Committee Minutes

Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
P. O. Box 13876
Grand Forks, ND 58208-3876
701-772-8756

Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2008
7:00 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Caprice Benoit, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger,
Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien, Gerad Paul, Dale Sickels, Dave Vorland
Others: Kevin Severson, Red River Valley Community Action; Angela and Steven Deziel; Peg O’Leary

Gunderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present.

Motion: to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2008, as presented. (Sickels, Flemmer)
Motion carries.

Red River Valley Community Action Agency – Kevin Severson
514 Cottonwood Street – Gunderson noted that the house was built in 1898 and has been determined to be individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The owners propose to use a federally subsidized loan to reside the house with vinyl siding, change out all the windows in the house with vinyl replacements, as well as other exterior and interior work. (Complete list attached.) Severson said the window frames test out with the highest lead levels he’s ever seen. Ms. Deziel said the siding crumbles to the touch. Benoit questioned whether there is dry rot in the siding; Severson and Mr. Deziel do not think there is much rot but the wood is old and crisp. Ms. Deziel said there is a gap between the gable detail and the fascia that needs to be filled. Flemmer noted that the gap might be the historic venting for the attic, as it is in his house of approximately the same age. It was noted that federal funds simply cannot be used for replacement of functioning historic material.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect resulting from painting the interior of the porch and the steps, adding wooden handrails to the front entry, and completing the interior electrical work. (Benoit, Flemmer)
Motion carries.
Iseminger stated that he was opposed to putting vinyl windows in this house. Severson asked whether wood, double-hung, insets would be acceptable. These would leave all the trim molding in place inside and out. Sickels noted that the siding detail, especially in the bay window area, would be impossible to replicate with vinyl siding; the appearance of the house would change significantly. Flemmer explained that the Commission’s concern with a historic house is to preserve the details and materials that show the original appearance of the house and that contribute to its charm and character. General discussion ensued regarding which elements are repairable, which have no remaining useful life, and what products would be acceptable replacements for non-functional historic fabric.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect resulting from repairing and painting the original wood siding and trim; replacing fifteen windows (as necessary) on the main stories with wood, double-hung, 1/1 replacements fitting into the original openings and maintaining the original trim molding; replacing ten windows (as necessary) on the porch with wood, double-hung, 1/1 replacements fitting into the original openings and maintaining the original trim molding; replacing six basement windows with wood awning-style windows to match existing style and openings; and replacement of existing rear side door with a steel door to match existing rear door. (Jelliff, Lien)
Motion carries.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
Downtown Design and Review Board – DDRB met to deal with permits for tables and chairs on sidewalks in front of businesses. The permits are issued annually and remind owners of their responsibility to police their areas and maintain ADA compliance for the walkway.
Infill Housing Meetings –
- Walnut-Chestnut Place – Eight lots north of 15th Avenue South were offered for proposals; five proposals were received and accepted. The committee was looking for anchor houses on the corners and both corners will have two story houses.
- Belmont Road – Four lots were offered for proposals; three proposals were received, all for the same lot. One proposal was accepted.
All proposals must be approved by City Council.

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
Grand Forks City Budget FY09 – O’Leary explained that the budget request is approximately $300 more that the FY08 budget. (See attached.)
Motion: to approve the budget request for $32,401 as presented. (Vorland, Benoit)
Motion carries.
UND Nomination – The second contractual payment is tied to receipt of the first draft of the nomination, which we have received.
Motion: to approve the second payment, in the amount of $3,645.00. (Jelliff, Benoit)
Motion carries.
Vorland noted that the nomination will be an opportunity to publicize the history of the University and to get to know the new president.
County Fairgrounds Nomination – O’Leary met with the County Fair Board and they readily supported nomination of the WPA structures. The discussion included grants that they would be eligible for if the structures are on the NRHP.
500 Block, University Avenue – Kevin Ritterman has a proposal before the Finance and Development Committee, which is currently on hold. The May 7, 2008, minutes of the F&D contain a discussion of the proposal.
North Third Street Memorial Plaques – O’Leary has spoken with Jim Kobetsky and he assured her that the plaques would be in place shortly.
Commission Appointments – Flemmer (member-at-large), Iseminger (historian), Leach (archaeologist), Sickels (architect), and Slater (archivist) have requested reappointment. Vorland (member-at-large) has asked not to be reappointed, citing other commitments that require his time. Names have been sent to the Mayor’s office for consideration.
NAPC Awards – We have received a letter stating that we were not selected as Commission of the Year.

Other Business
MPO 4th Ave. S./Minnesota Ave. Study – Benoit reported that both the Steering Committee meeting and a Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 14, in Phoenix School.

Motion: to adjourn. (Flemmer, Sickels)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 8:15 p.m.

The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2008, room A101, City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator