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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 10/18/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2004 6:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Jennie Brown, Vice Chairperson; Bob Amell, Deborah Barkley, Molly Gilbertson, Elise Kist STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Ben Costello, Katie Kunitz, Trevor Diddell COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Adams called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Commissioner Gilbertson was excused. Janet Jeremiah, Director of Community Development, was in attendance. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Gertz added the introduction of new student members under Reports of Commission and Staff. MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 Gertz made a correction on page 2, where the second sentence on the page should read, "He said when digging for a new burial in the old section they may encounter existing burials there, . . ... Adams made a correction in the last sentence on page 2, where "HTI" should be changed to "HTC." MOTION: Amell moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on September 20, 2004, as published and corrected. Motion carried 5-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Introduction of New Student Members The new student members introduced themselves. Trevor Diddell, Ben Costello and Katie Kunitz are all Seniors at Eden Prairie High School. Adams welcomed them, and Gertz invited them to ask any questions they might have. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 18, 2004, Page 2 B. Eagle Scout Project at Riley-Jacques Farmstead Gertz reported that Brad Madsen's project is being delayed until spring because he could not get his paperwork signed and processed quickly enough. He will submit a completed plan and Gertz will continue to work with him. Adams said the HPC had suggested at the September meeting that Eagle Scouts be recognized for their projects at the Cummins-Grill and Riley-Jacques properties. Rather than wait until Madsen completes his project, Adams suggested the City Council be asked to recognize the two Eagle Scouts who have completed their work this year. Gertz said he would follow up on it and find out whom he should talk to about making the arrangements. The newspaper could also be notified to let them know it would be done on a certain date. B. Indian Burial Mound at Hennepin Village Site Gertz met at the Hennepin Village site with the State archaeologist to examine an Indian burial mound from the Woodland Period. A trail has been built south of the mound that slightly impacts the buffer the State archaeologist previously established. Gertz is working with Pentom and the archaeologist to resolve this issue or mitigate its impact. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Cemeteries Registration Document Gertz said several members of the staff are reviewing the treatment plan and may make additions or subtractions from the document. It will be discussed at a future HPC meeting, probably in November. B. Riley-Jacques Barn Update Gertz reported that the last few items on the punch list are being completed. Exterior landscaping still remains to be done, and winter seed will be planted this fall. There is a 6- to 8-foot section of concrete sidewalk coming down from the plaza that will have to be re-installed to meet ADA requirements. The Certificate of Occupancy has not been released yet. C. Anderson School House Adams announced there would be a kick-off fundraising coffee on November 19, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., at the Prairie View Elementary School. She will be sending invitations to the Commission members. D. Preserve Minnesota Conference Adams said she and Kist attended the Preserve Minnesota Conference in St. Cloud. The next conference is going to be in Duluth on September 15 and 16, HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 18, 2004, Page 3 2005. Because there will be other events going on in Duluth at that time, it was recommended that anyone planning to go should make reservations at the Holiday Inn well in advance. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Prioritizing Funding for Historic Properties Commissioners reviewed recent estimates for priority work previously identified for the Cummins and Riley houses that are included in the City's CIP and scheduled for completion in 2005. They also looked over the plans prepared by Miller Dunwiddie Architects in August 2003, showing exterior work that is needed on both houses. Gertz explained that the City Council would review all items in the CIP. The total costs estimated in August 2003 should be updated and updated bids would be needed if the Council approves the work for 2005. The costs are expected to be higher. Alternate No. 1 would provide all work for rebuilding of the crawl space and porch foundations at the Riley-Jacques Farmhouse. Alternate No. 2 would provide all work for rehabilitation of the exterior of the Riley-Jacques Farmhouse. Alternate No. 3 would provide all work for insulation of the roof and attic of the Riley-Jacques Farmhouse. Alternate No. 4 would provide all work for the restoration of the exterior of the Cummins-Phipps Farmstead. Gertz said these four alternates were all determined to be high-priority projects for structural maintenance and repair of the two houses. They are base-line repair needs, and if not done the City will face greater expense in the future. Jeremiah suggested the HPC make a strong recommendation to get bids. If the bids come in much higher than in 2003, there would not be money allocated in the 2005 budget to do all the work listed. From that perspective, the HPC should look at what is most important from the list. The City Council could decide not to move forward with spending the money allocated for historic properties. Adams asked, if bids come in higher, would it be possible to designate funds from the 2006 budget to do the work. Jeremiah replied that the HPC could make that recommendation to the City Council. Gertz said they could look ahead to 2006 because there is nothing allocated yet. The case can be made that these two houses need this work just because they are City-owned properties. Amell asked if there are any concerns that the Riley-Jacques house needs to be maintained by the City at a certain level in order to continue to use it as rental property. Gertz said a City Inspector would know the answer to that. MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Brown, that the Heritage Preservation Commission strongly recommends that all the alternates for maintenance of the Riley-Jacques Farmhouse and the Cummins-Phipps Farmstead be approved in the 2005 budget. Alternate No. 4 would be the first priority, Alternate No. 1 would be the second priority, Alternate No. 2 would be the third priority, and Alternate HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES October 18, 2004, Page 4 No. 3 would be the fourth priority, as presented in the Miller Dunwiddie Rehabilitation Plans, dated August 7, 2003. Motion carried 5-0. Adams said she would like to have the HPC meet at the Cummins-Grill House to see what work is being discussed. She asked if the November meeting could be held there. Gertz agreed it would be desirable to meet at the site and said he would schedule the next meeting there. He wants to make sure the City can take bids on the project after the first of the year, so the work can be scheduled to start in the spring of 2005. Jeremiah stated that recently a local developer wanted money he was donating to the City to be used for historic preservation purposes, but the City didn't accept it with that restriction, and didn't promise to spend it that way. However, there is still the possibility the City could decide to do it. There is always vigorous discussion on whether to spend on historic preservation, but the HPC would have an influence on the Council if it makes a strong recommendation. Other funding sources could also be looked into. Gertz said he wants the HPC to look again at planning for reuse of the Cummins house at the next meeting. Adams agreed with him that the HPC needs to be informed about what work would be needed for possible reuse of the house so it can be intertwined with the proposed work. Also, the City Council will know the HPC is continuing to think about reuse and not just about maintaining the house in perpetuity. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Barkley moved, seconded by Abell, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The November meeting will be at the J.R. Cummins House.