McHenry Times

Woodstock Old Courthouse and Sheriff's House Advisory Commission met Monday, Jan. 17.

The Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission was formed to assess community needs, and leverage existing assets, to identify suitable future uses for these two historic buildings, as a pivotal part of the Woodstock Square. This 9-member commission will evaluate potential success of public, private, and non-profit organization ownership, including fundraising, directing projects, finding tenants, building management and long-term maintenance.

Here are the minutes as provided by Woodstock:

MINUTES

CITY OF WOODSTOCK

OLD COURTHOUSE AND SHERIFF’S HOUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION

January 16, 2017

City Council Chambers

A Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission was called to order at 7:00 PM by Vice-Chairman David Stumpf on Monday, January 16, 2017 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynde Anderson, Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, Vice-Chair David Stumpf, and Joseph White.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Donovan Day, Tammy Townsend-Kise and Chairman Dennis Sandquist.

STAFF PRESENT: City Planner/Staff Liaison Nancy Baker, Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie.

OTHERS PRESENT: Hans Mach, resident of Woodstock.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: In accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the general public may address the Commission regarding any Matter on the agenda or not on the agenda.

H. Mach is the Community Development Administrator for McHenry County, “responsible for development, monitoring and rollout of Senior Service Grant funding, the HUD Community Development Block Grant and HOME funding programs and the Continuum of Care grant funding and planning”. He’s currently working on the amendments to the 5-year consolidated plan, 2015-2019. Historic Preservation of National Landmarks is included in the packet. The county is seeking public comments through February 22nd. Meetings will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 1:00 PM and on Wednesday, February 1st at 1:00 PM.

Vice-Chair Stumpf asked if there were any questions for Mr. Mach. J. Prindiville asked where the grant funding for CDBG comes from. This is a financial aid package that grants federal money to state and local governments for use in social welfare programs, such as law enforcement, community development, and health services. McHenry County manages three programs. These grants help to serve the County’s homeless population. Mr. Mach added that the Senior Services grant comes from McHenry County monies. J. Campion asks about the size of the block grant. The block grant is typically $1M, depending on factors and determined by the Federal Government. All counties compete for these monies 

J. White noted that the County is seeking some HUD money to provide for the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House. H. Mach is seeking public comment. G. Anderson said this change was made at the City’s request; H. Mach is here at the City’s request. It is the City’s wish to include Historic Preservation in this type of grant. G. Anderson said this is a program that the City applies for, and so far has included public infrastructure projects only – until this request. The Commissioners and staff thanked Mr. Mach for the information and for his time.

VI. RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING SUPPORT OF CDBG PLAN AMENDMENT

Vice-Chair Stumpf directed attention to Item 6 – Resolution. He noted that there are two versions; the original version and the revised version. He indicated that the revised version includes the addition of activities related to Historic Preservation. Paragraph 4 is the recommendation of Chairman D. Sandquist. The Resolution is open for discussion. J. Prindiville was a bit alarmed at the slum blight description of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House; he said that’s a pretty strong statement. He doesn’t believe it should be defined this way. G. Anderson stated that these are trigger words in the application process, which allow for qualifications for this specific funding. He went on to clarify the criteria and added that the County will get an allocation each year; this funding is just for McHenry County. D. Stumpf read through the Resolution. Further discussion ensued. J. Campion said we’re looking for sources to help repair the Old Courthouse. He does agree that the Old Courthouse should be included in this program. J. Campion made a Motion to approve the revised version of the Resolution for the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan. A Second was made

by L. Anderson. There was a consensus of the Commission. Motion carried.

III. ACCCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – with the following corrections

From D. Sandquist, bottom of page 1, bottom paragraph, change building TO property. 2nd correction, comments on 2nd to last paragraph on page 2, shouldn’t be from D. Stumpf but rather from D. Sandquist.

Motion by J. Campion, second by J. Prindiville, to accept the Minutes of the December 19, 2016 meeting, with corrections as noted above, of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission. Ayes: Lynde Anderson, Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, Vice-Chair David Stumpf, and Joseph White. Nays: None. Abstentions: None.

Absentees: Donovan Day, Tammy Townsend-Kise and Chairman Dennis Sandquist.

Motion carried; Minutes accepted with corrections.

