Joliet Historic Preservation Commission

150 West Jefferson Street City of Joliet Joliet, IL 60432 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Brian Bessler Mary Beth Gannon Kevin Heinemann Candace Johnson Kailee Lowry Sharon Merwin Aaron Mikottis Sara Stovall Steven Wright Ken Spiegel Wednesday, July 26, 2023 6:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER DECLARATION OF QUORUM Present Quinn Adamowski, Brian Bessler, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Aaron Mikottis, Sara Stovall and Steven Wright Absent Mary Beth Gannon and Ken Spiegel APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 28, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular TMP-6199 Meeting Minutes Attachments: 06-28-23 JHPC Minutes A motion was made by Steven Wright, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve the June 28, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright Abstain: Heinemann CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS Page 1 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 26, 2023 This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. Mr. Nick Macris, Co-Chair of the Courthouse Preservation Partnership, thanked everyone for their efforts to save the former Will County Courthouse and requested that the hearing be postponed to the August 23rd meeting. Mr. Dan Butler, Will County Board Member - District 3, Mr. Butler went to the former Will County Courthouse for a tour, he explained that the building is still in great shape . Mr. Butler explained that there is a group of board members from both political parties that are interested in preserving the former Will County Courthouse. Ms. Janet Diaz, Will County Board Member - District 6, Ms. Diaz read the resolution from the Will County Board for saving the former Will County Courthouse. COMMITTEE REPORTS OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Public Hearing: L-2-2023: Designation of 14 West Jefferson TMP-6193 Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark Attachments: LHD-2-2023_Staff Report_14 W. Jefferson Street July Staff Report Packet Local Historic Landmark Nomination Form_14 West Jefferson Street 2010-0514_Will_Physical Building Assessment Appendix Old Will County Courthouse Demoltion Overview and Addendum Commissioner Merwin motioned to re-open the public hearing, Commissioner Lowry seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Mr. Dan Butler, Will County Board Member - District 3, said that the Will County Board needs more time. Mr. Butler is hoping to schedule a meeting with the Mayor of Joliet to discuss historic tax credits for the former Will County Courthouse. Mr. Butler would like additional time to gather more information about redeveloping the former courthouse. Commissioner Merwin wanted to confirm the next Historic Preservation Page 2 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 26, 2023 Commission meeting date, it will be August 23rd, 2023. Ms. Merwin asked if the Will County Board is seeing support for saving the former Will County Courthouse from people all over Will County, Mr. Butler is seeing support from most of his constituents in District 3, which covers Frankfort, IL to Monee, IL. Ms. Diaz , Will County Board Member - District 6 explained that she is also receiving support from her constituents in Joliet, IL to Romeoville, IL. Mr. Butler explained that he is working on getting the former Will County Courthouse on the Will County Board's agenda for a new vote, Mr. Butler has received the eight votes needed to add the item on the board's agenda. Mr. ___ , announced that the Save the for Will County Courthouse Facebook page is up to 604 followers. Ms. Sandra Aguirre, member of the Joliet District 86 Board of School Inspectors, appeared in support of redeveloping the former Will County Courthouse. Ms. Aguirre believes re-using the courthouse will be better for the taxpayers. Commissioner Merwin motioned to continue the public hearing, Commissioner Lowry seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion. A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to continue Public Hearing: L-2-2023: Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark to the August 23rd, 2023 regular meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright Absent: Adamowski STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard gave an update on the Illinois State Penitentiary-Joliet National Register of Historic Places nomination process. Ms. Bernhard announced that the Interim City Manager signed a contract with the consultant to continue the Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District project. Commissioner Johnson asked when the National Register information will be available for review, Ms. Bernhard said there will be a public meeting in September of 2023. The City of Joliet and Joliet Area Historical Museum are refining the Railroad Museum at Union Depot Tower, so the new opening date is October 2023. The City of Joliet has been accepted for the Illinois River's Edge Redevelopment Zone Program and city staff is working on fulfilling application requirements. Ms. Merwin asked if that program only covers the City of Joliet city limits, Ms. Bernhard said city staff will establish the boundaries with the parameters provide by the state, which includes only property within the Joliet City limits. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Ms. Merwin announced that she attended a Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Ms. Merwin talked about some of the things that were discussed at their meeting. Page 3 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 26, 2023 PUBLIC COMMENTS This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Sara Stovall, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright Absent: Adamowski This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 4 of 4