Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met April 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

DECLARATION OF QUORUM

Present

Quinn Adamowski, Brian Bessler, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Sara Stovall, Steven Wright and Aaron Mikottis

Absent Mary Beth Gannon and Ken Spiegel

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

January 24, 2024 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes

A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve the January 24, 2024 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright

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

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair positions

A motion was made by Adamowski, seconded by Merwin, to open the nominations for Chairperson.

Mr. Adamowski nominated Candace Johnson as the Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission.

A motion was made by Merwin, seconded by Stovall, to close the nominations for Chairperson.

A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Steven Wright, to appoint Candace Johnson as the Chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright Abstain: Johnson

a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair positions

A motion was made by Merwin, seconded by Adamowski, to open the nominations for Vice Chairperson.

Ms. Merwin nominated Kailee Lowry as the Vice Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission.

A motion was made by Adamowski, seconded by Merwin, to close the nominations for Vice Chairperson.

A motion was made by Wright, seconded by Johnson, to appoint Kailee Lowry as the Vice Chairwoman of the Historic Preservation Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Merwin, Stovall and Wright

Absent: Gannon

b. Selection of 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Award Recipients

Ms. Bernhard announced that there were no nominations this year. Ms. Merwin asked if there is timeline or specific deadline for suggesting nominations. Ms. Bernhard answered there is no specific end date. Ms. Bernhard and the commissioners discussed the process for historic preservation award nominations.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Quinn Adamowski, to continue discussion of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Joliet Railroad Museum at Union Depot Tower and the Joliet Historical Museum as possible 2024 Annual Historic Preservation Award recipients at the April 29th, 2024 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Special Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright

c. Review and comment on Downtown Joliet Historic Resources Survey Report

Ms. Bernhard sent out the Downtown Joliet Historic Resources Survey Report for review and comments. Ms. Bernhard and the commissioners discussed the report. Chairwoman Johnson asked the commission to email any changes to Ms. Bernhard.

d. 2023 Annual Report of the Historic Preservation Commission – Discussion only

Ms. Bernhard is scheduled to give a presentation to the City Council at the May 6th or 7th meeting and the 2023 Annual Report of the Historic Preservation Commission will also be on the agenda as a resolution. Ms. Merwin asked if Ms. Bernhard will just submit only the report or if attachments will be turned in as well. Ms. Bernhard said attachments are not required, JHPC minutes and other JHPC meeting information is available on the City of Joliet website. Ms. Bernhard said the official vote for this agenda item to move forward will be held at the JHPC Special Meeting on Monday, April 29th, 2024.

STAFF REPORTS

Ms. Bernhard mentioned that the Joliet Area African American Context Study continues to move forward with Quinn Adamowski and Steven Wright representing the Commission on the project steering committee. Mr. Luther Johnson who was present at the Commission meeting was also acknowledged for serving on the committee. Ms. Bernhard said the City of Joliet is managing funds to place and maintain Route 66 interpretative signs at Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway. The grand opening ribbon cutting reception of the Joliet Railroad Museum is occurring on May 9th at 6:00 p.m. and the Commission was invited to the special guest reception. The Museum opens to the public on May 10th. May is Historic Preservation Month, and Ms. Bernhard will continue with the social media posts. Ms. Bernhard is accepting suggestions for social media posts. Mr. Adamowski asks about posting building that have been lost over the years. Ms. Bernhard requested that commissioners prepare pictures and blurbs for posts. Ms. Bernhard announced that she is speaking regarding railroad history at the History Happy Hour at the Joliet Area Historic Museum on May 15th at 5:00. May 22nd the Patrick Haley Mansion is opening their doors to the Commissioners for a private tour at 5:00 p.m. Ms. Bernhard gave an update on the JHPC Special Meeting coming up on April 29th at 4:00 p.m.. Ms. Bernhard asked which commissioners could attend.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Chairwoman Johnson was approached by some of the parish council for St. Joseph's Church, Downtown Joliet, to have the church, cemetery and park nominated for historic preservation. All of the information will be emailed in to staff for the nomination.

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.

Mr. Luther Johnson introduced himself to the commission. Mr. Johnson is spearheading the African American museum effort on Jackson Street at the Casseday House.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Kevin Heinemann, seconded by Quinn Adamowski, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2024/4/2124_M_Joliet_Historic_Preservation_Commission_24-04-24_Meeting_Minutes.pdf