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Heritage Preservation - 09/16/2013APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 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 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Hannah Jeter, Greta Colford, Laura Lindberg STAFF: John Gertz, Pathfinder CRM, LLC Lori Creamer, Staff Liaison Heidi Wojahn, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Muehlberg called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Commissioner Cofer Evert and Gertz were absent. The new student commissioners were welcomed and introductions took place. Paulson arrived at 7:08 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by Freiberg, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Freiberg moved, seconded by McGuire, to approve the August 5, 2013 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. UPDATE ON ANNUAL PRESERVATION CONFERENCE Olson and Creamer recently attended the annual Minnesota Historic Preservation Conference in Lanesboro, MN. A Norwegian-themed reception was held Wednesday evening at the Sons of Norway during which awards were given to local businesses, and a variety of sessions took place on Thursday. Olson said he listened to the keynote speaker talk about change in terms of modifying historic buildings and he attended the sessions on scenic byways, appropriate signage for historic buildings, and infill (appropriate use of blank spaces or gaps) in historic areas. Creamer stated she went to the sessions on public relations and marketing, brown roadway signs, Legacy Grant updates, and how-tos of rehabilitation tax credits. The HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 16, 2013 Page 2 marketing session covered how to make media connections and get good press while bringing awareness to historic preservation. Creamer said she was hoping the Commission could pursue grant funding for brown signs for Eden Prairie’s historic properties. This is not feasible, as the brown signs do not meet the interpretive criteria for small grants. McGuire suggested the Eden Prairie Community Foundation (EPCF) as a possible funding source. Creamer said the Eden Prairie Historical Society (EPHS) could also benefit from one of these types of signs; however, buildings should be open to the public during regular business hours to benefit the site. The information presented on Legacy Grants was similar to information emailed out earlier. Creamer learned the federal and state tax credits process is a long one and involves a lot of paperwork. Properties must be on the national register and produce an income to qualify. Ann Schuster at Dunn Brothers could be approached about this if she is planning to make some modifications. The Smith Douglas More House where Dunn Brothers is located is on the national register. It is unclear how this would affect Schuster as a business-owner, but the credits are for any type of rehab and Dunn Brothers is in need of a new roof. Meuhlberg said this should go through the City since it is a city-owned building. Creamer will follow up with the Finance Department. Spera asked if any materials were distributed at the sessions. Creamer said materials were available at only a couple of the sessions. All sessions were videotaped, however, so she expects those to be available on the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) website at some point. She picked up a PowerPoint handout on the brown signs, a federal tax incentive booklet, and information on deadlines and amounts for Legacy Grants. McGuire said she assumed tax credits would only apply to privately-owned properties since the City is not subject to tax. Creamer said she will research this further. Green Acres is one privately-owned property that may qualify. Creamer said she felt the conference was interesting and good overall. She shared pictures taken at historic Forestville, a bridge, and a fish hatchery during her Friday tour and noted the clever design of a sign she saw attached to a covered receptacle containing brochures. Next year’s conference will be September 17-20, 2014 in St. Paul in conjunction with the American Association for State and Local History annual meeting and the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums. B. UPDATE ON HISTORIC SITES Olson gave the student representatives a brief overview of the historic sites website. Creamer reported City Council approved the demolition of the shed at the Cummins Grill House. Timing of the demolition has yet to be determined. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 16, 2013 Page 3 C. UPDATE ON LEGACY GRANT Creamer reported Gertz informed her the grant is complete but has not been resubmitted yet. The deadline is October 2. McGuire said typically when grant information is missing, the applicant will be informed and asked to submit the missing items rather than having the grant rejected and subjected to resubmission. Creamer said she got the same impression while attending the Annual Conference. There was discussion at the Legacy Grant update session of a review process that occurs before the grant goes to the final decision-making committee. D. WEBSITE UPDATE – Creamer The website has been further delayed due to additional staffing changes in the IT Department. Creamer has been in contact with staff regarding the status. It