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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 01/22/2019 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY,JANUARY 22, 2018 7:00 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 MITCHELL RD HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Olson-Chair; Tara Kalar-Vice Chair; Pamela Spera; Valerie Ross; Paul Thorp; Richard Smith; Shanti Shah STUDENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Joe Pesheck; Neha Bhupatiraju; Sydney Lewis COMMISSION STAFF: Lori Creamer, Staff Liaison Kyle Salage, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Absent were Commission members Vice Chair Kalar, Ross, and Shah, as well as student representatives Pesheck, Bhupatiraju, and Lewis. Kyle Salage, the Deputy City Clerk of Eden Prairie, was introduced as being the Recording Secretary for the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Thorp moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Smith. Motion carried 4- 0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. COMMISSION MEETING HELD DECEMBER 17, 2018 Creamer noted that the date indicated on the minutes was corrected to say "Monday, December 17, 2018" prior to distribution of paper copies at the meeting. Thorp requested that"as this occurred in 1935" be struck from the end of the second paragraph on page 4 of the minutes. Spera requested that"Spera echoed Kalar's objection to this top-down mandate" be struck from the bottom paragraph on page 3. MOTION: Thorp moved to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Smith. Motion carried 4-0. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 22, 2019 Page 2 IV. NEW BUSINESS Creamer said that there was no new business to be discussed. V. OLD BUSINESS A. FLYING RED HORSE DISCUSSION Creamer started the discussion by stating that at the Commission's last meeting she was charged with getting cost estimates for the Flying Red Horse Mobil sign project, despite the uncertainty about the location for it. Thorp suggested that official cost estimates not be collected until there is agreement on what the project should be, and where it should be located. Creamer indicated she contacted two different people so far to put together cost estimates —Randy of Randy Bohn & Associates and Laura Kubick of KCI Conservation— and they each came out to view the object. They each have very different ideas about what to do with the sign. Ms. Kubick asked to be paid and given supplies in order to put together an estimate. Thorp noted that currently the access to the sign is very poor. Creamer added that it is approximately fourteen (14) feet tall. Mr. Bohn would like to see the original metal horse, and he is not sure that very much needs to be done to it. She noted that he was impressed by its condition, and that he suggested it does not need to be entirely restored. Mr. Bohn suggested that it might make for a good community art project, through which residents could both do the restoration work and donate money. Creamer expressed interest in this community project proposal, and indicated that there will be more research and follow-up, particularly in regard to the lighting fixtures on the sign. Thorp stated that he is familiar with the lighting on the sign. Creamer suggested the possibility of having the inner horses removed and placing one at each of the light rail stations. Chair Olson expressed his liking of the community project idea. He suggested having a joint meeting with the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission, for the purpose of both discussing the project and visiting the sign in person. Creamer agreed with Chair Olson's proposal. Chair Olson noted that it will be important to understand what cannot be done with the sign, and what historical boundaries need to be recognized. Thorp advised that it not be painted or buffed. Chair Olson said that he thinks it will need to be an outdoor application of some sort. Creamer asked for clarification as to whether that a full restoration should be avoided regardless of what the condition of the under-horses are. Thorp suggested that it will need to look vintage,because it is inevitably going to rust. Thorp also recommended deferring to an expert to determine how and why the sign might deteriorate. Chair Olson requested that Bob Mack be invited to visit the Flying Red Horse sign with the Commission, in order to have him weigh in on the placement of it and the historical integrity. Creamer asked for clarification as to what Bob Mack's role would be. Chair Olson clarified that he would be used for understanding the resource and brainstorm ideas for where to put the sign. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 22, 2019 Page 3 Thorp suggested that it would be a great fit at the Eden Prairie Center. Spera asked whether the piece would be damaged if you pulled out the three (3)horses inside of the outer one. Smith equated this to removing the chassis from a car. Smith also noted that finding a funding source for the project has been a concern, and inquired as to whether it would be possible for a private individual to buy and refurbish the Flying Red Horse sign, then gift it to the city. Thorp said he does not believe this will be possible. Chair Olson proposed putting it on Flying Cloud Airport property. Creamer noted that putting it on airport property could be problematic because of drones, and Smith added that airplanes could see the sign if it is lit correctly. Creamer said that all of these ideas will be important when