Will County Gazette

City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

REGULAR MEETING of the Committee of the Whole of the City of Lockport, Illinois was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, of the Central Square Building, 222 E. Ninth Street, Lockport, Illinois. Mayor Steve Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:21 pm.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit

Alderman, Steve Cardamone

Alderman, Darren Deskin

Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower

Alderwoman, Susan King

Alderman, Jonathan Pugh

Alderman, JR Gillogly

ABSENT: Alderwoman, Joann Bartelsen

Alderman, Patrick McDonald

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathleen Gentile

City Attorney, Michael Carroll

Chief of Police, Richard Harang

Finance Director, Lisa Heglund

City Administrator, Ben Benson

Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies

PRESS: Cathy Wilker, LCTV

MAYOR’S REPORT

1. "Preservation Plan Presentation" - City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented to Council. Summary of the Preservation Plan analyses of 100 downtown buildings; 15 selected for façade recommendations. City Staff has begun meetings with Building owners to review the analysis, history and recommendations for their buildings. The report will be posted on the City website.

a. Acknowledgements to the participants:

i. Lockport Heritage and Architecture Commission

ii. Lockport Area Genealogical and Historical Society

iii. Ball State University Project Team

iv. Community and Economic Development staff

b. Presentation Plan Objectives

i. Identify the Lockport Historic District boundary

ii. Provide a current survey of buildings located

iii. Establish alignment with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation by outlining improved technical guidelines for rehabilitation within current recommendations

iv. Serve as a basis for the City’s Downtown Master Plan

c. Architectural Zones

i. Topography

ii. Vehicular circulation

iii. Parking availability

iv. Pedestrian Circulation

v. Entry points

d. Blockscapes

e. Urban design

f. Categorization of the Buildings

i. National Register of Historic Places categories

ii. Visual Character categories

g. Façade recommendations

i. Enhancements that require Certificate of Appropriateness

ii. Enhancements that do not require COA

ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CA-1. Lease Agreement for the Temporary Use of Lockport Township Community Room for City Meetings

City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the Staff report. The City will need to relocate for the purposes of City meetings to ensure availability for public to attend City meetings, specifically City Council, Planning & Zoning, HOA meetings. Meeting details and location will be posted on the City website.

DIRECTION: Add to Consent Agenda for the June 4, 2025 City Council Meeting

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY GILLOGLY, SECONDED BY PUGH TO ADJOURN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:57 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION.

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