HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 06/21/2004 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2004 7:00 P.M.
Prairie Rooms A & B
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Jennie
Brown, Vice Chairperson; Bob
Amell, Deborah Barkley,Jennie
Brown, Molly Gilbertson, Elise
Kist
COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation
Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen,
Recorder
I. ROLL CALL
Adams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All Commissioners were present.
Gertz was unable to attend. Janet Jeremiah, Community Development Director,
was present.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the agenda as published.
Motion carried 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 17, 2004
Adams made corrections on pages 3 and 4. The last sentence on page 3, under
Anderson School should read, "They would like to scan artifacts in as well." On
page 4, paragraph 2, the second sentence should end, " . . . to Prairie View
School property, after funds are raised and plans approved."
MOTION: Amell moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the minutes of the
Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on May 17, 2004, as published
and amended. Motion carried 6-0.
IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update on Riley-Jacques Farm
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
June 21, 2004
Page 2
Adams made a report for Gertz, who said site work is underway with the
construction of a new parking lot. Mechanicals are being installed. The
concrete floor of the barn has been poured, and work on the restroom has
begun. The project is on schedule.
Last month Gertz mentioned he was getting a bid to lay sewer and water
lines to the house. However, the bid was $12,000 and Gertz believes it is
unlikely that the City Council will approve the bid. However, when it
becomes necessary for sewer and water to be connected to the house, that
would be made part of the budget for the next project.
1. Dorenkemper House
Dan Herbst has been speaking to Scott Neal and other staff about
funding possibilities. It is hoped that volunteers will be found to
complete the work.
B. Update on Cummins-Grill House
Gertz has received a proposal on the cost of adding certain features to the
house, one of which is to set up a kitchen area for an adaptive reuse or for
catering, so that the cost of carrying out some of the programs discussed at
the April meeting can be determined.
Adams reported that the Historical Society's annual meeting was held at
the Cummins-Grill House on June 12, when Kathie Case was elected
president. Marie Wittenberg will be curator of the museum. The Arts &
Antiques in the Garden event was held on the same day. There were more
arts and craft vendors than last year. There were not as many peonies
blooming as last year,possibly due to the rainy spring.
Brown suggested that next year the peony garden be listed in the Garden
Calendar of the Home and Gardens section of the Star Tribune, as a
showplace worth visiting.
There was discussion about who is responsible for maintenance of the
peony garden. Janet Jeremiah said Parks Maintenance is responsible for
maintenance of the grounds, including the garden.
C. Update on Anderson School
Adams reported that the Anderson School task force is making some
progress. Cards depicting the exterior of the school in watercolors are
being sold, with the proceeds going to the Historical Society to renovate
the school building.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
June 21, 2004
Page 3
Adams read the mission statement of the Anderson School Task Force,
which is "to reclaim the Anderson Historic School House, breathe new life
into it, and give it back to the community for the enjoyment and education
of our children."
The school district will not allow the task force to move the building or
sign a contract until they have the money to complete the project. The
task force is meeting with the facilities director and property manager of
Prairie View Elementary School, the architect who is donating his
services, and an engineering firm that is putting together mechanical
specifications for the building, as well as site preparation, at no charge.
Adams said the timeline for the project is to complete the budget this
summer and probably have a kick-off event that would get corporate
leaders and others in the community to support the project. They plan to
raise 80 percent of the funds this fall and winter. Over three semesters,
students from Hennepin Technical College will reconstruct the school,
beginning with the foundation, in the spring of 2005, and work on the
building in the subsequent fall and spring semesters. The task force hopes
to have the grand opening on July 4, 2006.
Brown is a member of the School District's Education Council. Adams
asked Brown to arrange for her to talk to the group about the Anderson
School project at their September meeting, if possible.
D. Update on CLG Grant Project - Cemetery Registration
Gertz and Vogel met with Mike Rogers, president of the Eden Prairie
Cemetery Board Association,regarding historic designation of both
cemeteries. Rogers agrees it would be a good idea to designate Eden
Prairie Cemetery.
Vogel will be coming to the July HPC meeting to give his report and
designation suggestions for those two projects. He will not be able to do
photo documentation of the grave stones before the end of the grant
period,but Gertz hopes to find a way this summer for a group to work on
it. They would have to be sure the information on the grave stones is
consistent with what Vogel has found out about them.
In addition to hearing from Vogel at the July meeting, the HPC will be
updated on the designations of several Eden Prairie properties that the
Commission has selected.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
June 21, 2004
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VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Barkley moved, seconded by Brown, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 6-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.