HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 12/21/2020APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 7:00 P.M. (Virtual Meeting
8080 MITCHELL RD
HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson-Chair; Tara Kalar-Vice Chair;
Pamela Spera; Valerie Ross; Paul Thorp;
Rod Fisher
COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Devyn Stanton, Aarav Subbaiah, Anna
Patten, Finn Bloch, Maia Chevez, Sarthak
Agrawal
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Absent was commission member
Ross, student representatives Bloch, Chevez, and Subbaiah and recording secretary
Harley.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Fisher moved, seconded by Thorp to approve the agenda with the addition of
reading the Land Acknowledgement Statement by Kalar prior to the regular business
items. Motion carried 5-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Kalar moved, seconded by Fisher to approve the minutes of the November
16, 2020 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. READING OF A LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT (KALAR)
Kalar shared that there was an article in the Sun Sailor about the three Land
Acknowledgement Statement options that the Human Rights and Diversity
Commission are considering. The statement is typically read before a meeting or
event. Kalar and the rest of the Commission felt it was appropriate to read one of
the statements before the meeting. The acknowledgement is a formal statement
that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between
Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. Kalar read aloud Land
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December 21, 2020
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Acknowledgement Statement option 1. Kalar will read the other statement options
at future meetings.
B. JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION (NOVAK-KREBS)
Novak-Krebs stated that there will be a joint meeting with the Parks, Recreation
& Natural Resources Commission on February 1. The purpose is to discuss the
Yorkville and Bloomington Road Heritage Site Preservation Plan. The draft plan
includes a number of maintenance items that will directly impact park
maintenance. Other items on the agenda include the discussion of the Historic
Properties Inventory, the Feldmann sign, and the Flying Red Horse. Novak-Krebs
will send out the draft Yorkville and Bloomington Road Heritage Site
Preservation Plan in early January to allow ample time for the commissioners to
review prior to the February 1, 2021 joint meeting.
C. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2021 WORK PLAN
Novak-Krebs stated that every year the Commission presents its accomplishments
from the previous year and the work plan for the year ahead to the City Council.
Novak-Krebs prepared a draft 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Work Plan and
presented some of the more significant 2020 accomplishments and goals for 2021.
Fisher commented that we should add something about incorporating the reading
of the Land Acknowledgement Statement at the meetings into the work plan.
Kalar suggested that the accomplishments state that the Commission provided
content for and finalized the interpretive panel for the City’s Water Reservoir and
Pump Hose project because the Commission put much effort into the project.
Kalar suggested removing Fundraising for the Flying Red Horse from the work
plan second quarter. Kalar requested the revenue from the sale of the street signs
for 2020. Thorp commented that he was glad to see the inventory of the old depot
site in the work plan. There is paperwork that needs to be completed before
beginning any kind of inventory. It is called a Minnesota Property Record.
Novak-Krebs stated that she will make the suggested revisions and the
Commission will discuss the document at the next meeting.
D. SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY MEETING
Novak-Krebs stated that the regularly scheduled meeting for January falls on the
Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday so the group should decide on an alternate
date for the January meeting. Kalar suggested Monday January 11. This date
seemed acceptable to all of the other commissioners.
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December 21, 2020
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E. CLG GRANT DEADLINE (NOVAK-KREBS)
Novak-Krebs stated that the Commission seemed to be interested in the history of
the Minnesota River valley and liked the idea of doing archeological field
investigation and allowing the public to help. Certified Local Government Grants
could fund such an activity. The application deadline is February 1. Novak-
Krebs asked for ideas of where to conduct this activity. Thorp suggested either
Murphy’s Ferry site of the Hennepin Town site. Thorp stated that the ferry site is
owned by US Fish and Wildlife so it might be difficult to work on their property.
Olson stated that the Hennepin Town Site would be a better option. Thorp
commented that the Hennepin Town Site is easy to access and it is in the right-of-
way. Novak-Krebs also stated that she had heard that for the Fiscal Year 2021, no
matching funds will be required for those who receive a grant. Fisher stated that
he is willing to assist in any way he can and perhaps the Commission could get
residents along the river to help with the dig.
F. NEW COMMISSIONER TRAINING CURRICULUM
Novak-Krebs said her department prepared a training curriculum for new
Planning Commission members and the decision was made to prepare a training
curriculum for new HPC members. Novak-Krebs said she has a draft curriculum
prepared and would like to present it to the Commission at the next meeting so
she could get feedback. Kalar mentioned that Lori Creamer, SHPO, and others
prepared a training manual for Heritage Preservation Commissioners a few years
ago. Kalar suggested looking at the training manual to get ideas of what to cover.
Novak-Krebs stated that she has seen the training manual and used it as a
resource.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PRESENTATION (FINN & AARAV)
Both students were absent.
VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
VII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Thorp said the Optimists sold Christmas Trees this year at the Cummins-Phipps-
Grill House. Thorp also mentioned that a replica of the depot sign is being made.
The Historical Society has the original. Thorp mentioned that he and Novak-
Krebs will be attending the Noon Rotary meeting on January 21 to talk about the
Yorkville and Bloomington Road Heritage Preservation Site. Novak-Krebs will
talk about the HPC and the process for getting a site designated as a Heritage
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December 21, 2020
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Preservation Site and what it means. Thorp will talk about the history of the
Road.
VIII. FYI ITEMS
Fisher stated that he recommends reading the book titled Canoeing with the Cree
because it is an inspiring story. It was a book recommended by David Mather.
IX NEXT MEETING
The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, January 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. online.
X. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: The commission members agreed to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.