Committee Minutes
Meeting
October 13, 2009
7:00 p.m.
City Hall A101
Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Cory Lien, Sylvia Kloster, Melinda Leach, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater, Judy Swisher
Others: Kevin Severson, Red River Valley Community Action; Peg O’Leary
Motion:
to approve the minutes of Sept. 8, 2009. (Slater, Swisher)
Motion carries.
Red River Valley Community Action
– Kevin Severson
1502 4
th
Avenue N. (built 1915) – The house has never been surveyed and is not in an area likely to become a historic district. Nothing is known about the house that would indicate significance of a level to merit individual eligibility. The owners plan to use a low-interest federally subsidized loan to replace the roof; install new steel doors to the front and back entries; replace existing siding with triple-three vinyl; repair, scrape, prime and paint all exterior surfaces that are not currently sided; install new metal storm doors to both entries; install new vinyl single-hung window units to the bathroom (1) and the front porch (7); install new vinyl slider window units to fit existing openings in the basement; and interior electrical work. Severson said they will be retaining all fascia, trim work and window trim. Members noted the 3:1 window detail in the porch.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected by the proposed actions at 1502 4
th
Ave. N., while encouraging the owners to retain the look of the 3:1 windows. (Sickels, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
ND Certified Local Government State Meeting – Gunderson reported that Commissioners Slater, Sickels, and herself, as well as the coordinator, had attended the meeting. The topic was disaster preparedness and response and the presentations were interesting. Slater said Gunderson’s presentation about Grand Forks and Northwood was very nicely done. Next year’s meeting will be in Grand Forks on the third Saturday in September. All members will be involved and could start thinking about a venue.
Gordon Iseminger arrived at this time.
Downtown Design and Review Board – Gunderson reported that the new windows at 102 S. 3
rd
Street have been installed and the sign has been removed. The building that currently houses Sander’s Restaurant (22 S. 3
rd
St.) will be having a storefront remodel involving the removal of one of the inset entrances. The owner says this will enable the installation of two more booths. Gunderson said she pointed out, at the DDRB meeting, that the storefronts had been redone after the flood and following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. She, representing the HPC, voted against allowing the removal of the inset door, but the motion passed and the change will take place. Work at the Rhombus Guys (312 Kittson), continues on the remodeling and roof top serving area. The protective fence that is being installed on the roof should not show from the street.
Infill Committee Report – Gunderson recommended that members drive through the Walnut-Chestnut Place area to see how the building is coming. Many homes are complete or nearing completion. Swisher asked about the empty lots on S. 4
th
Street, across from the water plant; Gunderson said they will come under the purview of the Historic Infill Committee, but we do not expect them to be offered for development until plans for the water plant are firmed up.
Lustron House Report – Work days continue at the Lustron House as the County Historical Society tries to get it ready for the furniture they have in storage in their basement meeting room. She will continue to pass on notices of work days so we can give them a hand whenever possible.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Riverside Plaque – The pole has been installed and the plaque is scheduled to go in on Wednesday morning. O’Leary requested authorization to pay the $400 installation cost when the plaque is in place.
Motion:
to approve $400 payment to Tony Anderson Construction for installation of the Riverside Historic District plaque. (Jelliff, Leach)
Motion carries.
FY09 Nomination Projects – O’Leary will be meeting with Steve Martens, Fr. Sherman, and Marie Timte on Thursday to discuss the WPA structures at Calvary Cemetery. Martens has already met with Iseminger and others from Memorial Park Cemetery. Kim Porter has signed the Synagogue nomination contracts and we are awaiting final signatures from the city. She, too, has begun work on the nomination.
UND Nomination – Michelle Dennis has completed the revisions required by the federal reviewer and Adam Jonasson, GF Engineering, is able to provide maps that O’Leary can adapt to the requirements of the National Park Service. Once all the pieces are back together, and have received Lorna Meidinger’s go-ahead, it will be sent back to the Park Service, which will then require another thirty day review period. Slater questioned whether Dennis’ original contract covers these revisions; it does.
Granitoid Survey – O’Leary distributed information about granitoid, including a brief history of it in Grand Forks and some material from Duluth about their restoration project and maintenance program. The State Review Board meeting is on Friday, Oct. 30,
and O’Leary will set up a video link. Anyone who wishes may attend. O’Leary reported on changes to the amended nomination that she has requested on behalf of the commission, including the addition of north arrows on all maps and error corrections. General discussion ensued.
Fairgrounds Plaque – The plaque has been ordered and a 50% payment was due upon order. The total cost will be $1,385 plus approximately $400 installation. The Fairgrounds association will be paying a portion of the costs.
Motion:
to approve the $692.50 down payment for the Fairgrounds WPA National Register plaque. (Slater, Flemmer)
Motion carries.
MN State Historic Preservation Conference – O’Leary attended the conference in Chaska, which focused on Sustainability and Preservation. She reported on a particularly good keynoter (Carl Elefante) and on a variety of sustainability issues that dovetail with preservation goals.
Governor’s Conference on ND History – O’Leary attended the conference in Bismarck, which focused on early education in ND and Dakota Territory. She accepted the NRHP Certificates for 1019 Reeves and for the County Fairgrounds WPA Stone Structures and Grandstand. The program was very good and the stories of and about one-room schools and early teacher requirements were great.
Motion:
to approve travel expenses of $414.60 for the Bismarck conference. (Kloster, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Forum membership – The annual membership fee of $115 is due. Membership includes a subscription to
Preservation
magazine and
Forum Journal
, and discounts on all NTHP books, conferences, and training. O’Leary has also ordered a copy of
Feasibility Assessment Manual
for $39.60.
Motion:
to approve payment of $154.60 for Forum dues and book purchase. (Swisher, Lien)
Motion carries.
Motion:
to adjourn. (Sickels, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Meeting adjourned. 8:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator