Cultural Commission Minutes 2011 04-20-11
APPROVED 5/23/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
CULTURAL COMMISSION
Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
City Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL 60560
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Harold Oliver, HRM
Howard Manthei, City
Eric Lechowicz, Tall Prairie Architecture
Stephanie Todd, K.C.H.P.C.
Other City Officials
Valerie Burd, Mayor
Robyn Sutcliff, Alderman
Other Guests
Lynn Dubajic, YEDC
Don Grant Zellmer, Follies Theatre
The meeting was called to order by Harold Oliver at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Roll Call taken
Citizens Comments
Lynn Dubajic brought Don Grant Zellmer from Follies Theatre in Utica, Illinois. He is looking at
Yorkville to bring his theatre. He brought Playbills to hand out. Mr. Zellmer talked about his interest in
moving his Theatre to Yorkville because Utica is rerouting Highway 178 and it will bypass downtown
Utica and they will lose a lot of business. Mr. Zellmer said that he found the Hortons Building in
Yorkville that he thought might work for him. Ms. Dubajic also helped him locate a couple other
venues to look at. Mr. Zellmer wanted to let the committee know they would be willing to work with
other groups in the community. They are open to any venues in Yorkville. Mr. Zellmer said that it will
need to be only for them because they need access to it all the time. Mr. Zellmer believes that there is a
good population base to support a theatre it Yorkville. Mr. Zellmer said it will bring people into
Yorkville to shop and eat etc. The space he is looking at will seat 100 people. Mr. Zellmer would like
to open somewhere in Yorkville in the fall before the holidays. Mayor Burd wanted to know if he
checked with Old Second Bank downtown. Ms. Dubajic said she did, but they are only wanting to sell
that building not lease. Mr. Zellmer is wanting to lease. Ms. Dubajic said that 3000 square feet would
be ideal. Alderman Sutcliff stated that we are looking for performers to come into the city. Ms. Todd
asked if a barn would work. Mr. Zellmer and Ms. Dubajic stated that would work if it was insulated. It
has to be a permanent site. Mr. Lechowicz said that he spoke to the Masonic Lodge. They are talking
about an addition. It might be going up for sale. Mr. Lechowicz said that they are considering finding
another space. There is not an elevator. The building on Hydraulic and 47 would be great, but would
have to build new bathrooms. Discussion about newer buildings versus older buildings. Mr. Manthei
asked about the public library. They have a large conference room that seats 100. Alderman Sutcliff
said they would have to give them a lease. Mr. Oliver said that anything the committee can do to help
the committee is willing. Mr. Zellmer stated that they are working with Ms. Dubajic for more help.
Mayor Burd asked about a building behind the judo club building. Ms. Dubajic is going to check on
that. Mr. Zellmer gave his contact information.
Previous Minutes
Mr. Oliver asks about previous minutes to be approved. They are approved.
Committee Reports
1) Yorkville Has Talent!
Alderman Sutcliff said she checked with different venues to hold event. Yorkville Middle School, High
school. Alderman Sutcliff thought end of August would be a good time to hold event. Holding
auditions four weeks before show. The typical performance time is four minutes per performance.
Competitions and dates will depend on what we want to do. Alderman Sutcliff said that we could take
4 different weekends so there would be more participation. Mr. Oliver stated that might be too many
weekends with summer vacations. Alderman Sutcliff states that we can work on times and it might be
difficult to get schools for weekends. Discussed fees and ages and groups to perform. Mr. Oliver asks
about a senior division. Money and budget $5 students and $10 adults a $10.00 registration fee per
group or performer. Alderman Sutcliff talked about a dinner for finale. Alderman Sutcliff stated that
the crowd could cast ballots for a dollar to put in their vote not the first round but the semifinal and
final. Rewards were discussed for each category. Amounts between $50.00 to $100.00. Marketing we
could use fliers, facebook, e-mail and press releases. Businesses to print fliers or sell space in an ad
book. Volunteer positions are needed for a coordinator and director. Alderman Sutcliff suggested Ms.
Eaton at the Middle School. Committee discussed that sponsors will be important. Judges could be
music teacher, Yorkville alumni, business owners from area, and a local judge. A master of ceremonies
will be needed. Mr. Oliver asks are we going to accept anyone who wants to participate. Alderman
says that we only have so much time so 40 would be accepted. Mr. Oliver hates to cut out anyone.
Alderman Sutcliff agrees. Alderman Sutcliff suggests that the first 40 that show interest will be it.
