City of Belleville Historic Preservation Commission met March 29

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jun 1, 2023

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Belleville Historic Preservation Commission

Held at Mayor's Conference Room, Belleville City Hall

Re-Scheduled Meeting Wednesday, March 29, 2023

ATTENDANCE

Jack LeChien, Chair

Nichole Hettenhausen, Treasurer

Marie Banks, Member

Justin Dominque, Member

Molly McKenzie, Member

Absent:

Andy Gaa, Member

Keith Owens, Vice Chair/Secretary

Linda Weisenstein, Member

Staff:

Eric Schauster, City Liasion

Kathleen Kaiser, City Director of PR & Communications

Elected Officials:

Carmen Duco, Ward 2 Alderwoman

DRR Representative:

Mike Dill

Public Attendance:

Mike Heisler

Donna McKelvey

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. LeChien called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

Emergency Procedures were given.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

No public participation.

DESIGN REVIEW REQUEST(S):

418 N. Jackson Street: Mike Dill - Homeowner. Request to tuckpoint exterior walls to match existing materials. Caulk to match the existing color. Work to be done by Roland Tuckpointing, Waterloo, IL.

Mr. Dominque - Motion made to accept the DRR as presented,

Ms. Hettenhausen – Seconded.

Motion passed unanimously.

As a courtesy to elected officials and staff attending this meeting, Mr. LeChien advised that the Officer's Reports will be moved to follow New/Old Business and their participation.

NEW/OLD BUSINESS:

City Marketing Efforts:

Ms. Kaiser reported on efforts to favorably present the City and requested the Commission provide input to those efforts, perhaps some before and after success stories of rehab projects in the Districts, including photos. Some material would be posted to social media, some in the city newsletter. Ms. Kaiser asked for ideas how to engage people and provided her contact information to Commission members.

Vacant Properties in Hexenbuckel District:

Mr. LeChien and Mr. Schauster provided an overview of many vacant properties in Hexenbuckel District with photos and descriptions of the various circumstances leading to these conditions. Some possible solutions were advised, including the establishment of a municipal court to address conditions more directly with owners. Housing Inspector Scott Tyler now has an assistant, Joe Werner, to give additional attention to problem properties/owners. Mr. LeChien noted that the City Housing Committee does not have an aldermanic representative from Ward 2, the Hexenbuckel area, and he asked that this be brought to the attention of the Mayor.

Mr. Schauster advised that Alderwoman Carmen Duco, Housing Inspector Scott Tyler and Assistant Joe Werner will be invited to attend the next BHPC meeting.

Design Review Manual:

Mr. Schauster reported that the next round of grants will be released on April 15. This grant would allow the City of Belleville to hire a consulting firm to update the current Design Review Manual at an estimated cost of $8,000.

107 East 'D' Street Update:

One proposal was received by the March 22 deadline; however, the application was not complete. The City will re-release the RFP as several potential applicants have expressed interest. Several neighbors in attendance asked that the property's board-up status be reviewed.

Miscellaneous Discussion:

Mr. LeChien reported that the city has received notice of status of state award of $150k for Koerner House restoration.

Mr. LeChien reported that the City's 6th Street Park will go to design after completion of Sixth Street work. Mr. LeChien reported that the curb cuts in front of the Koerner House are part of the Mascoutah Avenue repair work and are required by ADA.

OFFICER'S REPORTS:

Chair Report: . Mr LeChien reported that he had been contacted by Larry Betz of Belleville Historical Society regarding historic paint colors on buildings.

Secretary's Report(s):

Mr. Dominque - Motion to accept the minutes of January 17, 2023 as amended.

Ms. Hettenhausen - Seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Dominque - Motion to accept the minutes of February 21, 2023 as amended. Ms. Hettenhausen - Seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer's Report:

Ms. Hettenhausen reported that no funds are currently available.

ADJOURN:

Mr. Dominque - Motioned to adjourn.

Ms. Hettenhausen - Seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.