Chambana Sun

Woodstock Old Courthouse and Sheriff's House Advisory Commission met Monday, Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes as provided by Woodstock:

MINUTES

CITY OF WOODSTOCK

OLD COURTHOUSE AND SHERIFF’S HOUSE ADVISORY COMMISSION

December 19, 2016

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 Chairman Dennis Sandquist on Monday,

December 19, 2016 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, David Stumpf, Tammy Townsend-Kise, Joseph White, and Chairman Dennis Sandquist.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Trisha Doornbosch and Lynde Anderson.

STAFF PRESENT: City Planner/Staff Liaison Nancy Baker, Economic Development Director

Garrett Anderson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie.

OTHERS PRESENT: None.

III. ACCCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

Motion by J. Prindiville, second by J. Campion, to accept the Minutes of the November 21, 2016, meeting of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission.

Ayes: Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, David Stumpf, Joseph White, and Chairman Dennis Sandquist. Nays: None. Abstentions: Tammy Townsend-Kise. Absentees: Trisha Doornbosch and Lynde Anderson. Motion carried; Minutes accepted.

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.

V. FUTURE USE RESEARCH UPDATES AND DISCUSSION

Review City Council – changes to Resolution, Sheriff’s House National Monument. Lynde Anderson arrived at 7:03 PM.

Chair D. Sandquist shared that he attended the City Council meeting when they reviewed the Resolution. After a few revisions, City Council passed the Resolution unanimously. Chair Sandquist read the revised Resolution to the Commissioners and shared some of Council’s discussion points, such as using the space for art use and a restaurant. D. Sandquist mentioned that

J. Prindiville also attended the City Council meeting. He expressed that they have some difference of opinion regarding use of the space.

D. Stumpf mentioned his research on the National Monument and provided his update. After discussing the topic with others, it was determined that the building is too small for this opportunity. He discussed some of the specifics of other national monuments to compare to this space in Woodstock. His recommendation is that this Commission no longer pursue a National Monument specification for the Sheriff’s House.

J. White thanked D. Stumpf for his time and research.

D. Sandquist said the Artspace Report suggested a local museum of history in the Old Courthouse.

He prefers more of a museum that would help to bring people from outside the area into Woodstock. He mentioned that former Commission member Jody Kurtz Osborne was more interested in fine dining for the space. He asked if others have ideas to share. J. Prindiville said he doesn’t believe restaurants are the way to go in this space. He spoke with Mr. Greeley, in the hopes that he could share this information and perhaps transform the jail into a civic center. They talked about the historic marker. K. Spaltro had written something up, along with a writing from Mayor Sager, which has been shared. J. Prindiville opined that many people don’t believe a museum will work well in those buildings. His research states that the City has spent $2M for capital improvements, repair and maintenance, which doesn’t include staff’s time. He believes the City should find a use that will create jobs and serve a public good.

T. Townsend-Kise disagrees with J. Prindiville. She believes that restaurants will bring in people that can spend money. The space could accommodate a destination-type dining environment. The responsibility shouldn’t fall solely on the City, but rather there should be a partnership to assist with the improvements. She was appalled at the damage done by the previous tenants. The Sheriff’s House includes two separate areas that could be converted into a high-end dining experience. While she doesn’t have expertise in this field, destination dining is extremely important in helping to build the Square. D. Sandquist mentioned themed-dining; gangsters, Al Capone, prohibition, something that could be explored. Perhaps a speak-easy jazz club could be a perfect fit for the lower level. T. Townsend-Kise asked, “where do we find restauranteurs”? J. Prindiville said there are people out there; some have looked at this building before.

D. Stumpf agrees that a museum is not going to continue to draw people to Woodstock repeatedly.

He suggested perhaps an incubator, agriculture, or something with a historical component. His concern is that if there’s only a restaurant in the Sheriff’s House, it could take away from the building itself. The rooms are extremely small in the upper areas, although, he’s not entirely against having a restaurant in there. Destination dining is very attractive right now. Other buildings on the Square are also very conducive for restaurants, as well.

J. Prindiville mentioned that perhaps the Economic Development Department could inhabit this location; it could be the start of a learning center for Woodstock. D. Stumpf added that this may attract people that are interested in bringing business into Woodstock. He noted that the Visitors Bureau for McHenry County just moved to a historic building in Huntley. And, McHenry County’s EDC just relocated to the mental health building in Crystal Lake. The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce could certainly move into a facility on the Square and out of the basement at City Hall. G. Anderson said that would be ideal.

