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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 11/17/2025Agenda Eden Prairie Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2025 Heritage Rooms City Hall 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-Chair); Rod Fisher; George Maxwell; Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Catherine Lau, Prima Sisinni, Lisa Rude Student Members: Annika Rice, Fiona Rohde, Jaya Agrawal, Kadie Crider, Nico Allen, Saloni Siddavatam, Tatum Hesby City Staff: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order II. Reading of Land Acknowledgement Statement III. Approval of Agenda IV. Minutes A. Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held Monday, October 20, 2025 V. New Business A. Discuss Water Tower on Danfoss property (formerly Eaton) at 14900 Technology Drive. B. Discuss Draft 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Plan C. Distribute Research Report and Annotated Bibliography for the Book Project VI. Old Business A. Disaster Preparedness Plans for Historic Structures VII. Reports A. Reports of Subcommittees HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA November 17, 2025 Page 2 1. Native American History Outreach 2. New Heritage Preservation Site Designations 3. Renovation/Maintenance Development 4. Documentation/Historical Recordings/Outreach B. Reports of Commission and Staff C. Reports of Students D. Reports of Historical Society General Update (Paul and Bob) VIII. FYI Items IX. Next Meeting; The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025 X. Adjourn UNAPPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 7:00 P.M. Meeting City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp (Vice-Chair); Rod Fisher; George Maxwell; Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Catherine Lau, Prima Sisinni, Lisa Rude COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Annika Rice, Fiona Rohde, Jaya Agrawal, Kadie Crider, Nico Allen, Saloni Siddavatam, Tatum Hesby I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members Thorp and Rude and student representative Rice and Rohde were absent. II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Maxwell read the land acknowledgement statement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Fisher moved, seconded by Sisinni to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7- 0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Maxwell moved, seconded by Schumacher to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2025 meeting. Motion carried 7-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON BIRCH HALL PROJECT AT CAMP EDENWOOD Novak-Krebs announced that if one was to move dirt on nationally designated property, one had to conduct an archeological study. Staff met with Jeremy EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 20, 2025 Page 2 Nienow who was hired by John LeBlanc to conduct this archeological study. The investigation would surround the structure and conduct some shovel tests. LeBlanc paid for the study instead of applying for a grant to expedite the process. Fisher asked for and received confirmation the study was not specifically looking for indigenous artifacts. However, if any were found, the study would require a Phase Two. Novak-Krebs stated LeBlanc wished to get the project started. He expected it to be completed by the end of November. The next steps would be construction drawings and bid documents. Bowes noted LeBlanc had raised some money for the construction so far. Novak-Krebs stated there was State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid program deadline in January for capital improvements, under which this project might qualify. B. DISCUSS SMITH DOUGLAS MORE HOUSE INTERPRETIVE PANEL Novak-Krebs stated the interpretive panel had to be taken down for the parking lot improvement. Novak-Krebs met with Kathie Case, Paul Thorp and Communications to update the panel. Maxwell added the sign covering had degraded, making it difficult to read the small font. He stated the replacement font should be larger. Novak-Krebs stated the panel should be reformatted to improve the flow of the story. The rain garden information also needed to be updated. She summarized the work that Earl and Helen More did to restore the house. Matt Bourne of Parks, Recreation and Forestry would replace the sign. Schumacher suggested a QR code. Maxwell suggested the language on the sign be tightened up, with the QR link providing more narrative. Sisinni objected that some might not wish to use QR codes. Lau suggested the QR Code be linked to The Smith Douglas More House video, and Schumacher suggested it take the user to the City website, which included the video. Maxwell asked how much information needed to be included about the rain gardens. Discussion followed on the text. C. UPDATE ON PRESERVE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE IN NEW ULM Bowes stated the conference was successful. He summarized a seminar on the use of prefabricated concrete brick, which was used for housing sold through the Sears catalog as well as for commercial buildings. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 20, 2025 Page 3 He added that numerous attendees talked about the complexity of getting grants for historic properties and navigating the various counties as well as state guidelines. Laws could change every year, and there were often conflicting county responses. He added that in 1862 New Ulm was a safe haven for local farmers, who had been friendly with the Indians just like the initial settlers of Eden Prairie, but greedy federal government agents who did not honor treaties had poisoned this relationship. The famous conflict had begun with several teenaged Indians killing a farm family over eggs that had spiraled. Farmers from as far as nine or 10 miles away had been barricaded in New Ulm. This was portrayed in an excellent exhibition in the Brown County museum on the third floor. The city’s former mayor gave the tour. Discussion followed on this history. Bowes added he attended Oktoberfest. New Ulm held two celebrations each year: downtown and at the brewery. He added there was a plaque on the Otherday Family in New Ulm. Novak-Krebs stated her top three sessions were as follows: The MnDOT Cultural Resources Unit employed archeologists and historians which surveyed 272 structures in 2020 in roadside pull-offs and waysides. 14 were on the National Register, and 11 were eligible. There was one near New Ulm with a spring. The second workshop was Disaster Preparedness for Historic Buildings. The seminar recommended documenting everything on site, what the building looked like, and who to contact in case of damage or an emergency. Novak-Krebs stated she would look into this more. The City of Eden Prairie had an overarching disaster preparedness plan, but nothing specifically for historical buildings. Fisher suggested starting with Cummins Grill. Novak-Krebs also suggested Dorenkemper. She added she had visited the site with staff from the IT Department who had documented the house with a 360-degree videography for a virtual tour. Maxwell urged the commission to prioritize buildings, and Schumacher suggested Birch Hall for number three. The final seminar was an archeological survey conducted by Jeremy Nienow, which was an archeological dig in front of the St. Paul capitol. At one time, a huge house sat behind the capitol. It was owned by an influential person, and it had burned down, and this showed on old maps. There had been two neighborhoods in front of the present capitol site, one less well-off than the other. The survey revealed the strata of the burn and the refuse of the working class versus the well-to-do artifacts. Residents had been allowed to help with the dig. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 20, 2025 Page 4 Fisher asked if preservation was part of the project, and Novak-Krebs replied she had not asked. Maxwell suggested Nienow be invited to speak to the commission members. Fisher suggested the Hennepin Town site as possible candidate for archeology. He asked for and received confirmation the government shut down was not an issue for getting grants. Novak-Krebs stated the conference would be held in Minneapolis next year, during the summer so as to coincide with the national conferences for state preservation offices. Schumacher stated the disaster preparedness plan should be put on the Work List. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Schumacher stated he was working through Thorp’s 10-page document with the inventory numbers, cleaning it up and removing duplicates. He would have an update at the next meeting. B. UPDATE ON BOOK PROJECT Novak-Krebs stated there were no updates; Zach Mohlis had emailed her to look at the phase one archeological surveys near the bluffs. Had not happened yet. Fisher added he visited R.T. Anderson Park, which had one great display about the mounds at the top of the hill. The 106 Group had installed an interpretive panel when Flying Cloud Drive was rebuilt. He had also taken a riverboat Mississippi cruise by Minneapolis schools which featured Dakota stories told by Dowie Westerman, a young Santee-Sioux specializing in the language, who was also an expert on native plants and medicinal foods. He asked if this information on local botany could be added to the book project, being that one of the R.T. Anderson placards was about local plants. Lau and Bowes commended this idea. Schumacher agreed that other voices were valuable and asked if Novak-Krebs would suggest it. Lau suggested this could be included partway through the book with photos. Novak-Krebs replied this would fit in with the project description for the grant application, which asked for how the indigenous residents interacted with the land. Fisher stated he would talk with Mohlis about this. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 20, 2025 Page 5 Schumacher thanked everyone for volunteering at the Citywide Open House. Discussion followed on ideas for next year, including an interactive project like a mini-archeological dig, maps, a terminal screen showing the website, and treats. Novak-Krebs announced the student representatives had chosen their project: Camp Eden Wood. VII. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY OUTREACH B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS C. RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE DEVELOPMENT D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF IX. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Bowes announced that Eden PrairieHistory.org, which had gone down briefly, was back online. Sisinni added the domain had not been renewed, but was repurchased in time, and the contact information was updated from a former member to current Historical Society staff. Bowes stated the Prop Sale would be held November 7 and 8 at the Cummins Phipps Grill House, and Santa was starting two weeks before Thanksgiving. The Boy Scouts were selling Christmas trees at the house and at Speedway. Kathie Case hoped the Dorenkemper House would be chosen as a student project, but even if this did not happen, the Historical Society was planning to make a video of Ginny Dorenkemper’s oral history. Bowes stated that Sheldon Wolfchild had just filed a lawsuit against the federal government, which took land away given to his tribe (on Lake Pepin from Lake City to Wabasha). The was pre-statehood history. Lau stated Thorp had the logs of the plots received and given back to the government in exchange for food. Bowes added half the land promised to local Dakota tribes had been resold by federal government in violation of treaty. Sisinni stated the aim of the lawsuit was not monetary gain, but for Wolfchild’s tribe to be recognized as a tribe and become eligible for benefits, which presently they could not claim. The tribe had casinos but did not pull in the funds that the larger Mystic Lake casino did. Wolfchild’s great-great-grandfather had been hung in 1937 despite being friendly with the settlers of Eden Prairie. A video would be produced on the lawsuit and effort at recognition. