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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation - 07/21/2014 APPROVED MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES JOINT COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY,JULY 21, 2014 7:00 P.M., MEETING AT GLEN LAKE CHILDREN'S CAMP - 6350 INDIAN CHIEF ROAD HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Cindy Cofer Evert (Vice Chair), Steve Olson, JoAnn McGuire, Pamela Spera, Mark Freiberg HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Ed Muehlberg (Chair), Deb Paulson PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Donald Jacobson, Debra McBride, Leonard Pesheck, Kirk Spresser, Deborah Tenner PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Hutch Coburn (Chair), Larry Link (Vice Chair), Michael Belean, Tim Rawerts COMMISSION STAFF: Robert Vogel, Pathfinder CRM, LLC; Lori Creamer, Staff Liaison; Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director; Stu Fox, Parks & Natural Resources Director; Wendy Sevenich, Community Center Manager; Lori Brink, Recreation Manager GUEST: Randy Boser, True Friends RECORDING SECRETARY: Amy Hulet, Recording Secretary I. JOINT MEETING WITH PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES A. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Meeting was called to order and introductions were made of the Commission members present, as well as staff and guests. B. PRESENTATION—TRUE FRIENDS Lotthammer noted Mr. Boser of True Friends was on his way and would be a few minutes late. He provided the Commission members with a brief update and review JOINT HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION & PRNR MINUTES July 21, 2014 Page 2 of the history of the Glen Lake site, the True Friends organization and the proposed lease agreement of the property. The Glen Lake site is a City-owned property with historic significance. The property was the site of the Glen Lake Sanatorium, where the State would hold children with tuberculosis in order to "air" them out. The City acquired the property from Hennepin County and was deeded on the restriction it must be utilized as a camp for those with mental disabilities. True Friends has requested a 30-year lease and their business plan has outlined several proposed updates and revisions to the property. The City is currently negotiating the term and conditions of the lease,however the Historic Preservation Commission has been asked to review any updates or modifications to the site and buildings located on the property. The property is tax-exempt and the City will lease the property for$1 to the organization. Olson inquired if there was a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) with regard to the property. Fox responded there were certain buildings on the site that have been deemed "historic", "non-historic" and"non-sufficient". Spresser inquired as to where the participants come from—Eden Prairie, Twin Cities? Lotthammer responded the camp offers respite to parents and caregivers of children of all ages with mental and physical disabilities that come from all over the state, as well as the Midwest region. Mr. Boser arrived and provided the Commission members with an overview of the history and purpose of the True Friends organization. He reiterated their request for a 30-year lease of the property and opened the discussion up for further questions or comments. The Commission members asked about the organizations target audience and the number of staff the organization employees. Mr. Boser responded their target audience ranges from 5 years old to adult. They service approximately 4000 individuals per year. They employee 50-260 people on average, which includes both paid staff and volunteers. Members also inquired about the 2007 plan the organization submitted with the lease request and if they plan to add or remodel buildings on the site, as well as if they would come back with an updated plan. Mr. Boser responded that if a successful lease agreement was negotiated, True Friends would submit a new and updated business plan that would include the addition of new buildings, as well as renovation of existing buildings. The Commission members were given a tour of the facility. C. HPC CONSULTANT UPDATE After the tour, the Commission members heard from HPC consultant Robert Vogel. He provided the Commission members with a brief biographical background and his JOINT HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION & PRNR MINUTES July 21, 2014 Page 3 partnership with the City of Eden Prairie. Mr. Vogel noted the goal of buildings with historic significance was to use them in the capacity that they were built for, and this case, a camp for those with disabilities is pretty close. He estimated the buildings would last for 250 years but the site was not sustainable. He asked the Commission members what their goal was: stewardship vs. partnership. McBride inquired as to the ADA requirements of the buildings on the property. Vogel responded that buildings with historic significance have a different status and are usually determined on a case by