City Council - 11/09/2004 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP/FORUM
TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 9, 2004 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL:
Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Sherry Butcher,Ron Case, Jan Mosman, and
Philip Young
CITY STAFF:
City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson,Fire Chief George Esbensen,Public Works
Director Eugene Dietz, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Community Development
Director Janet Jeremiah, Historic Preservation Specialist John Gertz, Communications Manager
Pat Brink,Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and
Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. DISCUSSION OF CUMMINS GRILL HOUSE
The City has been exploring ways to fund restoration of the historic Cummins Grill House
and provide access to the public. Because the house is located on land purchased with
LAWCON grant money, it is subject to restrictions that limit its use. Last summer Council
directed Park and Recreation Director Bob Lambert to inquire whether the DNR would
allow the City to trade the land for comparable open space in Eden Prairie, The City would
then enter into a public/private partnership to restore the home and put it to commercial
use. Lambert received a response from Wayne Sames at the DNR that was "generally
positive;"however, Sames said more information and a formal proposal would be required
before a decision could be reached.
City Manager Scott Neal said staff is looking for general direction from the Council on
how to proceed. Neal said Council basically has three options:
■ Buy out of LAWCON requirements and spin the house off into a public/private
partnership similar to the Dunn Bros. at the Smith Douglas More House.
■ Raze the house.
■ Repair the house and program it like any other City facility. Neal noted this would
require substantial funding currently not in the CIP.
The land on which the house sits was purchased with a LAWCON grant in 1976. The
grant was for public outdoor recreation space, and the building itself was not part of the
grant.
City Council Morkshop
November 9, 2004—page 2
When the Grills moved out of the house in 1979, Lambert recommended bulldozing the
home;however, Council decided to let it stand. At the time, the City's Historic
Commission did not believe public funds would be required to update and maintain the
building.
To remove LAWCON restrictions, the City must have the land appraised and offer
comparable land at or more than the cost of the land to be replaced. LAWCON will then
analyze the impact of a conversion and decide whether or not to allow it. Lambert said
LAWCON does value historic preservation, and he feels there is a good chance the City
can put together a successful proposal.
Councilmember Case asked if it would make any difference if the City sold the land or
leased it. Lambert said it would not make a difference as far as LAWCON is concerned;
however leasing rather than selling would allow the City to maintain greater control.
Both Case and Tyra-Lukens said razing the building is a not viable option, especially since
the City has already invested$221,000 in its maintenance and renovation. Case said since
Dunn Bros. has been"incredibly successful,"he would like to see something similar
pursued for the Cummins Grill House with haste. Butcher said she has no problem with
pursuing a public/private partnership,but it is important for Council to publicly discuss all
alternatives first.
Mosman said the state of the home will require expenditure of some money to make it
marketable. Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah noted there is $72,000 in
the 2005 budget, mainly for exterior maintenance. Case said there are changes the City
should make before leasing the building in order to ensure they are done correctly. He said
these items should be completed this winter while proceeding with the LAWCON land
swap.
Case said that although some people believe historic preservation should be privately
funded, he believes historic buildings are part of the community's identity and add to the
quality of life. He believes it is the Council's responsibility to own and run these buildings.
Case said he asked Mona Hanson, a fellow teacher and former member of the Historic and
Culture Commission, to visit the work shop. Hanson said that when she was on the
Commission back in 1980, she had three goals for the Cummins Grill House: 1)to see it
given the respect it deserves; 2) to keep it from being demolished, and 3)to restore the
home to its original state to foster an appreciation of its history. She said she is impressed
with what has been done at the Smith Douglas More House and would be happy to see a
similar partnership at the Cummins Grill House.
Councilmember Young said if the conclusion from this discussion is to move forward with
attempting to remove the LAWCON grant,the Council must be sensitive to potential costs.
Lambert one key parcel remains to be purchased for the parks system. It is in the lower
Purgatory Creek valley, and would be work well for the proposed land swap. He said the
tricky part will be locating a lessee who agrees to the constraints related to adaptive reuse.
City Council Workshop
November 9, 2004—page 3
It is likely that potential lessees will ask the City to provide substantial support, and
Council will have to decide if it is worthwhile to expend the funds. Young said that in the
case of the More House, he would have proposed that the tenant incur the cost of
improvements and the City give them a good deal on the rent in return. Case said that at
the time everyone agreed the deal that was struck was the only way to proceed and this may
prove to be the case with the Grill House.
Neal said staff has been given clear direction from Council to explore adaptive reuse
options for the Grill House and to proceed with efforts to remove LAWCON restrictions.
Council asked staff to prepare a formal motion for the November 23 Council meeting.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT