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Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Minutes
7:00 p.m.
January 11, 2005
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson (Chair), Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Melinda Leach, Randy Lee, Rolf Ottum, Ken Polovitz, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Todd Feland, GF Public Works Director; Wayne Gerszewski, Advance Engineering, Raw Water Intake (RWI) contractor; Bobbi Hepper Olson, RWI project architect; Hazel Fetters-Sletten, GF Water Plant Superintendent; Lonny Winrich, resident, GF Near Southside Historic District; Mike Yavarow, GF Engineering Dept.

Motion: to approve the minutes of December 14, 2004, as presented. (Polovitz, Slater)
Motion carries.

Raw Water Intake Building, Minnesota and S. 4th St. – Todd Feland
Concern has been expressed regarding the blue, backlit, round windows on three sides of the building. Feland said the city is pleased with the project and noted that fencing and a security lighting project remain to be completed. The fence will be wrought iron and brick. The backlit windows are an architectural feature that is not part of the security lighting. Recently, the blue lights have been turned off and the light being seen is from work lights within. Gunderson noted that HPC had approved the design of the building but that the blue backlighting had not been considered as part of the Section 106 review.

General discussion ensued regarding whether the new security lights would be downlights (and therefore not as polluting of the night sky), the federal specs for security lighting on this type of facility, the effect of the existing lighting on residential neighbors, and the general appearance of the building as it fronts on the Near Southside Historic District. Gunderson asked if the Commission would be able to comment on the security lighting; Feland said he will bring the plans to HPC. Slater noted that she did not find the blue lights to be objectionable. Lee suggested that a formal recommendation could not realistically be made until the lighting project is completed, and suggested that the hours of usage of the blue lights be limited until the whole effect can be seen. Gerszewski said projected completion is slated for 2006 but that a dimmer for the blue lights could be acquired for $446 and that dimming might be a workable compromise. It was agreed that, when the interior work is completed and the blue lights are to be turned back on, dimming levels will be tested to see if that will resolve the difficulty.

Gunderson thanked everyone for coming to discuss the situation and noted that the city was obviously concerned with being a good neighbor since so many representatives had come to the meeting.

Corps of Engineers Projects – Mike Yavarow
  It is anticipated that the Lustron house (formerly 602 Lincoln Drive) may be reconstructed at the Myra Museum site by the fall of 2006.
  The last two Phase 2 projects (behind the Dakotah Hotel and the RDO stretch) have been moved to Phase 4.
  Riverside Manor (formerly St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence, Lewis Boulevard) is being purchased by the Grand Forks Housing Authority.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
  Commission Member Terms – Six members’ terms (Beach, Gunderson, Jelliff, Lee, Ottum, and Sickels) are expiring in March, 2005. Gunderson requested that members express their desire for reappointment or retirement to Peg O’Leary, HPC Coordinator. HPC makes recommendations to the Mayor, the Mayor interviews and makes appointments, which are then subject to approval by City Council.
  State Historic Preservation Office – Gunderson noted that Duane Klinner, Section 106 Review and Compliance Coordinator for the SHPO, has resigned effective Feb. 3, 2005.

Coordinator Report – Marsha Gunderson
  CLG Grant – Gunderson noted that the University has not responded to efforts to nominate the core campus. Members were asked to consider options for use of the $15,000.
  County Courthouse – During the tour of the courthouse, questions arose regarding replacement of the exterior windows and the artwork that had been in the third floor stair well. Connie Triplett, County Commissioner, has written to say that there are no current plans to replace the courthouse windows (which are not original to the building) and that the artwork is safely in her office awaiting repositioning in the third level of the courthouse.

Other Business
  Cell Towers – Lee noted that the Ray Richards cell tower that has come before the Planning and Zoning Commission does not appear to be the same tower reviewed by HPC and the SHPO. There has been no mention that it will have the appearance of a flag pole.

Motion: to adjourn. (Polovitz, Sickels)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 8:15 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, in room A101, City Hall.


Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator