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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 04/17/2000 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Monday,April 17, 2000 7:00 p.m. City Center Prairie Rooms A and B Commission Members: Jan Mosman, Chair; Kathie Case, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Lori Peterson-Benike, Kati Simons,Art Weeks, Mike Wroblewski Student Representative: Mark Perry Commission Staff: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist I. ROLL CALL Chair Mosman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: were Commissioners Barkley, Brown, Peterson-Benike, Simons, Weeks, and Wroblewski; and student representative Mark Perry. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mosman would like to add discussion of"Communications to the City Council" under New Business. MOTION: Motion by Peterson-Benike seconded by Barkley to approve agenda as amended. Motion carried, 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —FEBRUARY 28, 2000 MOTION: Peterson-Benike second Barkley to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2000 Heritage Preservation Commission meeting. Motion carried, 5-0, abstention by Simons, Weeks and Wroblewski. IV. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS Chair Mosman introduced and welcomed Jennie Brown, Kati Simons, Art Weeks, and Mike Wroblewski as new members of the Heritage Preservation Commission. V. REPORTS AND REQUESTS Mosman said there is a Historical Society meeting May 6"'including a museum tour of the Bloomington museum and tour of Gideon Pond, the senior housing complex. Gertz will send the information to Commissioners. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MINUTES APRIL 17, 2000 PAGE 2 Weeks asked about the relationship between the Commission and the Historical Society. Gertz said it was a cooperative relationship,but with separate missions. The Commission has had had members who are also members of the Historical Society. Peterson-Benike, Mosman, and Brown are all members. Weeks asked about the mission. Peterson-Benike explained the Historical Society's mission focuses on collection of artifacts and the museum. The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with preservation of sites in the community according to the City charter. There is sometimes confusion in the community as to who is responsible for what. Gertz said the role definition and charter are being finalized with an agreement between the Commission and the Historical Society about storage and responsibility for items. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF Gertz reported on the status of the Grace Church Project. After reviewing the environmental assessment worksheet(EAW), the church hired an archaeological firm to look at the property. The archaeologist determined that in some locations there is good potential for an archaeological site; Gertz recommended an assessment be completed. Peterson-Benike asked whether the Raquet homesite was assessed. Gertz said the homesite was demolished. It looks like there may be some pioneer features on the property. On the southern portion, near bluff conditions, there may be burials/habitation sites. It is a good idea to go to phase I to investigate more thoroughly. Gertz reviewed the HPC cultural base map; the map includes structures, landscape, and archaeological features. Archaeology sites exist along the bluff. The majority of these sites were previously recorded. Brown asked whether the church was privately owned and how the City could require preservation. Gertz said completion of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW) is required. There are questions that must be addressed regarding archaeological features. The City and SHPO determine if their answers are sufficient. At first, no subsurface work is done. The City is asking them to do this because there is a good chance that archeological features exist. BRW did the archaeology work. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MINUTES APRIL 17, 2000 PAGE 3 Weeks asked about the location of the farmstead. Gertz said Spring Road and Pioneer Trail. Wroblewski asked about the potential for concern of native americans over possible burial excavation. Gertz said the sites are ancient and pre-date the Dakotas. Only once, during the Settlers Ridge wetland issue did burial mounds create concern. A Section 106 review was performed. The site brought up cultural issues. Wroblewski asked if there were actual mounds on the property. Gertz said there were a few. Brown asked if it would it be a costly endeavor for the City to purchase the mounds. Gertz said it wasn't necessary because they are protected under state law; a state archaeologist is involved from the beginning. Mosman and Gertz explained that a buffer is established around mounds; protecting the areas from development or ground-disturbing activity. Peterson-Benike asked about when construction would begin. Gertz said the review process was not yet complete. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. J.R. Cummins House Projects Gertz reviewed completion of the bathroom project. The City's Park Maintenance staff finished this about two weeks ago. It has functioning indoor plumbing. The Eco-Lab pest control did a bat waste abatement project, and smoked the attic so that Park Maintenance could patch leakage. The house had extensive leakage. Instead of the plugging holes, Eco-Lab installed time-delayed misters containing bat repellent. Wood soffits will be replaced, larger holes will be filled, and the smoke test will be repeated. Mosman asked if the aerosol misters were an expensive option. Gertz said four misters could be purchased for $40. Brown asked if the chemical could pose a hazard to humans. