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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/2013M Heritage Commission City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission February 5, 2013 A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman Bill Briska. 1. Members Present: William Briska, Elizabeth Femal, Rebecca Hunter, Scott Savel,John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: James Halik,Tom Krebsbach, William Ristow 3. Others Present: Megan Butler, Energy Impact Illinois 4. City Staff Present: Amy Munro, Historic Preservation and Grants Planner B. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Munro made a correction to the minutes to revise the respective meeting date for the minutes from October 2, 2012 to December 20, 2012. Chairman Briska added subheadings under "New Business" and corrected the minutes to reflect his "yes" vote on the Appeal of Design Review Subcommittee Decision: 384 Raymond Street. A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to approve the February 5, 2013 minutes as amended. Motion seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer. The motion passed 5-0. C. Recognize Persons Present: None D. Plaque Applications: None. Ms. Munro has received an email from Steve Stroud who confirmed that he is working on four plaque applications. E. Old Business 1. Appeal of Design Review Subcommittee Decision: 384 Raymond Street Ms. Munro updated the Commission on the project status.The property owner withdrew his appeal and his contractor is working on the specifications to include with his fiber cement board COA request as per the EHC's December 20, 2012 discussion.The contractor's tentative plans are to present the COA to the Design Review Subcommittee in February or March 2013. 2. Cell phone tour update Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 2 February 5,2013 Ms. Munro stated that she is meeting with the City's website administrator to discuss adding the cell phone tour information to the website. Commissioners also discussed marketing the cell phone tour sites with the addition of a header on the cell phone tour signs which would direct viewers to the website or to a webpage with a document showing the various locations. 3. Re-installation of the Illinois Watch Case Company historical marker Ms. Munro stated that the Public Works Department is willing to re-install and that she is working with them to install the signage with a one-way bolt. 4. Reports from Neighborhood groups on heritage related activities Hidden Treasures of the Historic Holy Hill—Sunday,April 28, 2013 The Gail Borden Library, City of Elgin, Elgin Area Historical Society, DNA, and Congregation Kneseth Israel as well as several Historic Holy Hill churches have been working to coordinate details for the April walking tour event. Approximately six—seven churches will be profiled on the tour. Each church will focus on a unique historic or architectural "treasure"/detail to showcase to the public. Ticket prices will be charged to offset the operational expenses, with the remainder to be donated to the Feeding Greater Elgin food pantry. ABODE Commissioner Femal mentioned ABODE's presentation on history of Almora Park. F. New Business 1. Historic Home Energy Efficiency Options- Megan Butler, Field Organizer, Energy Impact Illinois Ms. Butler discussed energy efficiency programs of benefit to historic home property owners. Commissioners asked about where air leakage is most prevalent. Ms. Butler confirmed that it is most often through the roof or basement, not windows. Insulation and air sealing can often increase energy efficiency. 2. Sears House Preservation—Commissioner Rebecca Hunter Commissioner Hunter provided the Commissioners with an overview of a rare 1951 Sears "Homart" sectional home in Oakbrook Terrace that she is working with the Oakbrook Terrace Historical Society to save from demolition.The house is city owned and its demolition has been proposed to allow space for a retention pond for the new city hall. Commissioner Hunter will update the Commission on the historical society's preservation effort at a future EHC meeting. 3. EHC 2013 Budget Ms. Munro confirmed that$5,000 has been allocated for EHC activities. A budget Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 3 February 5,2013 worksheet was distributed to show projected expenditures. 4. City of Elgin Grants Commissioners discussed potential revisions to the Historic Rehabilitation Grant Guidelines and Eligibility requirements. Contractor licensing and certification and insurance, materials requirements, detailed project specifications, and expectations for projects to be completed above code requirements was discussed as essential for inclusion in the grant program. Additionally, past years have placed the EHC grant review committee's and staff evaluation ratio at 50/50. Commissioners suggested that this change to 75/25. Ms. Munro will meet to discuss the program changes in greater detail with Commissioners Wiedmeyer and Savel and Senior Planner Sarosh Saher prior to launching the grant program. 5. Preservation Month Preservation Month Brochure Commissioners mentioned various events for inclusion in the brochure and Chairman Briska reminded Commissioners to continue to send information to Ms. Munro as they finalize details. Ms. Munro will also reach out to other partnering heritage agencies for information. Mayor's Awards Event The event will be conducted on Tuesday, May 7. The Elgin Art Showcase and Lords Park Pavilion were suggested locations. The Elgin Art Showcase was suggested as the preferred location due to logistical details. G. Staff Announcements, Other Business: 1. Staff Announcements Ms. Munro announced that Judith Rivera's EHC appointment is set for Council approval at their February meeting. 2. Post World War II Residential Architecture Commissioner Hunter discussed a new publication related to post World War II housing and historic preservation. She requested that consideration for its purchase be made at the EHC's March meeting. In the interim, she will forward information for the EHC's review. H. Adjournment: A motion made by Commissioner Femal to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, PAwnkr- Amy Munro Historic Preservation and Grants Planner