Committee Minutes
Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2009
7:00 p.m.
City Hall A101
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Caprice Benoit, Sharon Bures, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Perry Marto, Director of Buildings and Grounds, GF School District; Kent Anderson, Central High School project architect; Peg O’Leary
Gunderson started the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Grand Forks School District
– Perry Marto, Kent Anderson
Central High School, 115 N. 4
th
Street (built 1917) – Central is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing element in the Downtown Grand Forks Historic District. Marto explained that federal stimulus funding is being made available to school districts in North Dakota and Grand Forks is proposing to replace the upper-story windows in the original building with these federal funds. At the April 28, 2009, meeting of the HPC, the Commission approved the project in concept provided that all materials were submitted to the HPC and the State Historic Preservation Office for approval prior to ordering. Marto displayed two types of tinted glass: the darker glass would be used in the transom area (top 2’8” of the 10’ windows) where the interior ceiling covers the window and the virtually clear glass would be used in all other openings. Anderson said the light glass will appear very slightly gray in sunlight but has no metallic reflective quality. Marto also showed two types of framing: an anodized aluminum and a painted metal, both in black. He noted that the anodized aluminum is what was used in the new portion of the building and in the basement replacements.
Caprice Benoit arrived at this time.
Commissioners stated that anodized aluminum has not been approved in Grand Forks for federally funded projects. They also questioned the dark color of the proposed framing, noting that original window framing would not have been dark. Marto said they would like to go with dark to match other windows in the building that will not be changing. Historic pictures of Central will be checked for finishes. It was determined that O’Leary would ask Susan Quinnell, SHPO compliance officer, to come to Grand Forks to review materials and inspect the building. It was hoped that she could attend the June 9 meeting.
Motion:
to express gratitude to the School District for bringing the matter to the HPC early in the process. (Leach, Benoit)
Motion carries
unanimously.
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2009, meeting as presented. (Benoit, Flemmer)
Motion carries
unanimously.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
No report.
Gordon Iseminger arrived at this time.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Historic District Street Signs – O’Leary showed one of the street signs and requested input on making the design more readable. These are very difficult to read in sunlight. Options include using these for their useful life (about five years) or changing immediately to something with higher contrast.
Motion:
to request a change to high contrast of white lettering on brown background. (Sickels, Slater)
Motion carries.
Office Chair – O’Leary asked for and was given permission to shop for a better, more ergonomic office chair. The existing chair pre-dates the flood and is partly held together with masking tape. Final purchase will be subject to Commission approval.
Other Business
Library News – Benoit reported that the library sub-committee tasked with recommending a consultant had made a decision and forwarded it to the full board for consideration.
Motion:
to adjourn. (Bures, Benoit)
Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned. 8:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2009, room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator