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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995MINUTES OF THE . ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION �1) giIQS MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1995 IL^ 'L PRESENT: PAUL MARING, LP_URiZ 'TOTTON, PAUL B DNAR, PAT DIPRIMA, SUE SPENCE, STEVEN MOORE, DAVID BERKEY JAMES BRANDES, MICHAEL NOLAND ABSENT: RICH HIRSCHBERG, WENDE WHISTON, BETTY BROWN STAFF: CLAY PEARSON Roll was called and a quorum of ten was present. David Berkey moved, Sue Spence seconded by acclamation the appointment of Paul Bednar as acting Chair of the Image Advi- sory Commission. Mike Noland and Pat DiPrima discussed the desire for the City Boards and Commissions themselves to appoint their own Chairs. David Berkey made a motion to approve the Minutes of November 28, 1994 as amended, Sue Spence seconded. Motion carried 9 -0. Subcommittee Reports presented: Dundee Avenue Corridor: Ms Spence provided a report on work to date including a "Prop- erty Improvement Program for Dundee Avenue" which appears to be an old City program. Paul Bednar and Pat DiPrima provided a report of their survey work. Ms. DiPrima reported of going along her blocks and taking a number of photographs of exist- ing problems. She also expressed a need for contacting the affected businesses. Signage problems including the Soto's TV (too big) and signage hanging over the public right -of -way as a problem. The need to bury power lines was discussed. Ms. DiPrima requested information on division of IDOT mainte- nance responsibilities. A question was raised as to whether lighting on Slade Avenue is the same as that put onto South Grove. Lighting should be more uniform as to historic or modern lighting. The example of downtown Barrington which has one pole with overhead street lighting along with lower orna- - mental lighting was suggested. One surveyed area of Dundee "'Avenue has three street lights with only two working. Discussion revolved around finding banks to "adopt' a block to provide the loan program. Minutes - Elgin Image Advisory Commission Minutes of January 23, 1995 Page 2 There is interest in expanding the study corridor to the "triangle pie" where northbound Dundee Avenue follows Liberty Street. Ms. DiPrima has discussed the corridor project with Councilman Schock who has requested a slide presentation to the City Council when appropriate. ntrvwav SignaaeDesign Contest Chris Smith, the landscape architect who attended the last EIAC meeting, was unable to attend tonight. However, Mr. Bednar has met with Mr. Smith several times. Revised drawings were presented. Following much discussion, a motion was made by Sue Spence, seconded by Laurie Totton to select a sunburst design for the frame, attachment "A ". Motion carried 9 -0. Colors were discussed next. The frame colors should be off - white with some color on the details. The box around the logo should be gold, logo background white, and the Elgin logo itself should be black (maroon was discussed as an attractive color but could cause school rivalry problems). Appreciation was given to Chris Smith for all his work. The designer of the original artwork that started this sign needs to be notified and given the award (was directed that this be done in October, 1994). Chairman Bednar is to notify the winner. Letters need to be written to all the applicants letting them know that the overwhelming response has required lengthy discussion and debate. Elgin Image Awards: Mr. Pearson questioned if there was a desire by the EIAC to either A) consolidate the Image Awards with the Heritage Commission Awards; or, B) move the Image Awards Program to another time of year like the fall. Much discussion ensued as to tying the unveiling of the new sign with some event. Consensus was reached to move the Image Awards to the fall. Chair of this subcommittee will be revisited in May. Southeast Elgin Neighbors Report: Much discussion ensued as to the status of the code enforce- ment effort. Mr. Pearson is to send a letter to Southeast Elgin Neighbors (SEEN) thanking them for their report and the EIAC will be reviewing the matter at the next meeting. Mr. Minutes - Elgin Image Advisory Commission Minutes of January 23, 1995 Page 3 Noland will draft a more complete response for consideration at the next EIAC meeting. Discussion focused upon how to provide a strategic vision for the next EIAC meeting. David Berkey moved to adjourn, Laurie Totton seconded the notion. Next meeting: February 27, 1995, 7:30 p.m., Council Conference Room The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Clay J. Pearson Recording Secretary g, o MINUTES OF THE APP'" K�as ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1995 PRESENT: PAUL MARING, LAURIE TOTTON, PAUL BEDNAR, PAT DiPRIMA, SUE SPENCE, STEVEN MOORE, BETTY BROWN, JAMES BRANDES, WENDE WHISTON, MIKE NOLAND ABSENT: RICH HIRSCHBERG, DAVID BERKEY STAFF: CLAY PEARSON Chair Bednar declared a quorum was present. The January 23 Minutes were received. Laurie Totton moved to approve the Minutes as written, Paul Maring seconded motion. 