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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-20 HPC Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL JANUARY 29,2009 1. CALL TO ORDER -7:00 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL - Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice-Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Lu Aurelius, Pete Boulay, Robert Creager, AI Galbraith; Liaisons Lois Behm, Shann Finwall, Dave Fisher and City Attorney Alan Kantrud. Commissioner Caleb Anderson arrived at 7:10p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Richard suggested moving 11-c, Term Limit Clarification, to Old Business as he had worked on it and has additional information. Ron responded that since it is a Staff Presentation item it should stay there and Richard's information could be discussed at that time. Shann requested adding the March-April City newsletter article. Ron responded that the planned to address that in his opening statements. Shann asked to remove 11-b, Community Development and Parks Department Reorganization Update as DuWayne Konewko was going to present it but was unable to attend this meeting. Richard requested the just-received Project Review Forms for Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries at 2020 Rice Street and Mogren Brothers/Calco on White Bear Avenue be added as 8-b and 8-c respectively. Richard moved to approve the Aaenda as amended. AI seconded. Aves - all. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes of November 20. 2008 Richard moved to approve the minutes as presented. Aves - all 5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS Ron announced he had received information from the City about each commission writing an article for the Maplewood Monthly newsletter discussing their goals and activities. This year the HPC has responsibility for March and September, and he held off because of the goal-setting to take place at this meeting. By getting the letter ready by early next week those goals can be included in the newsletter article as well as later in the 2008 report to Council. Ron is asking permission to go ahead with that information, and any other information the Commission would like to have included and recognition of Mayas History Month. When it is time for the September issue he would welcome anyone else to write that letter. The March article information will also appear in the later report to Council reviewing the activities of the past year. Richard moved to approve Ron writina the March newsletter article with another Commissioner writina the one in September. AI seconded. Aves - all. Looking ahead to the February meeting, Ron suggested initiation of a Maplewood Heritage Award and determining the criteria of individuals, groups or businesses could be eligible and the types of activities that would be acceptable for such an award. If that could be put together at the February meeting it would provide 2 months to work on possible recipients (maybe each Commissioner could come to the next meeting with nominations) so the award could presented in May, which is National History Month. He said if the Commissioners were agreeable, it seemed to him a nice way to recognize and honor people, events or activities that benefit Maplewood. Robert asked if that would be an annual award or plaque that would be in the lobby. Ron said he envisioned something like a big Maple leaf plaque that would hold a small brass plate, (stating that so-and-so was the 2009 recipient), and it would hang in the lobby by the time capsule cabinet with additional name plates being added in ensuing years. Shann suggested that might be a good item to discuss during the goal setting portion of the meeting - to establish a Maplewood Heritage Award during 2009. Ron agreed. 6. CITY ATTORNEY DISCUSSION - OPEN MEETING LAW Shann introduced City Attorney Alan Kantrud and reported he has been meeting with each of the other Commissions to explain the requirements of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. Generally, it requires that nearly all government meetings must be open to the public, he is here to explain that and answer any questions. Shann also corrected that the date on the memorandum sent to the HPC for this item was incorrect and it should have indicated tonight's date. Citv Attornev Kantrud explained that at the request of the Acting City Manager, he is visiting all of the City's commissions to explain the open meeting law, answer any questions and make sure everyone is familiar with it. The in-depth explanation included specific examples of what is or is not allowed under the open meeting law and responded to questions about particular actions, stressing that it is imperative regular and special Commission meetings, whether televised or not, must be announced to the public so they can attend if they wish. The affect on Maplewood Area Historical Society members who are also Commissioners was of particular concern to everyone, since 5 members of the Commission are also members of the Society, and was the topic of many questions. The law indicates that any time a quorum of commissioners may be in one place at the same time - (1) it must be publicized at least 3 days before the event, even if it is a social event or the meeting of another organization; (2) the notice must be posted at City Hall and on the City's web site; (3) commissioners attending these meetings or events must be particularly careful about the appearance of impropriety, although anyone making that charge must be able to prove it. A Commissioner is permitted to provide a report of Commission activities at MAHS or other meetings but, if a quorum is present, may not engage in discussions that could impact decisions of the commission; It would be a good idea to ask the Society to print the Commission disclaimer appear at the bottom of the Society agenda for each meeting or event, and as well as the meeting notice posted by City staff. It is acceptable for either group to request or offer assistance with a project and accept information about the project, but any discussion to reach a decision must occur at a public meeting; Care must also be exercised in e-mail and telephone communications, in that communication to, from or between various commissioners could reach a quorum involved in the same topic of business, thereby becoming a violation of the law. Personal e-mails to staff members regarding commission business could open an individual's personal e-mail to data practices scrutiny as well. Ron asked Shann to work with Alan regarding the appropriate disclaimer for notices and with the City Manager regarding possible City e-mail addresses for commissioners. She will do that. 