case basis. D. UPDATE ON HISTORIC SITES 1. CPG HOMESTEAD - Creamer Creamer inquired about an update regarding the landscape plans at the CPG Homestead. Fox responded the bids were out for the cultural landscape plan and they are moving forward. Apple trees were scheduled to be planted and the area was seeded for prairie grass. Once it is established, the City would mow the area. In addition, a small cultural garden was scheduled to be planted to include heirloom tomatoes. Discussion has included a community garden for the area. The area would be turned over to the City's landscape architect, then possibly onto volunteers. He noted the area is currently unkempt and is an ongoing battle for the City. 2. SMITH DOUGLAS MORE HOUSE—Cofer Evert Cofer Evert noted the ash tree had been replaced at the location. Fox confirmed the ash tree was replaced by a honey locust tree. Staff discussed the hostas along the property line and possibly having them tagged by the Hosta Society. 3. RILEY-JACOUES FARMSTEAD —Cofer Evert Cofer Evert inquired as to the status of the interpretive panels for this site. Creamer responded the stands were made and would be delivered to the site. Lotthammer confirmed the estimated delivery of the signs would be fairly soon. Fox also noted the lease for the Riley-Jacques farmstead was renewed for one more year (June 30, 2014 to July 1, 2015). The City would need to address the outdated septic system and update the site with city water and sewer. Cofer Evert asked if Fox would update the members on the status of interpretive panels throughout the City. Fox responded most of the panels were approximately 10 years old and were made of spun fiberglass. The manufacturer noted the fiberglass has a tendency to dry out after so many years and recommends that they wax the surface in JOINT HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION & PRNR MINUTES July 21, 2014 Page 4 order to revitalize it. The City had tried to buff/wax the panels by hand but realized they would need a power buffer. If the power buffer does not work, then they will discuss replacing the fiberglass overlays. Cofer Evert noted that she would like to see pictures after the panels are cleaned. The joint meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m. E. ADJOURN JOINT MEETING II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Cofer Evert inquired if there were any changes or additions to the Agenda. None were noted. MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by McGuire, to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. COMMISSION MEETING HELD JUNE 16, 2014 The Commission noted there were no minutes attached to the Agenda. MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by Freiberg, to postpone the approval of the June 16, 2014 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF—Cofer Evert Cofer Evert provided an update regarding Byerly's historical nook area. The Rainbow Foods location has now been transferred to Byerly's, but the complete change will not occur until January. The regional manager has been contacted and the item will be further discussed once the changes have been made. V. OLD BUSINESS A. RFP PROCESS —2014 CLG GRANTS - Creamer Creamer reported the commission would be reviewing the proposals and recommending a consultant to work on the 2014 CLG grant project at the August meeting. B. WORK PLAN REVIEW—Creamer Creamer provided the Commission with a document outlining the status of current and proposed projects. The outline would assist the Commission as to where they JOINT HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION & PRNR MINUTES July 21, 2014 Page 5 are at on certain items and check off ones that have been completed. Proposed projects in the 3rd quarter include a site plan for the Dorenkemper House (DK). Mr. Vogel noted the City has retained a landscape architect; however it was important for the DK to have a site plan. The area has no preservation issues so all they would have to do is monitor the landscape architect. In addition,he recommended that the HPC allow the PRNR to perform the site plan and they should be responsible for reviewing the plan. The HPC is really a policy making commission, they should make the plans and let others implement them. The HPC asked if Vogel would review the work plan document, in order to determine what items should be their priority and what they could delegate. Mr. Vogel noted it would be a good time to prioritize and ask the City for funding. He stated winter was the best time to make the policies and summer was best for implementing them. The HPC and Mr. Vogel discussed the number of times he would attend their meetings and agreed that he would review the work plan and discuss at their next meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. FYI ITEMS VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS AUGUST, 18, 2014—7:00 P.M. —PRAIRIE ROOMS —CITY CENTER. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by McGuire, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Vice Chair Cofer Evert adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m.