V. FUTURE USE RESEARCH UPDATES AND DISCUSSION

J. White spoke with the principal of Woodstock High School and discussed students getting involved in civic projects. They are looking for ideas of short term projects for small groups; students will need direction.

J. Campion talked with the Bar Association about the possibility of having offices in the Old Courthouse or Sheriff’s House. The Manager of the Bar Association said their lease is up this summer; they would be interested. The Chamber of Commerce is also interested in locating their offices in the Old Courthouse when the building becomes available. J. Prindiville was pleased with this idea. He asked if the Bar Association is also a not-forprofit.

J. Campion said this is true; they serve the needs of the lawyers as well as clients of the lawyers. The Chamber of Commerce is also a not-for-profit, so this would also be a good fit. J. Campion provided additional information about the services of the Bar Association. D. Stumpf said the space could also be conducive as office space for those in the medical field. J. Prindiville said many details need to be determined for potential leasers, along with a timeline and information as to when space would be available. With regard to  the Chamber of Commerce, J. Campion said the Jailhouse would fit their needs much better than where the Chamber is currently located, in the basement of City Hall. G. Anderson said it is possible that the City’s Economic Development Department could move into the Old Courthouse as well, should space constraints arise in City Hall. J. Prindiville said there would be an advantage for the Chamber and the City’s Economic Development Department to share the building. G. Anderson added some additional information, such as having a space for their Incubator and Woodstock High School. D. Stumpf said further discussion is needed to find out what their current needs are. J. Campion said we need to find out what improvements need to be done to the space and how long these projects will take until the space is available to be inhabited. Both J. Prindiville and J. Campion agree that it would be a good fit to have the Bar Association in that building. J. Campion added that the Bar Association typically has one full time person, like the Chamber. D. Stumpf would like City staff to explore this option, even though it will be a while before we can move forward with leasing. This information may assist in fundraising – Friends of the Old Courthouse.

1871 (Incubator in Chicago) – G. Anderson believes that J. Speciale is involved – and maybe Patricia Miller from Matrix 4. D. Stumpf is dealing with Matter (another incubator).

VII. STAFF UPDATES:

N. Baker said T. Doornbosch had assumed that her term expired at the end of 2016; she has resigned from this Commission. The City is taking suggestions for a new Commissioner.

N. Baker said the window project at the Old Courthouse is scheduled to begin around January 30th. The project will take about a month to install; they’re hoping for completion by the end of March, including doors.

N. Baker provided information about Senator Althoff’s Living History Series. The Senator will be visiting and videotaping various historic sites to include in her Series, and has scheduled a visit of the Old Courthouse in February.

N. Baker informed the Commission that she’ll be providing a tour of the Old Courthouse on February, February 4th

N. Baker had a meeting last week with the City’s Grant Writer T. Willcockson, Economic Development Coordinator K. Coltrin, and NIU staff members Pat Inman and Mim Evans. P. Inman and M. Evans have completed feasibility studies in the past and they’ll provide a proposal to the City by the end of January. The group is working together and discussing co-working spaces with the hopes of forming a focus group to assist in decision making.

VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – Discussion

Feasibility analysis

WHS project

1871 update

Old Courthouse

Update from D. Day, restaurant information

L. Anderson said he’ll be joining D. Day for the restaurant study / feasibility.

J. White said perhaps the next new Commissioner could be familiar with the construction industry. J. White said we need to determine the total cost to repair the Old Courthouse.

He believes it could cost as much as $3M to $3.5M just to renovate the Sheriff’s House. G. Anderson said he showed the Sheriff’s House to the owners of Mia Passione. The owner thought it may cost close to $2M to renovate the Sheriff’s House. The Commissions brought up a few details needed to bring the buildings up to code. J. Prindiville asked if the buildings have fire alarms. N. Baker said yes, fire alarms are in the building; however, the buildings are not equipped with sprinklers.

IX. ADJOURN

Motion by J. Prindiville, second by J. White, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission until the next regular meeting on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: Lynde Anderson, Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, Vice-Chair David Stumpf, and Joseph White. Nays: None. Abstentions: None. Absentees: Donovan Day, Tammy Townsend-Kise and Chairman Dennis Sandquist. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Howie

Chief Deputy City Clerk