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 Ken Spiegel Sara Stovall Steven Wright Wednesday, January 24, 2024 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, Mary Beth Gannon, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Aaron Mikottis, Sara Stovall and Steven Wright Absent Ken Spiegel APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 27, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission TMP-6942 Special Meeting Minutes Attachments: 09-27-23 JHPC SPECIAL Minutes JB A motion was made by Sara Stovall, seconded by Candace Johnson, to approve the September 27, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Special Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall Abstain: Gannon, Heinemann and Wright September 27, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission TMP-6941 Regular Meeting Minutes Attachments: 09-27-23 JHPC REG Minutes JB Page 1 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2024 A motion was made by Kailee Lowry, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve the September 27, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall Abstain: Gannon and Wright CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS 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. COMMITTEE REPORTS There was no discussion on this subject. OLD BUSINESS There was no discussion on this subject. NEW BUSINESS South End and South Side Survey of Black Historic and TMP-6944 Cultural Resources Attachments: South End South Side Survey Staff Report City of Joliet - CLG Application 2023 - South End Survey Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record and pulled up a visual aide. Ms. Merwin said that it will be interesting to see how much of the proposed survey area will fall in Unincorporated Joliet Township. Mr. Wright announced that he plotted all of the Brown Book business locations on a map previously. Ms. Bernhard stated that staff was recommending that Quinn Adamowski, at a minimum, represent the Historic Preservation Commission given his professional expertise and role of chairing the Route 66 Scenic Byway Committee. Ms. Bernhard asked if any one wanted to join the steering committee, Ms. Johnson said that she is interested and Ms. Bernhard put her down as a maybe, Mr. Wright said that he was also interested. Ms. Merwin asked to be added as a maybe. Ms. Merwin asked if it is possible to extend the area on the map, Ms. Bernhard said she thinks so, she will get clarification from the State of Illinois. Ms. Merwin asked if the South End Neighborhood was previously a predominately Italian community before The Great Migration, Ms. Bernhard said the neighborhood was always a mixed ethnic & racial neighborhood, including Irish and Italian and African American. Ms. Bernhard is hoping to have better framework on how the survey will roll out at the February meeting. Ms. Merwin asked if there is a rough timeline, Ms. Bernhard answered that the survey has to Page 2 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2024 be done by September of 2025. 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Plan Framework TMP-6945 Attachments: Historic Preservation Plan Framework 2024 Ms. Bernhard went over the 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Plan Framework and presented a visual aide. Ms. Bernhard went over the 2023 JHPC action plan goals and the tasks were complete or incomplete. Ms. Bernhard asked if any of the tasks would be considered a priority. A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve as amended the 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Plan Framework. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Gannon, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard shared that the National Park Service Regional Grants Coordinator visited the November 30th presentation regarding the Illinois State Penitentiary-Joliet National Register Historic District. Ms. Bernhard commented that the NPS Grants coordinator indicated that another Underrepresented Communities grant could be applied for to amend the ISP- Joliet NRHD for national significance. Ms. Johnson asked what the process is to get it approved. Ms. Bernhard said a consultant firm would need to be engaged to put together the research and this process would likely take a year-and-a-half. Mr. Mikottis asked if the additional national recognition as a would qualify the property for more grants. Ms. Bernhard said yes. She also stated that there is interest in designating the site as National Historic Landmark too, which would require that the NRHD is deemed as “nationally significant” before even being considered by the NHL program. Ms. Bernhard gave an update on the Downtown National Register Historic District, indicating that the full designation process of the River Edge Redevelopment Zone project will not be wrapped up until 2025. Ms. Johnson asked if NRHD program provided individual downtown buildings with designation plaques. Ms. Bernhard said no. Ms. Bernhard gave an update on the Casseday house. A new lease agreement has been signed by the History of Wheels with the City of Joliet. Ms. Bernhard talked about the Equitable Transit Oriented Development Plan. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Ms. Johnson announced that historic properties in Joliet that are being rented are not being maintained properly. Ms. Merwin said that 406 Buell Avenue has removed the pillars in front of the home and she would like to know if work is being done without permits. Ms. Johnson asked if the homes will have to be historic to protect them from changes. Mr. Mikottis said adding an additional 7,500 single family homes in the last year due to changes in the rental inspection program may have been biting off more than Neighborhood Services can chew. Ms. Johnson stated that she thought the shortage of Neighborhood Services inspectors has not helped with the situation. Mr. Mikottis said it also seems that the City is having a hard time Page 3 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2024 keeping up with the clerical work associated with the inspection process. Ms. Bernhard indicated that she would arrange a meeting with the City’s new Neighborhood Services Director to discuss Historic Preservation Commission concerns. Ms. Merwin asked if Joliet Public School District #86 has an archive that could be used as a Resource. Ms. Merwin also asked about the background of the religious facilities in the South End Neighborhood area. Ms. Bernhard answered that District #86 does not have a collection of the history for their former and current buildings and noted that she has checked with the Superintendent in the past. Ms. Bernhard sent the commissioners an invitation to the Kendall County Historic Preservation Commissions meeting. Ms. Bernhard will not be able to attend but Ms. Merwin may attend. PUBLIC COMMENT 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 Kailee Lowry, seconded by Sharon Merwin, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Bessler, Gannon, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Mikottis, Stovall and Wright 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