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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 11/20/2023APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2023 7:00 P.M. Meeting Heritage Rooms, City Hall HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-Chair); Rod Fisher; George Maxwell; Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Melanie Willett; Catherine Lau STUDENT MEMBERS: Abha Gupta, Abhinov Koutharapu, Amuktha Pothamsetti, Berit Berggren, Nikhill Andrew, Owen Caruth, Sasha Allen 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 7:01 p.m. Absent were commission members Ludowese and Willett, and student representative Koutharapu, Gupta, and Allen. II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Andrew read the land acknowledgement statement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Fisher to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Lau to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2023 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION WITH JOHN LEBLANC ABOUT THE HOLASEK HOUSE AT CAMP EDEN WOOD John LeBlanc with True Friends introduced himself and presented the Holasek House. True Friends leased the camp for 20 years at a time to serve residents with EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 20, 2023 Page 2 disabilities. He introduced Mandy Evans, senior director of True Friends, and Steve McCarsky, senior director of operations. Novak-Krebs displayed a Google map of the site. LeBlanc explained True Friends ran programming at the house year-round, and approximately five years ago True Friends decided not to run rental property anymore. This was not a vision for the use of the house anymore; it had been used for a travel program and summer staff housing, but it was at present not able to be used. Long-term he hoped to bring back the day camp program by 2025, depending on whether or not True Friends could hire the staff, and house the adult seasonal staff there. Evans stated the last time the house was used in 2019, to house eight people. LeBlanc stated the demand for day camp was massive. Staffing had always been a challenge, but 2019 saw a peak number of staff, and then the program stopped due to the Covid pandemic. LeBlanc stated the house had been rented out to nonprofits such as the Angel Foundation, an environmental preschool, et cetera, but this was no longer the plan. Evans explained True Friends stopped permanent housing, but would continue to house seasonal workers, but the space was not usable at present. She had concerns about the flooring integrity and water quality, and other safety issues. The house had a modern heating system, but the water had been turned off and there was a humidity problem. The house needed work inside and on the exterior. True Friends would have to raise funding for the improvements, which had the extra challenge of being a historic building. Discussion followed on the history of changes to the house. LeBlanc stated his priority was improvement to the exterior. Maxwell suggested a SHPO grant for the roof repair. Thorp suggested the Lion’s Club and other charities could be approached for non- historic related work. Fischer stated the building had to be stabilized at the very least, and hopefully make it usable at the same time. Discussion followed on the condition of the house. Lau asked for and received clarification the commission was not worrying about returning the building to its original internal configuration, and could be modernized inside. Fisher asked if the commission could rule (theoretically) that there was no historical value to this building, and Thorp replied that was true. Schumacher asked if a kitchen would be put in, and Evans stated there was a kitchen. The issue was the upper level flooring and cosmetic improvements. Caruth asked if the aim was for the commission to preserve what it could, or use its historical value to pitch the idea of funding. LeBlanc stated first he wished the City to be aware the house needed care; in his understanding, they could make the interior improvements as they saw fit, but True Friends also did not want to take away from its historical value. Schumacher stated the building had historic charm. Fisher suggested modernizing the building similar to the Smith Coffee House, which did not detract from the historical elements of the building. Thorp stated EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 20, 2023 Page 3 some improvements would have to match the 1880s features, such as a porch or deck. Schumacher stated the commission had different subcommittees to address specific concerns, and to move projects forward, and the renovation and maintenance development subcommittee could address the house, but he also liked the idea of having staff from Facilities to address the condition of the house. A civil engineer would be addressing the draining on the site in the next week. Maxwell suggested this project be transferred to the renovation and maintenance development subcommittee. Caruth offered to conduct research on the historic elements of the house. Novak-Krebs offered to speak with Rick Clark, Facilities manager. Schumacher stated Thorp, Ludowese and he would take on this project in subcommittee. LeBlanc gave an update on Birch Hall. He stated there was a donor to contribute $15,000.00 for a proof-of-concept proposal, and an architect had been chosen. This was still in the scope of work assessment phase and there was as yet no timeline. B. DISCUSS ACTIVITY FOR PEOPLE FEST 2024 Novak-Krebs stated the commission had not wished to participate in 2023, but would in 2024 if an activity could be suggested. She asked if a subcommittee wished to take this on. Fisher summarized PeopleFest for the student representatives. Discussion followed on possible activities. Thorp stated the commission had once contributed maps which had been well received, but he questioned what the commission could contribute. Fisher stated he wished