Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2013M Heritage Commission 4 City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission March 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,Judith Rivera,John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: James Halik, William Ristow, Scott Savel 3. Others Present: George Rowe, Elgin Area Historical Society 4. City Staff Present: Amy Munro, Historic Preservation and Grants Planner B. Approval of Minutes: Under "Old Business," Chairman Briska made two corrections: "Cell Phone Tour Signage Installation" was amended to "Cell Phone Tour Signage Update" and under "Abode", it was clarified that the ABODE presentation focused on the history of Almora Park rather than an historic survey. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve the February 5, 2013 minutes as amended. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hunter. The motion passed 5-0. C. Recognize Persons Present: George Rowe from the Elgin Area Historical Society was introduced. D. Plaque Applications: None. E. Old Business 1. Cell phone tour on website Ms. Munro is working with the City's website manager to design a webpage that will incorporate the cell phone tour digital files. A mockup webpage will be available for the Commission's review in the near future. 2. Re-installation of the Illinois Watch Case Company Historical Marker The sign has not been installed, but plans to install the marker are underway with Public Works. 3. Oak Brook Terrace Historical Society Sears House Preservation Effort Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 2 March 5,2013 Commissioner Hunter reported that the Sears House Preservation effort was successful.The City of Oakbrook Terrace and the Oak Brook Terrace Historical Society are currently working on the details. Commissioner Hunter mentioned that the historical society is now looking for 1950s period furnishings for the house. 4. Preservation Month Activities Ms. Munro confirmed that the Mayor's Awards event will be held at the Elgin Art Showcase. Additionally, she is working on finalizing the Preservation Month Schedule of Activities. Ms. Munro presented the members of the Commission with a packet containing twelve Mayor's Award nominations. An additional nomination was added by a Commissioner at the meeting. Each of the applications were discussed by the members of the Commission. In some instances, a recommendation was made to nominate a recipient in the future if a project was not completed, or needed more information for the Commission to consider. Of the submitted applications, ten nominations were recommended for a Mayor's Award. Each of the nominees will be notified of the event and encouraged to invite their friends and family. Eight of the nominations were recommended for the general category. One nomination was recommended to receive an Artisan Award and another was selected for the George Van der Voorde award. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to recommend that ten awards be selected to receive a Mayors Award to be presented to the recipients by the Mayor on May 7, 2013. Motion seconded by Femal. The motion passed 5-0. 5. Historic Rehabilitation Grants Ms. Munro reported that the deadline for the 2013 Historic Rehabilitation Grants is April 5, 2013.She reviewed changes to this year's application guidelines following the February 5, 2013 EHC discussion and upon further discussion with Commissioner Wiedmeyer and Chairman Briska. She also reported that the grant informational meeting conducted on March 7, 2013 had low attendance. Commissioners discussed the value of requiring applicants to submit an approved COA with the grant application. Pending 2014 funding availability, Ms. Munro advised that this will be included in the application process. 6. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on heritage related activities GPA Chairman Briska reported that the Annual Historic House walk will be centered around the Wing Mansion. The tour will take place on September 7, 2013. F. New Business ' 4 Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 3 March 5,2013 1. Design Review Subcommittee Monthly Update Commissioner Hunter discussed the value of familiarity with the Design Review Subcommittee's (DRSC) agendas. It was decided that EHC members should be included on the DRSC agenda distribution list. 2. Funding request for"A Model for Identifying and Evaluating the Historical Significance of Post-World War II Housing"for EHC($68.00) Commissioners reviewed the document details provided by Commissioner Hunter and agreed that it should be added to the EHC's library. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve the purchase of the Post-World War II guidelines. Motion seconded by Commissioner Femal. The motion passed 5-0. 3. Funding request for the Elgin Area Historical Society Windmill Project ($500.00) Elgin Area Historical Society Member, George Rowe provided an overview of the project and gave a status update. Tentative ground breaking plans are scheduled for windmill in May 2013. Rowe also shared various fundraising efforts for the windmill's restoration.To date, approximately$4,800 has been raised. A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to approve the Elgin Area Historical Society's Windmill Project Fund Request. Motion seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer. The motion passed 4-0, with one abstention (Briska). 4. Elgin Black Heritage Video Project Overview Chairman Briska provided information on an upcoming video project that will focus on Black History in Elgin.The project has been spearheaded by Ernie Broadnax. G. Staff Announcements,Other Business: 1. Staff Announcements Illinois State Historic Preservation Conference—June 27—29, 2013 Ms. Munro announced that the Annual State Historic Preservation Conference will be held in Evanston on June 27- 29, 2013. She encouraged members to attend. Funding for attendance would be provided from the EHC budget.She also mentioned that in past years, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has provided travel reimbursement scholarships to assist in offsetting the conference expenses. 2. Other Business New Commissioner Introduction Chairman Briska welcomed the EHC's newest member, Judith Rivera. Commissioner Rivera briefly discussed her background and interest in Elgin's history and historic preservation efforts. a Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 4 March 5,2013 EHC Meeting Time Chairman Briska discussed the potential for changing the EHC's meeting time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., similar to other City Commission meeting times. After discussing the meeting time, it was determined that 7:00 p.m. better accommodates Commissioners' schedule; however, changing the time may be discussed at a future date. H. Adjournment A motion made by Commissioner Weidmeyer to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Femal and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, IAWYvvr- Amy Munro Historic Preservation and Grants Planner