making a presentation to the City Council. Thorp added that there is a push to use it as an art piece at the light rail station. Creamer indicated it was one of the ideas; however, final decisions would be made by the City Council. Chair Olson asked for clarification as to when there will be follow-up from the two people contacted regarding estimates. Creamer said that the initial contact was a few weeks ago, and she will check in with them during the week of January 28th if there is no follow-up correspondence received in the next few days. Chair Olson suggested a joint meeting with Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission separate from the one already scheduled for June or July. Creamer said that a separate joint meeting could take place in April, and those in attendance could visit the piece after the meeting. It would have to be earlier than usual, however, because come April it will be dark outside by 7 PM. Thorp expressed approval of this idea, and said that a more defined set of ideas can be ready by then. Smith noted that the Lions Club has been a benefactor for some significant historical projects, and they could be a potential private funding source. Creamer said she had considered doing a presentation on the project at different community organization/group meetings. In the past, the Heritage Preservation Commission has received grants from the Community Foundation before, but before applying for any grants or funding it is important to know how much money is needed and for what project exactly. The project scope and estimate will need to come first. Chair Olson asked the Commission to gather ideas for how to get funds, and use those ideas as a discussion piece at the June or July joint meeting with Parks and Recreation. Creamer said that by then it should be clear what the direction of the project is. She also noted that she has airport contacts. Spera suggested doing a tour of the city to look for potential sites for the sign. Creamer said she will contact Bob Mack and see if he would be interested in attending the Commission's March meeting, as well as the proposed joint meeting and site visit. She indicated that estimates should be ready in the next few weeks. Thorp emphasized that it is important to know what the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission envisions for this project. Creamer added that the Minnesota Historical Grants Society is having their open house,but in order to get grant money from them the sign would need to be fully restored. EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 22, 2019 Page 4 VI. REPORTS OF STUDENTS There were no student representatives present. VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. COMMISSION RECRUITMENU/INTERVIEWS Creamer provided an update on the Commission terms that are expiring this year. Spera and Ross' terms are going to expire in April. Anyone wishing to apply must do so by February 0'. Spera asked whether she and Ross would need to go through interviews again if they choose to reapply. Creamer said that anyone applying has to go through interviews, and the interviews are currently scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th. Katie O'Connor, the Executive Assistant to the City Manager, will have more details about the interviews. Spera noted that she is teaching classes in Saint Paul on some Tuesday nights at 6 PM, so it is possible she may be unable to attend the interviews on that date. VIII. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY Thorp reported that the Eden Prairie Historical Society will be giving a presentation at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, January 24th to a senior citizen group. Creamer noted that the City of Eden Prairie met with the Minnesota Historical Society regarding the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House. She stated that the upstairs portion of the building isn't within ADA compliance,but it does comply with historical building code. Thorp suggested that pictures and displays of the upper level could be made available at the lower level so that people don't have to go upstairs. Creamer noted that it was suggested to apply for a conservator grant,but the City could pay for the work itself if the necessary renovations will only cost a few thousand dollars. This grant will be the next step. She also noted that there is a linoleum runner upstairs. Spera asked whether the building would be safe for anyone. Thorp added that although the upstairs could be used just for storage, it would be difficult to get a grant for a portion of the building only being used for storage. However, storage could be incorporated with actual displays. He suggested that the whole house should become a museum. Creamer said that the next step will be to figure out how much it will cost to hire a conservator, and this detail will be included in a revised grant application. The Historical Society will need to provide more specifics with its plan for the house, and the hope is that this plan can be established soon. IX FYI ITEMS There were no additional items for discussion. X. NEXT MEETING EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 22, 2019 Page 5 A. MONDAY, FEBRURARY 25, 2019 Chair Olson said that the next Commission meeting will be on Monday, February 25th. Creamer noted that this is the fourth Monday of the month,rather than the third. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Spera moved to adjourn, seconded by Thorp. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.