HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-17 HPC Minutes
MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 - 7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Lu Aurelius, AI Galbraith,
visitor Carolyn Peterson, Liaison Dave Fisher and Recorder Lois Behm. Commissioner Robert
Creager arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Absent: Commissioners Caleb Anderson and Pete Boulay
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Lu moved to approve the Aaenda as presented. AI seconded. Aves - all.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Auaust 20. 2009 HPC Minutes
Richard asked (re Item 6.b., paragraph 2) if the suggested revision of the sentence relating to
membership in the Ramsey County Historical Society had been placed in the proposed ordinance.
After discussion, Lu moved. Richard seconded. Aves - all that the sentence suggested by Caleb: "If no
member of the Commission is a designated representative of the Ramsey County Historical Society,
the City will pay for a membership for the Commission Chairperson or designee."
AI moved. Richard seconded. Aves - all. to approve the Auaust 20 minutes as modified.
5. Chair Opening Statements/Presentations -
Ron reported the death of former Maplewood resident and long-time Historical Society member Arthur
Fisher, telling how he has been very active in and supportive of Society events and projects, especially
Farmer for a Day, Johnny Appleseed and Halloween Hoedown and working regularly with the
Collections Committee. A moment of silence was observed in his memory.
Ron also reported the death of Robert Friermuth, who worked a great many hours on the various
restoration projects at the farm and assisted during special events. Bob passed away after sustaining
critical injuries in a fall from a ladder. A moment of silence was observed in his memory as well.
Ron then called everyone's attention to page 8 of the September Maplewood Monthlv newsletter where
the Commission Corner article written by Pete Boulay appears. The article is about the Commission's
project to identify historic structures in Maplewood and asks for help from residents to identify and
document sites in the City the Commission may not know about. It also reminds everyone that "not
everything has to be really old to have historical significance; sometimes it is a slice of everyday life that
needs to be photographed, recorded and remembered for years to come."
He also reported that the Friends of Maplewood Nature have their beautiful 2010 calendars, showing
pictures of nature around Maplewood, for sale. Last year's calendar sales along with some other
sources of income were sufficient to purchase a play structure which has now been installed at the
Nature Center.
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Proposed Historical Preservation Commission Survev List
Dave reported that he has given the Century House book to staff to scan and create copies for the rest
of the Commissioners, but he has not received it back yet. The list of the houses will be pared down
Ron said Pete circulated an e-mail yesterday identifying 17 properties which we would like to have on
next month's Agenda for discussion. The properties on the list, in no particular order, are: Bruentrup
Heritage Farm, Ramsey County Poor Farm Campus, (consisting of the cemetery, barn, milk house,
water tower, garage and boiler shop), Forest Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Seaholm P. Gottfried house,
KSTP Transmitter building, Carver Lake School (which is almost exactly as it was built 100 years ago),
Keller Lake Golf Course Clubhouse, Northernaire "Motel" and "Cocktails" sign, St. Jerome's Church,
House on County Road B, the Stone House on Arcade, the Sundgaard house, the J. W.
Frost/Schroer/Rechtenwalt house, Edgerton School, the Swanson House, the Barn on Highwood, and
the Victorian house on Stillwater.
Dave added the Priory Monastery and the St. Paul Ski Jump.
Richard said he had done some driving around the West End, and saw a lot of houses there with
historical potential, plus the Waterworks complex.
Dave pointed out that it will be necessary to get permission of the property owners as well as the City
Council before nominating a structure for historic significance. There is still a lot to do, including
surveying the owners to gauge their interest, possibly some promotion to encourage them to buy into
the program. He will search to see if he can find what other cities might have done and maybe put
something together for review at the next meeting.
Richard reported the houses he believes could be significant are: 125 Downs (was a farm) , 410 Co.
Road B (Schroeder house), 813 Co. Rd. B (Little house), one more house on Co. Rd. B but no number
was showing, 1987 McMenemy (Littlefield house). He added that there were others but he was unable
to stop safely to write down the numbers.
AI said he hasn't been able to get out, but will be looking at the Gladstone area.
Lu reported she hasnn't thought of any others that might have been missed.
Ron suggested starting to think about historic businesses as well, such as Dege's Garden Center, the
ski jump, Bailey's nursery, Schroeder Milk, Truck Utilities, all of which are over 100 years old.
b. Discussion About Old Park and Recreation Equipment
Dave reported he talked to both Doug Taubman and DuWayne Konewko and that DuWayne will
probably want to talk with Ron directly for more information. The issues are that, first of all, it has to be
safe, it can be maintained (if repairs are needed can parts be obtained), how do we do it and what do
you want to do (just have it available to be looked at or actually in use)?
Ron responded that saving the old park equipment fits into several areas of the Commission's purpose
and that Lion's Park has some an there may be other parks with more that he doesn't know about. He
will discuss it further with DuWayne, Doug and maybe the Parks Commission.
7. NEW BUSINESS - NONE
8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS -
Carolvn Peterson. 1801 Gervais Avenue. Vice-President of the Maplewood Area Historical Societv.
Carolvn talked about the Barn Dance celebrating completion of the renovation and 1 O-year anniversary
of saving the Barn. It will be held at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm on September 19, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00
p.m.: country music, dancing, food, and hay rides until dark; and invited everyone to join the fun.
Carolvn asked if the Commission project to identify historical and significant sites and structures would
be expanded to include archeological sites. She talked about the significance of such places as Fish
Creek and showed pictures of a portion of Snake Creek which is near and similar to Fish Creek.
Ron reported that he and Michael Bailey had an opportunity to walk Snake Creek and believes they
may have come across a significant Indian site that the Minnesota Historical Society has been
searching for and will be asking their representative to come out and look at it. He said the red rock
they found is beautiful and perhaps the largest boulder in the county. There is also what appears to be
a burial mound at that site.
Carolvn also mentioned that a new member of the Historical Society who is checking into early trails in
the Maplewood area which later became "cartways" and eventually streets and asked if those would be
considered historically significant.
9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. Maplewood Historical Societv Update
Richard said there may be a quorum of Commission members at the Barn Dance.
Ron invited everyone to join the Fish Creek hike on October 17 from 1 :00 - 3:00 p.m.
10. STAFF PRESENTATION - NONE
11. ADJOURNMENT - 8:03 p.m.