Cultural Commission Minutes 2011 06-15-11
APPROVED W/ CORRECTION
7/20/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
CULTURAL COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 15, 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
Rick Falato, Yorkville Big Band
Other Guests:
Jackie Dearborn, City of Yorkville
Robyn Sutcliff
Tammy Eaton, Yorkville School District
Laura Schraw, City of Yorkville
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m.
Roll Call
Roll Call was taken
Citizens Comments:
No Citizens Comments
Previous Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes approved.
Committee Reports:
1) Yorkville Has Talent. It was discussed what the best time to hold event would be. The committee
discussed would it be best to hold it with Hometown Days or a stand alone event. Ms. Eaton stated that
Ms. Sutcliff contacted her to help out. Ms. Eaton stated that she thinks that the end of January or
beginning of February would be the best. There is not a lot in the community or schools going on at that
time. Ms. Eaton stated that she thinks that the kids will be very interested in this. Mr. Oliver asked if
the schools would be open to letting the committee use their facilities. Ms. Eaton states that she
believes that they would be interested in working together with them. Mr. Oliver stated that he thinks
that we need to make that partnership. Ms. Eaton stated that she has tried to reach out to the seniors in
the community for a free play and never had anyone call her back. She stated that she needs to know
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who to contact. The committee discussed how a free matinee would be great for the seniors in the
community. Mr. Oliver stated that he will get her the right contacts for that. Ms. Eaton stated that
community involvement would be great for the schools. Mr. Oliver asked how many we could seat.
Ms. Eaton stated 600 in auditorium. Ms. Sutcliff stated that we would have to do a first come first
serve basis. Ms. Eaton stated that preliminary auditions will probably be long and brutal, but she stated
that to really narrow it down auditions would be good. Ms. Sutcliff asked if a first come basis would
work. Ms. Eaton stated that she thinks that you will have a lot of interest and probably need auditions.
It was discussed that it will be more than a one day event. It was discussed to do it in rounds on
different weekends and about a fee or charge to attend. Ms. Eaton discussed that in the future maybe
the county fair would be an option. It was discussed that February seems like a good time to hold it
because there is not a lot going on at that time of year. Ms. Eaton stated that a criteria should be made
so that people know what they are being judged on ahead of time. Ms. Eaton stated that the High
School did a Yorkville Has Talent and she said that one guy did stand up comedy, which was good, but
how do you judge that with others that sing and dance. The group that won was a dance group. She
stated that there will be a lot of different kinds of talent. It was discussed that the judges would be Mr.
Pilmer and music teachers, dance teachers, Colleen that runs Gold Star, maybe a business owner. Mr.
Oliver stated that we need an MC. Ms. Eaton stated that she is excited about Yorkville showcasing
some of our talents in the community. Ms. Eaton stated that she will make several calls and get some
more information. Mr. Oliver asked Ms. Eaton to get some dates set as soon as we can with the schools
so that we can get started on advertising this in the fall. Ms. Sutcliff said that The Patch asked her to do
a blog on the Cultural Arts Committee. Ms. Sutcliff stated that she wants to get the information out
soon because they are going to need a lot of volunteers. Mr. Oliver asked do we need to make a motion
to make Tammy Eaton represent the committee for the Yorkville Has Talent. Mr. Lechowicz made a
motion and Mr. Oliver seconded that motion. It was approved.
2) Historic Jail - Howard Manthei stated that he walked through the building with the editor of the
Yorkville Patch. She was just overwhelmed when she got in there and not sure how she would put a
piece together for us, but she wanted to do that. Mr. Manthei said that the Record ran an article. He
stated that they have not received many calls to help. The Patch editor took photos and has plans to
show people what they are planning. Mr. Manthei stated that he met with Sherman Williams Paint and
he recommended what materials to use and he said they were willing to donate. Mr. Manthei stated that
he has some windows he is working on. Mr. Manthei stated that it was recommended to power wash
and clean everything. There is no water there. It was discussed to talk to public works to take care of
that. Mr. Oliver stated that if anyone knows anyone that wants to volunteer their time to paint, or clean
up etc. let him know. Mr. Oliver stated they are making progress there. Mr. Oliver stated that we need
to get some PR and get someone that could chair that.
3) Historical Walking Tour – Mr. Lechowicz stated that he is still working on getting more information
on the buildings. He will start going door to door and speaking with businesses to see if they know
more about the buildings. Mr. Lechowicz is trying to find different pictures and information on the
historical buildings in Yorkville. The committee discussed looking at old houses in Yorkville and getting
some information on those also. Mr. Lechowicz asked Ms. Sutcliff to add to the blog that he is looking
for information on buildings in the area. Ms. Eaton stated that he might want to speak with Kathy
Farren for some more information.
4) Grants - Jackie Dearborn came and dropped off the information on Grants. Mr. Oliver will look over
the packet that she left with Grant information and get back to her.
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New Business:
Laura Schraw from the City of Yorkville brought the plan for Riverfront Park. She stated that they are
looking to apply for a grant for $400,000.00. They are in need of parking and maybe working with
some businesses for parking. Mr. Oliver asked about how the canoe shoot is going. Ms. Sutcliff stated
that there seems to be a lot of people using it and going down there more often. Ms. Sutcliff stated that
it would be great to use the park for cultural arts events and to maybe commission a local artist to do a
statue or something because they had to take down the fountain. Ms. Schraw stated that moving the
playground made open space with grass so that the pavilion can now be used for performances. She
stated that the statue might have to be in the memorial area. It was discussed that another park could be
a sculpture park. Ms. Schraw stated that the local high school students or residents could do that. Ms.
Sutcliff stated that it would be great to highlight the students. Mr. Oliver stated that is the idea of this
committee. Ms. Eaton asked who to contact to use a park for a performance. Ms. Schraw stated to call
the Rec Center. There is usually a rental fee, but for non profit the fee is usually waived.
Old Business
:
Mr. Oliver stated that we drew out of a hat to get the terms on the committee. He stated that he is on
for one year and some are for two. He said that he would like to see that terms are at least two years.
Additional Business:
Mr. Oliver stated that he thinks they need to get more people involved in this committee. Mr.
Lechowicz stated that we need to get Valerie Burd. Mr. Oliver said that we need schools and parks
involved and have representation in the committee. That way there is direct contact with who we need
to speak with. Ms. Eaton stated that she would be interested in representing the schools. She stated
that she will check with her boss and make sure it will be okay. Ms. Schraw stated that she couldn't
commit to be there all the time, but she can participate as much as possible.
Mr. Oliver stated that we need to get the Haunted House at the Old Jail added to the agenda for the next
meeting. He stated that we need to begin the planning process for the next one.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By:
Lisa Godwin
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