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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 05/20/2013 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A & B COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ed Muehlberg (Chair), Cindy Cofer Evert (Vice Chair), Steve Olson, JoAnn McGuire, Pamela Spera, Mark Freiberg, Deb Paulson STAFF: John Gertz, Pathfinder CRM, LLC Lori Creamer, Staff Liaison Heidi Wojahn, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Melissa Berman, Leanne Zhang I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Acting Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Commissioners Muehlberg, Cofer Evert, and Paulson and Student Representatives Berman and Zhang were absent. II. SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBER New commissioner Freiberg took an oath of office with Creamer administering. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES McGuire suggested the following alternate wording to the fifth sentence under item V.A.: "The Urban Renewal Act of 1964 created incentive for economic development which resulted in the decimation of urban areas." MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by Spera, to approve the April 15, 2013 minutes as amended. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Freiberg abstaining. V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. HRDC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY - Creamer Creamer reported she checked on the status of the stories grant following the last Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) meeting. Patricia Fenrick indicated she would be following up with Betsy Adams of the Eden Prairie Historical HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 Page 2 Society (EPHS) on the historical aspect of it as well as the possibility of combining this effort with an archiving grant EPHS received. Creamer shared Jeff Strate's video on Glen Lake Children's Camp with Fenrick and explained Cofer Evert's idea of visiting featured people at their homes to gather their stories. McGuire suggested HRDC include a videographer in its grant application rather than taking stories down by hand. Olson recalled McGuire and Cofer Evert had volunteered to assist with this project and Berman had previously said the Diversity Club at the high school was also a potential resource. B. GRANT UPDATES 1. CLG Grant - Creamer The City, on behalf of the HPC, received a $5000 grant for the design and graphics of interpretive signage at the Riley Jacques farmstead. Discussion ensued about related paperwork in need of completion. The grant requires a match in labor or funds. The CLG grant work needs to be completed by July 31, 2014, however extensions are an option, if necessary. Olson asked what the HPC needs to do in terms of a match for the CLG grant. Creamer said the finance director, city manager, and Council have previously confirmed funds are available. Gertz noted any amount of time the Commission spends on this can be used to decrease the City's cash match. Creamer's time is billable as well as that of each commissioner. The City will prepare a request for reimbursement at the end of the project which will be submitted along with documentation (timesheets, check copies, etc.). Spera asked how that works since commissioners are not paid. Gertz said a state-determined, professional flat rate is used for billing. The hourly rate begins when the contract is signed and fully executed, and billing cannot extend beyond the project end date. Mileage is also reimbursable. More information is available on the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) or Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) websites. Gertz told Creamer to be sure to keep copies of all documentation, especially public notices. 2. Les!acy Grant— Gertz This planning grant has an application deadline of June 21. The grant is 75 percent complete. Gertz will have it submitted to Creamer by the first week in June for circulation among and for review by City staff. The $7000 small grant for the Dorenkemper House at the Riley Jacques farmstead is to evaluate the site and determine the best approach for interpretation of the property and landscape in order to meet interpretive goals. It would need to be coordinated with the other grant, and they would run concurrently. No city match is required,but it would be good to demonstrate some in-kind service. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. WEBSITE UPDATE—Creamer There are five description areas for property information, each with room for 250 characters (spaces included). They have been broken up into smaller paragraphs and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 Page 3 checked for consistency and accuracy. Not all sites (for instance trails)have addresses. The logo has been approved by Communications, and the link in the upper right corner will go to the HPC webpage. The banner shows faded wallpaper. When a point on the Geographical Information Services (GIS) map is touched, it brings up the name of the site. If clicked, a brief description shows. When clicked again, more details become available. There are currently two tabs; more can be added later. Additional maps show detailed streets, faded streets, and the 2012 aerial view. Gertz said it would be nice to have an old plat map. It is too difficult to distinguish between sites and landmarks so there should just be one "Sites" tab for now. Creamer said she would forward the link to commissioners so they can look over the website. Feedback should be provided before next month's meeting. Spera asked if there were specific criteria to keep in mind other than aesthetics. Creamer requested they look at wording and formatting and check to see if the links are working. It is a work in progress —things can be changed or added along the way. Gertz asked about more photos. Creamer said photos will likely be added in a slideshow format as time permits. The HPC would need to supply the pictures. Timing depends on where this fits into the IT Department's work plan. Freiberg inquired about the Facebook link. Creamer stated the link in the lower right corner is difficult to see. The link goes to the City's website. Gertz asked how people would find the site. Creamer said it will be on the City's website under the history tab once it goes live as well as in the map gallery. Gertz said it is important to denote which sites are local-designated and national- registered. The pertinent information can be found in the HPC manual or he can email it to Creamer. Creamer said she can add designation dates to the top of each description box near established dates. The goal is to launch the site in June. Olson thanked Creamer and Adam Feidt for their hard work. B. UPDATE ON HISTORIC SITES - Gertz Gertz plans to start visiting sites this week weather permitting. He needs to take a close look at the Cummins Grill outbuilding and take photos of it,but he will look over all of the structures on-site while there. He will then see if Paul Sticha wants to join him when making rounds to other sites. He wants to take more photographs. Creamer said she already has a lot of Cummins Grill photos but not many of other sites. Gertz said there is a disk of Ernie Schulteis photos available from EPHS. It may have a Hennepin Town Site plat on it. C. JOINT MEETING WITH EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (EPHS) The meeting has been scheduled for June 17, 6:30 pm, at the Cummins Grill House. Having an earlier start will allow for time to look around the site before dark. Creamer will post the necessary public notice. The site is located at 13600 Pioneer Trail. The driveway leads to the parking area. The website and stories grant are agenda items. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 Page 4 D. JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS & RECREATION - Creamer The meeting has been scheduled for August 5 and will take the place of the August 19 HPC meeting. The plan is to meet early at the Lookout and then continue the meeting at the Senior Center. Exact time and details to follow. E. WORK PLAN REVIEW - Creamer Things are going well. The following work plan items are complete: local designation for Staring Lake Outdoor Center and Preservation Agreement Monitoring Report and local designation for Glen Lake Children's Camp. It is unclear whether the HPC will need to prepare a presentation for Council on the year-end review and 2013 work plan. Progress will be made on interpretive panels with the recent receipt of the CLG grant. The website is close to being launched. Cofer Evert needs to give an update on heritage site plaques. Interpretive and site plans for the Dorenkemper House are in the works. Creamer inquired about the status of a couple items from previous meeting minutes. Gertz said he has not done much work on the Best Management Practice Plan (BMP) for the Cummins property and Goodrich Ramus Barn. Olson inquired how the BMP works for the Goodrich Ramus Barn. Gertz said it serves as a how-to guide to help the owner understand all the processes he needs to go through when he is ready to do a project on the building. There is no conditional-use permit. It is in the City ordinance that once a property is designated, a BMP needs to be created for the owner. This can be done by the City, or the owner can create it and turn it over to the City for review. The City has a copy of all the covenants the owner is required to uphold. Creamer said third quarter items all relate to the Dorenkemper House. Gertz clarified the site plan for the Dorenkemper House relates to the grant request. The interpretive plan is something different but will occur at the same time. Creamer reported the annual SHPO conference is coming up in September and will be held in Lanesboro, MN. One HPC member is required to attend so commissioners should think about going. The City pays for registration and one night's hotel. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. OPPORTUNITIES FOR RAISING FUNDS - Creamer There are eighteen boxes in storage of"Eden Prairie: The First 100 Years", a book that sells for$20. Creamer brought one box of 25 books to Ann Schuster at Dunn Brothers and discussed the possibility of having her sell copies of the book there. Schuster is interested but felt it would be best to tie this in with a historical event. Schuster also inquired about using some of the proceeds to purchase a couple trees to block the view of items a neighbor has dumped on the adjoining grounds. Gertz said the proceeds, which go back into a fund, are earmarked for historic preservation and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 Page 5 to pay for the subsequent publishing cycle. The trees may fall under the historic preservation category. Gertz said there is a separate fund for prints. Creamer said the numbered, signed originals of Les Kouba's print of the Cummins Grill House are in storage also. The prints and books are items that could be sold at the 4h of July Hometown Celebration to help raise money for projects. Booths are available at no charge to the HPC. Members would be needed to work at the booth and maybe answer basic questions. Creamer has a tent she could provide. Another option would be to coordinate with EPHS to staff the booth. The event is at Round Lake, 3-11 pm. McGuire volunteered to do a two-hour shift and said this should be an agenda item for the joint meeting with EPHS and be added to the work plan. Gertz asked if HPC could put up a banner at the booth about sponsoring the City's history. Creamer said yes, but signage must be professional. Olson agreed a nice- looking, reusable sign would be a worthwhile investment. Gertz said a local company provided the sesquicentennial banner for free. Contact information should be on file. Leftover sesquicentennial mugs could be sold, too. Creamer said the Heritage Celebration in September would be another opportunity to sell items. There isn't room for the large prints at Dunn Brothers. Gertz recommended displaying one framed print there with a sign noting they are available at City Hall for $100 apiece. Creamer said there are four flats remaining. Commissioners discussed the possibility of auctioning one off. Freiberg suggested the fall silent auction for high school athletics and activities while Gertz mentioned the Eden Prairie Foundation's annual gala. Freiberg said Kouba is a name people know, so it would go well at an auction and would raise awareness. Spera asked who owns the prints and suggested getting an appraisal prior to setting a price. Creamer said they belong to the City. Gertz explained Kouba was commissioned to do the piece by the City for the purpose of selling it as a fundraiser. The Commission was given authority to sell the prints years ago. McGuire said the HPC could possibly host its own heritage preservation event someday. Spera asked if Dunn Brothers would receive a percentage of the proceeds noting trees can be expensive. Creamer said details would have to be worked out if a partnership were to form. VIII. FYI ITEMS A. SHPO ON-SITE TRAINING UPDATE - Creamer Creamer received an e-mail from Michael Koop at SHPO about scheduling options and for more information about the local designation and design review sessions. He said scheduling was flexible and there are currently no detailed descriptions of the modules as they are still in the planning stages. After discussion, it was determined there is nothing on the horizon for which training would be immediately helpful. It HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 Page 6 might not be the best use of time now,but it is something to be mindful of for future consideration. IX. STUDENT UPDATES None. X. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HPC meeting will be Monday, June 17, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at the Cummins Grill House, 13600 Pioneer Trail. This will be a joint meeting with EPHS. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by Freiberg, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Acting Chair Olson adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.