Lombard Historical Commission

Village Hall Village of Lombard 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Lombard Historical Commission Rita Schneider, President Tom Fetters, Eileen Mueller, Brigitte O'Brien, Richard Anstee, Lyn Myers, Pat Poskocil, Jack Jones, Marcy Novak, Jennifer Henaghan and Stephanie Zabela Leslie Sulla - Ex-Officio Member Village Liaison - William Heniff Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:30 PM Village Hall - North Landing Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance President Rita Schneider called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. President Schneider led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Present 11 - Rita Schneider, Jack Jones, Patricia Poskocil, Marcy Novak, Tom Fetters, Lyn Myers, Eileen Mueller, Richard Anstee, Brigitte O'Brien, Jennifer Henaghan, and Stephanie Zabela Also present: Leslie Sulla, Ex Officio and Tami Urish, Planner I, Staff Liaison Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Tom Fetters, seconded by Brigitte O’Brien, to approve the minutes of the meeting on October 15, 2013. The motion passed by a unanimous vote with no changes. Public Participation There were no members of the public present. Chairman's Remarks The Chairperson had no remarks to present. Reports A. Finance - Richard Anstee Village of Lombard Page 1 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes January 28, 2014 Richard Anstee reported that the Fiscal Year 2014 budget was approved by the Village Board of Trustees on November 7 and 21, 2013. A meeting was held on January 28, 2014 with himself, Rita Schneider, Pat Poskocil, Keith Giagnorio, Village President and Scott Niehaus, Village Manager to discuss the salary to be offered to the new Executive Director of the Historical Society. B. Local Landmarks - Eileen Mueller Eileen Mueller reported that the sub-committee met with Douglas Gilbert on December 18, 2013 about updating the current Survey of Historic Sites and Structures conducted in 1992. The sub-committee consists of Rita Schneider, Eileen Mueller, Jennifer Henaghan, Jennifer Ganser, Village of Lombard, Sarah Richardt, Executive Director of Lombard Town Centre and Jean Cooper, Archivist of the Lombard Historical Society. The sub-committee reviewed sample surveys and discussed the data fields to be incorporated in the survey forms. The final list will be presented to the Local Landmarks Committee. Progress continues on the signage for the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad along the Prairie Path with an expected completion by the end of the year. C. Personnel - Pat Poskocil Pat Poskocil reported that the Committee interviewed by telephone over twenty-five candidates of the submitted applications for the Executive Director of the Historical Society position vacated by Jeanne Schultz Angel in October. The field was narrowed to five candidates that were recently interviewed in person with the top two candidates being identified. Leslie Sulla added that the museum staff has been doing an excellent job of filling in the gaps without an executive director. D. Ex-Officio Report - Leslie Sulla Leslie Sulla reported on the Lombard Historical Society’s activities with highlights including: • Sarah Richardt has been retained to coordinate Sweet’s Civil War Encampment which included submitting a grant application. • Museum staff has submitted grant applications for both Lilac Time advertising in Horticulture magazine and Peckapalooza. The 175th Anniversary of the Sheldon Peck Homestead including a Peck reunion. Village of Lombard Page 2 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes January 28, 2014 • The software and hardware for the museums are in the process of being updated. Attention to the outdated archives computer and lack of backup system will be next in line. • The Village agreed to give $3500 toward fixing the drainage issue at the Peck Homestead. Water has been damaging the cellar walls and the foundation for years. The money had been earmarked previous budgets but was omitted in the 2014 budget. LHS board member/architect Kristi Miller will be the contact person concerning the project. • There are several code issues regarding opening the cellar for visitors (ceiling height, stair railing, etc.). A good alternative is to cut a hole in the first floor so visitors can look down into the cellar. The hole would be covered with plexiglass or other similar material. • A new exhibit on Lombard artists such as Christia Reade, Charles Medin and Harold Gray will be open at the Carriage House by the end of February. • A new touchscreen computer is expected to facilitate the study of all of the Peck paintings without being on display in the museum. • There will be a new exhibit focusing on the history of the Peck Homestead in time for Peckapalooza. The exhibit will include items saved during the Peck reconstruction in the 1990’s including wallpaper fragments and objects found behind the walls such as playing cards and a toy gun. • In November, the Victorian Cottage/Carriage had 821 visitors and the Peck Homestead had 136. • Also, concerning the search for a new Executive Director, Trustee Fitzpatrick suggested that any candidate for the position should have experience writing grants. E. Lombard Cemetery - Tom Fetters An Eagle Scout project and clean-up days are planned for the spring. Village of Lombard Page 3 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes January 28, 2014 F. National Register Work for Sheldon Peck Homestead G. Heritage Award - Lyn Myers Lyn Myers stated that she will be working on changes and improvements to the application and categories to fine tune the process based on the past two years of submittals of this new award. Planner's Report Tami Urish reminded the Commission that the incomplete applications for 128-132 and 134 W. St. Charles were filed with the Village in 2012. Staff requested direction on a deadline. President Schneider stated that she had spoken to the applicants recently and the supporting material for the application will be turned in soon. Unfinished Business Pat has possession of the Freedom Trail Plaque for the Peck Homestead and it will be installed after the cellar project is completed. New Business 140034 2013 Annual Report Review of the annual Commission report to the Village Board. President Schneider distributed copies of the draft Annual Report for 2013 and read the report aloud. Throughout the reading, Commissioners offered minor corrections for incorporation into the final report. Other Business The Commissioners discussed options to honor former Commissioner John Egan. The Commissioners agreed to request that Bill Heniff give the updates on the Historical Commission’s actions at the Village Board meeting in the future. Since Brigitte O’Brien stepped down from the Village Clerk position, reports on the Historical Commission at the Village Board meetings have been absent. The new Village Clerk is not able to attend meetings at this time. Brigitte O’Brien suggested Mr. Heniff because he is the Staff Liaison to the Historical Commission and attends the Village Board meetings. Village of Lombard Page 4 Lombard Historical Commission Minutes January 28, 2014 Adjournment The next meeting will be held on April 15, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall. On a motion by Tom Fetters and seconded by Lyn Myers, and all were in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Village of Lombard Page 5