Lombard Historic Preservation Commission

Village Hall Village of Lombard 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Lombard Historic Preservation Commission Rita Schneider, President Tom Fetters, Eileen Mueller, Brigitte O'Brien, Lyn Myers, Pat Poskocil, Marcy Novak, Jennifer Henaghan, Stephanie Zabela and Bob Wardzala Leslie Sulla Ex-Officio Member - Leslie Sulla Village Liaison - Sharon Kuderna Village Liaison - Tami Urish Tuesday, October 17, 2017 7:30 PM Lombard Village Hall - Community Room Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Chairperson Schneider led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Present 6 - Rita Schneider, Tom Fetters, Brigitte O'Brien, Jennifer Henaghan, Lyn Myers, and Bob Wardzala Absent 4 - Eileen Mueller, Patricia Poskocil, Marcy Novak, and Stephanie Zabela Also Present: Sharon Kuderna, Village Clerk, Village Liaison, Tami Urish, Planner I, Staff Liaison and Leslie Sulla, Ex-Officio Member Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Fetters and seconded by Commissioner O'Brien, the minutes of the July 18, 2017 were approved with noted corrections. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. Public Hearings There were no members of the public present Village of Lombard Page 1 Lombard Historic Preservation Minutes October 17, 2017 Commission Chairman's Remarks No Remarks. Commissioner Novak arrived to the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Reports A. Local Landmarks - Eileen Mueller Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (IAHPC) award nomination: Chairperson Schneider reported in Commissioner Mueller’s absence about the nomination for the 2017 Illinois Commission Excellence Award for the Illinois Prairie Path Historic Railroad Sign Project. Commissioner Myers shared the specifics of the application she prepared and distributed copies. One of the questions on the application asked if the community is a certified local government. Chairperson Schneider gave an update that no communication has been received from the IHPA regarding the CLG application. A representative from Landmarks Illinois suggested that Lombard’s Historic Preservation Ordinance could be considered inadequate however it does not excuse the lack of direction from IHPA. Commissioner Myers volunteered to review other communities’ historic preservation ordinances such as Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn. Chairperson Schneider reported that the local landmark located at 305 Morningside was recently purchased and remodeled. The new owners replaced the windows along with other interior work without permits. The Village’s Code Enforcement Division sent the new owners a violation letter on October 17, 2017. Village of Lombard Page 2 Lombard Historic Preservation Minutes October 17, 2017 Commission A motion was made by Lyn Myers, seconded by Brigitte O'Brien, to direct staff to contact the Village Attorney to ask how the Commission can protect local landmark plaques. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Rita Schneider, Tom Fetters, Brigitte O'Brien, Jennifer Henaghan, Lyn Myers, Marcy Novak, and Bob Wardzala Absent: 3- Eileen Mueller, Patricia Poskocil, and Stephanie Zabela The Commission discussed the possibility of purchasing the Lustron home for sale on Edgewood as a museum. It was concluded that this possibility was reviewed several years ago with a determination that funds and staffing were not available for this type of endeavor B. Finance Chairperson Schneider stated that 67% of the budget has been used for the year. C. Personnel Chairperson Schneider reported in Commissioner Poskocil’s absence that new personnel are being considered for the replacement of staff that recently departed for other opportunities. D. Ex-Officio Report Lombard Historical Society President, Leslie Sulla, gave the following report: LHS hired a Program Coordinator (Kyle Mathers) in June. He left LHS in September to take a full-time curator position at Cantigny. A new Program Coordinator should be starting this month. Also, a new part-time Education Coordinator - Kim White has a lot of experience leading events with children. She managed the Peck Picnic a few weeks ago which attracted many families enjoying old-time games and crafts along with hot dogs and s’mores. LHS hosted an exhibit opening for Steve Spoden - 50 Years in Focus. About 70 people enjoyed a beautiful evening reminiscing with Steve and his favorite photos from his 50 years working at the Lombardian. Village of Lombard Page 3 Lombard Historic Preservation Minutes October 17, 2017 Commission The Peck foundation repairs have begun. The project will level the floor of the east wing (the play room/kitchen/bathroom) and add beams to lift the floor off the ground. The bathroom door will be moved to improve accessibility, and the storage closet will be enlarged. VOL Public Works will be helping with some aspects. The Peck Homestead is closed during construction. In September, Sarah attended the AASLH conference in San Antonio and returned with interesting ideas for creating experiences that appeal to a variety of visitors from youth to adults, and raise revenue. For example, offer events with RSVPs to decrease the likelihood of a volunteer spending 3-4 hours sitting in a museum without having any visitors. Upcoming events include: Sat, Oct 28 - 2pm: Grave Witching at Lombard Cemetery. Look for unmarked graves. $5. Sat, Nov 4 - 9-2pm: Lombard Christmas Mart along Maple St (including the Carriage House) Fri, Nov 17 - Noon: LHS volunteer docent Joyce Miller presentation on Mary Harlan-Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln’s daughter-in-law). Joyce was a docent at the Harlan-Lincoln historic house museum in Iowa. Sat, Dec 2 - 6-8pm Jingle Bell Jubilee E. Lombard Cemetery - Tom Fetters Commissioner Fetters reported that the Grave Witching event will be held at the cemetery on October 28th. Chairperson Schneider mentioned that the VFW will not be holding a ceremony on Veteran’s Day at the Lombard Cemetery. F. National Register Work for Sheldon Peck Homestead Chairperson Schneider reviewed the trip she took with Commissioner Poskocil to attend the newly dedicated historic roadside marker at 5 S. Skaneateles Street, Jordan, New York where Sheldon Peck lived from 1828 - 1836. Village of Lombard Page 4 Lombard Historic Preservation Minutes October 17, 2017 Commission G. Heritage Award - Lyn Myers Commissioner Myers summarized the preparations for the William J Mueller Heritage Award scheduled as part of the Village Board meeting on October 19th. Pat Poskocil for Lifetime Achievement and the Rudman Family for Education/Advocacy will be awarded. H. Historical Survey, Part 2 Chairperson Schneider reported that the 2016 survey is completed but the disc from Mr. Gilbert has not been delivered. Planner's Report Ms. Urish, staff liaison, distributed copies of the McKee Preservation Group’s, “Let’s Move Forward in Preservation Plan /Proposal” dated 9/7/17. Ms. Urish stated that she was unable to attend the McKee House Oversight Committee meeting on 10/10/17. Unfinished Business None New Business Leslie Sulla announced that the Historical Society is planning a Sheldon Peck Exhibit in 2019 with numerous original works on display borrowed from other museums. Chairperson Schneider requested that the January Historic Preservation Commission meeting scheduled for January 16, 2018 be rescheduled to January 9, 2018. All agreed. Adjournment On a motion by Commissioner Myers and seconded by Commissioner Wardzala, and all were in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Village of Lombard Page 5