in February 20a.
Sub-Committee Report: Greg Lofgren requested volunteers to sign up for newly formed sub-
committees. Dawn Johnson will copy the list and issue copies at the November meeting.
City Ordinance: Greg Lofgren reported that he and Doug Martin will propose the preservation
ordinance changes at the October 13, 2003 city council meeting at 7:30 pm. All Landmark
members are to try to attend. On October 21, 2003 the city council will vote on the changes,
again commission members are requested to attend.
CLG: This application is dependant on the approval of the changes to the preservation
ordinance by the city council.
Petersen Farm: Doug Martin conveyed that there is still no grant money for the silos. Because
it is important to address this problem of repairing the silos, a budget from the city of McHenry
should be investigated. Barbara Miller was introduced as the trustee and curator of the Petersen
Farm Museum. She will keep in touch to participate in future activities on the homestead.
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Demolitions:
1. 903 N. Green Street(corner of Green and James)the following motion was made:
Merle Janssen moved to contact Doug Martin to set up an
appointment to view the house and property to determine the
demolition. Gerhard Rosenberg seconded no further discussion
and the motion carried.
Note: Gretchen stated that she would vote no on the demolition due to the historic
significance of this structure and its location in the historic neighborhood. Pat Schafer is
obtaining a history of this house.
2. Meyer Gravel Pit-West on Highway 120,the following motion was made:
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Pat Schafer motioned that no discussion should be made until
the Landmark Commission has viewed the house and worked out _
a probable details for a salvage, examples include barge boards, G '
farm implements, etc. Gretchen Thomas seconded no further
discussion and the motion carried.
Note: The fire department wants to have a burning practice utilizing this house on October
18; 9:00 a.m. is the requested date for viewing by the commission members.
China Light Building: A memorandum outlining the proposed repairs and enhancements to the
building was sent to the commission from Joe Napolitano's community development office. The
city staff suggested that the commission participate with monies from our Façade Improvement
Grant fund. The following motion was made:
Gretchen Thomas moved: The City of McHenry Landmark Commission
would approve the removal of the canopy on the north and west side of the
building located at 1262 N. Green Street(The China Light building) as a part
of a fully completed Façade Grant Improvement application. The
commission would need to see the proposals for the completed building and
then follow-up with photos and an inspection of the property. These
requirements are outlined in the application. Pat Schafer seconded/no
discussion and the motion carried.
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Other Business:
Brewery/Whale's Tail: Greg Lofgren set up an appointment to view the building on October
11th at 10:00 a.m. This will give the Landmark Commission a chance to evaluate the soundness
of the structure and marketability.
Walking Tour Brochures: Gretchen Thomas reported that the brochure would be better
divided in three separate parts.
Expenses:
Judy Frank's made a motion to reimburse Pat Schafer in the
amount of$88.22 for bottled water, printing costs, poster boards
and flowers bought for the cemetery walk. Gerhard Rosenberg
seconded no discussion and the motion carried.
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Pat Schafer moved to reimburse Merle Janssen $5.00 for ice '�
used during the cemetery walk Gretchen Thomas seconded no
discussion and the motion carried19/r1",*() ,
Gretchen Thomas moved to pay Minuteman Printers in the
amount of$188.49 for printing brochures, tickets and flyers for the
cemetery walk. Merle Janssen seconded no discussion and the
motion carried.
Lori Wilhelm Art: The Swedish Genealogy Group, Lori's friends donated monies to the city to
help purchase Lori's artwork. In the future Gretchen suggested that the Landmark Commission
utilize donations in Lori's memory to have a historic bronze plaque of her artwork be placed on
the Riverwalk Trail.
Adelle Froehlich donation: A donation of$20.00 was received from Mr. &Mrs. Harold
(Kathleen)Hetterman, in Adelle's memory. It was suggested to create a plaque or purchase farm
memorabilia for the Petersen Farm, to honor Adelle's work on the Landmark Commission.
Historic Coloring Book 2004: A favorable response to continue the coloring book in the year
2004, and have that a part of the Joint County Preservation Celebration for May's National
Preservation Week was discussed. The following eight sketches were suggested:
Michael Justen Home; Masonic Temple; Bill's Town Club;Riverside Hotel; St. Patrick's
Church; the Power Plant, Nick Barbian House,Nick Nye House.
Again, a number of the coloring books will be donated by distributing them to the third grade
students throughout District 15. The artist will again be Cohn Schultheis.
Structure Survey's: Dawn Johnson and Gretchen Thomas will compile the database during the
next few months.
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Other Business:
Christmas Walk: November 9,2003 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Landmark Commission
will participate by riding on the two trolleys to point out historic structures throughout the city.
Marya Dixon and Ilene Wiedemann will be on the west side,Pat Schafer and Greg Lofgren will
be on the east side.
Masonic Temple Tour: The countywide preservation meeting sponsored by the Landmark
Commission was a success. On November 1,2003 at 3:00 p.m. the Mason's will have
installation of members. The Landmark Commission is welcome. The following motion was
made:
Ilene Wiedemann moved to contribute $50.00 to the Masonic
Temple for their support of holding the countywide preservation
meeting. Gerhard Rosenberg seconded no discussion and the
motion carried.
It was also noted that a thank you note will be written and included with the donation.
County Barn Tour: On Saturday October 4, 2003 the Petersen Farm was highlighted. Greg
Lofgren and many of the other commission members attended the tour.
The City of McHenry's Community Event Coordinator will be Bill Hobson. He will appreciate
helping with the commission's 2004 events. Note: Commissioner's will you please bring your
2004 calendar to the November meeting.
Nick Barbian memorabilia given by Holly Miller will be properly inventoried and a letter of
thanks will be sent to Ms. Miller.
Merle Janssen moved to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. Marya Dixon seconded and the motion carried.
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