9 -0. Commission Lona -Term Goals Mr. Bednar asked for discussion of long -term Commission prior- ities and goals. Mr. Noland commented that negative percep- tions focus on gangs and schools. Ms. Brown discussed the need to promote Elgin to surrounding communities and to have a presence at area events. Mr. Bednar gave three possible directions the Commission could take. A combination of any of the three is possible: 1. Identify and report Image problems to the Council. 2. Coordinate events to promote positive image. 3. Do "hands on" projects to improve image. Mr. Bednar then wanted the Commission to identify who the audience is that we focus our attention: 1. Do we build up Elgin's Image to "out- of- towners "? 2. Do we concentrate on Elgin's residents? After much discussion, the following mission statement was agreed to: "Promote Elgin's positive aspects to 1) residents; 2) outsiders' and 3) to identify negative aspects and recom- mend solutions as appropriate." Minutes - Elgin Image Advisory Commission Minutes of February 27, 1995 Page 2 To group developed a list of potential projects this Commis- sion should consider including: Annual Image Awards - Monthly presentations to Council recognizing "good image efforts" by groups or individuals. - Present Awards for School Excellence to U -46, categories could include: Distinguished Teacher Distinguished Student - Distribute bumper stickers "I've Got It Good In Elgin" - Quarterly mail out with Spirit identifying good image - Culture bus on Sunday to museums with tour guide through historic neighborhood - Neighborhood of the Month Award - House fix -up and /or garden awards through the year (pick- ing up on the defunct Courier News Award) Send Mission Statement to various groups to inform them what the Image Commission is all about. Need media exposure (PSAs and videos) for the Commission itself. - Continue to prepare corridor studies; solicit sugges- tions from residents. - Raise funds to pay for the new City of Elgin signs. - Plant flowers /shrubs around town, especially at sign base. - Submit articles to Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune about positive image. - Organize bus tour for council and staff to view problem areas we've identified. - Participate in Preservation Week. Need regular recognition of "nice things" in town. would not replace annual image awards. Minutes - Elgin Image Advisory Commission Minutes of February 27, 1995 Page'3 The draft Mission Statement and list of potential projects will be sent out prior to the meeting so that each member can bring a list of priorities in March. Categories for image awards need to be discussed. Draft Response Letter to Southeast Elgin Neighbors The letter Mike Noland drafted had been sent out previously. Commissioners thought the letter was well done and wanted to add Mike Noland as author along with Paul Bednar. Image Awards A chair will be sought when the event is closer. Entryway Corridor Reports Ms. Spence asked for any additional reports. A motion to adjourn was made by Laurie Totton and seconded by Sue Spence. Motion passed 9 -0. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Next meeting: March 27, 1995, 7:30 p.m., Council Conference Room Respectfully submitted, Clay J. Pearson Recording Secretary NOTES FROM THE ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1995 PRESENT: PAUL BEDNAR, PAT DiPRIMA, DAVID BERKEY, JAMES BRANDES, WENDE WHISTON, MIKE NOLAND GUESTS: ED SCHOCK, RICK HELWIG STAFF: CLAY PEARSON .- In the absence of a quorum, an informal meeting was held. Follow -up discussion of goals and objectives was held. Ms. DiPrima spoke of the desirability of moving the Image Awards to the fall when there are fewer activities going on. Mr. Schock thought the idea of a hands -on project had appeal. In particular, there are monies budgeted within the Five -Year Financial Plan for entryway corridors. He would like to see those funds used for visual improvements, actual physical improvements. Mr. Schock also discussed the need to write a report with specifics for project implementation, i.e. tree plantings, sidewalk improvements, etc. Car dealers crossing their wares into the right -of -way is a problem. Mr. Schock mentioned the Department of Code Administration's neighborhood walk along the Dundee Avenue corridor. Rick Helwig would like a "Top 10" list of initiatives for visual improvements. We need to write letters