MINUTES. GALESBURG LANDMARK COMMISSION ERICKSON CONFERENCE ROOM OF GALESBURG CITY HALL REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

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1 MINUTES GALESBURG LANDMARK COMMISSION ERICKSON CONFERENCE ROOM OF GALESBURG CITY HALL REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Hillary Hoffman, Mark Martin, Roger Reynolds, Paul Stewart and Greta Woolsey, 5. MEMBERS ABSENT: Tony Chinn, 1. OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Carl, Public Works Director, Marty Hobe, Galesburg Register- Mail and Julie Main, Associate Planner. Chairperson Stewart declared a quorum was present. The meeting began at 6:32 p.m. Chairperson Stewart mentioned that Bill Franckey has resigned and one member is not able to attend tonight s meeting. Approve Minutes of February 2, 2016 Member Woolsey made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Member Reynolds. Minutes were approved by voice vote. Consider Citizen Comment Chairperson Stewart welcomed Marty Hobe from the Galesburg Register- Mail to the meeting. LC Discuss Director Brick Street Presentation by Wayne Carl, Public Works Chairperson Stewart said Galesburg has a number of brick streets due to a brick manufacturer being located near here. There are many miles of brick streets and at this point in time, some of these streets need repair. The City of Galesburg has a Brick Street Policy which categorizes these streets from a higher priority for preservation to a lower level. He said there was a petition and citizen meeting to discuss a brick street, Prairie Street from Dayton Street to Park Lane. Chairperson Stewart pointed out concerns with overlaying this portion of Prairie Street (planned during 2018) due to the location of historic homes, period lamp posts and one block west - Cherry Street s brick street was rehabilitated. Page 1 of 5

2 Mr. Carl provided the Landmark Commission a copy of Galesburg s Brick Street policy. He said he worked with the Landmark Commission in developing the policy at that time to look at Galesburg s brick streets and prioritize their condition. This policy provides three ratings of brick streets which include protected indefinitely, protected end of useful life and unprotected. The policy intent is to keep the brick streets located in the National Register Historic District in good condition. Since 2003, several brick street reconstruction projects have occurred. Mr. Carl provided a handout which showed details of the brick street reconstruction projects and two maps. One map has the locations of the three categories of brick streets and the other map shows the proposed brick street overlay projects. Mr. Carl also provided a capital projects listing. The City of Galesburg recently issued a $10,000,000 bond for street repair projects, Farnham Street Bridge reconstruction and possible rehabilitation of the former Armory. Mr. Carl said that every brick street is different. Staff looks at the condition of the bricks and the base material. For example, the Pleasant Avenue overlay will be done in concrete whereas other streets will be overlaid with asphalt. The City has harvested hundreds of thousands of bricks and will continue to harvest reusable bricks. The City has sold some bricks in the past that were suitable for landscaping purposes and some bricks have been donated to Knox College. The concrete patches on brick streets may be due to sewer repairs or base failures. The patches have caused the brick streets to become bumpy. Asphalt can smooth out the bumpy brick streets and is economical alternative. Brick street reconstruction labor cost is high compared to an asphalt overlay and finding the labor to lay brick streets can be difficult. Member Woolsey asked if it was expensive to store the bricks. Mr. Carl said the bricks would be hard to obtain in the future so the storage expense seems reasonable at this point. He said they were able to reuse many of the bricks for the Broad Street reconstruction project but sometimes that is not the case. The bricks in the storage area are identified by type. For example, the 1920 s bricks are better bricks than some of the older bricks. Every street is constructed differently and has various traffic volumes. Member Martin said the trash trucks run along the curb and depress the pavement. Members understood the frustration of residents that live on bumpy streets. Mr. Carl said the proposed 2018 Prairie Street overlay will require a change to the brick street policy to take it off the protected indefinitely listing. It may be possible to swap that street to protect another brick Page 2 of 5