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MINUTES APRIL 17, 2000 PAGE 4 Gertz said it did not affect humans at all. Mosman asked if power surges were a concern; the furnace sometimes causes lights to dim and then brighten. Gertz said he would discuss this with the electricians. Mosman reviewed the work day at the Cummins house and discussed scheduling another. Now the upstairs is safe but it is dirty. The group discussed tentatively scheduling a Saturday 9:30-12:00 cleanup at the Cummins house and a tour of several sites during the week. Thursday, May 25t' at 3:00 p.m. the HPC will meet at City Hall for a tour of the sites. It will last until approximately 6:00 p.m. Weeks asked about Garden Club work on Cummins House. Mosman said the Garden Club worked on the site and has made significant efforts. There were hundreds of blooms. The Garden club will have a sale. The City and Garden club will sponsor an event; invite seniors, some clubs. Vandalism and break-ins are of some concern at the Cummings House. B. Update on Grant Projects Gertz has not heard on the CLG grant request to hire a historical consultant to complete the national historic registry for Overlook Park. The grant for the signage is moving along. He is continuing to compile photos and write text. The design concept and editing is currently underway and will be presented at May meeting. The signs will be fiberglass embedded graphics, 3 feet by 4 feet, and unintrusive. C. Historic Site Management Planning Gertz said this project is still in process. He distributed a memorandum from the City Manager regarding HPC's plans for use of historic properties. The HPC needs to present a proposal showing its plans are fiscally responsible and provide a use for the community. Mosman said three historic homes are in the process of renovation; the City is considering its options and has asked the HPC and staff to submit ideas for the historic homes. Gertz said the site may have recreational components. Parks and Recreation may be able to use it for youth programs. The HPC wants to ensure the historical integrity is maintained. For the Moore house, they have talked about a coffee house. Budget is a primary concern for utilization. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MINUTES APRIL 17, 2000 PAGE 5 Mosman asked Simons to investigate possibility of coffee house, perhaps opening part of each Saturday/ Sunday. The group discussed access and possible vendors. Peterson-Benike suggested a museum/coffee shop. Mosman said there are museum pieces from the City that could be utilized. Brown asked about the budget. Mosman said if enough could be raised for it to be self-supporting it would help. Peterson-Benike asked whether the current resident, the niece of the former owner, would be allowed to stay. He had lifetime estate. She can't pay rent. She does the upkeep. Mosman discussed obtaining estimates. Gertz said in order to do estimates, they would need to know the end result. Weeks said his concern was presenting a realistic view and was unsure if the group could provide solid recommendations from a marketing and management standpoint. Peterson-Benike said the resources are limited but the HPC need to do the best job possible in letting the City know these properties should be kept. Mosman said the City will not fund without a use. The HPC has had very limited funds. Gertz said whatever is sent to the Council will be as comprehensive as possible with the available resources. Strategies can be determined after the use is determined. The HPC will not go to the Council with a"done deal". The City does not expect that the properties will be self- sustaining or profitable. Weeks said the Commission should determine appropriate uses before presenting to the Council. It should be self-sustaining and/or revenue generating and these issues should be addressed in the report. Gertz said the issue is accessibility and use more than profitability. Weeks said perhaps there would be more attraction if there was another draw. Gertz said he needs ideas from the Commission for appropriate uses to present to the Council. He has assembled background information and it is late for members to expect they will jump right in. The Program Board will look at it. The HPC needs to work on site plans, cost information on rehab work and cost estimates for utilization. HERITAGE PRESERVATION MINUTES APRIL 17, 2000 PAGE 6 Peterson-Benike said the Commission can determine some of the rehab costs. Gertz said his concern was operational costs. Weeks said this was site specific; cost-estimates would be questionable, and the HPC needs to either engage in requests for proposal or hire a consultant. Gertz said he could not hire a consultant to do a business plan. The Council is only asking for proposed uses. Peterson-Benike suggested communicating with similar businesses. Mosman said Simon and her would investigate costs and bring the information to the May meeting. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion Regarding Use of Original Electric Lights at the J.R. Cummins House This item was tabled; awaiting information on installation costs. B. Schedule Date for Historic Site Tour for New Members Thursday, May 25"' at 3:00 p.m. the HPC will meet at City Hall for a tour of the sites. It will last until approximately 6:00 p.m. C. City Council Communication Mosman said the HPC should present a report to the City Council. She would like to attend a May meeting. They need to know the HPC is responsible for these houses and doesn't want them sold. The HPC also needs a larger budget to accomplish its charge. The HPC should be able to meet at the houses instead of City Hall. The houses would still be public buildings and there would be proper public notification. The HPC should update the Council on its activities. The Lions club contacted Mosman regarding potential HPC projects for funding. Mosman will contact him. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Motion by Peterson-Benike, seconded by Brown to adjourn. Motion carried, 8-0