to NHS encouraging them to go city- wide. Seminar /tour for real estate agents, other "image marketers." Corridor studies to identify neighborhood problems. Lobby problems for NHS city -wide. Subcommittee on violence. Be "Graffiti Busters" - identify Council and Staff Notes - Elgin Image Advisory Commission Notes of March 27, 1995 Page 2 Top ten list for City Council. Be "Partner Identifiers" for projects. Landscape entry signs. Culture bus tour with Fine Arts Festival. Image Bus Tour. Next meeting: Monday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers Respectfully submitted, Clay . Pearson Recording Secretary MINUTES FROM THE ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1995 PRESENT: PAUL BEDNAR, DAVID BERKEY, JAMES BRANDES, RICH HIRSCHBERG, PAUL MARING, STEVE MOORE, SUE SPENCE, LAURIE TOTTEN, AND WENDE WHISTON. ABSENT: BETTY BROWN AND PAT DIPRIMA STAFF: CLAY PEARSON AND HELGA STAFFORD Chair Bednar declared a quorum present. The March 27, 1995 minutes were approved as submitted. Mr. Pearson introduced the new communications specialist for the City, Helga Stafford. Ms. Stafford will attend Image Advisory Commission meetings as the City's liaison. With regret, Ms. Totten resigned her position on the Commission citing personal reasons. The Commission is grateful for all Ms. Totten has contributed. The members were reminded that Mike Nolan had also resigned. Discussions of the Commission's goals and objectives took place revolving around the "top ten" image problems that the community faces. Mr. Bednar distributed an informal listing of twenty ideas. Commission members discussed the list and presented other ideas as well. A final listing was configured to reflect the most pressing problems. Mr. Bednar will compile the listing for distribution at the meeting to be held May 22. After discussion it was agreed that the Image Awards will be presented on Thursday, November 9. All nominations need to be received by the September 25 meeting. Entry corridor reports were given. The Commission concluded that a report card could be developed to measure the progress of the corridor projects. Sue Spence asked that the small part of Liberty that ties into Dundee be included in the East -side corridor report. The committee concurred. The Commission discussed looking at our signage ordinances and those of other municipalities. The Commission discussed the possibility of providing City Council with recommendations to improve the aesthetics of the Community through the elimination of unsightly signs. City slides were reviewed to determine if they could be of use to the Commission. It was decided that the slides were too out -of -date to be of use. Ms. Whiston reported that she had attended an image building conference and would like the Commission to consider holding such a conference in Elgin. She will present further ` information at a later meeting. It was announced that the Neighborhood Housing Services will hold a neighborhood leadership conference. Next meeting will be held May 22, 1995, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES FROM THE ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1995 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: PAUL BEDNAR, BETTY BROWN, RICH HIRSCHBERG, PAT DIPRIMA, PAUL MARING ABSENT: DAVID BERKEY, JAMES BRANDES, STEVE MOORE, SUE SPENCE STAFF: HELGA STAFFORD AND BETH JONES Chair Bednar declared a quorum was present. He announced that Marcia Freeman - Larsen has been named new Image Commission member and will be notified of her appointment by Mayor Kevin Kelly. In the absence of a quorum, no meeting was held in May. Meeting minutes were approved for April 24 with corrections. Beth Jones was introduced as a guest staff member who will observe the group to glean ideas for inclusion in the 1996 Budget Report. Image Awards Chairman Bednar reviewed the Commission's plans to hold the Image Awards on Thursday, November 9, with refreshments being served at 5 p.m. and a program following. The location will be the Lords Park Pavilion. Implementation of the event's planning include the following action: Helga Stafford will make catering arrangements for 120 guests and pavilion arrangements. Commission members will receive nominations at the September 25 meeting and review the nominations for the October meeting. Prepublicity will begin approximately six weeks before the event. Articles in the Spirit and Insights will call for nominees. Prepublicity will include a mailing to community groups asking for nominees. Pat DiPrima will draft letters to be mailed to award nominees to notify them of their nominations. Stafford will send the letters and coordinate invitations. She will also obtain the certificates and plaques that will be awarded. Sue Spence will coordinate the presentation of the certificates and plaques. Betty Brown will be master of ceremony. The program will consist of the Commission members presenting plaques after a scripted speech by Brown. Ten awards will be presented. Chairman Bednar asked if the Commission was going to redefine the award's scope or change the categories or the criteria for evaluation. Stafford will distribute copies of past award nominees for a review of the category choices. Top Ten Image Problems List The Top Ten List was reviewed and several suggestions were made. The list will be amended by Bednar. The Top Ten List will be signed by Commissioners. Paul Maring moved that the Commission approve the draft of the Top 10 List as corrected. Pat DiPrima seconded the motion. Entry Sign Design Award The Commission discussed the procedure to follow in the presentation of the Entry Sign Design Award. The award will be given during the Image Awards. Stafford will draft a letter to the contest winner informing him of his award and also to other entries. Letter to NHS The Commission reviewed a letter from the Commission to Bonnie Conte, president of the Neighborhood Housing Services asking that NHS consider extending its program through Elgin. The last sentence of the draft was removed on the suggestion of the Commission and it was suggested that the letter bare the name of all Commission members. Rich Hirschberg moved that the letter as amended, be sent to NHS. DiPrima seconded the motion. The motion carried four to one. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Helga Stafford' MINUTES FROM THE ELGIN IMAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 24, 1995 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: DAVID BERKEY,PAUL BEDNAR, BETTY BROWN, RICH HIRSCHBERG, PAT DIPRIMA, MARCIA FREEMAN- LARSEN,PAUL MARING, SUE SPENCE, WENDE WHISTON ABSENT: JAMES BRANDES, STEVE MOORE STAFF: HELGA STAFFORD Minutes for June 26, 1995 Chair Bednar declared a quorum was present. Pat DiPrima moved that the meeting minutes for the June 26 meeting be approved as corrected. The corrected minutes will be filed. Rich Hirschberg seconded the motion and the minutes were approved. Marcia Freeman - Larsen will record the minutes beginning at the next Commission meeting. Image Awards The Commission discussed the criteria and categories for the Image Awards. Ten awards will be given. There was a question whether special consideration would be given to at least one business and one not - for - profit group. It was decided to remain flexible in this issue. The Image Awards will not be given to groups and organizations that simply "do good ". Awards will be awarded to nominees going above and beyond what is expected of the nominee's job descriptions. The Image Awards will be advertised to community groups through through cable TV, radio and direct mail. Freeman - Larsen asked for past criteria. It was reported that for the past three years, no specific criteria was ever established. Criteria has remained flexible. After discussion, it was determined that specific criteria would allow for ease in writing nominations. Awards will be given based on whether the nominee contributed to the overall improvement of the public's perception of Elgin's quality of life and also to nominees who have produced something tangible that will improve people's perception. The Commission will seek to award nominees who make Elgin "look good ". The Commission members suggested that three categories be adopted: Improvement of the community's perception of the city's image by a person or group. Visual improvement of physical facilities by a residential commercial or institutional entity. A single or ongoing event that enhance(s) Elgin's image. Whiston moved that three award categories be adopted for the 1995 awards. DiPrima seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Criteria, regarding the categories may include whether the nominee has a long standing commitment in image enhancement, how effective was the effort, how many people were influenced by the effort (attendance), what kind of rippling effect did the effort have. This criteria list will be used to grade nominations. It was decided that the Commission will continue discussion regarding criteria at the next meeting. Top Ten List After discussion, it was decided that we put the Top Ten List on an upcoming Committee of the Whole Agenda for a brief presentation including corridor report card update. Dundee Avenue Corridor Report The Dundee Corridor Report was reviewed. It was decided that Spence will enhance the report and bring it back at the next meeting. Spence will incorporate a photo display or slide presentation and be available for questions. Villa Street Corridor Report Card The