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Comprehensive Plan Review Shann introduced Jennifer Haskamp of Pulse Land Group to discuss the Historical Preservation chapter (Chapter 9, Historical Resources) and the overall Comprehensive Plan. Jennifer reported she has been working on the Comprehensive Plan for 1-1/2 - 2 years on the Plan and it has been through reviews by other commissions and two public hearings. The draft has been approved by the City Council and is now entering the phase when commissions can review their portion to ensure the chapter addresses the issues, concerns or goals for the planning period. She stated that there are references Richard mentioned that the Introduction to the chapter does not include McLean Township and it needs to be added. Caleb noted that in "Discussion, Challenges and Issues the wording of the first sentence should be ". . . . . more than 150 years ago." Jennifer agreed to make those changes and check the rest of the document for any other omissions. Ron asked for clarification of the performance designations in the Action Plan to differentiate between "City" and "City staff'. Jennifer responded that she felt "City staff' referred to technical (or clerical) efforts vs administration direction. She will go back through the draft copy and make all the changes pointed out. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. 2009 GOAL SETTING After discussing process, brainstorming and prioritizing, the following are the goals of the Commission for 2009: 1. Take all necessary measures to obtain Certified Local Government status. a. Historical Site Survey b. Historical Preservation Commission ordinance amendments - to ensure HPC has oversight of historical sites and that there is a public process in place when dealing with these sites. c. Apply to State Historical Society for CLG status 2. Education of history by the Historical Preservation Commission through events, time capsule, etc. 3. Repair of Gladstone informational kiosk. 4. Identify and recognize historic families. 5. Identify and recognize the history of geographic features such as lakes, etc. 6. Heritage Award - create criteria for awarding people or places for their work in the field of history or for their historic character. c. Proiect Review Form for Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries at 2020 Rice Street This is an application from a church asking a Conditional Use Permit to use the property at 2020 Rice Street, the former ABRA building, as a church. During discussion it was determined that they will be changing the interior of the building, but there is no plan to change the exterior of the building, so the Commission has no objection to this request. Further discussion ensued to clarify the trigger which determines what Reviewi Forms come to the Commissioners. Shann said they will come up with a determination on how to get the Review Forms to the Commissioners on a regular basis. c. Proiect Review Form for Moqren Brothers/Calco on White Bear Avenue This is an application from Mogren Brothers/Calco to build a commercial office building on a vacant lot % block south of County Road C on the West side of White Bear Avenue to house part of the Mogren Landscape operation. Discussion determined there is no action required by the Commission. 9. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS - None 10. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS - None AI - Worried about the modification of the stone arch bridge over Phalen Creekin the park. He believes it was a railroad project, and he just received some information from the Minnesota Historical Society. It is actually 2 bridges - a road bridge and a train bridge. Ron said when the survey is completed it should be possible to identify the bridge and get it on a list or lists alerting prople of Commission concerns. Lu moved to recommend 11. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Historical Preservation Commission Staff Liaison Shann introduced Dave Fisher as the newly designated Staff Liaison to the Commission and thanked Lois Behm for her past work in that capacity. Shann will work with Dave for a little while to get him familiarized with the Commission and Lois will stay on and continue doing with the minutes. b. Communitv Development and Parks Department Reoraanization Update Removed until later date. c. Historical Preservation Commission Term Limit Clarification Shann informed the Commission she has researched the history of the commission appointments and termination and will submit her report to Council for a decision about setting staggered termination dates for the existing commissioners and ensuring staggered terminations in the future. Lu moved to have Shann recommend Council approve the staaaered terms listed in the staff report. motion seconded and approved - Aves all. d. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR Shann reported that the H PC ordinance states that the Chair and Vice Chair have 1-year terms, therefore an election is needed at this meeting. Lu moved to keep the current chair and vice chair (Ron and Richardl for another 1-vear term. motion seconded and approved - aves - all 12. ADJOURNMENT - 9:27 p.m.