D. Stumpf asked if anyone has looked at the feasibility of the basement of the Sheriff’s House to become a restaurant. J. White said we should do some feasibility studies before we decide on what could really work. The second floor of the Old Courthouse could make an excellent banquet facility. Perhaps the Sheriff’s House could have a flexible use to it. Some walls may need to be moved or removed. Someone should look into codes, health department and sanitation requiremnts, ventilation, exhaust, etc. Find out what is possible so that we can proceed. It would be smart to bring in a building consultant that works closely with restaurants. L. Anderson said this could be in the scope of architectural work. To find out what it would take to turn the space into a restaurant. D. Day said we need to determine how many seats / tables the space can accommodate. J. White asked if this would have to be put out to bid. D. Sandquist said the Commission would have to agree on this, and find a way to pay for these consultants. D. Day said perhaps the neighboring restaurant owners could look at the space and give their opinion of how best to move forward. He mentioned that when he worked for the City and dealt with the owners of La Petite Creperie, the basement is a good fit for coolers and such. D. Sandqvist asked if the basement is sufficient to be turned into a restaurant. D. Day agreed that the Sheriff’s house could be reserved and used as a co-working space. He’d be happy to talk with the Soprano’s and Councilman Hart to get their opinions on the space. The Commission agreed that these opinions  may be helpful.

J. Prindiville said he can’t understand why anyone would want to put a restaurant in this building.

He doesn’t believe the taxpayers want a restaurant in this space. He believes surveys are bias unless every resident responds with their opinion. He can’t imagine why the City would be willing to take two historic buildings and put a restaurant in them. D. Day believes a portion of the building could house the Economic Development Department and / or the Chamber of Commerce with a Visitors Center. This could be a better use of the building at this time. He continued to say that if it makes more sense to house a government entity rather than to compete with privately owned buildings… J. Campion said he will also do some research with regard to relocating the Economic Development Department and / or the Chamber into that space. D. Sandquist said the upper floor of the jail could be a co-working space, as well.

D. Stumpf recently talked with Councilman M. Saladin and said there is some interest in having an incubator in the space. There needs to be a decision on what the focus would be and how much space is needed. Perhaps an agriculture extension center or more of a technology push.

D. Sandquist added that T. Doornbusch did some research on how to start up a co-work space.

They had discussed space limitations and what the best approach may be. He stated that T. Doornbosch provided a list of people that can be contacted to obtain further information in this regard.

D. Stumpf said rural health is a huge challenge in the states at this time. He mentioned that some health facilities may be interested in the space, as well. It would involve some of the health entities in the county; the space could be used for training. The leadership could explain a vision for the program; tele-health. J. Prindiville mentioned the 2020 vision statement for the City of Woodstock; we’ll become a health care hub. That would justify pursuing these uses. D. Stumpf said there are competing entities in McHenry County at this time with Centegra, Advocate, Mercy.

D. Sandquist said he and T. Townsend-Kise tried to get some interest from the health care community; however, they haven’t received much feedback.

D. Stumpf discussed how ‘Matter’ operates, tele-medicine. He will locate some connections along with the right places to go to get the word out.

D. Sandquist summarized the research that several of the Commissioners will be doing over the next month. J. White would like to approach Woodstock High School and get some discussions going. He said Prairie Ridge High School has an incubator. Perhaps another perspective looked at by students working in groups; a civic project where teachers could guide students into doing some research work. The Commissioners discussed the benefits of working with high school students; such as providing fresh ideas. J. White and J. Prindiville will work together on this project.

VI. STAFF UPDATES:

N. Baker said a feasibility study on co-working space is a good idea. Perhaps we should conduct a focus group to find out what level of interest exists. A general outreach concerning the shared space for literary groups, practice space for music groups, training, etc … A proposal will need to be funded. D. Stumpf said there’s a tech-transfer program at Northern Illinois University, and NIU has a broader footprint. N. Baker said a Bull Valley resident is putting together a workshop regarding different economic options. J. Prindiville asked if there’s any opportunity for them to look at other location in Woodstock.

VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – Discussion

VIII. ADJOURN

Motion by J. Prindiville, second by J. Campion, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission to the next regular meeting on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: Lynde Anderson, Jim Campion, Donovan Day, Jim Prindiville, David Stumpf, Tammy Townsend-Kise, Joseph White, and Chairman Dennis Sandquist. Nays: None. Abstentions: None. Absentees: Tricia Doornbosch.

Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Howie

Chief Deputy Clerk