Committee Minutes
Minutes
October 26, 2010
6:30 p.m.
City Hall
Present: Marsha Gunderson - Chair, Sharon Bures, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater, Judy Swisher
Others: Al Grasser, City Engineer; Peg O’Leary
Minutes
Motion:
to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2010, meeting. (Slater, Swisher)
Motion carries.
Red River Valley Community Action
1603 10
th
Avenue North, built 1936 – The house is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is not in a historic district. The owner would use a federally subsidized loan to install fourteen vinyl window replacements in existing openings in the upper story and five basement windows, install one egress window on the east or south side and complete interior work.
Motion:
to concur with a determination of no historic properties affected from the work described at 1603 10
th
Ave. N. (Leach, Sickels)
Motion carries.
1015 University Avenue – Pulled.
Minnesota and 4
th
Avenue South
– Al Grasser
Grasser presented material on pending street projects, including MN & 4
th
Ave. S., Columbia Road, and 47
th
Ave. S. Road funds are programmed through 2014, so his projections are for 2015. Engineering has developed a budget for a mill and overlay project along MN and 4
th
Ave. S. Grasser said both cost and collateral damage were considerations in using mill and overlay instead of a concrete reconstruction along this stretch. The mature elm trees along the corridor are much less likely to be damaged by this process and the sandstone curbing could be kept. It is also much less expensive, which could allow the city to refinish the street without special assessments to the neighborhood. This is an artery that sees significant travel by people outside the neighborhood. Grasser suggested that the additional “context sensitive” elements of the recent corridor study could be special assessed and subject to protesting-out by the neighbors. The one-block section between Cottonwood and Walnut would not be overlaid in this proposal. It could be resurfaced in stamped concrete but whatever is done with it is subject to review and mitigation since that section remains on the National Register. The corner where MN and 4
th
meet would not be changed either; it is in good condition and doesn’t need attention at this time. Within the budget, he identified a line item, “historical negotiation,” as funds set aside to perform work deemed necessary through the mitigation process. The assessment district for the corridor is quite small, probably from the river to 8
th
Avenue South to Cherry and north to the railroad tracks. Bures asked what the mill and overlay process entails; Grasser said crews grind down the concrete and finish the road surface with blacktop. The surface should last about fifteen years but needs resealing with oil and gravel about every five years. Bures questioned whether the traffic projections include the addition of a 32
nd
Avenue bridge; Grasser thought the projections include the Merrifield Bridge but not a 32
nd
Ave. bridge because only the Merrifield bridge is currently in the MPO funding plan. Swisher asked about the basis for growth in East Grand Forks, noting that the projections seem very high. Grasser said that even without population growth, people seem to be traveling more. He also noted that the study and projections were compiled by the MPO and he is not sure of all the methodology. Gunderson questioned the roundabout that was previously recommended in the MPO report, and Grasser said staff engineers feel the area is too small for an efficient roundabout and there is no notable history of accidents at that corner; they would recommend leaving the corner as it is. While the angles would not comply with federal guidelines, the partial mill and overlay of the corridor would not require changes to the corner. Iseminger questioned whether people will continue to drive more and Grasser said the numbers necessarily project the past onto the future. If usage changes, projections can be updated. Concern was expressed that the funding scenario puts the HPC in the position of advocating for special assessments if it chooses to pursue the context sensitive alternatives, when the context sensitive pieces would also benefit the greater city, not just the neighborhood. Slater asked how the assessment district is established for Columbia Road; Grasser said the process is the same – half-way to the next defined arterial – but that the area is so much larger because of the configuration of the road system in the south end. Members questioned how the bridge closures on DeMers and Gateway would affect the MN and 4
th
corridor; Grasser said work on the corridor needs to be completed before the 2016 bridge work begins, so the higher traffic can be better accommodated.
Chair Report
– Marsha Gunderson
Downtown Design and Review Board – The most recent DDRB meeting dealt with three issues:
- Signage – for the Dreas Hookah Lounge near Bonzer’s. Owners were asked to return with more information.
- Deck Expansion – an existing deck to be enlarged at the rear of the Thelan Law Office, 115 S. 5
th
Street; approved.
- Smoker Deck – for Gilley’s, 9 N. 3
rd
St. Since they have no alley space, Gilley’s is proposing to cut a door from their second floor onto the roof of the Caulfield’s building. The roof-top deck would be cordoned off with airplane cable, which would not be too intrusive, but they want to build a protecting arbor out of green-treated lumber. The arbor, atop a one-story building, will be highly visible and inappropriate in historic downtown. Approved; Gunderson voted no.
Coordinator Report
– Peg O’Leary
Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History, October 29-30, 2010 – O’Leary will attend. Slater questioned whether the History Awards are given at this conference; O’Leary will find out.
Synagogue Nomination – No new information
The Kegs NRHP Nomination – No new information
FY09 CLG Budget – The reports continue to be held open for a short period of time to accommodate outstanding expenses.
Central High School Addition – O’Leary will be visiting with JLG architect Randy Lieberg for an update on the design of the addition to the Theatre wing.
Other Business
Granitoid Markers – Swisher asked what will happen to any Blome markers in areas that are resurfaced. O’Leary said the markers will be salvaged but the question is what to do with them after salvage.
GF County Historical Society – Iseminger described an International Harvester display at the Museum, noting that the frame for the display is made from lumber original to the IH building. Gunderson said that Iseminger researched the display and donated it to the Museum.
Meeting adjourned
. 7:45 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, in A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Peg O’Leary
Coordinator