2015-47 DESIGNATING LOCAL LANDMARK FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONUMENT AT DENNIS SCHOOL

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Neighborhood Services No. 15-31 DATE: 9/8/2015 TO: Honorable Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe 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 RECOP�IlVIENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Local L.andmark designation for the Monarch Butterfly Monument located at 1499 W. Main St. which is currently known as Dennis School. The Historical and Architectural Sites Commission(HASC) voted 6-0 to recommend approval of this application at the August 19, 2015 meeting. Minutes are attached. BACKGROUND: Almost 40 years ago the 3rd grade class of 1974-75 of Dennis School made history on the site by proposing a bill to Congress to make the Monarch Butterfly a state insect. The Children in Mrs. Hinman's Class worked with State Representative Webber Borchers to sponsor the bill. It is believed that this was the first time in Illinois history that the children had proposed a bill to the Illinois Congress and the proposal had become a law. In 1985, the entire Dennis School was asked to create clay tiles under the direction of artist Larry Weatherholt. The tiles were colored orange, black, white and yellow. The tiles were then arranged into the shape of the Monarch Butterfly and in 1986 placed on the southeast corner wall of the exterior of the school for all to enjoy. In February 2015, Mrs. Burnham's class submitted an application for local landmark designation of the Monarch Butterfly monument located at Dennis School(see attached). In August 2015, Asst. City Manager, Billy Tyus issued a written opinion recommending approval for local landmark designation(see attached), 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." This item was previously approved by City Council on May 18, 2015. However, later it was found to l�ave an incomplete legal description. It was recommended that we repeal the original ordinance and revisit the item to add the full legal description. HASC recommended approval of the historic designation. Page 135 of 212