Discussion on what time of year to hold event. Maybe a holiday weekend. Mr. Oliver likes the catered
dinner idea. Mr. Lechowicz spoke about charging for drinks and food. Mr. Oliver suggests to
broadcast through Comcast as local event. Mr. Manthei suggested that the winner perform at
Hometown Days. Mayor Burd asked if we could work with other communities and pull winners from
each city to do something together. Discussion about how many events in finale. Mr. Oliver asked
about how to limit participants. Yorkville School District would be the best way to do it. If part of
Yorkville School District you can participate. Mr. Andy Ricter was discussed as the Master of
Ceremonies. Mr. Oliver stated that sponsors are going to be very important. We need to be able to
make money to fund future projects. Buy ads or put up banners for a fee. Alderman Sutcliff states that
she needs to get a committee together for this specific event. Mr. Lechowicz suggested local colleges
might have some help. Alderman Sutcliff said that she needs people that are reliable and people to
speak with businesses and promote event. Alderman Sutcliff suggests trying to meet before the next
meeting. Hope is that this event turns into a yearly event. Mr. Oliver thinks that this idea will be great
and really take off and be big. Estimation on numbers and how many seats will be needed. The
Middle School auditorium is thought to be the best location. Discussion of a schedule for people to
watch to make sure that people will fit in auditorium at different times. Alderman Sutcliff will begin
putting committee together for Yorkville Has Talent. Mr. Oliver said that the we are all here for help
with whatever is needed. Mr. Oliver states that it can't fail. Better to put it off and have plenty of time
to get a plan together.
2)A Historical Walking Tour of Downtown Yorkville and Historical Name Plates – Mr. Lechowicz
passed out maps and pictures of different places and how much things cost. Things are labeled
out of historical Yorkville Book. Mr. Lechowicz mapped a generic walking path. He spoke
about local businesses donating to help with costs. Mr. Lechowicz suggested to take maps
home and look it over. By doing this it will help local businesses. Mayor Burd said that the
city has a vision of downtown and what it is to look like. They are trying to use TIFF money to
put in some signs. Mayor Burd stated the vision plan might help you in your planning with the
widening of 47. Signs mounted on buildings are substantially less money. Mr. Oliver said the
history will be exciting to see. The plaques are printed signs. Bronze plaques cost too much.
Mr. Lechowicz is going to take historical walking tour and get pictures himself. Mr. Oliver said
that he thinks there will be a lot of help once this gets started. Mr. Lechowicz wants committee
to look over maps and see if he missed anything on the maps that should be there. Mr.
Lechowicz said he will send an e-mail about an orchestra that is interested in playing in
Yorkville. Alderman Sutcliff said that the high school has a machine that can print into granite.
Eric Miller at the high school might know if they could use that.
3)Historic Jail – Mr. Oliver stated that he and Mr. Manthei did not meet on the historic jail yet and
plan on next week to do so. Ms. Todd stated that committee should look into sell plaques for
windows to raise money. Mr. Oliver stated that is the plan.
4)Public Relations -
5)Grant Writer
New Business:
1.Budget and Proceeds from 2010 Haunted Jail Event – going to have to put all budgets together
and funding together. Everyone start thinking about their budgets those will be per individual to
see what we have. The Yorkville Has Talent will be a great kick off to raise money. Mr. Oliver
asked what happened to Haunted Jail event money. Mayor Burd stated that it is in a separate
account and it is about $6,000.00 and $1,000.00 is pledged for the insurance for the next year.
Mr. Oliver stated that whatever we raise needs to stay in that particular committee. We need to
work as a whole, but budgets and funds are per event.
Review of Initial Terms – Mayor Burd states that some will have to be reappointed in May when new
Mayor comes in. New Mayor makes short appointments.
Mr. Oliver asked Alderman Sutcliff and Mayor Burd if they will still be involved in committee. Mr.
Oliver states that we will need their help in the future. Mr. Oliver said that we will need to report to
City Council on what their plans are. Alderman Sutcliff said that she will report that they are doing a
kick off fundraiser. Mr. Oliver said that it needs to be presented that Yorkville Has Talent is being
looked at and the committee is exploring the idea.
Mayor Burd states that she got a letter from Arts of Illinois and invited her to meeting. Mayor Burd
states that she is going to attend and bring back whatever information she can get form it and the
committee can use it.
Mr. Oliver made motion to adjourn; Mr. Manthei moved to and Mr. Lechowicz seconded. All were in
favor and the meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Lisa Godwin