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Heritage Preservation - 01/24/2000 APPROVED MINUTES HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Monday,January 24, 2000 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road Commission Members: Deborah Barkley, Lori Peterson-Benike, Kathie Case, Timothy Colliton,Jan Mosman and James Wilson Student Representative: Mark Perry Staff: John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist, and Carol Pelzel,Acting City Recorder I. ROLL CALL Vice-Chairperson Case called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commission members present included Deborah Barkley (left at 8:10 p.m.), Lori Peterson-Benike, Kathie Case, Timothy Colliton (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) and James Wilson II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Case asked for changes or additions to the agenda. Motion: Wilson moved, seconded by Peterson-Benike, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried, 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —DECEMBER 20, 1999 MOTION: Wilson moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the minutes of December 20, 1999, as published. Motion carried, 4-0. IV. REPORTS AND REQUESTS Case said she asked Marie Wittenberg to attend this meeting to give the Commission an update on what the Eden Prairie Historical Society had discussed at their meeting regarding the More house. Case indicated that Ms. Wittenberg would be here at 7:20 p.m. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 24, 2000 Page 2 V. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Update on Boards and Commission Appointment Process Gertz reported that City staff had met last week with the Boards and Commission liaisons to discuss the open house on January 25 for persons interested in serving on various Boards and Commissions. Anyone interested in serving has been asked to complete a questionnaire to be turned into the City after which they will be interviewed by the City Council. Gertz explained the process for filling vacancies on various Boards and Commissions. He indicated that the Heritage Preservation Commission would need five new members. He further explained that the biggest change to the process is that the Boards and Commissions will no longer elect the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson but that they will be appointed by the City Council. Gertz stated that the City has formed a Community Program Board, which will review all program proposals that come to the City Council. For example, the plans submitted for three historical sites would go to this new Board and then to the City Council. All other Board and Commission chairs will serve on this Board. In response to a question from Barkley, Gertz explained that the terms of Barkley, Peterson-Benike, Wilson and Case will expire in March. He stated that if anyone is interested in continuing to serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission, they should reapply for appointment. B. HISTORIC SITE PLANNING PROCESS Gertz reported that the City now has full possession of the Douglas-More house. He explained that the family members would sell off some of the artifacts in the house. The family also asked when the City would want to take over the house and what the long- range plan is for the house. Those questions are one of the reasons for starting the planning process. They need to start looking at the long-range plans for not only the Moore house but also for the Cummins-Grill house and the Riley-Jacques Farm. Gertz explained that City staff from various departments would be meeting to share information relative to the future of these historical properties. All of the information will be put together and delivered to the Heritage Preservation Commission to be used to start the planning process for future use of the properties and for developing a recommendation as to what each of these properties will be used for. Once the plans are in place, they will be presented to the Community Program Board for review. After their review, that Board's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for their support. Colliton asked who from the City staff would be taking the lead on gathering this information. Gertz responded that since two of the three properties are park facilities, the Parks and Recreation Director, Bob Lambert, would be the lead person. Marie Wittenberg, of the Eden Prairie Historical Society, presented a brief overview of the discussion that took place at the last Historical Society meeting. She stated that the Society has a lot of interest in these properties. They feel that having a renter in the upstairs of the More house is wonderful. It is important that someone be in the house. Wittenberg explained that the Historical Society is behind preserving this property and HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 24, 2000 Page 3 would like to be a part of it. There is a lot of talent in the organization and the members have been around a long time and have lots of ideas and suggestions as to what can be done to this property. Wittenberg mentioned that the Cummins-Grill house should be cleaned. They feel it is the City's responsibility to keep these properties clean and not the Society's. The Commission discussed with Wittenberg various alternatives for the Douglas-More house. Case asked what the status is of the renter at the More house. Gertz explained that the renter would be able to stay while they are in the planning process. It does not seem appropriate to make a decision about the renter until a decision about the house is made. Colliton asked what the status is of the artifacts located in the More house. Case responded that nothing was ever put in writing giving the artifacts to the City. Gertz explained that they are not included in the purchase agreement. The fixed items in the house will remain. Gertz said it is their hope that certain items in the home will be offered to the City for purchase first. The Commission discussed who would purchase those items. Gertz said if they are purchased as part of the house, the City would more than likely pay for them. However, if it becomes a museum, the Historical Society may want to purchase them. Wittenberg pointed out that an individual might want to purchase them to donate to the house. Gertz said he would be sure to notify the Commission when the sale of the artifacts is to take place. Case asked as the Commission becomes more involved in the planning process for these properties, should the Historical Society be included. Gertz said he was not sure how all of this is going to work. They are only in the process of assembling the information. Once this information is compiled, they will need to look at the cost of restoring these properties. They may want to include the Historical Society further down the road when they get into program use. They would want to involve as many interested parties as possible. Case indicated that she is concerned with having to go through the new Board for review prior to it being forwarded to the Council. She is concerned that they will feel that it cost too much money to restore these properties. However, the City did purchase these properties, therefore, they will need to come up with some good plans. Colliton asked why this meeting was held at the City Center rather than at the Cummins house. Gertz explained that the City Manager wants all meetings to be held at a public facility where the public can attend. Colliton asked that Gertz look into this further to see if this Commission could get a special dispensation and be allowed to meet at the Cummins house. Gertz said he would contact other municipalities to see what they are doing with regards to cost for restoration and programs they are operating in historical sites and the revenues received from those programs. Case informed the Commission that they are looking at using the Riley-Jacques Farm as a boarding stable with the person living in the house operating the stable. She did meet with Jean Johnson of the City's planning staff and she felt the stable would be a permitted use for this property. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 24, 2000 Page 4 Colliton expressed the Commission's appreciation to Ms. Wittenberg for updating the Commission on what is happening with the Historic Society. He indicated there are a lot of good ideas out there for the use of these sites,however, they will have to follow the process. VI. A. J.R. CUMMINS HOUSE PROJECTS Gertz reported that asbestos was found in the bathroom plaster of the Cummins house. They do not know the extent of the problem. The building inspector did find it and will let Gertz know if it is limited to the bathroom once the tests are completed. If it is limited to the bathroom, Gertz said he assumes they would do abatement. Colliton suggested that they cover it. Gertz said if they did that they would have to change their plans. The Commission agreed to wait and see what the results of the lab report are before taking the next step. Gertz reported that all of the bat droppings were removed from the attic. The entrances were identified and sealed. They did enter into a contract for on-going inspection and maintenance of this house. The house and attic have been cleaned and now it is just a matter of maintaining it. B. RILEY-JACOUES FARM PROJECTS Gertz reported that the roofing job on the barn is nearing completion. The roofing company repaired the lightening rods in the barn and repaired the loose shingles with longer nails. They are almost complete with the garage. They are tearing off the roof decking and replacing it with plywood sheathing. Gertz said that the weather has delayed the work the last couple of weeks. C. UPDATE ON FY 1998 CLG GRANT Gertz provided the Commission with copies of the Site Nomination forms. The eight individual forms have been submitted to the State Preservation Office. They are still working on six other sites. Gertz explained that the forms are complete enough to get through the review process. The Commission discussed the process and procedure for preparing the additional six Site Nomination forms. C. UPDATE ON FY 2000 CLG GRANT Gertz reported that he is sending a resolution to the City Council in two weeks to approve the National Register nomination for the Overlook Site and then at the end of the month the final proposal will be submitted to the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). Gertz said he and the City's Planner would talk to the Metropolitan Airports Commission to keep them informed of the process and to see if they will assist with the match for the grant. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 24, 2000 Page 5 Gertz explained that at last month's meeting the Commission talked about adding the Consolidated School to the National Register. Staff felt it would be impossible to make the determination whether or not it would be National Register eligible. Gertz suggested that they not pursue the National Register for the school at this time. Case agreed and suggested that they look at getting locally designated first. VII. NEW BUSINESS Selection of Graphic Designer for FY 1999 Grant to Produce Ten Heritage Site Interpretive Signs Gertz reported that two proposals for the interpretive signs were received. Gertz explained that in talking to the two designers,he felt that Steve Lastavich seemed more flexible and did not limit the number of drafts prepared. He also stayed within the budget grant amount. The other designer, Alison Schrein, limited the number of drafts to three and was over budget. Both have experience with computer design programs and manufacturers' requirements. MOTION: Motion Wilson, second Peterson-Benike, to select Steven Lastavich as the Graphic Designer to produce ten heritage site interpretive signs. Motion carried, 4-0. Gertz explained that Jeff Cordes in Parks and Recreation is working on a trail project and Gertz is involved in the review as to whether or not the trail corridor will impact any historical properties. Gertz said he would write a letter to SHPO informing them that the trail corridor will have no impact on the properties. Gertz reported that he is also involved in an update for the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan. Once the City updates the guide plan, it will be distributed to the Commission for review. Colliton informed the Commission that he would be meeting with Senator Belanger this week regarding the Heritage Preservation tax credit proposal. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Motion Wilson, second Peterson-Benike, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried, 4-0. A.