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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03- 15 - Heritage MinutesCity of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission February 3, 2015 Minutes 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, Tom Krebsbach, George Rowe, Judy Van Dusen, and John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: Judith Rivera and Scott Savel 3. Others Present: None 4. City Staff Present: Sarosh Saher, AICP, Senior Planner B. Approval of Minutes: 1. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the November 4, 2014 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer. The motion passed unanimously. 2. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve the December 2, 2014 minutes of the special meeting and public hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe. The motion passed unanimously. C. Recognize Persons Present: No additional persons were present. D. Plaque applications: there were none submitted for the consideration of the Commission at this time. However, Mr. Saher indicated that there were two plaques that would be presented to home owners in May since there was no event held in December. E. Old Business 1. Elgin Bungalow Initiative Update No new information was provided other than what was reported at the last meeting of the Commission. 2. DRSC Composition Text Amendment Update No new information was provided other than what was reported at the last meeting of the Commission. 3. Historic Preservation Planner position update Mr. Saher informed the Commission that the position of Historic Preservation Planner was in fact considered separate from a grants planner. As such, the position had been announced by the city with a closing deadline of December 29, 2014. 62 applications Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes February 3, 2015 Page 2 had been received. Mr. Saher had completed an initial review of the candidates and recommended the seven be interviewed. The interviews were scheduled for the first and second week in February. National Register Historic District — Downtown Commercial District Update Mr. Saher reported that the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) had informed the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) that the downtown commercial district had been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. DNA intended to request recognition of the district at the annual Mayors Awards in May. Additionally, he indicated that a certificate commemorating the district would be presented to the city in the near future. Members of the Commission recommended that recognizing the certificate at the Mayors Awards would be appropriate. Mr. Saher also recommended that the committee and staff responsible for putting together the nomination be considered for a Mayors Award in May. 5. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities None F. New Business 1. Approval of 2015 EHC and DRSC meeting schedule. A motion was made by Commissioner Femal to approve the 2015 meeting scheduled of the whole Elgin Heritage Commission and the Design Review Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter and passed unanimously. 2. 2014 budget wrap up report, and 2015 budget projections Mr. Saher summarized the activity of the Commission during the past year, and provided the Commission with a projection for 2015. The 2015 projection was based on the previous year. Additionally, he requested the Commission to approve the expenses related to Commission's membership with "Landmarks Illinois," "Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (IAHPC)" and the "National Alliance of Preservation Commissions." A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve membership renewals to "Landmarks Illinois," "Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (IAHPC)" and the "National Alliance of Preservation Commissions." The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer and passed unanimously. The Commission additionally noted that when the Guide -by -Cell bill is received by the city, to bring it before the Commission for approval. In the meantime, they requested Mr. Saher to provide usage reports at the next meeting. 3. Grant program funding and schedule updates Mr. Saher reported on the various grant programs and their schedules: Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes February 3, 2015 Page 3 i. 50/50 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program. The program had been allocated an amount of $50,000 in new proceeds with a total available balance of $97,721.00 due to left over proceeds from 2014. ii. 75/25 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program. The program had been allocated an amount of $50,000 in new proceeds with a total available balance of $144,000.00 due to left over proceeds from 2014. Availability of applications would be announced by the city on the website and at a city council meeting. Additionally, Mr. Saher indicated that a press release was being prepared to be sent to the various media outlets. For the general information of the Commission, Mr. Saher also provided update on other grant programs that had received allocations by the city council in the 2015 budget. They were as follows: iii. Residential Conversion grant program: The program had been allocated an amount of $150,000 in new proceeds with a total available balance of $247,000.00 due to left over proceeds from 2014. iv. Property Improvement Grant program (Chain Link Fence Removal Program, Substitute Siding Removal Program and Exterior Paint program): The program had been allocated an amount of $100,000 in new proceeds with a total available balance of $150,000.00 due to left over proceeds from 2014. v. Overhead Sewer and Backwater Valve Assistance program: the program had not been funded for 2015. vi. Facade Improvement Program: The program had been allocated an amount of $150,000 in new proceeds. 4. Preservation Month Schedule - May 1— 31, 2015. Chairman Briska updated the Commission on the events that had been planned thus far. He indicated that it was still early in the year, and that he would continue to work with the Elgin Area Historical Society and the Gail Borden Library to gather information on events planned for the month of May. In the meantime, he read out the list that was confirmed as of that date. Mr. Saher also added that Judy Brownfield of "Books at Sunset" had indicated her interest in conducting a "Roaring 20s" trolley tour of Elgin. They were currently waiting for insurance to be able to use the Lords Park Pavilion as a starting point and would confirm the date in the near future. Additionally, Mr. Saher again reminded the Commission that the downtown commercial national register historic district could be recognized at the Mayors Awards in May. Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 4 February 3, 2015 Mr. Saher indicated that information on Preservation Month activities could be accepted until March 27, 2015 after which the brochure and various marketing pieces would need to be produced. 5. Mayors Awards - Scheduled for May 5, 2015 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street (Professional Building) Mr. Saher reported that the event had been scheduled for May 5 at the Elgin Art Showcase and the Mayor had confirmed his attendance. Nominations were going to be announced at the upcoming meeting of the city council as well as on the city's website, and social media outlets. The deadline for submission of nominations was February 27, 2015. Submitted nominations would be brought to the Commission at the March meeting for consideration. G. Other Business 1. Commissioner Van Dusen informed the Commission of afire at the 124 - year -old former schoolhouse that served as the local historical society's museum in Marissa, IL (southern Illinois). The building housed the history of Marissa, a lot of coal- mining memorabilia and information about the school and the town. Many artifacts had been destroyed. H. Staff Announcements —none. 1. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarosh Saher, AICP Senior Planner, Community Development Department Approved: March 3, 2015