Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/18/2018 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Acting Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, and Kathy Nelson CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief James DeMann, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Katie O'Connor GUESTS: Eden Prairie Historical Society Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and H(5:30) I. EDEN PRAIRIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Acting Mayor Ron Case called the meeting to order in Mayor Tyra-Lukens' absence. Council Member Butcher Wickstrom is absent. Eden Prairie Historical Society President Kathie Case reported the Historical Society will celebrate its 50t' anniversary in 2019. Helen Holden Anderson founded the Eden Prairie Historical Society (EPHS) in 1969. On November 24 at 6 p.m., EPHS will host its first ever tree lighting ceremony at the Cummins-Phipps Grill House with the theme of"sharing tree." There will be santa, a donated tree from the Optimist Club, a donation collection for local nonprofits, and hopefully a portrayal of Mattie and J.R. Cummins by the Eden Prairie Players EPHS has grown their board and currently has 14 board members. Every month, board members have taken turns writing articles on Eden Prairie's history for local newspapers. Currently they are working to solidify a Legacy grant for software that has capabilities to store and share historic artifacts and documentation. Lastly, EPHS would like to collaborate with the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) on the Dorenkemper House to make it more open and available to the public. Council Member Aho asked if they are using an existing tree as the sharing tree. Kathie Case responded the Optimist Club is donating an off-site tree for the ceremony. Kathie Case added EPHS is beginning to utilize the Cummins-Phipps Grill House for nonprofit meetings and events. Case inquired what relationship EPHS would ideally like to see moving forward with the City. Kathie Case responded working with staff has been very beneficial and continued communication is greatly appreciated on projects and grant applications. The EPHS is City Council Workshop Minutes September 18, 2018 Page 2 working hard to utilize the lease for the Cummins-Phipps Grill House, continue historical documentation, and maintain the museum. II. HISTORICAL PROPERTY UPDATE Heritage Preservation Commission (HPQ Liaison, Lori Creamer, presented an update on the City's historical properties. The Riley-Jacques phase two of the Legacy grant sign installation has been completed. Facilities Manager Paul Sticha stated the buildings are in fairly good shape. Sticha stated the Smith Douglas More House has had a lot of ongoing maintenance over the last year including exterior touch ups, parking lot updates, and mechanical updates. Aho inquired if the kitchen facility expansion has taken place. Sticha responded there is still a desire to expand, and the City is waiting on any further steps. Aho inquired if the cost would be to the City. Sticha responded the kitchen appliances and components would be the lessee's responsibility,but some of the mechanical components may be the City's responsibility. City Manager Getschow added staff would need to revisit the lease. Council Member Nelson inquired if the parking lot is large enough to accommodate the business. Sticha commented he has seen the parking lot both full and fairly empty. Historical Society Board Member Honaas-Wildfang inquired if there is a possibility the funeral home would have an agreement allowing stairs to the business from their lot. Community Development Director Jeremiah responded this had been attempted in the past. Case inquired if the Smith Douglas More interior flooring will be painted. Sticha stated the lease states it's the tenant's responsibility to maintain the flooring. There have been quotes provided,but they are upwards of$10,000. Case inquired if it is possible to incentivize the completion of this project. Creamer noted grants have been sought,but unfortunately maintenance is not a funded expense. Creamer stated Miller Dunwiddie Architects completed the plans and specifications for restoring the upstairs of the Cummins-Phipps Grill House in 2017. The City has applied for a large Legacy grant to complete the restoration work,potentially starting early 2019. Parks and Recreation Director Lotthammer stated Minnesota River Vista work will tentatively begin October 24 with completion of the project in 2019. Heritage Preservation Commissioner inquired if some of the stone will be harvested from the previous roadside rest and incorporated in the MN River Vista project. Lotthammer responded staff will oversee that it is incorporated, and hopefully there will be a marker indicating its significance. Lotthammer stated in September 2017 Council moved ahead with a condition assessment for Camp Edenwood. Since the report was finalized, Lotthammer and Sticha have held several meetings with True Friends to discuss the necessary changes. True Friends has been encouraged to do basic maintenance on the property immediately, and staff have helped identify contractors who could complete the work. This maintenance is part of the agreement of the no-cost lease. The City's intent is to make sure the buildings are cared for and preserved so they do not deteriorate. City Council Workshop Minutes September 18, 2018 Page 3 Nelson stated it needs to be made clear maintenance is of high priority. Nelson inquired how long the lease runs. Lotthammer responded their lease expires in 2037. Nelson added when a residential house does not maintain their exterior, the City does the work and assesses them. Case noted Council would like an update in the spring of the progress made. The expectation is updates would be completed by the end of summer 2019. Kathie Case added True Friends can apply for Legacy grants to assist these efforts. There are proper procedures for maintaining historic properties. Aho noted parking at Camp Edenwood is limited and inquired if parking could be expanded. Additionally, lighting in the parking lot is very poor. An alternate access should be considered for emergency vehicles. Lotthammer responded True Friends had considered expansion of the parking lot. The challenge of the layout and additional costs detoured them. Case added there is interest in knowing what funding is available to help with maintenance. Creamer stated last year a grant was received for a phase one archeology study of Town of Hennepin. The Yorkville/Bloomington Road was discovered. HPC is looking for guidance whether to apply for a National Register listing. Creamer stated the listing would need to include the entire road,both in and outside the City. If a National Register listing is pursued, the City would need participation from the property owners. Options moving forward would be to apply for a phase two archeology study, involve private and public property owners, or take no action at this time. Aho inquired what the benefit is of a National Register listing. Creamer responded in the future there is potential for signage to be installed at the site. Aho inquired what the impact is to private property owners. Creamer responded there is likely no impact to property owners and the management of their land. Nelson inquired if there are other segments of the road. HPC Commissioner stated, in his opinion, this road was built in 1863 in the same location as the Ox-Cart Trail. Getschow stated Council feedback is desired whether to move forward with holding a neighborhood meeting. Aho stated a discussion would need to be had with property owners so they are made aware. Nelson stated if property owners are opposed to a National Register listing, a sign could be displayed on a portion of the road on City property. Case responded he does not favor expending more energy on this item at this time, but he would like to see research conducted for a kiosk describing various historical locations. Creamer asked for feedback on the Flying Red Horse restoration project. HPC has raised $22,000 from street sign sales. There are options for restoration such as restore completely back to the original state,restore using up to date materials and LED lighting, or restore the monument without lighting. Funding would vary based on which restoration option is selected. Some possible locations are Round Lake Park or a light rail station. Aho inquired what the cost is to restore the monument. Lotthammer responded depending on the methodology it could cost$40,000-$55,000. Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) III. OPEN PODIUM City Council Workshop Minutes September 18, 2018 Page 4 A. MARK GAGSTEDT AND JOHN DENNIS—JUNIOR NATIONAL ADAPTIVE SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP Mark Gagstedt, 8949 Darnel Prairie Rd, and John Dennis, 5129 Lesley Lane, stated the Junior National Championships for Adaptive Sports USA will be held in Eden Prairie the third week of July 2019 at the Eden Prairie High School and the Community Center. Case inquired about the size of the event. Gagstedt responded 300-400 children from around the United States compete. Dennis stated there was representation from about 36 states last year. Case encouraged they also present to the Eden Prairie School Board if they haven't already. Case inquired what an ideal relationship with the City would be. Dennis responded Dare2tri is an adaptive triathlon, which may require coordinating road closures. Any funding contributions would be helpful. Aho added there are likely many businesses that would be interested in sponsorship. Dennis added there are other opportunities to be involved. The opening ceremony will be at the high school, and they are looking for key note speakers. Last year the Mayor of the city spoke at the opening ceremony. No contribution is too small. IV. ADJOURNMENT