City of Elgin Heritage Commission met March 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Marston. All members, with exception of Chairman John Marston and Commissioner Savel, attended via electronic means.
1. Members Present: Brian Anderson, Len Govednik, Rebecca Hunter, John Regan (6:02), Marge Rowe, Scott Savel, John Wiedmeyer and John Marston.
2. Members Absent: None
3. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve the February 1, 2022 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Govednik abstained).
C. Recognize Persons Present: None
D. Plaque applications:
1. 140 N. Channing Street – The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic Significance 7.57; Architectural Significance: 7.0; Current Maintenance: 8.14. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve awarding the plaque for the property with the inscription that would read T. & A. (Thomas & Addie) Mackey, 1891.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Hunter abstained).
E. Old Business
1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities
a. Commissioner Rowe noted that the Friends of the Lords Park Zoo will have their zoo opening on June 4th dedicating the Tefft Farm signage. She also noted that there are 33 programs already scheduled for the summer.
b. Commissioner Rowe noted that the Elgin History Museum recently received a $64,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Resources for the remaining work at 302 W. Chicago Street which includes the back stairs and lift.
c. Chairman Marston stated that the recent The Gilded Age drama series on HBO featured an Elgin Pocket watch.
d. Lastly, Chairman Marston thanked Commissioner Anderson for his wonderful donation to the Elgin History Museum of rare W. W. Abell architectural drawings of 225 Villa Street.
2. 2022 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals
a. Historic Resources Survey
Staff and Commissioner Hunter are still compiling information into an excel spreadsheet and reviewing findings.
b. Spring-Douglas Historic District Walking Tour
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel for the creation of 1,500 4.25x6” HistoricElgin fliers not to exceed $150. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Regan.
The motion passed unanimously.
c. Elgin Historic District and Landmark Design Guidelines
Staff noted to the commission that the guidelines will be reviewed by the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, March 9th at 6:00PM.
d. Future Commission Board Ideas
i. Commissioner Hunter noted that she will be meeting with the Gail Borden Public Library on Friday, March 4th for more specifics regarding the Heritage Commission display and needed items for presentations.
ii. No update regarding the Bungalow website.
e. Design Review Subcommittee Update
i. No update
F. New Business
1. Mayor’s Nominations Review – 12 nominations had been submitted to the Commission for consideration of a Mayor’s Award. Each of the nominations were discussed by the Commission based on the criteria for selection with the following individual action of the Commission:
i. Betsy Armistead
For her numerous and creative ways she has supported and promoted awareness of Elgin’s historical and cultural heritage.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe.
The motion passed 8-0.
ii. Northeast Neighborhood Association
For preserving the natural heritage of the Butterfly Garden and for educating and planting beneficial plants for various species of butterflies within the Spring Douglas Historic District.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed 8-0.
iii. Chuck Crouse
For preserving local high school sports events by converting films and videotapes to MP4 and uploading them to YouTube where they can be enjoyed by all and re lived by the participants.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed 7-1.
iv. Elgin History Museum’s Museum Moments Video Project
For their new initiative based on 26 short videos featuring seldom seen items from the museum’s collection.
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Regan.
The motion passed 6-0-2 (Marston and Rowe abstained).
v. James Carrigan
For his restoration and painting work at 476 and 485 Arlington Avenue that beautified this block that’s within the Elgin National Watch Historic District. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion failed 8-0.
vi. John Dalton and Rich Jacobs
For their meticulous restoration and rehabilitation of their home at 891 Douglas Avenue.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion failed 7-0-1 (Anderson abstained).
vii. Gail Borden Public Library PRAD Team, Elgin History Museum and Ernie Broadnax
For their engaging exhibit, “The Settlement,” that focuses on where Blacks first settled in Elgin.
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed 6-0-2 (Marston and Rowe abstained).
viii. Kerri Liu
For promoting public awareness of Elgin’s architectural heritage through her design studio, TheGin, with her modern art aesthetic.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson.
The motion passed 8-0.
ix. Laurel Garza
For her years of volunteering at the Elgin History Museum helping create access to the collections through digitization and assisting with research.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 6-0-2 (Marston and Rowe abstained).
x. Patrick Sakolari
For his sensitive rehabilitation of 11-15 N Grove Avenue that uncovered and recreated unique architectural elements that have long been forgotten.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a Henry Jensen Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Marston abstained).
xi. Susan Bohne
For her exceptional, consistent and long term leadership protecting and stewarding Trout Park.
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed 8-0.
xii. Rebecca Hunter
For over 25 years of tirelessly going above and beyond to preserve, improve and educate one and all to the captivating beauty and cultural significance of Elgin’s rich architectural history.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to recommend the nomination for a George Van de Voorde Outstanding Service Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Govednik.
The motion passed 7-0.
G. Other Business - None
H. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Regan and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
https://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7765
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