Lombard Historical Commission

Village Hall Village of Lombard 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Lombard Historical Commission Rita Schneider, President Tom Fetters, Eileen Mueller, Brigitte O'Brien, Richard Anstee, Lyn Myers, Pat Poskocil, Jack Jones and Marcy Novak Leslie Sulla - Ex-Officio Member Village Liaison - William Heniff Tuesday, July 16, 2013 7:30 PM Village Hall - North Landing Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance President Rita Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. President Schneider led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Present 7 - Rita Schneider, Jack Jones, Patricia Poskocil, Tom Fetters, Lyn Myers, Eileen Mueller, and Brigitte O'Brien Absent 2 - Marcy Novak, and Richard Anstee Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Brigitte O’Brien, seconded by Lyn Myers, to approve the minutes of the meeting on April 23, 2013. The motion passed by a unanimous vote with no changes. Public Participation President Schneider announced that public participation would be allowed throughout the meeting as various topics were introduced. There were no members of the public present. President Schneider announced that Brigitte O’Brien has been nominated as Vice-President to replace the vacancy of the office by Tami Urish. Pat moved to approve the election of Brigitte O’Brien to the office of Vice-President and Eileen seconded. All voted in favor of the election. Village of Lombard Page 1 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes July 16, 2013 Reports A. Finance - Richard Anstee Rita summarized the Finance report in Richard Anstee’s absence. He and Rita met with the Director of Finance, Tim Sexton; Rhonda Heabel, Finance Department and David Hulseberg, Village Manager to discuss future projects. It was determined that the current budget could accommodate the proposed update to the historic site and structures inventory of $2,500. The proposed signage along the prairie path would have to be in the 2014 budget of $3,500. Since the amount of each project is under $10,000, a bid process will not be required and can be managed administratively by the Community Development Department. B. Local Landmarks - Eileen Mueller In regards to signage on the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Electric Railroad on the Prairie Path, three presentations: Signs Now and Ellingsen Design; Brian Newton, Parvin-Clauss Sign Company and Serge Ruffolo, Western Remac Inc. were held at two previous committee meetings. Staff contacted Daniel Thomas, Trails Coordinator/Principal Planner at the DuPage County Division of Transportation for specifications restrictions regarding the proposed signage. It was reported back that they do not have material or size restrictions but would need to approve a prototype or proposed design. They are very concerned with placement in order to maintain user safety and sightlines of the path. Any advertising of any kind is prohibited. The signs may be located in the Village of Lombard’s right of way and then the County would not have an oversight. The content of narrative and photos for the signs will be provided by the Historical Society and the Historical Commission members. The Commission President has asked for $3,500 for this project, it will need to be approved by the Village Board for the 2014 budget. Tom commented that the proper name should not include the term electric. A proposed amendment to the Historical Preservation Ordinance is under review and discussion. The committee would like to keep in close contact with the members of Lombard Town Centre and downtown property owners. Communications have been suspended until new Executive Director of Lombard Town Centre is installed on Aug 8th. The current Survey of Historic Sites and Structures was prepared twenty years old ago and includes a few sites that no longer exist and Village of Lombard Page 2 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes July 16, 2013 some should be added. A new survey is in order. Eight local companies, from a list provided by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, have been contacted regarding this issue. The Commission President has looked into the budgeting of this item and $2,500 is currently available for this project. The committee is putting together a group from the Historical Society and the Local Landmark Committee to meet and put a list together of properties to be included in the survey. C. Personnel - Pat Poskocil Pat announced that Sarah Richardt has resigned her position as the Senior Program Coordinator with the Lombard Historical Society. The Executive Director of the Museums, Jeanne Schultz Angel has been given the authority to hire a replacement. This policy insures a good working relationship among the staff. D. Ex-Officio Report - Leslie Sulla In Leslie’s absence, Rita gave a report prepared by Jeanne Schultz Angel, on the many activities conducted by the Historical Society. The highlight of the report included news that the museums have surpassed the 11,000th visitor count in June. Carl Goldsmith, the Director of Public Works, provided a list of items that should be added to the museums’ budget for next year: a new cellar door, fixing the foundation and bay window at the Victorian Cottage, a doorbell for the Carriage House, and outdoor lighting at the Peck Homestead. The staff has been working on the promotion and coordination of the Sweet’s Civil War Encampment scheduled for July 27 - 28 at the Four Seasons Park. The Olympic Sign Company has offered to fully fund the restoration with neon and installment of the historic “EAT” sign somewhere in the downtown area. The current owner of the sign needs to be clarified. Also, Pat mentioned that the ticket booth salvaged from the DuPage Theater has been in long term storage by Century and they would like to see it installed elsewhere. It was suggested that Yorktown Mall would be an ideal location for a display of seasonal events within the Village. A link is on the Historical Society’s web page about the Community Memorial Site for long-time Village President William “Bill” Mueller with details and donation options. Historic letters have recently been located that confirm many suspicions regarding the underground railroad and the number of Peck children in which the Sheldon Peck Advisory Board will be reporting on. Village of Lombard Page 3 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes July 16, 2013 E. Lombard Cemetery - Tom Fetters Tom reported that the Committee met on May 19. The Committee discussed the fence sections including the pedestrian gate along Main Street are crumbling and are in need of attention. The flagpole has been repaired, the proposal of a new tree to replace one lost due to storm damage and the installation of three new veteran’s gravestone were accomplished by the Memorial Day Dedication Ceremony on May 27, with approximately 160 people in attendance. It is anticipated that more new veterans’ tombstones will be installed by November 11, Veteran’s Day for their dedication. F. National Register Work for Sheldon Peck Homestead Pat indicated that the facts regarding the Underground Railroad will be updated based on the contents of the letters that have recently been found. The Committee will continue their work on the application. Planner's Report Tami Urish, Planner I, reported that staff has coordinated the presentation of three sign companies, SignsNow, Parvin-Clauss and Western Remac, for the Local Landmark Committee along with securing four proposals from Granacki Inc.; Douglas E. Gilbert; Kevin McGowan and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates for the update of the Historic Sites and Structures Survey. An updated article about the William J. Mueller Lombard Heritage Award was prepared for the June/July edition of the Lombard Pride publication as well as reminders on Village’s Facebook and twitter accounts. Unfinished Business 130344 Reappointment of Current Commissioners for Historical Commission Reappointment of current commissioners. The following Commissioners have been reappointed with a term expiration of 2017: Richard Anstee, Lyn Myers, Brigitte O’Brien and Pat Poskocil. Village of Lombard Page 4 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes July 16, 2013 130343 Historical Commission Vacant Seats Discussion of vacant seats. Staff was asked to post a notice on the Villlage’s website and other media formats to solicit interested individuals for two vacancies on the Historical Commission. New Business None. Other Business Lyn reported that the following members of William J. Mueller Lombard Heritage Award Selection Committee will be Bob Harris, Jennifer Henaghan, Stephanie Zabela and Sarah Richardt. More nominations would be welcome by the July 31st deadline. A plaque for the Network to Freedom will be installed at the Peck House with the coordination of Public Works to install the plaque. Adjournment The next meeting will be held on October 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall. On a motion by Pat and seconded by Tom Fetters, and all were in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Village of Lombard Page 5