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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-17 HPC Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL JUNE 17,2010 - 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:02 P.M. by Chair Ron Cockriel. 2. ATTENDANCE Present: Chair Ron Cockriel, Vice-Chair Richard Currie, Commissioners Pete Boulay and AI Galbraith. Comissioner Bob Creager arrived at 7:05 P. M. Absent: Commissioners Caleb Anderson and Lu Aurelius; Recorder Lois Behm. 3. APPROVAL OF / AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA Richard requested moving Item 8b. Bruentrup Heritage Farm Master Plan to become Item 10b, and the July Meeting added to the Agenda as 9a. Ron noted that the update on the Historical Society does not appear on the Agenda and added it to Commission Presentations as 9b. Rick moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Caleb seconded. Aves - all. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes of Mav 20,2010 In 5. Chair Opening Statements/Presentations: Richard will serve as the Commission's liaison to the Historical Society's Interpretive Plan Committee, not the Exhibit Committee. Richard moved to approve the minutes as corrected. AI seconded. Aves - AI. Bob. Pete. Richard; Abstention - Ron. 5. CHAIR OPENING STATEMENTS / PRESENTATIONS Ron commented on the review of the proposal for the Frost Avenue Bridge. He liked that the design will include some material from the old bridge and the arches, and suggested perhaps the kiosk could include some information about the original Little Canada Town Hall which was very close to the site. 6. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None 7. OLD BUSINESS a. Create Heritaqe Award - Discussion Onlv Richard said action has been delayed until Ron's return because he was the one who first mentioned it. Further discussion followed about whether or if it should be pursued and what could be done. There was a suggestion at the May meeting for the Commissioners to bring names of suggested recipients to this meeting. Bob said he thought about Arlene Mogren and had hoped to talk to one of her sons about whether she would be able and willing to be included in the suggested candidates but has so far not been able to reach either of them. Ron suggested the planning should proceed, with Commissioners making suggestions for nominees and continuing to work out the criteria for the award. Bob mentioned that there is a place in the Community Center for "Employee of the Month" recipients, and said he feels this type of award should have its own space as well. Dave offered to check whether there could be a place like that set aside for this award. Ron told about a town he was in recently where there was a wall in their community center on which decades of resident's pictures were displayed, giving those residents the sense of being tied to the community. He suggested the meeting (banquet) room could be a good place to have that sort of display. Dave said he will talk to Karen Guilefoile and bring back information to the next meeting, which will help in the decision making process. Ron recapped: Each member should bring three names to the next meeting, with a brief justification for choosing them, and ideas for setting criteria. b. The Shores at Lake Phalen - Former St Paul Tourist Cabins Site Dave reported this is a down-sized version of what was originally planned for the site, with a 3-story building with 32 units for memory care as well as 73 other units for more independent living conditions. He said his understanding is that the plans incorporate the Commission's requests of the original plan. He also displayed a drawing of a proposed sign identifying the Gladstone area. Pete raised a question about the Commission's previously suggested sign, which was a copy of the historic iron oval that stated "Gladstone 1/2 Mile", and whether any consideration had been given to that. Richard mentioned that the Commission's original request included a display with historic photos of the Tourist Cabins and what the area was like. Ron referred back to earlier discussions about possibly having identifying signage in the various neighborhoods, such as Gladstone, Legacy Village, etc. and that the Commission had expressed preference for a "railroad village" concept for Gladstone. Dave will take the questions to the Department and report back at the next meeting. c. Oath of Office Ron, recited the Oath of Office and signed the printed copy. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Communication with other Commissions - Discussion Only Richard reiterated the problem of lack of communication among the boards/com-missions and the City and how it should be improved, citing the Commission's recent recommendation about the design of the Frost Avenue Bridge, which was not accepted. No one has any information about why it was not accepted. Ron commented that on June 29 the Commissioners will be on the City bus ride with the other commissions and have an opportunity to talk with them and improve the communication flow. In addition, each member can be informed of their activities through the internet. This would not be interfering with other commission's work, but would aid knowledge and preparedness for the work of this Commission. Dave reported that the Council passed first reading of the revised MHPC ordinance on Monday night. It will be followed by second reading and if/when approved it will be published and become law. At that time Dave will be able to submit the application for Certified Local Government certification. Dave said he had put together some information on the activities of the other boards/-commissions including: Housinq & Redevelopment Authority had someone come in and talk to them about foreclosed properties, and Dave did a small report on code enforcement. Planninq Commission had something about the wetland buffer variance for conditional use for the Shores, and Goodwill is proposing to put up a new building on the east side of White Bear Avenue. b. Bruentrup Heritaqe Farm Master Plan - Discussion Only No Discussion 9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS Richard reported that Leo Capeder, who had a farm at McMenemy and Roselawn and now owns Truck Utilities, said he would come and talk to the Commission but would need some time to prepare. Ron asked if it would be okay with the Commission to cancel the July meeting and meet next in August. AI moved to cancel the Julv meetinQ and meet next on AUQust 19. Richard seconded - Aves - All. Maplewood Area Historical Society: Richard announced that the Johnny Appleseed event will be August 28 at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm. Ron announced he is a member of the Edina Historical Society. His brother, who is an avid collector of World War I and II items, works for the City of Edina and 3 weeks ago they opened a large display at their museum of all his memorabilia, including uniforms of his uncles and his grandfather who served in the Army for 35 years. It will be on display until December 10, next to the Cahill School. Ron encouraged anyone who is interested in World War I and II history to go see it. Pete reported the newspaper said this was the first time in 20 years that Maplewood did not have July 4th fireworks, but he believes it was actually more years than that. No one was able to identify the first year they were held. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. The Bus Tour on June 29, 20105:30 to 8:30 PM - Discussion Only Dave reported the bus will leave about 5:30 and return about 8:30. Pete may be giving a presentation during the lunch break at Hazelwood Fire Station. Everyone who wants to go needs to contact Tom Ekstrand for a reservation and lunch. He also gave a brief review of the locations on the tour. Dave also said Mike Koop sent a document indicating the Commission is required to submit an annual report and list of goals for the year. He sent that in and will call Mike and get some questions answered about any additional requirements. He also must do an annual report for the Minnesota Historical Society about the Farm, because of the grant, and they want to know what else has been or is being done there since the barn work was completed. No other work has been done, but planning is underway to build a shed for storing the large machinery. Dave reported he had received an e-mail from Bob Overby looking for help with the Master Plan. He knows the Society received a grant to help with the interpretive plan, but his concern is to make sure they are also thinking about maintenance of the buildings and how they are used, not just about what programs they can have. 11. ADJOURNMENT 8:21 P.M.