Kendall County Times

Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Jeff Wehrli called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Eric Bernacki (Vice-Chair) (Arrived at 6:07 p.m.), Kristine Heiman (Secretary), and Jeff Wehrli (Chairman), Elizabeth Flowers, and Marty Shanahan

Absent: None

Also Present: Matt Asselmeier (Director), Wanda A. Rolf (Administrative Assistant), David Guritz (Forest Preserve Director), and Todd Volker (Economic Development)

NEW BUSINESS

Tour of the Pickerill-Pigot House

Commissioners toured the house and received information regarding the Pickerills and the property. Member Bernacki arrived at this time (6:07 p.m.).

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Member Flowers made a motion, seconded by Member Shanahan, to approve the agenda. With a voice vote of five (5) ayes, the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Flowers made a motion, seconded by Member Bernacki, to approve the minutes from the September 18, 2023, meeting. With a voice vote of five (5) ayes, the motion carried.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Discussion occurred regarding having a meeting in Plattville. The Commission will try to meet in Plattville in January 2024. Mr. Asselmeier confirmed the February meeting would still occur at Au Sable Presbyterian Church on February 21, 2024.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Asselmeier introduced Todd Volker, the new Kendall County Economic Development Coordinator.

NEW BUSINESS

Recommendation on FY2023-2024 Meeting Calendar

Member Bernacki made a motion, seconded by Member Shanahan, to recommend approval of the meeting calendar. With a voice vote of five (5) ayes, the motion carried.

Approval of Historic Preservation Award Application and Press Release

Member Flowers made a motion, seconded by Member Heiman, to approve the application and press release. With a voice vote of five (5) ayes, the motion carried.

Discussion of 2024 Meeting with Historic Preservation Groups

Mr. Asselmeier reported that the Pastor for the Au Sable Grove Presbyterian Church was agreeable to having the meeting at the church on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Asselmeier needed to confirm if a person from the Church could provide a history of the building and congregation. Jon Pressley from the State would discuss the importance of landmarking a structure.

Discussion occurred regarding the oldest structure in Kendall County. Mr. Asselmeier provided an email from Ken Itle on the matter.

Discussion of Historic Structure Surveys

Mr. Asselmeier reported the structure survey of Na-Au-Say and Seward Townships was still in the proposed budget.

Discussion occurred regarding uploading the surveys from Kendall and Bristol Township into the GIS. Discussion also occurred regarding the stone monuments in the Native American reservations.

Discussion of Having Commission Meetings at Historic Locations in the County

Commissioners discussed having future meetings at the Henneberry Barn, Ashley Road Banquet Center, Plano Hotel, the Gaylord House, Lisbon Congregational Church, Plano Masonic Temple, and Plano Post Office. Mr. Asselmeier will investigate the option of having meetings at these properties.

Commissioners favored having the summer 2024 group meeting at the Pickerill House.

Discussion occurred regarding the oldest business in Kendall County.

Discussion of Cemeteries

Commissioners reviewed the list of cemeteries.

Chairman Wehrli felt the Commission had done all it could related to cemeteries.

CORRESPONDENCE

September 28, 2023, Email from Edith Farnsworth House

Commissioners reviewed the email. The email provided information that the Edith Farnsworth House has launched its first tour in Spanish to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. It was led by Alejandro Saldana Perales, PhD, candidate in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Mr. Asselmeier provided an email Kendra Parzen regarding the October 14, 2023, meeting of the Suburban Preservation Alliance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Guritz discussed using LiDAR to find historic properties and artifacts.

ADJOURNMENT

Member Flowers made a motion, seconded by Member Heiman, to adjourn. With a voice vote of five (5) ayes, the motion carried. The Historic Preservation Commission adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/28547/638361581361785729