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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 07/24/2023AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY JULY 24, 2023 7:00 P.M. Heritage Rooms City Hall HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steven Schumacher-Chair; Paul Thorp-Vice Chair, George Maxwell, Robert Bowes, Rod Fisher, Andy Ludowese, Melanie Willett, Catherine Lau COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING ON JUNE 26, 2023 V. NEW BUSINESS A. 5 MINUTE HISTORY REPORT (PAUL) B. DISCUSS WORK PLAN (BETH) C. DISCUSS SUBCOMMITTEES (STEVE) VI. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSS HERITAGE SITE PLAQUE PROGRAM (BETH) B. DISCUSS MILL SITE (PAUL) VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. SELECT A SUBCOMMITTEE TO WORK WITH CITY STAFF ON THE HISTORIC FILES FOR THE EDEN PRAIRIE CEMETERY (BETH) VIII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY A. GENERAL UPDATE – (PAUL/BOB) IX. FYI ITEMS X. NEXT MEETING August 21, 2023 XI. ADJOURNMENT UNAPPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023 7:00 P.M. Meeting Heritage Rooms, City Hall HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-Chair); George Maxwell; Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Melanie Willett; Catherine Lau COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Absent was commission member Ludowese. II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Schumacher read the land acknowledgement statement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Willett moved, seconded by Thorp to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5- 0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Thorp moved, seconded by Bowes to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2023 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. FIVE-MINUTE HISTORY REPORT (BOWES) Bowes reported on the Dakota in Eden Prairie and their sacred concept of “red rock.” He described the red rock of Red Rock Lake, the red rock of Morton Minnesota, Jackpot Junction, and the red rock that was moved around and was subsequently donated to the Lower Sioux tribe. This was also described in Eden Prairie News. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 26, 2023 Page 2 Thorp explained the authentication of the rock. A ranch owner in the 1950s took this rock as a mascot for his riding ranch, “Red Rock Ranch. The man across the street told the owner of the ranch the rock was sacred, as he had seen indigenous gatherings near it. Thorp added there was dissention amongst the tribes regarding custody of the rock. Another red rock was located near Birch Island Park near Eden Prairie Road, close to Camp Eden Wood. This was quite obscured, but he and Thorp were able to determine this was indeed the sacred rock. The nurses at Glen Lake would cook on it, and cold water thrown on it split the rock. Another sacred red rock was located in Shakopee. Discussion followed on possible collaboration with indigenous tribes. [Maxwell arrived at 7:05 p.m.] B. UPDATE ON TOUR OF BIRCH HALL AT CAMP EDEN WOOD WITH SHPO (NOVAK-KREBS) Schumacher thanked the participants of the June 6 tour. Novak-Krebs stated that she had attended a tour of Camp Eden Wood with John LeBlanc, several commissioners, and several representatives from SHPO. The purpose of the tour was to look at Birch Hall and discuss potential improvements. John LeBlanc was working with an architect, trying to figure out how to move forward since the assessment done in 2017 by MacDonald and Mack. LeBlanc wished to hire them again to update the assessment. Thorp stated there was a sloped floor and a pillar that needed correction, and the Lion’s Club was a good potential funding partner in this. A tier also needed repair. Novak-Krebs stated the commission would then have to vote to approve a COA, which would involve the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Schumacher stated the June 6 tour revealed HVAC beneath ground at the dormitory building, so a proposed basement construction was not out of the question, though costly. Thorp offered to send the 2017 conditions assessment report on the site to the commission members. Schumacher brought up the idea of having subcommittees for the HPC to work on projects between meetings. The subcommittees could be based on the commissioner’s areas of interest. MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Thorp to explore subcommittees that constituted less than a quorum (of not more than four members) to explore and discuss specific topics. Motion carried 6-0. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 26, 2023 Page 3 C. HERITAGE SITE PLAQUES (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs stated back in 1997 Eden Prairie started a voluntary program in which a resident could ask for a heritage site plaque and pay $25.00 ($45.00 for the bronze plaques). Approximately 30 properties had one in Eden Prairie In 2014, the application was revised including some changes to the criteria. In 2017, the plaques were checked and some were replaced. Kathie Case had checked the plaques in 2020.The process was a simple application, but this was not online. She asked if the commission should do a media push to see if more homeowners wished to purchase them. Maxwell urged an online application. Novak-Krebs displayed an online document of the criteria. Discussion followed on the criteria. Thorp stated the commission could determine the criteria from now on and Schumacher added the commission could change the criteria. Bowes agreed the criteria could be tightened. Novak-Krebs displayed a list of current sign owners/sign sites. Schumacher suggested having the list on the Eden Prairie website. Lau asked if the sign owners had to be notified if the list was placed online. The owners may need to give permission to put the list on the website., Thorp suggested the list be distributed to the Historical Society so it could be updated. Novak-Krebs agreed. D. BIRCH ISLAND ROCK (THORP) Thorp displayed a page from a book that discussed the red rock that Emo Kutcher talked about. He displayed a map showing the rock and the location of the property. Novak-Krebs pointed out Camp Edenwood. Thorp stated the City bought Kutcher’s property in 1992, where he showed the location of the rock. The information went into a file and was lost. John Gertz went to the site with author Dave Pemberton to find the rock. Thorp stated there was a concern regarding vandalism if the rock remained unprotected. An archeological dig was done on the site in 1995, but this group did not know about the rock. Thorp showed the location of the rock on the projected map, as well as a ceremonial fire ring and other indigenous sites. He explained Emo Kutcher had witnessed ceremonies at the rock, in an area that was largely farmland. After the dousing of the fire in which the rock was split, he saw a man steal one of the halves. Now, the rock was covered by dense woods. Novak-Krebs displayed images of the rock. The rock was pinkish red granite. Discussion followed on historic designation. The commission agreed the indigenous community members should help write the interpretive sign or plaque. Thorp stated the next step was to contact the indigenous elder Sheldon who had identified the other red rock. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION June 26, 2023 Page 4 VI. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSS NEXT STEPS FOR EDEN MILL DESIGATNION NOMINATION (NOVAK-KREBS AND THORP) Novak-Krebs displayed a Google map of the site and Thorp pointed out the foundation and remains of the grist mill and the hotel foundation on the old Pioneer Trail. He urged the protection of the two foundations. The City owned most of the property, although a swimming pool had been built in a private yard that overlapped part of the site. Purgatory creek eventually dried up, leaving the mill dry, and a channel dug did not provide enough needed water, but by then the mill was old technology. The mill closed in the 1870s. Discussion followed on preserving the two stone foundations. B. UPDATE ON INTERVIEW FOR THE REFLECTIONS ON THE 1968 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROJECT (NOVAK-KREBS) Novak-Krebs stated Tom Achartz will be videotaping George Maxwell reading the introduction to the interviews. She had emailed the transcriptionist for the Eden Prairie Historical Society and hoped to retain her as the transcriptionist for this project. VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF VIII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Thorp stated the Vintage Sale would be held November 10 and 11 at the Cummins Phipps Grill House. Bowes announced the Dorenkemper House would be open for Harvest Fest October 14. IX. FYI ITEMS X NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Discussion followed on changing this date to July 24, 2023 to accommodate more commission members’ schedules. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Lau to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.