Historic Preservation Commission

MINUTES Historic Preservation Commission August 7, 2025 City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 1) Call to Order B. Niequist called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2) Roll Call/Attendance The following Commission members were present: Ana Freund, Nancy Haskins, Bob Kosin, Brittany Niequist, Madison Sommerfield, and Bob Wyman. Zach Benkert was absent. City Planner, Elizabeth Maxwell was present for staff. 3) Public Comment None. 4) Approval of Minutes of the June 5, 2025 Regular Meeting A. Freund made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2025 meeting as presented. B. Wyman seconded the motion. On voice vote all voted aye. Motion passed. 5) Chairperson Vote B. Niequist said this is her last meeting. She noted that Amanda will be taking over the task force group for the Crystal Lake Academy building. Amanda bought the home next to the Raue House and is with the engineering firm that reviewed the academy building for structural analysis. B. Wyman made a motion to nominate A. Freund as chair. B. Kosin seconded the motion. A. Freund asked if B. Wyman would want to be moved from vice-chair to chair. He declined. B. Kosin noted that A. Freund did a great job on securing advertising for the trolley tour and really stepped up with the letter and is a leader. B. Niequist said it is great to have the torch being passed on to younger members. On voice vote everyone voted aye. A. Freund accepted the position. 6) New Projects A. Freund took over the meeting. She asked if anyone had thoughts on projects. B. Kosin said he had a spreadsheet. This is a good start to a list for landmarking properties. A. Freund and M. Sommerfield discussed casting a wide net and including what the benefits would be. M. Sommerfield said it would be good to have a brochure that outlines the steps and the benefits with some testimonials from others with a landmark home have received grants. They can include how it will contribute to the community and tourism. B. Wyman said it would be nice to up the grant money. They can only provide a few grants with the funds raised from the trolley tour. This can be a project for the City to create a grant program maybe up to $10,000 matching for larger projects or an incentive. B. Niequist said she supports them working to get more homes landmarked. 1 7) Member Inquiries and Reports B. Kosin said the McCormick Park walk went so well. There were many people there that appreciated the history and learned so much. It was a great time. B. Kosin noted the Depot Train Station is still in review by the State. They have moved it to their October meeting. They asked about changing the day or time of the meeting. The 3:00 pm meeting time is difficult from new members. Staff will work with commission members to find a new time and day. 7) Adjournment There being no further business, B. Niequist made a motion to adjourn the meeting. M. Sommerfield seconded the motion. On voice vote, all members voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. 2