City of Elgin Heritage Commission Met March 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Wiedmeyer.
1. Members Present: Rebecca Hunter, Len Govednik, John Marston, John Regan, George Rowe, Scott Savel, Brian Anderson, and John Wiedmeyer.
2. Members Absent: Steven Thoren
3. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the February 2, 2021 minutes with the following amendments: Commissioner Anderson’s father recently passed, not his mother. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Anderson abstained).
C. Recognize Persons Present: Elissa Ledvort
D. Plaque applications:
1. 839 Cedar Avenue– The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic Significance 7.25; Architectural Significance: 6.00; Current Maintenance:7.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to approve awarding the plaque for the property with the inscription that would read H. & A. (Henry & Augusta) Baumann, 1909.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Marston.
The motion passed unanimously.
2. 706 Douglas Avenue– The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic Significance 9.14; Architectural Significance: 8.86; Current Maintenance: 9.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to approve awarding the plaque for the property with the inscription that would read M. & I.C. (Mary & Ithiel Crosby) Towner, 1893.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed unanimously.
E. Old Business
1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities
a. None
2. 2021 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals
a. Historic Resources Survey
No update.
b. Spring-Douglas Historic District Walking Tour
No update.
c. Elgin Historic District and Landmark Design Guidelines
Staff remarked that the guidelines will go before the City Council at one of the April meetings along with the Historic Rehabilitation Grants.
3. Mayor’s Awards for Preservation 2021
a. Staff noted that the commission will still be working with Imago and that they have partnered up with Discovery Church located at 200 Prairie Street. Staff will be completing a site visit this Friday to view the space and figure out logistics.
b. Nominations Review – 11 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. Elgin Public Museum
For celebrating its 100 year anniversary on November 12, 2020 with its Centennial Project.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 8-0.
ii. Paul Spiller
For volunteering his time for all of the plumbing installation at the 1846
Nancy Kimball House located at 302 W. Chicago Street.
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 7-0-1 (Rowe abstained).
iii. Ron Lange
For overseeing the acknowledgement and documentation of Elgin’s current and past athletes a part of the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame.
A motion was made by Commissioner Marston to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Rowe abstained).
iv. Terry Gabel & Sue Brigham
For their volunteerism and leadership in the continued success of the Friends of the Lords Park Zoo Organization.
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Rowe abstained).
v. First Congregational Church
For their dedication to long term preservation and energy conservation of the 1889 church through the installation of solar panels.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3 March 2, 2021 for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson.
The motion passed 8-0.
vi. Rudy & Lillian Galfi
For continuing a treasured Elgin History Museum event by going virtual which brought thousands of online viewers to the annual cemetery walk held in September of 2020.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Marston abstained).
vii. Ira Marcus
For the creation of the new exhibit at the Elgin History Museum, “Art and Artifacts: Where History Meets Art Exhibit.”
A motion was made by Commissioner Anderson to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 7-0-1 (Marston abstained).
viii. Elgin History Museum
For their “You Are Living History” documentation project that allows all residents to be an active contributor in recording Elgin’s recent past.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson.
The motion passed 6-0-2 (Marston and Rowe abstained).
ix. Aralei Properties
For rehabbing their property located at 212-214 DuPage Street, located in the Elgin Downtown Commercial Historic District.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 8-0.
x. Carolyn Buhrow
For her inspiring photographs of Elgin’s religious facilities and landmarks. A motion was made by Commissioner Marston to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe.
The motion passed 8-0.
xi. George Rowe
For his 20 years of dedication to Elgin’s history. George will be receiving the George Van de Voorde Outstanding Service Award.
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 passed 7-0-1 (Rowe abstained).
F. New Business
1. None
G. Other Business
1. Bungalow Thematic Historic District Public Hearing on April 6, 2021.
a. Staff briefly mentioned that their will be a public hearing on April 6, 2021. The Commissioners were excited to have another bungalow application to review. 2. Staff noted to the Commissioners that she will be on WRMN – Mayor’s Talk Show to discuss the Mayor’s Awards nominations and upcoming grants on Thursday, March 4th at 9:15AM if they’d like to tune in.
H. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
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