Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 21, 2025 City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: A Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Chairwoman Lou Ness at 7:00 p.m. on Monday April 21, 2025, in Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Marilyn Cuevas, Tom Ellinghausen, Jose Rey, Erica Wilson and Chairwoman Lou Ness. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano and Commission Clerk Melissa Bauer. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. March 17, 2025 There was a motion made to approve the March 17, 2025 meeting minutes, as presented. MOTION: Ellinghausen. SECOND: Rey. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. 4. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Historical Scavenger Hunt Chairwoman Ness advised that she was in contact with the Woodstock Public Library in reference to hosting a historical scavenger hunt within the City and the library was willing to partner with the HPC to accomplish this. Discussion ensued with ideas of gearing the scavenger hunt to a young adult/adult audience. Chairwoman Ness will bring more information to the next meeting  Historic Preservation Commission 04/21/2025 Page 2 of 3 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION: a. Status Report for HPC Projects Chairwoman Ness advised that Director Napolitano has supplied a spreadsheet with the current and recently completed HPC projects. This update will be provided monthly to the HPC. b. Roundabout Art Installation Director Napolitano advised that after some research, he found a legal description of the Historic Preservation District boundaries and noted the roundabout is located within the Historic Preservation District. Discussions ensued and it was noted this project should have come before the HPC for their recommendation prior to going to the City Council. Commissioner Wilson inquired if the chosen sculpture had any historical reference or ties to the City’s history. Director Napolitano advised that the Arts Commission received approximately 12 proposals for the art to be displayed in the roundabout and the piece chosen is a more abstract, modern-style sculpture. Commissioner Rey suggested approaching the City Council and asking them to reconsider their approval. There was a consensus of the Commission that more education needed to be done regarding the HPC Commission and the Historic District boundaries and regulations. Chairwoman Ness will be discussing the sculpture with the Chairwoman of the Arts Commission and bring a report back to the Commission. c. Number of Commission Members Chairwoman Ness inquired on the Commission’s thoughts on increasing the number of Commission members from the current five to seven as allowed. Discussions ensued and it was noted that it has been hard to find individuals that are willing to donate their time to historic preservation. It was also noted that Commission members get frustrated with the City Council overriding decisions. Commissioner Rey suggested doing exit interviews with departing or past HPC members to get feedback on why they left. Chairwoman Ness will do further research on expanding the HPC to seven members. d. Tax Credits for Improvements to Historic District Buildings Discussions ensued pertaining to the education of the residents and businesses in the Historic District. Chairwoman Ness advised she had met with the Mayor and noted the City has a contracted “Branding” Company that might be able to assist the HPC with some branding and education on items such as the tax credit/façade grant programs.  Historic Preservation Commission 04/21/2025 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner Ellinghausen discussed partnering with the Friends of the Old Courthouse to be included with their audio tour that is being formulated. Commissioner Rey suggested partnering with the Woodstock Independent for some advertising or coverage articles on HPC happenings. He further suggested increasing fines and designating a portion of the fine to the HPC to fund educational programs regarding the Historic District and its regulations. Director Napolitano suggested ideas to recognize properties in the Historic District such as house numbers painted on the curb, specially-designed street signs in the Historic District or specially- designed crosswalks. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. Downtown Master Plan Director Napolitano advised that he was attending a meeting pertaining to the Downtown Master Plan on April 22, 2025, and noted the HPC would be part of this plan update. Director Napolitano advised that he would provide a timeline to the Commission after his meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. MOTION: Wilson. SECOND: Cuevas. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Bauer, Commission Clerk