3 street. Chairperson Stewart asked Mr. Carl for ideas for a swap. He also said he didn t realize how unique Galesburg was to have so many brick streets until he traveled. Member Reynolds said that the bumpy streets do slow down the traffic. Member Martin said that Broad Street is a beautiful example of a reconstructed brick street. He said the brick streets wearing surface is similar to concrete. Mr. Carl talked about the differences in brick, concrete and asphalt street construction projects. The labor cost for a brick street is 65% more than that of other types of street reconstruction so cost is an issue. The 2003 brick street policy was a good compromise. It is unfortunate the City has a backlog of street projects. If residents wanted an extra tax to pay for brick street rehabilitation that would be a possible solution but it is doubtful that would occur. Prairie Street north of Fremont already has discontinuity due to an asphalt overly in the block between Sanborn and Dayton Streets. That portion of Prairie Street proposed for an overly is not located within the National Register Historic District. Member Martin noted that there is a shorter wait time for overlay projects versus brick street reconstruction projects. Mr. Carl said brick streets in the more visible areas of the community make sense. Funding has been going towards roads that carry more traffic but the streets in poor condition should not be left out. Mr. Carl said that the Galesburg Sanitary District has been relining sewers instead of removing the street and then replacing the sewers. The members thanked Mr. Carl for attending the meeting. LC Consider Certificate of Appropriateness 26 East North Street A consultant representing U.S. Cellular has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to upgrade antennas and cables to their existing antenna array located at 26 East North Street. The Landmark Commission reviews tower modifications if they are located within the National Historic District. Member Reynolds made a motion to recommend approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness, seconded by Member Hoffman. Woolsey, 5. Roll Call #1 Ayes: Nays: None. Absent: Member Chinn, 1. Members Hoffman, Martin, Reynolds, Stewart and Page 3 of 5

4 LC Discuss Items from the Chairperson Chairperson Stewart had Julie Main review the staff updates memo. Ms. Main said members were encouraged to recommend potential award recipients for PAVER Awards. A ceremony and reception are planned for May 16th at City Hall. Members volunteered to provide items for the reception. Bob Miener s home located at 1020 Bateman Street was discussed as a potential PAVER Award recipient. One suggestion was to provide an appreciation award to owners of 387 North Kellogg Street for becoming a landmark along with Knox College for the Gale Home, located at 127 East North Street for reconstructing a chimney. Members were encouraged to drive by 982 North Prairie Street which was recently painted as was 562 North Academy Street. The Knox College Alumni Building renovation has also been completed. On February 8, 2016, Landmark Commission members and staff walked through 240 West Main Street, this building will be demolished for the library construction project. A door threshold made by Frost Manufacturing will be removed during the demolition phase and will be given to the Galesburg Historical Society. The Galesburg City Council approved the Landmark Commission s recommendation to designate 387 North Kellogg Street a local landmark at their February 15, 2016 meeting. A letter was provided to Commission members from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency regarding the IL HABS documentation status update of Silas Willard School. This building will be demolished this year. Staff mentioned that the City Council approved changes to the Façade Redevelopment Grant program in January. The minimum and maximum project costs were amended to increase participation in the program. Member Hoffman said she would be attending the Landmarks Illinois meeting in Rock Island on March 17, Some members said they may attend the meeting. Member Hoffman said she would update the commission at the next meeting. Tony Chinn and Mark Martin were reappointed to the Landmark Commission at the February 16, 2016 City Council meeting. Member Martin said Bob Miener would be a suggestion for becoming a Landmark Commission member. Page 4 of 5

5 Chairperson Stewart asked Julie Main to contact City Manager Todd Thompson regarding the status of the proposed paint rebate program. Chairman Stewart said the City has approved an adjudication hearing process and that this process will begin this month. Member Reynolds reported a good turnout for the Galesburg Historical Society fundraiser held in February. It is appreciated when items are donated to the Historical Society and it would be beneficial if donations were noted in people s wills. There being no further business, Member Reynolds made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Member Hoffman, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Julie R. Main, Associate Planner Acting Executive Secretary Page 5 of 5