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Heritage Preservation - 07/21/2008 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 21, 2008 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS Betsy Adams, Chairperson; Ann Higgins, Vice Chairperson; Richard Akerlund, Nina Mackay, Mark McPherson,Ed Muehlberg, Kathy Veurink COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Planner II Lori Rain, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Adams called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. Commissioner Veurink was excused. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Muehlberg moved, seconded by Mackay, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —JUNE 16, 2008 MOTION: Higgins moved, seconded by Akerlund, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission held on June 16, 2008 as published. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF There were no new updates from the reports of commission and staff. V. OLD BUSINESS A. JOHN R. CUMMINS ADAPTIVE USE STUDY Gertz reported on July 15 the City Council unanimously adopted the Heritage Preservation Commission's John R. Cummins Adaptive Use Study. The option was presented as a whole and not limited to the hospice option only. He said the City Council didn't direct staff to pursue any particular reuse option for the property at this time due to the fact there is no urgency. He said the Mayor did request that more information be gathered on the Pioneer Trail Road construction impacts to the property before moving ahead with reuse plans. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING July 21, 2008 Page 2 Gertz said the Eden Prairie Historical Society read a prepared statement at the Council meeting's open podium,requesting the City allow them the time and opportunity to prepare a proposal for lease of the property. It is unknown as to when this proposal will be complete. Based on the Council's actions there appears to be time for the Historical Society to pursue this. Admas reported a private resident advised her if there's a business plan in place for the property this resident has agreed to donate $50 thousand to assist with the long term capital fund on the property. B. GOODRICH-RAMUS BARN REUSE STUDY Gertz reported the July 15 meeting at the Goodrich-Ramus barn went very well. An estimate of minimum fifty people attended the meeting. Many individuals came out of curiosity after reading the article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Several individuals came to discuss various options for reuse. He said one of the most interesting considerations came from the Gilmore Automobile Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. However, it was determined the barn could not be deconstructed without damaging much of the materials so moving the barn to Michigan appeared to be out of the question. Gertz said on July 22 he will be meeting with Robert Vogel and Dennis Gimmestad at the State Historic Preservation Office to discuss the reuse study. Following that meeting a report will be assembled. He said he will also be meeting with Liz Able from MnDot to discuss any additional information we may need. Gertz said at this time and based on all the available information present, it appears the best option is to leave the barn where it is. This option is the least costly; it preserves to the extent possible the barn's context and retains the original masonry foundation and silo. In leaving the barn where it is the intent would be to finish the design of the two ponds around it. He said it does limit reuse options so it will be a challenge in finding the best use for the barn under these circumstances. Muehlberg said the current parking access at the barn is limited and asked whether the redesign option included additional parking space. Gertz said this hasn't been addressed at this time. Akerlund asked if the buildings that are currently on the site in the location of where the ponds are going to installed can be moved and used at the Riley- Jacques Barn site. Gertz said not unless there's a specific use made for the buildings would they want to consider moving the buildings. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING July 21, 2008 Page 3 C. GLEN LAKE CHILDREN'S CAMP PROJECTS Gertz reported the grading and landscape plans for the Glen Lake Children's Camp have been forwarded to Mark Buechel at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for final review. Once the plans are approved Friendship Ventures can begin the last of the major work projects concerning the dormitory building. Plan details for the pier work and the lower level entry retaining wall were also sent to SHPO. Gertz said the retaining wall will be constructed from wood rather than block. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. RILEY-JACOUES BARN STAGE LIGHTING Gertz said the barn's existing electrical plan includes both stage lighting and sound system panels but the actual lights and sound equipment were never installed. Eden Prairie Players want to pursue putting in stage lighting at this time and sound equipment at a later date. Gertz said he met at the Riley-Jacques barn last week with Sandy Werts, representatives of the Eden Prairie Players and electricians to discuss stage lighting in the barn. The City has received a grant to pay for the stage lights. The expense to complete the wiring is $4 thousand which will come out of the facility budget for the barn. The lighting will be installed in an unobtrusive manner using EMT pipe and metal outlet boxes which match the existing. Gertz said next year installation of overhead fans will be discussed. He said the Eden Prairie Players also talked about building a stage that attaches to the existing stage which comes out. The stage would be modular and could be put away after each use. The stage would be at the Eden Prairie Players expense. B. DORENKEMPER HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS Gertz said there continues to be improvements made in the Dorenkemper house. He said he hopes to complete before Sunbonnet Day the kitchen stove connections and to continue painting and wall paper work on the upper level. He said the estimate for the security system is $35 thousand. Jim Clark will be discussing possibilities of budgeting the expense with the Historical Society at their next upcoming meeting. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING July 21, 2008 Page 4 C. SUNBONNET DAY Gertz reported Sunbonnet Day will take place on September 14. He said the Heritage Preservation Committee will have a booth set up at the event to sell the Sesquicentennial commemorative mugs. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mackay moved, seconded by Akerlund, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.