2015-21 DESIGNATING LOCAL LANDMARK - DENNIS SCHOOL MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONUMENT

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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MEMORANDUM No. 15-14 May 18, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor Michael T. McElroy and City Council FROM: Tim Gleason, City Manager Billy Tyus,Assistant City Manager Richelle D. Irons, Director of Neighborhood Services SUBJECT: Local Landmark Designation of the Monarch Butterfly Monument located at Dennis School SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of a Local Landmark designation for the Dennis School Monarch Butterfly Monument located iat 1499 W. Main St. The Historical and Architectural Sites Commission(HASC)voted 8-0 to recommend approval of this application at the April 15,2015 meeting. Minutes are attached. BACKGROUND: In 1974-1975 a 3rd grade class from Dennis School made history by successfully proposing a bill to the Illinois General Assembly to make the Monarch Butterfly the state insect. The Children in Mrs. Mary Hinman's Class worked with State Representative Webber Borchers to sponsor the bill and it is believed that this was the first time in Illinois history that children had proposed a bill to the General Assembly and the proposal had become law. Today the Monarch Butterfly stands as the official state insect for the roughly 12.8 million residents of the State of Illinois as a result of the actions of this group of civic-minded Decatur third graders. In 1985, Dennis School students were asked to create a number of orange, black, white and yellow clay tiles under the direction of artist Larry Weatherholt. The tiles were then arranged into the shape of the Monarch Butterfly and in 1986, the butterfly was placed at the southeast corner of the exterior of the school for all to enjoy. In February 2015, Mrs. Linda Burnham's class submitted an application for local landmark designation of the Monarch Butterfly monument. In March 2015, Assistant City Manager Billy Tyus issued a written opinion recommending approval for local landmark designation based on the findings that the "area or property in question meets one or more of several criteria as listed in Chapter 31 Section 4 of the Decatur Municipal'Code." The Historic and Architectural Sites Commission met in April and, following a present tion by a number of students speaking on the importance of the Monarch Butterfly and the mon�ment, recommended approval of the historic designation. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: There are no known objectors. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: The application was reviewed by the Department of Neighborhood Services. A written opinion was given by the Assistant City Manager of Development Services and HASC has issued a resolution for approval.