is being worked on and remains a priority. Although close to being launch-ready, it could still take a while. Hopefully it will go live by year-end. Muehlberg asked if the website could be launched with an “in progress” status. Most of the work has been done and what is there is not inaccurate. Creamer said there are channels we need to go through. Communications must approve it first. Muehlberg stated it was his understanding that process had already occurred. We need to reinforce the website is a City Council directive. Freiberg agreed. Paulson also stated enough work had been done to make it launch-ready and we should move forward as is. It contains good, helpful information and is a lost tool if we can’t get it out there for others to see and use. Creamer said these are all things she has shared with staff. It will always be work in progress. It is an item on our 2013 work plan and it would be nice to have it completed before the end of the year. Another contributing factor to the delay is implementation of enhancements to the City’s new website. Freiberg asked the students for their input. Jeter said she got the impression the website was complete. Colford agreed adding the site was easy to navigate. Creamer said she will continue to work on this. V. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON BEST MANAGEMENT PLANS (BMP) Creamer said Gertz left her a message that BMPs for the Cummins Grill House and Goodrich Ramus Barn will be done this week. Muehlberg explained a BMP is a standard maintenance practices document for property owners and city staff. It serves as a handbook for what to do and not do in regards to a specific historic property. Creamer said she will forward copies to the commissioners when they are complete. Paulson asked about the follow-up on the outbuildings at the Goodrich Ramus Barn. Creamer said City Code allows for a shed of 120 square feet or less without a permit. The owner had previously built a larger shed on the property and was told by a city inspector the structure exceeded size limitations and would need a permit for the HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 16, 2013 Page 4 shed. The owner then replaced it with four buildings, each within the parameters of 120 square feet. Even though allowed by the City, these types of changes should go through SHPO first. Olson said there are covenants to which the owner needs to adhere. Creamer said she expects items regarding this property may be coming before the HPC in the future. Off-street parking is unsafe and becoming a deterrent so the owner wants on-site parking. Park land borders one side of the property. The owner has talked to the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) and Hennepin County which own surrounding land. According to him, the County has said it is ok as long as the City and SHPO approve it. Robert Ellis, the City’s public works director, has been invited to a meeting and will reiterate the necessity of getting approval through the City prior to making any changes. Freiberg asked about the parking safety issues. Creamer explained MAC and Grace church have granted permission to park on their properties. People are sometimes shuttled to the barn from the church. Pedestrians are supposed to use only the designated crosswalks, but it is often during evening hours and Pioneer Trail is a busy road. Police officers are needed when there are events being held at the barn. Jeter asked how much leeway the owner has in making modifications. Olson said there is quite a bit he can do as long as it is reversible and doesn’t cause damage. Removing a chandelier or moving the cow decorations or jukeboxes is ok, for example, but changing the wood is not. Creamer said originally he wanted to use spray-in foam insulation in the rafters which would compromise the character of the barn. Previously the owner wanted to pave the gravel driveway which is historic. Olson said SHPO will tell him it compromises the setting, making it less of a farmstead. B. WORK PLAN REVIEW Preparing for the EPCF grant process is a work plan item for 4th quarter. Creamer asked McGuire if she would be willing to look into this. McGuire agreed to check into the criteria, process, and other details. Freiberg asked what year the work plan is based upon. Muehlberg explained it is the calendar year. VI. NEW BUSINESS None. VII. FYI ITEMS None. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 16, 2013 Page 5 VIII. STUDENT UPDATES The students were encouraged to share happenings at school with the newspaper or student council and to ask heritage or government-related questions. Lindberg asked for an explanation on how Eden Prairie is divided in terms of political representation. Muehlberg explained boundaries are population-based and can change every ten years per census results. IX. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HPC meeting will be Monday, October 21, 2013. Creamer is checking into Glen Lake Children’s Camp as a possible location with time to be determined. Meuhlberg stated he is unable to attend. Olson will chair the meeting if Cofer Evert is unavailable. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Olson moved, seconded by Paulson, to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Muehlberg adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.