Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEHC Reg 06-06-17 approved 08-01-17City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission June 6, 2017 Minutes A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Wiedmeyer. 1. Members Present: George Rowe (7:06), Judith Van Dusen, Steve Thoren (7:06), Tom Krebsbach, John Marston, Kimberly Bauer, Brian Anderson, and John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: Scott Savel 3. Others Present: 4. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner B. Approval of Minutes: 1. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve the April 4, 2017 minutes with the following amendments: E-1-4 “passed” to “past.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed unanimously. 2. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve the April 19, 2017 Historic Rehabilitation Grant Application Grant Review minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bauer. The motion passed 5-0-3 (Thoren, Marston and Krebsbach abstained). C. Recognize Persons Present: D. Plaque applications: None E. Old Business 1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities a. NENA - Commissioner Anderson stated that the Mid-Century Modern tour that was hosted by NENA as Part 1 of their architectural bicycle tour went well. This tour was a part of Preservation Months events and had 25 people in attendance. b. Elgin History Museum – Commissioner Anderson noted that the Elgin History Museum’s lecture on the History of Route 20 was well attended and also an event a part of Preservation Month. c. Elgin History Museum – Commissioner Marston stated that the Museum’s annual Candlelight Tour was also well attended as well as Jerry Turnquist’s Downtown Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 2 June 6, 2017 Historic Tour. He noted that around 30 people were in attendance for the downtown tour. d. Commissioner Rowe reminded everyone of the upcoming Civil War Reenactment to be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 10th and 11th near the Elgin Mental Health Center grounds. This is the first reenactment to be held in Elgin and was co -hosted by the City of Elgin and the Elgin History Museum. e. Commissioner Rowe stated that Commissioner Thoren did a tremendous job at the Memorial Day festivities and enjoyed all of the speeches. 2. Mayor’s Initiative/ 2017 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals a. Historic District Signage No update b. Historic Resources Survey No update c. Web Based App 1. Photographs: Ms. Sundquist stated that since the weather is now acceptable for photographs, that the Commission should submit those photographs to staff when completed so that she can place them on the website. 2. Tour Booklets: No update. 3. 2017 Preservation Month Wrap-Up a. Commissioners discussed the success of the Mayor’s Awards. Chairman Wiedmeyer noted that over 240 chairs were set up and almost every seat was filled plus over 20 people were standing at the back of the room. The Commissioners agreed that this was a great space for the awards as they received several compliments. Commissioner Anderson thanked staff for the “behind the scenes” work that was completed to make this a successful event. Chairman Wiedmeyer stated that the Commission should continue to seek other downtown spaces that could host the Mayor’s Awards as this helps advertise our downtown spaces that many may not have known existed. Commissioner Thoren suggested the Old Elgin High Gymnasium as well as the Turners Hall for possible venues for next year’s Mayor’s Awards. Staff noted that we need the space to be accessible and have a kitchen for the caterer. The Commissioners stated that they will brainstorm on other spaces in downtown Elgin that would suit the needs/wants for the 2018 Mayor’s Awards. Commissioner Thoren thanked the Commission again for the landmark presentation of 972 W. Highland Avenue (The Wing Mansion) and that himself and his wife, Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3 June 6, 2017 Maureen, are honored to have their home as a local landmark. b. Commissioners reviewed attendee numbers for several of the Preservation Month events. The Commissioners noted that many of the events planned were well attended. F. New Business 1. 150th Anniversary Elgin Fire Department a. Staff stated that Fire Chief Schmidt contacted her in regards to a partnership with the Heritage Commission and the Fire Department for their 150 th Anniversary celebration. Commissioner Anderson stated that this is a very appropriate partnership. The Commissioners agreed and stated that they are more than happy to help with the event. Chairman Wiedmeyer noted that he will get in touch with James Carrigan and Commissioner Rowe and the History Museum will begin to do research of Elgin’s Fire Department. 2. Historic Rehabilitation Grant Program a. Council Comments 1. The Commission discussed the comments brought up by Council Members regarding an adjustment to the pointing system for owner versus non-owner occupied buildings for the 50-50 Historic Rehabilitation Grant. The Commission discussed that the work being done on these homes, whether they are owner or non-owner occupied, still stays in Elgin and that what’s more important is what they are doing for the city and not necessarily that the applicant owns the home or not. The Commission asked staff to provide the scoring sheet for the next meeting to test out if there is a remarkable difference when adjustin g the allotted points for owner occupied versus non-owner occupied projects. b. 2018 Grant Program Discussion 1. Staff stated that 18 applications were submitted for the 2017 Historic Rehabilitation Grant. Of those, 16 were found eligible (scored 40 points or higher) to participate in the grant program, however, only seven were funded due to lack of funds. The Commission stated that all of the projects were noteworthy and those that were unfunded are lost opportunities. They stated that this is the best thing the city does to increase interest and revitalize the neighborhoods . This program benefits not only the property owner but their neighbors as well. The Commission stated that the funds allocated for this well received and successful program is too little and does not stretch far enough especially since the country is coming out of the recession. There is evidence that more people are doing Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 4 June 6, 2017 projects and buying property in Elgin, so this program is more crucial than ever. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to write a letter to Council Members urging them to increase the 2018 budget allocated for the Historic Rehabilitation Grant Program. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed unanimously. c. National Trust for Historic Preservation – Dry Run and Tour Date 1. Funding Request (a) Staff mentioned to the Heritage Commission that the scheduled dry run date for the Mid-Century Modern tour is to be held on June 7, 2017. This is a day- long field study and will require food and refreshment provisions such as breakfast and snacks. She suggested that to keep the ticket price down for this field study for the National Trust Tour that the Commission fund the snacks provided for breakfast for the tour attendees. She noted that lunch is included in the cost of the ticket. Commissioner Thoren stated that this is a great opportunity to contribute and show attendees that Elgin has a strong support for preservation and accommodations for our visitors. The Commission agreed. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to allocate $300 for the expenditure of refreshments and food for the Mid-Century Modern Field Study to be held in November of 2017. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Thoren. The motion passed unanimously. G. Other Business 1. Staff reminded the Commission that the Heritage Commission will not be having a July meeting as a holiday lands on the meeting date. She stated that if the Commission feels that they need to meet in July to discuss business, she will coordinate a meeting d ate and location. 2. Commissioner Thoren stated his disappointment with the City at the suggestion of a sponsorship name change of Elgin’s parks. He noted that this is taking invaluable history away and degrading the significance of those original park names. He stated that if this does go before City Council he will be there giving his comments on behalf of himself and not as a member of the Commission. Staff noted that if this does go before City Council prior to the regularly scheduled August Heritage Commission meeting, that she will organize an Elgin Heritage Commission meeting in July to discuss this topic in more detail. Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 5 June 6, 2017 H. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Thoren to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Marston and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner Community Development Department Approved: 8/1/2017