McHenry Times

City of McHenry Landmark Commission met March 4

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

Present: Chairman Thomas Hillier, Zelinda Paluch, Beth Staley, Kirk Donald, Donna Storm, Mark Healy, Laura Welter, Kathryn MacDonald (Fray)

Absent: Celeste Heidemann

2. Public Comments

a. No public comments.

3. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes: February 6, 2025 / February 19, 2025

a. Motion by Commissioner Welter, 2nd by Commissioner Donald. Unanimous.

4. Finance Report

a. April 30th, End of Fiscal Year

Chairman hillier gave an update on the end of the fiscal year finances. The Commission discussed the plaqued structures being $265.00 each to replace plaques. Commissioner Staley identified several properties potentially to update. The Commission discussed brining forward a budget amendment to spend funds.

Chairman Hillier asked about remembrance talks and potentially allocating funding for refreshments. The Commission discussed potential venues and discussed the last remembrance talk. The Commission discussed the videos.

Commissioner Healy discussed the end of the budget year and that to have all requests in between now and the next meeting to get it on the agenda.

Chairman Hillier gave a general update on the process for scheduling the creation of the video. The next step is to allocate funding.

Commissioner Welter talked about spending some of the money now so we don’t lose it.

Commissioner Staley asked about potentially future reimbursement expenses for Mr. Varda for registering the Landmark School on the national register. 

Commissioner Healy said potential idea for video could be about the 3 downtown areas. The Commission agreed.

5. Media

a. Video update

Chairman Hillier said he will check back in with the video producers for getting something together for the next meeting.

6. Historic Plaques

a. Letters Update

Commissioner Staley said she had several plaques she believes should be replaced.

7. Old Business

a. Upcoming Events

i. School Remembrance Talk - Mar/Apr 2025

Looking for April or May for School Remembrance Talk. The Commission reiterated their goal of having a discussion focused on multiple schools. The commission continued a general discussion and agreed that they wanted to have a discussion most likely at the Recreation Center. They were targeted a Sunday or Saturday in April.

ii. Plaque Event (May)

Commissioner Staley gave an update about doing a Plaque Event on a Thursday in May to discuss all the plaques in town. Commissioner Staley was targeting the Third Thursday of the month in May/June/July. The Commission generally discussed some of the logistics for the operation.

iii. Cemetery Tour (Fall 25)

Chairman Hillier gave an update on the future Cemetery Tour and utilize High School Students to reenact certain famous individuals. The Commission agreed and liked the idea. General discussion on the logistics of the even ensued amongst the Commission.

b. Landmark Ordinances

i. Landmark School

Mr. Sheriff gave an update on the school and the future process.

ii. Honorary Plaques

1. New Draft Application

Motion by Commissioner Healy, Second by Commissioner Welter. Unanimous consent was given but with the changes to name it Honorary Historic Plaque Application.

c. Historic Signs In Town (Riverside, Main St. & Green St.)

Commissioner Welter discussed with Commissioner Healy in regards to replacing the internal items of the historic signs. Mr. Sheriff will look into replacing the existing signs.

d. Moving Landmark Records From Petersen House to City Hall

Mr. Sheriff gave a general update on the Petersen House and the repairs being done.

8. New Business

a. Landmark “Mission Statement”

Chairman Hillier opened the discussion and talked about creating a Strategic Plan for the Commission. A discussion ensued regarding the creation of a plan to put a record together of Landmark activities. In May the Commission will create a strategic plan. Workshop will be held in the Community Meeting Room.

b. Vote on Funds for Replacement Plaques.

Commissioner Staley

c. Vote on Funds for Upcoming Landmark Video in Summer/Fall 2025.

Chairman Hillier said this would take place at the next meeting.

9. Open Discussion

None.

10. Adjournment

Motion Commission Fay 2nd Commissioner Welter. 6:44PM. Unanimous consent. 

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/mchenryil/Document_Center/Department/Community%20Development/Landmark/Packets/Landmark%20Agenda%20Packet%204.1.25.pdf