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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 02/10/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2004 7:00 P.M. Atrium III 8080 Mitchell Road Commission Members: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Molly Gilbertson,Elise Kist, Kati Simons Student Representatives: John Buteyn, Mackenzie Epping, Thomas Grant Commission Staff: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Chair Peterson-Benike called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. John Gertz was unable to be present. Commissioner Brown and Student Representative Epping were absent. Marie Wittenberg and Geraldine Beckmann from the Historical Society were present as guests. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Gilbertson, to approve the meeting agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 12, 2004 Adams made a correction on page 2, in the second paragraph under Item C, by deleting the last two sentences. MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Simons, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on January 12, 2004, as amended. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF V. OLD BUSINESS A. Reuse Options for the Cummins-Phipps-Grill Property Peterson-Benike stated that representatives of the Historical Society were invited because they have been discussing different options for use of the property with City staff. Marie Wittenberg said they have met twice with Molly Koivumaki from the City. At the last meeting they made some suggestions for use of the property. Because HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 9, 2004 Page 2 Sunbonnet Day will be held at the Riley-Jacques barn in the future, they believe a tea house or a bed and breakfast inn would be a good way to use the Cummins house. Gerry Beckmann said they also discussed Historical Society goals. One is to improve communication between the Historical Society and the City. There have been times when members of the Historical Society Board have felt undervalued by City staff. For example, they have never been asked to help plan events at the Cummins house that are put on by the Parks and Recreation staff. They want to work with staff, the HPC, and the City Council. They are glad to have a representative from the HPC, currently Betsy Adams, at the Historical Society meetings to give them reports on what the HPC is doing. (They have not been receiving the minutes of HPC meetings.) Beckmann said the Historical Society also has certain expectations of the City. The Historical Society is the keeper of historic artifacts and information. In return, they expect the City to keep the Cummins house in good condition and make sure it is reasonably clean. Beckmann said it would be premature for the Historical Society to spend time working on plans to take over the Cummins house. They will wait until the Council decides how it should be used. Peterson-Benike said the Council is perhaps looking at a commercial use for the house. In order to find out what Councilmembers are thinking, she would like to invite representatives from the Council to the next HPC meeting on March 15. Members of the Historical Society would also be invited. Adams said this would be an opportunity for the Council, the Historical Society and the Commission to work together on use of the property. Beckmann said it would be helpful if the proposed agenda for the joint meeting could be sent to the members of the Historical Society prior to the meeting. Peterson-Benike invited their input on the agenda. Kist recommended asking Gertz to find out if LAWCON fund restrictions would permit the house to be used for commercial purposes. Adams expressed the need to find that out before the next meeting. If the house can't be leased, they would have to think about the property in a different way. When that information is obtained, it will be circulated to everyone concerned. MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Kist, to direct City staff to invite Council representation and the Historical Society Board to the March 15, 2004 Heritage Preservation Commission meeting, to discuss reuse options for the Cummins-Phipps-Grill property. Motion carried 6-0. Members of the Historical Society were thanked prior to leaving the meeting. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 9, 2004 Page 3 Peterson-Benike reminded the Commissioners that their charge is to advocate for the property, and consider the part it plays in Eden Prairie history. The HPC can make recommendations to the Council on use of the house, and the Council would make the final decision. B. FY 2004 CLG Grant Peterson-Benike reported that Gertz has submitted the application for a Fiscal Year 2004 CLG grant for local designation of Staring Lake Outdoor Center, the Consolidated School and Glen Lake Children's Camp. Michael Koop of the SHPO reviewed the application and told Gertz Eden Prairie probably won't have any problem getting the funds requested. However, when the local designations are completed, the SHPO suggested that the City send in National Register forms at the same time for at least two of the properties. It is not known if that would require additional funding. The National Register forms are more cumbersome to complete. Glen Lake Children's Camp is already designated as a National Register historic site. C. FY 2003 CLG Grant Update Gertz met with Robert Vogel two weeks ago. Vogel has some aerial photos and is doing archival work. He recently came to review Historical Society records at the City Center. D. Riley Barn and Dorenkemper House Update Peterson-Benike reported that the City Council approved the changes to the barn construction work, as recommended by the HPC at the January meeting. Footings have now been replaced. No further work has been done on the Dorenkemper House recently. They are still waiting for the hardware order to come in. Inside finish work will proceed next week. VI. NEW BUSINESS Resisnation of Chairperson Peterson-Benike Peterson-Benike said she would be resigning from the Commission, effective in April, due to constraints on her time. She has sent a letter of resignation to the City Council. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Barkley moved, seconded by Simons, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Peterson-Benike adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.