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Minutes
April 12, 2011
6:30 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach,
Cory Lien, Doug Munski, Sandy Slater
Others: Kevin Severson, Mike Sullivan, Red River Valley Community Action; Peg O’Leary

Minutes
Motion: to approve the minutes of the March 29, 2011, meeting. (Slater, Leach)
Motion carries.
Red River Valley Community Action Weatherization Program - Mike Sullivan,
Kevin Severson
  705 South 14th Street, built 1951 – The house is not in a historic district and is not individually eligible for the National Register. RRVCA proposes to use federal grant funds to insulate the interior basement walls and the attic; to install a steel insulated door on the west entry; to install three vinyl slide windows; and for various interior energy efficiencies. Severson said the owner is planning to use a federally subsidized loan to replace the remaining windows and vinyl side the house, as well as for interior electrical work.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed work at 705 S. 14th Street. (Leach, Lien)
Motion carries.
  1113 6th Avenue North, built 1893 – The house is not in an historic district and is not individually eligible for the National Register. RRVCA proposes to use federal grant funds to insulate the attic from the interior and the side walls by removing (and later replacing) siding and blowing in insulation; to install front and rear steel doors; to install four new vinyl windows; and for various interior energy efficiencies.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed work at 1113 6th Ave. N. (Slater, Lien)
Motion carries.

University of North Dakota
  Motion Detector Project – The University is planning to use ARRA funding to install motion detectors in restrooms throughout campus. The detectors will cause lights to go on when motion is detected in the room and to go off after no motion is detected for a period of time, thus saving energy over having the lights on full-time when the building is open. A list of buildings that are affected and that are also at least fifty years old is attached. For most restrooms the motion detector will fit within the opening for the existing light switch. In large restrooms, the detector will be attached to the light fixture.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect by the proposed motion detectors as described. (Flemmer, Lien)
Motion carries.
  423-425 Princeton, built 1914 – The University owns and is planning to demolish the house at this address and has asked for a determination of impact. The house is located on the boundary of, but outside, the University of North Dakota Historic District. Iseminger noted that the house had belonged to Elwyn Robinson. He thought Robinson may have bequeathed or otherwise donated the house to UND and wondered whether there were requirements attached to the donation. Gunderson agreed that that was a good point and should be researched. Slater questioned the “square footage to meet the code reqirements for renovation” statement in Larry Zitzow’s letter. She also wondered if Robinson’s sons have been contacted regarding the proposed demolition. Flemmer wondered if relocation is a possibility for the house and what process the University uses to make demolition decisions. Several members questioned Zitzow’s description of the building as “obsolete” and what criteria was used to make such a determination. It was noted that regular meetings of the UND Historic Spaces sub-committee might have resolved these issues early in the process. Consensus: O’Leary will write a letter to the University asking for clarification of these issues before the Commission can act on the matter.

Chair Report
  No Report

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
  Synagogue Nomination – Steve Martens spent April 12 in Grand Forks taking pictures and doing research. He toured the synagogue with Howard Kossover, who was able to answer many questions. Martens expects to have a polished first draft to the Commission by mid-May. O’Leary gave Kossover an overview of the nomination process and promised to provide the congregation with a draft copy for their comments.
Motion: to approve payment of $317 for insurance required by the City of Grand Forks. (Slater, Leach)
Motion carries.
  Griggs Award – O’Leary distributed draft copies of the Ted Jelliff award proclamation.
  Kegs Nomination – O’Leary reported that she will hook up to the State Review Board meeting from Jamestown using Skype. Amy Munson will provide a web cam. Gunderson noted that a very strong internet signal is needed for Skype. O’Leary will go to Jamestown a day early to meet with SHPO representatives about potential flood mitigation.
  Grand Forks Community Land Trust – Grand Forks Housing Authority is researching an affordable housing option in which GFHA would retain ownership of the land but homes built on the land would meet LMI housing goals and would be owned by the occupant. The house could only be sold to GFHA for resale to another LMI qualified purchaser. The lots would be in established neighborhoods. GFHA is reviewing house plans that would look appropriate in older neighborhoods.

Other Business
  1997 Beautification Allocation – The Mayor’s office has received an inquiry about a plaque planned to commemorate Charles Thurber, a man hanged by a mob in Grand Forks in 1882.
Doug Munski arrived at this time.
The plaque was never made, presumably because the allocation was authorized in February and the April flood and fires pushed all other business aside. O’Leary will follow-up with the Mayor’s office.
Motion: to adjourn. (Munski, Slater)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 7:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in A101, City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,




Peg O’Leary
Coordinator