Will County Historic Preservation Commission met Jan. 8.
Here is the agenda provided by the commission:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairwoman Sandy Vasko called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Curt Paddock | Present | ||
| Sandy Vasko | Chairwoman | Present | |
| Daniel Seggebruch | Vice-Chairman | Present | |
| Ann Marie Nagel | Secretary | Late | 7:14 PM |
| Matt Galik | Present | ||
| Judy Panozzo | Present | ||
| William McCollum | Present | ||
| John Kiefner | Absent |
2. ROLL CALL - ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Panozzo made a motion to approve the agenda which was seconded by McCollum. The motion passed unanimously.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting - Dec 4, 2019 7:00 PM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel Seggebruch, Vice-Chairman
SECONDER: Curt Paddock
AYES: Paddock, Vasko, Seggebruch, Galik, Panozzo, McCollum
ABSENT: Nagel, Kiefner
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
6. CHAIR'S REPORT
Chairwoman Vasko discussed the Casseday House located in the City of Joliet. Thorton's, the owner of the property, was approved at City Council to have a liquor license and video gambling at the proposed gas station. The Casseday house is slated to be moved by April 1. On the lot where the home is to be relocated, 239 Jackson within the City of Joliet, there are floodplain and parking issues. The building will be reoriented on this site. Vasko and other supporters hope that this new museum will help to promote the East side and spur development in the area. Vasko stated that Mary Beth Gannon has been speaking about the Casseday house with the press but is not affiliated with or authorized by the Will County Historical Museum and Research Center to do so.
7. STAFF'S REPORT
A. 2020 Roster (to be distributed)
Farrell distributed the roster for the new year and stated that if changes need to be made, please email her.
B. 2020 Conferences (to be distributed)
Farrell distributed the list of 2020 conferences with corresponding locations and dates. The Commission discussed the various conferences and their areas of focus. Farrell stated that if Commissioners are interested in attending any of these conferences, a request to attend must be submitted at least two months in advance so please notify her.
C. Discussion of Plainfield workshop in February
The upcoming workshop in Plainfield was discussed. Farrell stated that a final head-count must be received at the February 5th meeting.
8. OLD BUSINESS
1. App Procurement Update
Farrell stated that the GIS department received new templates for the proposed app and GIS staff has asked for some more time to review them before a consultant is solicited. The Commission agreed to allow GIS staff more time.
2. Appropriations Update
Dubois provided an overview of the budget planning process and timeline. In March, the Land Use Department begins the internal budget planning process. In April, budget directions are received from the Finance Director and meetings with the Finance Director occur. In May and June, the budget is prepared and submitted. In July through September, the Finance Department reviews and tweaks the budgets. The Land Use Department then meets with the Finance Director to view the final budget before the Finance Committee meeting in October. The budget is then formally approved in November. Dubois stated that the budget process now has increased communication between the Land Use Department and the County Executive and the County Board Offices. Dubois discussed the history of the Land Use Department budget and that the Department has been historically doing more with less. Dubois mentioned that staff capacity may be an issue with the Commission's FY21 budget request. Dubois discussed his meeting with Nick Palmer and that he mentioned the Commission has new initiatives and projects that they would like to pursue in FY21.
The Commissioners asked questions about having a separate budget with sub- accounts or multiple line items. Dubois agreed that with the proposed FY21 budget, multiple line items would be needed. The Commission questioned why revenues received through grant reimbursements are not going back into the HPC budget line item. Dubois and Mock stated that the County's budget system is arranged in such a manner where revenue is sent to the general fund; changing this is not within the Commission's or Land Use Department's ability.
The Commissioners then reviewed the FY21 proposed projects and associated estimated costs. Vasko asked the Commissioners and staff to review and rank the items one, two, or three with one meaning "yes, absolutely must do," two meaning "ok, but not a priority," and three meaning "no, not necessary." Vasko then asked Commissioners and staff to vote by a show of hands of who ranked the items number one. The Commission agreed that ordinary expenses such as mileage reimbursements, plaques, memberships, legal notice publications, mailings, etc. must be included. The votes for the remaining items were as follows: host a rural preservation conference (estimated cost $10,000) = 3 votes; host a state-wide preservation conference (estimated cost $150,000) = 0 votes; host a local workshop (estimated cost $8,000) = 7 votes; distribute grants to local landmarks for construction projects (estimated cost $15,000) = 4 votes; Route 66 bus tour (estimated cost $500-1,300) = 3 votes; educational outreach programming at local schools (estimated cost $3,900) = 5 votes; two dedicated staff members (estimated cost $187,506) = 2 votes; funds for all the Commissioners to attend every preservation conference (estimated cost $26,700 - $85,900) = 0 votes; update Preservation Plan (estimated cost $30,000) = 2 votes. The top three projects were: hosting a local workshop which the Commission increased to $10,000, educational programming which the Commission increased to $4,000, and grant distribution to landmarks which the Commission decreased to $10,000. The Commission also increased ordinary expenses to $3,000. The Commission also agreed to include funds for conference travel, but directed Staff to review the historical budget amount that was spent on this item in years past. Staff will bring that amount to the February meeting. The Commission agreed on the aforementioned projects to undertake in FY21 and will vote on the FY21 budget proposal at their February meeting.
The Commission then discussed the proposed projects in greater detail. Seggebruch asked what the difference is between hosting a rural preservation conference and a local workshop. Farrell commented that the target audience would be different and available funding sources. A rural preservation conference would be geared towards professionals in the field whereas a local workshop would be geared to local residents or constituents and grant funds could be available. Vasko stated that the Commission has held workshops in the past which were successful. The Commissioners shared ideas about developing educational programming. Paddock discussed Land Use staff member Joan O'Keefe's role in environmental educational programming and how a similar program could be implemented related to local history and landmarks. Paddock stated that volunteers like retirees could be enlisted to go into the schools to teach the children once the program is created so staff time is not dedicated to it. Seggebruch and Novander discussed take home kits that are available through the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Nagel discussed an event through the Will County Farm Bureau where students were brought to the facility for programs. The Commission discussed the merits of awarding sub-grants to landmarks for construction projects and incorporating a reduction in building permit fees to the program. The Commission stated that this could be per person per project reduction which would allow someone, like a contractor, to work on multiple sites.
9. NEW BUSINESS
1. Election of Officers 2020: Vice-Chair and Secretary
Current Vice-Chair Seggebruch and Secretary Nagel were nominated to continue in their respective positions for another term. This motion was made by Paddock, seconded by Galik, and approved unanimously.
2. Adopt 2020 Goals and Objectives
The Commission reviewed Staff's proposed 2020 goals and objectives. Nagel made a motion to adopt the 2020 goals and objectives, which was seconded by Paddock, and was approved unanimously. The Commission then gave Staff the direction and authorization to proceed with the RFP/RFQ to update the preservation plan as stipulated in the goals.
10. COMMISSIONER DISCUSSION
No Commissioner discussion.
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vasko announced that the Will County Historical Museum and Research Center will be having a Lincoln rose viewing and Lincoln speaker on February 15.
12. ADJOURNMENT
McCollum made a motion to adjourn at 8:37p, seconded by Nagel, which was passed unanimously.
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