to partner with indigenous residents for them to tell their story. Schumacher suggested the Native American history/outreach subcommittee take this on. Novak-Krebs stated the deadline was spring or early summer. Maxwell suggested the tribe that ended up with the Red Rock, and Fisher stated he and Kathie Case would reach out with the Shakopee tribe first. Lau asked for and received confirmation the Eden Prairie Historical Society did not participate in PeopleFest. Novak-Krebs offered to speak with Megan Yerks of the Human Rights and Diversity Committee. C. DEBRIEF OF CITYWIDE OPEN HOUSE AND HARVEST TO HALLOWEEN EVENTS Schumacher stated this has been discussed the previous month, and the events were well received. Thorp stated there was a need for more people. Fisher stated this year’s location within City Hall was better. Novak-Krebs asked how the Harvest to Halloween went in the Dorenkemper House, and Thorp stated it was well attended at about 100 people, but some let their children have the run of the house and some adults also touched objects. Someone also apparently stole a stove part. Caruth suggested barriers, and Thorp stated the house was small. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 20, 2023 Page 4 Discussion followed on crowd control. The consensus was that more volunteers were needed for tours. D. 2024 WORK PLAN Novak-Krebs stated she was preparing a draft of 2023 accomplishments and the 2024 Work Plan. She would send it out via email before the next meeting, and it would be presented and discussed at the next meeting. It would be presented to the City Council after the January HPC meeting. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. OLD MILL SITE Novak-Krebs displayed old photographs that Maxwell and Case had found. Maxwell stated the commission might wish to send a polite letter to the homeowners who had had dumped yard waste onto the historic foundations on City land. Fisher asked for and received confirmation it was clear which homeowners engaged in this behavior. Novak-Krebs stated the commission could identify those who encroached on City property. She added Matt Bourne had told her they would visit this site in the spring to assess and document encroachments. Caruth suggested the yard waste be cleaned up by the homeowners, and Fisher suggested signage prohibiting dumping. Maxwell stated at least one of the foundations was holding together well. There was also a very large oak tree right next to a foundation, which helped to locate the foundations. Novak-Krebs stated that in looking through old aerial photographs in 2015, both foundations could be clearly seen. Discussion followed on the history of the site. Thorp stated next steps was research, including age and possible artefacts, then documentation for potential designation. Discussion followed on whether or not to send the letter before the designation plan was finalized. Novak-Krebs asked if there was a danger of having homeowners or others cleaning out the site and potentially damaging the foundation. The consensus was to hold the letter for the designation plan. VII. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY/OUTREACH Fisher asked if the issue of the Red Rock should be taken up. He stated Kathie Case had also asked about it. He and Thorp agreed to meet on this. B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 20, 2023 Page 5 Maxwell stated the committee visited the Mill Site and the Train Depot. Thorp stated he was in contact with Hennepin County which would allow them to do what they want regarding designation. He added brush needs to be cleared out then the subcommittee could look for foundations. He asked if City staff could be authorized to assist with cleanup. Maxwell stated chunks of foundations covered with refuse piles were found. Novak-Krebs asked for and received confirmation they saw the new water tower replica under construction. She stated she had received a photograph of the progress from Rick Whalen . C. RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE DEVELOPMENT Schumacher said this subcommittee had not met but had discussed the cemetery. . He wished the subcommittee to explore doing a better job of telling this story to people who live in Eden Prairie. Schumacher had also spoken with Sasha Allen about putting together five to seven video vignettes, and this was a possible project for student representatives, utilizing iPads or other devises. Allen was a member of the high school history club. Discussion followed on possible video topics: Cummins Phipps Grill House, the Historical Society and museum for access to photographs, also True Friends. Allen had replied via email she would bring this idea to the history club, and it could appear on the City’s website and Facebook page. Lau suggested running on a loop at PeopleFest. Schumacher stated Allen had informed him the Minnetonka Historical Society created a “passport” concept to encourage people to visit historic sites. Novak-Krebs stated Eden Prairie had conducted a “History Hunt” in 2017, with $5.00 off at a local coffee shop being the prize. Discussion followed on the process of implementing this. Schumacher suggested utilizing a walking tour app. He stated this could be discussed in subcommittee. D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF VIII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Bowes stated the Vintage Sale brought in a $4,010.00 profit. Santa (the old Santa) would be at the Cummins Phipps Grill House after Thanksgiving, and would be training in the new Santa. The Historical Society made $3,000.00 just from renting the house to him. The Boy Scouts’ Christmas Tree Sale would be at the Cummins Phipps Grill House (the two Eden Prairie troupes merged together). EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 20, 2023 Page 6 IX. FYI ITEMS X NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Thorp moved, seconded by Bowes to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.