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION October 20, 2025 Page 6 Fisher asked for the received confirmation Wolfchild was still involved with the book project. X. FYI ITEMS Fisher stated he had visited the Minnesota River vista overlook near C. H. Robinson park and there were three blank placards in place of interpretive panels. Novak-Krebs stated she would ask Bourne if there was a plan to update these. XI. NEXT MEETING The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Rooms, City Hall. XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Sisinni moved, seconded by Fisher to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Heritage Preservation Commission 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Plan “PRESERVING THE PAST, ENRICHING THE FUTURE” HAVE SOUL” Draft: November 17, 2025 Charter The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is established for the purpose of: (1) safeguarding the heritage of the City by preserving sites and structures which reflect significant elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, visual, or architectural history; (2) promoting the preservation and continued use of historic sites and structures for the education and general welfare of the people of the City; and (3) fostering civic pride in the beauty and notable accomplishments of the past. Mission The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is the City’s steward of Eden Prairie’s enduring and recognized preservation policies. The programs and strategies focus not only on preservation, but also on education, public use and enjoyment of our heritage sites. 1. The Commission shall have the following roles and responsibilities: A. The Commission shall conduct a continuing survey of all areas, places, buildings, structures or objects in the City that the Commission, based on information available or presented to it, has reason to believe are significant to the cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history of the City. B. The Commission shall continually survey all areas to determine needed and desirable improvements of older buildings throughout the City, acting in a resource and advisory capacity to owners of historically significant sites regarding their preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. C. The Commission shall work for the continuing education of the citizens of the City with respect to the civic and architectural heritage of the City. It shall keep current a public register of designated and proposed Heritage Preservation sites and areas along with the plans and programs that pertain to them. D. The Commission may recommend to the Council the acceptance of contributions offered to the City and to assist the City staff in preparation of applications for grant funds to be made through the City for the purpose of Heritage Preservation. E. The Commission will on a continuing basis collect and review City planning and development records, documents, studies, models, maps, plans, and drawings to be passed on to the State Historical Society as a permanent record of City history and development. F. The Commission shall make no application to the National Register of Historic Places or to the State of Minnesota for the designation of a historic site or district without the consent of the City Council. 2. In pursuance of the above stated roles and responsibilities the Commission should perform the following work tasks: A. Recommend best practices for the on-going treatment of historic sites. B. Recommend local and national designation of historic properties. C. Review and make recommendations on Certificate of Appropriateness’ (COA’s). D. Pursue grant funding on behalf of the City for historic preservation properties and purposes. E. Review development projects where historical resources are or maybe present. F. Promote the preservation and continued use of historic sites and structures. G. Promote the education through various avenues for the people of Eden Prairie. H. Promote partnerships. 2025 Commission Members Steve Schumacher, Chair Paul Thorp, Vice Chair Andy Ludowese Robert Bowes Rod Fisher George Maxwell Cathy Lau Lisa Rude Prima Sisinni Student Representatives Sept. 2024 – May 2025 Nico Allen Kadie Crider Jacob Holje Hardhik Kommalapati Amuktha Pothamsetti Annika Rice Sept. 2025-May 2026 Nico Allen, Kadie Crider Annika Rice Fiona Rohde, Jaya Agrawal Saloni Siddavatam Tatum Hesby City Staff Liaison Beth Novak-Krebs (Staff Liaison) 2025 HPC Accomplishments • Presented 2024 Year End Report and 2025 Work Plan to City Council. • Hired two authors to write a book about the history of Native people in the Eden Prairie area, with a focus on Dakota peoples’ connections to the land and natural resources. The book is a three-step process: research, writing, and publication. The authors are working on the research. • In April 2025, the