Villa Street Report Card was reviewed by the Commission. Berkey moved that we accept the report. Hirschberg seconded the motion and the motion carried. Community Graphics Standard A copy of Elgin's Community Graphics Standards had been distributed to Commission members with the agenda and minutes. The Commission discussed the possibility of initiating a sign review board that would review sign design. The board would allow for fluid appearance and standardization of Elgin's signs. It was agreed that discussion regarding signage and a review of Liberty Street would continue at the next meeting. Adjournment Spence moved that the meeting end at 9:47 p.m. Hirschberg seconded the motion and the motion carried. The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on August 28, 1995 at the Council conference room. Respectfully submitted, 1. / 1111 Helga • •\ Minutes from the Elgin Image Advisory Commission Monday, September 25, 1995 7:30 p.m. Chair Bednar called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. with a quorum present. Present: Paul Bednar, Sue Spence, Marcia Freeman- Larsen, James Brandes, Rich Hirschberg, Betty Brown, John Huss, Pat DiPrima Absent: Wende Whiston, Paul Maring, Steve Moore Staff: Helga Stafford Minutes for September 25, 1995 Sue Spence moved that the minutes of the August 28, 1995, meeting be approved as corrected and Rich Hirschberg seconded the motion. The minutes were approved and will be filed as corrected. Chair Bednar introduced John Huss as the new member of the Commission. Image Awards: Helga Stafford passed out copies of the nomination forms for the Image Awards. The packet was numbered, and it was decided that each Commissioner would independently review and rank the nominees. The number one choice would receive ten points, second choice would receive nine points, etc. Due to the timeline associated with the event, it was decided that the Commission would hold a special meeting on October 16, 1995, to review the candidates and the ranking. The meeting was tentatively scheduled to be held at Al's Cafe at 6:30 p.m. City Council Presentation: The Commission will be on the City Council agenda for the September 27, 1995, meeting. The Commission received an agenda for that meeting. Upon its review, discussion ensued as to the wisdom of making our presentation on a night with a cluttered agenda and controversial items. The Commission decided to proceed with its plans. Rich Hirschberg and Sue Spence previewed the Dundee Avenue and Villa Street video tape and voice over. Both were well received by the Commission. Helga Stafford provided a preliminary handout of what would be given to the Council members. Sue Spence volunteered to help Helga put the handouts together. Pat DiPrima stated that "crime" should have been included in the Top Ten Image Concerns and asked that it somehow be incorporated in the Council presentation. Elgin Image Advisory Commission September 25, 1995 page 2 New Business: The Commission decided that the members should be doing something on a personal level to enhance Elgin's image. Pat DiPrima moved that the Commission will hold their own Make a Difference Day and work on street clean -up on a portion of the Dundee Avenue Corridor on October 21, 1995, at 9 a.m. and work at the YMCA on October 28. Betty Brown seconded and the motion carried. Adjournment: Sue Spence motioned that the meeting be adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Pat DiPrima seconded the motion and the motion carried. The next regular meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on October 23, 1995, in the Council conference room. Respectfully submitted, L Minutes from the Elgin Image Advisory Commission Monday, October 23, 1995 7:30 p.m. Chair Bodnar called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. with a quorum present. Present: Paul Bodnar, James Brandes, Betty Brown, Pat DiPrima, Rich Hirschberg, John Huss, Paul Maring, Sue Spence Absent: David Berkey, Marcia Freeman- Larsen,Wende Whiston, Staff: Helga Stafford Minutes for October 23, 1995 Sue Spence moved that the minutes of the September 23, 1995 meeting be approved as corrected, and Rich Hirschberg seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting will be filed with the City Clerk as corrected. Image Awards: The Fourth Annual Elgin Image Award Ceremony to be held November 9 at the Lords Park Pavilion beginning at 5 p.m. was discussed. The Commission discussed the results of a special meeting that was held October 16 at Facaccias to review the nominations of 23 individuals and groups: Bruce Dahlquist, Adella Bedwell- Wells, John Anderson, Cherie Murphy, Chief Charles A. Gruber, Betty Skyles, Elgin Neighborhood Watch Program, The Izaak Walton League of America, Channing