City Council - 02/06/2007 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
& OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert,
Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Inspections Manager Kevin Schmieg, John
Gertz, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone,
City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
GUESTS: Georgann Rumsey, President and CEO of Friendship Ventures; Ed Stracke,
Friendship Foundation/Friendship Ventures; Britta Bloomberg, Department Head and Deputy
State Historic Preservation Officer, Minnesota Historical Society; Mark Buechel, Historical
Architect, Minnesota Historical Society
Heritage Room H
I. CAMP EDEN WOOD
A. Description of Camp Eden Wood
City Attorney Ric Rosow provided an overview of the history of Camp Eden
Wood and the City's relationship with Friendship Ventures. Rosow also reviewed
the covenants Hennepin County placed on the property when it was conveyed to
the City of Eden Prairie.
B. Friendship Ventures
Georgann Rumsey reviewed Friendship Ventures' operations and the services
they offer at Camp Eden Wood. Rumsey said one of Friendship Ventures
missions is to provide respite for families of children with disabilities. Camp
Eden Wood is conveniently located for many County residents, and it serves as a
leadership training program for youths interested in careers working with people
with disabilities. Rumsey said the current renovation project at Camp Eden Wood
was undertaken so that Friendship Ventures can meet the ever increasing demands
for greater capacity.
Ed Stracke spoke about the challenges the historic designation of the site has
placed on renovation work. He said mistakes have been made and
miscommunications occurred; however, Friendship Ventures has secured an
experienced project manager, who lives in Eden Prairie, to oversee the current
project.
C. National Historic Register Status
Britta Bloomberg explained how sites are added to the National Register of
Historic Places and what the designation entails. Camp Eden Wood was added to
the list in August 1999 as the result of an application submitted by the Eden
Prairie Heritage Preservation Commission. Bloomberg said many of the
restrictions that apply to Camp Eden Wood are the result of the state grants and
associated letters of agreement signed by both Friendship Ventures and the City
of Eden Prairie in 1999 and 2005.
Bloomberg said properties are most commonly delisted as the result of damage
from fires or storms which irreparably altered the historic integrity of the sites.
Bloomberg said three sites have been delisted as a result of inappropriate
remodeling. She does not know of any property removal being initiated by
petition.
Mark Buechel explained how the concepts of historic integrity and historic
identity are applied to adaptive reuse projects. He said the adaptive reuse
standards that apply to Camp Eden Wood are relatively lenient and
"interpretable." Buechel said items of concern with Friendship Ventures original
scope of work were addressed and consensus had been reached; however,
additional work, which was not submitted for approval to the City or SHPO, was
done. The current state grant for$70,000 is still in process and the funds will be
reimbursed once work is completed.
Mayor Young asked if the City could get out of the agreement by repaying the
grant funds. Bloomberg said that in the case of Camp Eden Wood, a 20-year
letter of agreement is in place, and the letter of agreement would have to be
renegotiated.
Buechel said there are alternatives that can be explored to address the problems
with the renovation work at Camp Eden Wood.
D. Current Status of the Site
Kevin Schmieg said the City Building Official's job is to ensure safety,
accessibility and health of all construction in the City. Schmieg said building
codes are enforced at Camp Eden Wood the same way they are enforced on all
projects. Schmieg said a stop-work order was issued at Camp Eden Wood on
September 19, 2006, because no building permit had been issued. Schmieg said a
site visit revealed that the construction that had already occurred was not done
according to approved plans. In order to have the stop-work order lifted,
Friendship Ventures must submit plans that reflect how the work will be
constructed. Friendship Ventures must also obtain approval of the plans by the
landlord (the City of Eden Prairie) and regulating agencies. Schmieg said he
believes most, if not all, of the issues with the site can be resolved,but that the
foundation will probably present the greatest challenge. Schmieg said he has
confidence in the ability of the current project manager to oversee the project.
City Manager Scott Neal said staff's position is to enforce the policies established
by the City Council and to follow the law. In order to depart from agreements,
staff would need direction from the Council. Neal said discussion of options for
Camp Eden Wood could be continued during the regular Council Meeting, and
Council would have the opportunity to direct staff on how to proceed.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
The following individuals spoke about their personal experiences with Camp Eden Wood
and encouraged Council to find a way to make the renovation project workable.
Joann Rathbun—Eden Prairie resident
Mary Beth Schlieff—Eden Prairie resident
Brent Rickenbach—Eden Prairie resident
Bob Martinka—Eden Prairie resident
Doris Westlund—Richfield resident
Richard Van Sickle—Minnetonka resident
Dr. Leonard Schultz—Eden Prairie business owner
Eden Prairie resident and president of the Eden Prairie Historical Society Jan Mosman
said she and the Historical Society are supportive of Camp Eden Wood and the
encouraged Council to help find solutions so that Camp Eden Wood can operate again.
Rolf Anderson said he prepared the application for Camp Eden Wood to be added to the
National Register of Historical Sites 10 years ago.
III. OPEN PODIUM
IV. ADJOURNMENT