HPC welcomed two new commissioners. • Completed a grant application through the State Historical Society Legacy Grants to fund the writing phase of the book. • Participated in a joint meeting with the Eden Prairie Historical Society. • Reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness for a small building addition onto the Dorenkemper House to accommodate a bookstore in the building. The HPC recommended approval by the City Council. • Participated in the Citywide Open House. • Participated in the Harvest to Halloween Event. Provided tours of the Dorenkemper House. • Participated in the Picnic in the Park Event. Provided tours of the Dorenkemper House. • In May of 2025, the student members produced a short video describing the history of the Smith, Douglas, More House. • In September 2025, the HPC welcomed 7 new student members. • Presented the Heritage Preservation Award to the Eden Prairie School District for their work on the 100th year anniversary festivities for the consolidated school, which was built in 1925. • Initiated a project to update the Cultural Resources Survey from the early 1990’s. • Attended the PreserveMN 2025 conference. 2026 Work Plan NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY/OUTREACH SUBCOMMITTEE • Review the deliverables from the research portion of the book. Q1 • Assuming the City is awarded a Legacy grant from the State Historical Society to write the book, The HPC will reviewing chapters of the book starting in 2026. Q1-4 • Continue research on the Red Rock at Birch Island Lake. Q2  Prepare an interpretive panel regarding the Native American cultural features in the area. Q3-4 • Discuss the possibility of replacing the historical marker for the Battle of Shakopee. Q4 NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE • Continue to pursue local designation of the old depot site as a Heritage Preservation Site  Continue working through the approval process. Q1  Prepare a Preservation Plan for the site. Q3  Prepare a sign and other educational material for the site. Q4 • Continue to pursue local designation of the outbuildings associated with the old mill as a Heritage Preservation Site  Prepare the nomination report for the approval process. Q3  Clean yard waste out of the foundations. Q3  Notify the adjacent homeowners about the historic significance of the site and the importance of preserving the historic resource. Q3  Post signs prohibiting the dumping of yard waste on City property and especially not in the building foundations. Q4  Prepare a Preservation Plan for the site. Q4 • Continue working toward completing a nomination for the Smith, Douglas, More, House for potential listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Q1-2 • Work on updating the Cultural Resources Inventory from the early 1990’s. This includes identifying structures that have been lost and adding new structures etc. to the list. The project also includes updating the map. Q1-4 RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE/DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE • Coordinate with True Friends and SHPO toward potential improvements to Birch Hall/Holasek House. Q2 • Partner with other groups toward additional activities at or near the Dorenkemper House. Work with the City on potential improvements to the house. Q2 DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH SUBCOMMITTEE • Work with the students to produce a short video of the Glen Lake Children’s Camp (Camp Eden Wood) House and post it on the website. Q 1 and 2 • Brainstorm activities to engage children and adults during outreach events such as the Citywide Open House. • Participate in People Fest, the Citywide Open House and the Harvest to Halloween events. Q3 & Q4 • Discuss the possibility of creating an educational piece that features historical figures and others that have contributed to preserving the history of Eden Prairie. Q1 -4 • Photo document the Marshall Farmstead at 9905 Dell Road. Q1 APPLY FOR GRANTS AS OPPORTUNITIES ARISE • Small Legacy Grant ➢ Prepare Construction Drawings for Birch Hall (January, 2026) • State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid ➢ Possibly Birch Hall Improvements (January Pre-Application 2026) • CLG Grant – ➢ Hire a consultant to prepare the nomination of the Smith, Douglas, More for potential listing on the Nation Register of Historic Places (January 2026) • Large Legacy Grant – ➢ Improvements to Birch Hall (July 2026) OTHER • Planning a joint meeting with the Parks, Recreation and Naturals Resources Commission in October 2026. Q4 Ongoing Responsibilities, Activities and Tasks • Participate in events to educate the public and increase awareness of the City’s historic and cultural resources (Citywide Open House, Harvest to Halloween, People Fest etc.) • Review nominations for the Heritage Preservation Award, select the recipient and present the award in May of each year • Participate in joint meetings and collaborate with other commissions and organizations (HRDC, HS, PRNR) • Attend conferences and other learning opportunities • Help the student members have a meaningful experience being on the Commission (Sept. – May) • Tour historic properties and sites to become familiar with the sites that the HPC is charged with preserving • Work closely with the Eden Prairie Historical Society on projects. Maintain and strengthen the positive working relationship the commission already has with the historical society • Periodically review the Heritage Preservation page on the City’s website and recommend improvements if any • Continue to support the sale of street signs • Continue to educate the public about the history of Eden Prairie