School /Gifford Park Association, David Ziegler, The Elgin Cosmopolitan Club, Laura and Steve Stroud, Civic Center Rose Garden Volunteers, Elgin District 13 Big League Softball All -Star Team, Old Oaks Estates, AI's Cafe, Ray "The Piano Man" Merrill, Jean Bodnar, The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Women's Council, Larry Koesche, Frank Halsey, Lisa Boehm Nutcracker Ballet, and Bill Witte. One hundred percent of the Commission members were in attendance at the meeting. Paul Bednar thanked the Commission members for their efforts. A letter to the Commission from Dan Miller regarding his nomination of Jean Bodnar was discussed. The letter protested the fact that Jean's nomination was denied because her husband is chairperson of the Commission. The letter stated: "I feel that the nomination should be judged on Jean's merits, not on who she's married to." The Commission will revisit the issue of nominating spouses before the 1996 awards ceremony. Paul Mating distributed a sample scoring sheet that he created for use by Commission members in evaluating award nominees. The sheet provided evaluation by criteria and a certain number of points assigned to each of the criteria. The criteria Paul Maring listed on his scoring sheet included: 1. Long range commitment to image enhancement (0 - 4) 2. Effectiveness of the event or act (0 - 7) 3. The number of people influenced (0 - 5) 4. The ripple effect throughout the community (0 - 7) 5. Volunteer efforts vs job responsibility (0 - 7) Elgin Image Advisory Commission October 23, 1995 page 2 Pat DiPrima stated that there needs to be more of a criteria to evaluate the nominees, that criteria needs to be examined closely and the process of choosing the award winners needs to be more systemic. The Commission agreed that the current method of choosing award winners allows for too much subjectivity. Members will work on an objective method of choosing award winners using a nomination form that is complete in providing information to Commission members. It is possible that in the future, only information provided on the nomination form will be considered and voted on. The scoring sheet developed by Paul Maring will be used as a catapult on how award winners are chosen. However, in voting for the 1995 award recipients, the Commission decided it would vote using the method that it agreed upon at the last meeting. The number one choice would receive ten points, second choice would receive nine points, etc. Voting for award winners was finalized. Paul Bednar marked down finalists' scores given by each Commission member. The winners of the 1995 awards were determined to be: Bruce Dahlquist, Cherie Murphy, Elgin Neighborhood Watch Program, The Izaak Walton League of America., David Ziegler, Elgin District 13 Big League Softball All -Star Team, Al's Cafe, Ray "The Piano Man" Merrill, Larry Koesche, Lisa Boehm Nutcracker Ballet, and Bill Witte. Final plans for the 1995 awards ceremony were reviewed. It was decided that Paul Bednar will welcome the audience and nominees, would present certificates to all nominees and introduce the Commission. Paul Maring would unveil the new Elgin sign design. Mayor Kelly will say a few words and Betty Brown will describe the Image Award winners. The caterer will set -up beginning at 4:30 p.m. Helga Stafford will have invitations printed and mailed, will secure a drawing of the new Elgin sign that will be unveiled at the ceremony, will help write the program script including the welcome and introduction of the Commission members and will produce a program for the evening. Sue Spence will be charged with writing the script descriptions for the Izzak Walton League and Cheri Murphy. Pat DiPrima will write the Neighborhood Watch and Larry Koesche descriptions. Jim Brandes will write about the Softball team. John Huss will write about AI's Cafe. Rich Hirschberg will write about Bill Witte. Paul Bednar will write about Bruce Dahlquist. Paul Maring will write about David Ziegler and Betty Brown will write about Lisa Boehm. Adjournment: Sue Spence motioned that the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 p.m. James Brandes seconded the motion, and the motion carried. The next regular meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 27, 1995. in the Council conference room. Respectfully submitted, Helga << , , � Minutes from the Elgin Image Advisory Commission Monday, January 22, 1996 7:30 p.m. Present: Paul Bednar, David Berkey, James Brandes, Marcia Freeman - Larsen, Richard Hirschburg, John D. Huss, Paul Maring, Sue Spence, Jeanette Mihalec, Pat DiPrima Absent: Betty Brown, Wende Whiston Staff: Helga Stafford Minutes: Paul Bednar called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Minutes from the