City Council - 07/19/1988 - Joint Meeting JOINT MEETING
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL
HISTORICAL & CULTURAL COMMISSION
RESTORATION COMMITTEE
APPROVED MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1988 6 : 00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS : Gary D. Peterson, Mayor; Richard
Anderson, George Bentley, Jean Harris,
Patricia Pidcock
HISTORICAL CULTURAL COMMISSION: Gwen Barker, Philip Rohler, co-
chairs; John Hensrud, Thomas Hovden,
. Laurie Koering, Richard Schuette,
Stephen White
RESTORATION COMMITTEE: Mona Leppla, chairperson; Jim Brown,
Frank Cardarelle, John Hensrud, Don
Johnson, Coralyn Koschinska, Karen
Norman, John Rogers, Stephen White,
Marie Wittenberg n
CITY STAFF: Carl Jullie, City Manager; Craig
Dawson, Assistant to the City Manager;
Robert Lambert, Director of Parks,
Recreation & Natural Resources; Sandra►
F. Werts, Recreation Supervisor; Deb
Edlund , Recording Secretary
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John Hensrud introduced the project, its development
concept and the restoration objectives . Hensrud described
the homestead as a location to be used for education, a
place to display turn-of-the-century skills, and a place
for people to gather . Hensrud said the committees would
like this to be a year round facility, shoving all the
seasons . He said that they would encourage residents to
volunteer . Hensrud said the committees would like to
provide guided tours of the farm house. ,
Coralyn Koschinska stated that in 1979 the City Council
had approved the hiring of Miller Dunviddie Architects,
Inc . to complete a feasibility study for the restoration
of the Cummins-Grill Homestead and had been the basis on
City Council Minutes 2 July 19, 1988
which restoration plans have been made . Koschinska said
that the Restoration Committee had been in existence for 6
years and presented the restoration accomplishments thus
far . She said that in 1985 the last grant was received .
Bentley asked if the Committee knew how much it had cost
to build the house originally. Koschinska replied that
the estimate was less than $3, 000 .
Koschinska reported that the house had been occupied since
1979 . She said the renter had given notice of vacancy and
believed that now was the time to leave the house vacant
and not hamper the restoration efforts . Koschinska
explained that access to the house had been on a limited
basis and that even on Sunbonnet Days there was only
access to one room of the house . Koschinska said that by
having the house vacant programs could be run at the home.
Koschinska explained that because the building was<
isolated there was a need for a security system and good
exterior lighting.
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Koschinska reported the immediate maintenance needs to be
repair the roof vents, restoration of original porches,
and additional tuck pointing . She added that other needs
were basement windows and repair of the interior of the
house .
Harris questioned whether the security system would
connect to the police department . Steve White replied
that the cost did include a connection, but not to the
police .
Bentley said then that the Committee was looking for
$15, 000 to secure the building and stop the leaking in the
roof . alerts said that the roof was leaking only around
the vents that were not properly install . Pidcock asked
if the committee could go back to the roofer to make
repairs, considering that it had not been done that long
ago . Bentley said that this could be possible, but it
could take years, if it was taken as far as the courts .
Kerts replied that they certainly would try to get the
roofer to come back and repair the roof . Peterson said
that this could be a very minor expense.
Koschinska said that the committees wanted to develop
programs to be run at the house, but believed to
accomplish this a permanent employee would be necessary.
She said this person would be adequately trained to
develop programs, train staff, recruit volunteers and to
be at the home on a day to day basis to supervise repairs
and restoration . Koschinska explained that there was also
day to day maintenance and utilities needed . She said
that the Committees were looking for a commitment from the
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City Council Minutes 3 July 19, 1988
City Council to make a commitment to fund the hiring of
the curator and the basic maintenance at an approximate
cost of $17, 000 per year .
Peterson asked what was included in the programs . averts
explained that wages, instruction, operating supplies,
recreation equipment, electric, gas, etc. were all
Included in the $60, 300 .
Pidcock asked why the house vas being restored to 1910
when it was built in 1880 . Koschinska replied that in
1910 the kitchen had been added, to restore to 1880 the
kitchen would have to be taken off, would have to estimate
what type of building was there in 1880, which would cost
more than the current project .
Koschinska stated that besides the immediate maintenance
needs, there would be long range needs as well . Peterson
suggested that the long-range needs be projected into the
annual budget .
Harris asked if the Committee could foresee charging small
fees for the programs . Koschinska explained that there
could be small charges for programs; however, the
Committee could not expect to fund the programs entirely
from income from people going through tLe house . Harris
said that these fees could take care of some of the
smaller expenses . averts explained that the committees
were trying to present the costs as honestly as possible .
Peterson said that previous Councils had made a commitment
for the restoration and preservation of the house and he
would like to see this to continue; however, he was not
sure that a specific dollar commitment for an extended
period of time was necessary.
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Hensrud explained the restoration program . He said that
the exterior work would be done first . He believed that
the restoration of the original porches would add to the
building . Hensrud said that the repairs to the basement
were essential for safety. Hensrud went on to explain
that restoration costs were difficult to project because
of all the unknowns and that the expertise needed in
restoration work was costly. He reported the estimated
costs for restoration to be $157, 500 based on Poster
Dunwiddie •s 1979 figures . Robert Ferguson of MacDonald
Mack Partnership recommended adding a 175% inflation
factor and that 20% needed to be added for architectural
fees . Hensrud presented the timing projected for each
phase of the project . He concluded by stating that he
believed the project to be feasible.
Pidcock asked what other cities the architect had projects
In . Werts replied that in 1983 the Council had given I
City Council Minutes 4 July 19, 1988
permission for the Restoration Committee to interview
architects . MacDonald s Mack Partnership had projects in
Philadelphia, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Hastings .
Pidcock said that in the past Hennepin Vo-Tech said that
they would work for free if the materials and a master
plan were furnished . She said this could reduce the
costs . Werts replied that the Committee had not looked
Into this because restoration was a very specialized
field . She said a supervisor would be necessary.
Peterson said that it might be possible that the Vo-Tech
could help in certain areas of the project . Hensrud said
that the project was specialized, but that working with
the Vo-Tech was a valid possibility.
Bentley said that a recommendation to spend $250, 000 or
sell the house had been presented in 1981-82 . He said
that after many discussions the Restoration Committee was
born . Bentley said that at that time the Council had
decided to allow minimal spending; the refurbishing was to
be done by volunteer labor and the material was to be
donated . He said that fundraising had not gone well in
the past . Bentley believed that the Council had to be
careful about spending and suggested that the Committee do
whatever could be done to cut cost, such as working with
Vo-Tech, etc . Bentley pointed out that originally the
restoration was to be a citizens effort - not a City
effort . Bentley said that he understood the immediate
need for a security system, but as far as long range
maintenance, this should be directed to Staff and be
brought up at the City Budget meeting .
Pidcock asked Werts to explain who Foster Dunwiddie was
and his relationship to the project . Sandy replied that
Foster Dunwiddie was the original architect on the project
and the firm that had prepared the feasibility study. The
Restoration Committee had changed to MacDonald & Mack s
Partnership because of the stance the firm takes with
their projects, the small size of the firm, and the
Committed would be dealing with the principals of the
firm.
Anderson stated that the Council in 1982 took the posture
that the building had to be saved, it was hoped that
residents would find ways to accomplish the restoration .
He said that now the City had acquired the Douglas House
and was trying to purchase the Jacques Farm on Riley Lake .
Anderson said that now the City is not Just dealing with f
one house but with 3 or 4, and he believed that priorities
needed to be established and consideration given as to
what means were available to deal with all four . He said
that the original intent was for the City to keep the
buildings intact, not to restore them.
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City Council Minutes 5 July 19, 1988
Pidcock believed that the proposed electrical updating
costs were high . Werts said that the framing in the older
homes is not like modern homes .
Peterson asked if the Council 's posture had changed
regarding preservation and/or restoration and suggested
that this be discussed at a separate meeting .
Anderson commented that the major costs of the project
were not materials but labor, and believed that the
Committees needed to take a serious look at what did not
take expertise, such as : electrical , plumbing, tuck
pointing . He said that with this being a non-profit
venture that he believed the Vo-Tech offer should be
looked into.
Bentley asked about the timeline for the foundation work
and inquired about how badly the foundation was in need of
repair . Hensrud replied that per the Dunwiddie report the
posts and columns were in need of repair and a wall needed
to be stabilized. Jim Brown said that the foundation was
solid and was made of natural rock . He said that the
foundation would not take a lot of materials or money.
Brown said that the foundation needed to be sprayed with a
sealant to prevent erosion, a new cellar door would be
necessary, and some repair to the windows was required.
Bentley said that the reason he had questioned this was
because the report listed a figure of $14, 700 to stabilize
the foundation and he believed that to be high . Werts r
said that this figure was from the Dunwiddie report plus
175% inflation . Werts further commented that Ferguson had
told her that it was hard to apply the inflation costs
straight across the board for the whole project and that
possibly this could be high . She stated that no t
maintenance had been done to the basement . !�
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Bentley said that it would be helpful to look at the
figures based on today's costs and that a breakdown of the
material and labor for each item would give a better
picture for Staff to look at . Werts replied that this
would require a fee for the architects • cost and
recommended going to a restoration architect . It was
discussed about having the Vo-Tech do the estimates and
Werts commented that it did require a certain expertise to
do this properly. Bentley agreed that the estimates need
to be done correctly.
Anderson asked City Manager Jullie if any money was
presently allocated for maintenance . Jullie replied that
nothing had been programmed . Anderson believed that it
was important to set within the budget a maintenance
allowance so that the building did not deteriorate any
further; however, he said he was not sure where to go
beyond that point .
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City Council Minutes 6 July 19 , 1988
Peterson stated that the Council needed to respond to the
committees and let them know clearly that the Council
would like to proceed in a new direction . He said that in
a number of areas the City makes a commitment and a dollar
investment in that which contributes to the quality of
life of its people, such as parks, open spaces and roads .
Peterson believed that it was time for the Council to take
another step in the direction of restoration, so that
these houses are open and usable . He said that he
understood that the restoration costs money and that the
money would come from tax dollars and further commented
that the Council needed to be careful in spending those
dollars; therefore, if there were alternatives that could
possibly save money, those needed to he studied . Peterson
believed that the Council should make a commitment to
require the property to be vacant, provide a security and
lighting system, and to authorize the necessary repairs to
stabilize the building .
Jim Brown said that there was a problem with liability
insurance coverage for volunteers because as the house is
on City property and the City owns the house, the work had
to be done by City workers . Bentley believed that the
insurance problem had been resolved . Jullie replied that
the workers needed to be supervised . He said that
possibly a special rider was necessary and he would look
Into the insurance matter .
Harris stated that the City was entering a new phase and
If the history of Eden Prairie was going to be preserved
It was time to take a more aggressive stance . Harris
supported the funding for security and lighting of the
house . She said that since the City owned more than one
house it was important for the Commission to let the
Council know what would be expected for the other b
facilities .
Gwen Barker said that the Commission believed that the
City of Eden Prairie had made a statement as to the
Interest in restoration with the purchase of the Smith- a
Douglas and Riley homes . She said that the benefits were
that the homes were on the existing sites and the
committees had an opportunity to develop the sites as
living symbols - not as museums . Barker said that the
Smith-Douglas-More house was a 5-bedroom house which used
to house travelers, and the Commission was looking at this
house being a bed-and-breakfast facility. The Riley House
was being considered as a possibility for a living farm or
possibly as an art center . Barker said that the City had
made the commitment to buy the property, but believed that
now was the time to go a step further .
Harris asked what were other possibilities for funding
besides the City. Nerts replied that the there was little
City Council Minutes 7 July 19, 1988
or no grant money available . She said that a master plan
needed to be in place before going for further grants .
Werts discussed the possibilities and explained what had
been done in the past, but stated discouragement . She
said that she had not gone to corporations because of not
having a specific plan in place. Werts said that the
Committee does get gifts and donations, but are sn!all
compared to the expenses . Harris encouraged the Committee
to again investigate funding sources .
MOTION
Bentley moved, seconded by Harris that the Cummins-Grill
Homestead be left vacant after the current renter vacates
on August 1, 1988 . Motion carried unanimously.
MOTION.
Bentley moved, seconded by Harris to authorize the
expenditure of up to $7,000 to install a security system
and exterior lighting system .
Pidcock asked the Committee to check with the Vo-Tech to
see if they could help with the lighting . Peterson said
that would be an underlying request on all of the items .
Motion carried unanimously.
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Bentley moved, seconded by Harris to direct Staff to
provide additional information for a part-time curator and
the request for $50, 000 over a 5-year period for the
budget review process . Motion carried unanimously.
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Bentleymoved seconded b Harris to direct City manager. Y y 9 r
Jullie to look into specifics of attaining designation as
a "certified local government" .
Pidcock asked for a report on the information about
becoming a "certified local government" . Bentley asked if
the report could be presented in a month.
Motion carried unanimously.
Don Johnson believed that the City was moving in the right
direction and that more people would now be able to enjoy
the house . He said the house needed to be used and
believed that the part-time curator position was
necessary. Johnson said that the Commission and Committee
would be watching the costs carefully.
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City Council Minutes 8 July 19, 1988
Pidcock thanked the Restoration Committee and Commission
for their work . Bentley commended the organizations for
the well put together presentation .
Meeting adjourned at 7 : 25PM.
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