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Cultural Commission Minutes 2011 05-18-11 APPROVED 6/15/11 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE CULTURAL COMMISSION Wednesday, May 18, 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. Gary Schirmer Other Guests Jackie Dearborn, City of Yorkville The meeting was called to order by Harold Oliver at 5:45 p.m. Roll Call Roll Call Taken Citizens Comments There were no citizens comments. Previous Minutes Ms. Todd asked that we approve minutes. They were approved. Committee Reports 1)Yorkville Has Talent! Mr. Oliver said that Ms. Sutcliff is not in attendance yet, but hopefully she will be there so they can discuss further Yorkville Has Talent. Mr. Oliver stated that it would be a great kick off and a great fundraiser. Mr. Oliver said that they are still looking for venues. Mr. Oliver stated that he still wants to keep Ms. Sutcliff on this committee because she is doing a great job with Yorkville Has Talent. 2) Historical Walking Tour Mr. Oliver stated that Mr. Lechowicz is in charge of this and he e-mailed that he could not make it to the meeting tonight. 3) Historic Jail Mr. Oliver asked Mr. Manthei to speak about the progress on the historic jail. Mr. Manthei stated that Mr. Oliver and he went and walked through to see what happened to it over the winter. They discussed what we needed to be done by the fall. Mr. Manthei stated that there is a twin building in southern Illinois and it was restored and it is the same as the old jail in Yorkville. Mr. Manthei stated that the original records were lost in a fire in the 1960's. Mr. Manthei said that someone came across of the original specifications of the jail. He said that about 80 percent of it is legible. Ms. Todd said that the original ones were given to the Sheriff. She stated that we need the keys. Ms. Todd said that the copy was much better than the xerox she had seen. Mr. Manthei said that the people that built the building would like to have the copies so that they can rebuild the best they can. Ms. Todd asked for a copy of the picture of the two buildings. Mr. Manthei stated that he mistakenly stumbled onto the other building on the internet. Mr. Oliver stated that the goal is to make sure that it is weather tight. He stated that they are going to patch the roof because the original metal roof is very expensive. He stated that maybe after they raise funds they can change to a metal roof. The roof is currently leaking. Mr. Oliver stated they are going to get sponsors for each window with a plaque so they can fix the windows. Mr. Oliver stated it is more of a labor issue than dollar issue. Mr. Oliver discussed whether they should do storm windows. Ms. Todd stated that Frank Rohas does good work. Mr. Oliver said that they would talk to him, but the work is not that difficult. Mr. Oliver stated that he has fixed those type of windows before. He stated that they want to save the original glass if possible. Ms. Todd said that she has a lot of material about windows she could get him some more information. Mr. Oliver said they want to be green, but want to preserve the windows. Mr. Manthei said that by fall they would like to have the roof fixed, the windows done and a new coat of paint. Mr. Oliver stated that a new coat of paint will make a huge difference. Mr. Oliver stated that they will start with the front and paint, redo gutters and work their way around the building. There is power in the building. Mr. Oliver said that besides the cleanup and fixing there needs to be an air filter system and some fans to keep things dry. Mr. Oliver said they need to decide what kind of system and how many volunteers they will need and that will be a big project. Mr. Oliver said that the winter really tore it up. Ms. Todd asked about maybe getting some of the retired men and train them to help with the windows. Mr. Oliver said that would be a good idea and Ms. Todd stated that she is going to help do that. Mr. Oliver said the main focus is to get it water tight. There is chimney work to do too. Ms. Dearborn stated that her husband owns Valley Chimney. Mr. Oliver said that not a lot of money will be needed right now, but time and effort will be. Mr. Manthei stated that by next Halloween things will look better and things will be stabilized. 4) Public Relations Mr. Oliver stated that Public Relations was Valerie Burd's. Mr. Oliver said that he will talk to the new Mayor and see what direction he wants to take things. 5) Grants Mr. Oliver said that we now will have Jackie Dearborn talk to us about grants. Mr. Oliver said that she has helped secure different grants before. Ms. Dearborn said that she wrote the jail grant and recycling hands in the park grant and Illinois Energy now grant. Mr. Oliver asked if there are some grants for st energy we could get. Ms. Dearborn stated that the new program starts June 1. She said that whoever pays Comed bills can give money back through grants. Mr. Oliver asked her to do some research for us and anything you can get would be great. Mr. Oliver said that energy or preservation would be great. Mr. Oliver stated that even matching grants would be great. New Business: Ms. Dearborn stated that she is on the Green committee. She stated that they met with the Yorkville Chamber Green committee and they purchased 30 rain barrels and they want to decorate them. Then the different businesses will display them. The city was asking if there was a cause that the money could go toward. They will be decorated by artists and then auctioned off at Hometown Days. Mr. Oliver said that the old jail would be a great cause. Ms. Dearborn said that maybe somehow we could tie this together. She stated that they will meet again and discuss if they think it would be a good relation. Mr. Oliver stated that the jail is something that this committee is very excited about. Anything that this committee can work together on with other committees that would be great. Mr. Oliver said that we are looking for artists and culture and things that we can bring into the community. Mr. Oliver asked Mr. Schirmer to tell about himself. He said that he has taught for over 20 years at College of Du page and Joliet Junior College. He has worked in television and video production and commercial photography. He worked at channel 11 for years. He stated that he is good for graphic design or rain barrel painting. He stated that the last meeting he suggested a mural be painted somewhere in the city. Mr. Schirmer stated that maybe we could get some local high school kids that are exceptional art students and he could teach them about that. Mr. Oliver stated that would be a great project. Mr. Schirmer said that he likes to show kids that you can actually make a living in the arts. Mr. Schirmer asked about the rain barrels. Ms. Dearborn said they are 55 gallon and blue. She stated that they purchased them from someone who charged them $15.00 per barrel. She said they are going to add kits to make them into the rain barrels. She said that the green committee will do that work. Ms. Dearborn said that there are special paints for plastic that can be used. She said that other cities have done the rain barrel art before. Ms. Dearborn said that they will be displayed all over the city when they are completed. Ms. Dearborn said they contacted Fox River Academy and some community colleges to see if there are some artists th that would like to work on the barrels. The deadline is July 4. Have them in the parade and then put them in front of businesses for a couple months. Mr. Schirmer stated that is a tight schedule. Ms. Dearborn stated that it will be $75.00 for the business to sponsor. She stated that whatever money is earned in the auction will be given to a cause to be determined. Old Business: Review of Initial terms was tabled until everyone is in attendance. No one objected. Additional Business: None. Adjournment: Mr. Schirmer motioned to adjourn and Mr. Manthei seconded. All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Lisa Godwin