December 18, 1995 meeting were motioned for approval by James Brandes, and seconded by Pat DiPrima. Motion carried. Old Business: Villa and Dundee Reports: A representative from the City to provide the Commission with an update was not in attendance as expected. Paul Bednar did forward a letter to Rick Helwig regarding the sign ordinance per the Commission's decision at the December regular meeting. Image Awards: Sue Spence provided an update on research on the Image Award criteria. She read a disclaimer and made a motion to accept it. Marcia Freeman- Larsen did not feel a motion was appropriate at this time. She felt a task force should be created to develop a comprehensive package. The Commission agreed, and the following members volunteered to study the situation: Sue Spence, Paul Bednar, and Paul Maring. This group will also speak to other organizations running similar type awards. New Business: `96 Poster Idea: Helga Stafford reported on a poster developed by the Elgin Leadership Academy. It is a list of 96 ways to make a better community, and would be great for school's and businesses. A sponsor is needed to pay for the cost of printing and it was felt that the Image Commission would be a good partner in this effort. The cost of printing and graphics is approximately $1,600.00. Marcia Freeman -Larsen asked if there was budgeted money available, and Paul Bednar confirmed that there was. Paul Bednar and the rest of the Commissioners felt that an Elgin printer should be given the work. Rush Graphics was the Commission's choice. Pat DiPrima motioned that the Commission should sponsor the poster, and Sue Spence seconded the motion. The motion carried. Expo: Helga Stafford announced that the city was sponsoring a booth at the upcoming Expo. She asked for volunteers to man the booth. Various Commission members volunteered to help. Advertising: The Commission reviewed some ideas presented by Paul Bednar for a series of media advertisements designed to promote the positive attributes of Elgin. Several other approaches were discussed, but the Commission felt they would take a macro level approach on educating those within and without Elgin about what Elgin has to offer. Jeannette Mihalec, Marcia Freeman- Larsen and Paul Bednar agreed to work on the series. Historic District Letter: Discussion ensued on a letter from the Commission to City Council in support of a new Historic District in Elgin. Marcia Freeman- Larsen felt that this was outside of the Commission duties, and felt we should review and take positions on all similar type issues, not selective situations. John Huss, Helga Stafford and other members felt that this was part of the Commissions duties and found that it would be appropriate to support signing the letter. Pat DiPrima motioned we sign the letter as drafted, Paul Maring seconded the motion. The motion passed with "No" votes from Jeannette Mihalec, and Marcia Freeman- Larsen. Paul Maring brought forth a potential zoning issue regarding a future junk yard on South Chicago, parallel with Willard for the Commission to support writing a letter of opposition. Paul Maring would draft the letter. Sue Spence motioned we write and support the effort, and Pat Diprima seconded the motion. The motion was passed with an unanimous vote. Potential Coordination of Make a Difference Day: The Commission agreed that this type of a project was something we should undertake, and it will be discussed at the next regular meeting. City Seal: Helga Stafford reported on her research of the City Seal and supplied some history and knowledge of the various symbols. She presented her dilemma; that the more she researched, the more she found that the seal was no longer correct. She asked the Commissions opinion on how she should proceed, and presented the financial ramifications. John Huss motioned that she should go tack to the original design and create a descriptive legend. Jeannette Mihalec seconded the motion. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. Other Business: Jeannette Mihalec presented the 1996 work plans for the New Century Partnership and suggested that we may join with them on some projects. It was decided to review this at the next meeting. Paul Mating presented information on the Zoning Hearing for the proposed 24 hour Child Care Center in downtown to the Commissions. His concern is the fencing required facing the river, and its impact on the plans for the river front area. This situation will be monitored, but no action will be taken by the Commission at this time. Adjournment: Sue Spence motioned that the meeting be adjoumed. Paul Maring seconded the motion. Motion carried. The meeting was adjoumed at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Marcia Freeman - Larsen