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Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756

Minutes
July 12, 2005
7:00 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Melinda Leach,
Rolf Ottum, Ken Polovitz, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Peg O’Leary

Motion: to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2005, meeting as presented. (Polovitz, Ottum)
Motion carries.

512 Oak Street, Habitat for Humanity
Gunderson reviewed the action taken at the June meeting, at which time HPC asked Habitat to develop a house plan more like the originally approved plan. She said that Habitat had dropped off new plans just prior to the meeting and the plans appear to address all the concerns expressed at the previous HPC meeting. Normal procedure would require that Urban Development, as lead agency, present the new plans. However, since HPC meets only once a month during the summer, members decided to review the plans instead of making Habitat wait until mid-August for an answer.
Motion: to approve the plans for 512 Oak Street as presented, assuming narrow siding and double-hung windows, pending approval of Urban Development. (Polovitz, Sickels)
Motion carries.

1712 5th Ave. N., Red River Valley Community Action
O’Leary reported that John Riske of RRVCA has requested a 106 review for limited exterior work at this property. Riske has told O’Leary that the four basement windows will be replaced with divided-light windows of like material. They will also be replacing a rear exterior door and a storm door, neither of which appear original, and repairing the front steps, which also do not appear original.
Motion: to concur that no adverse effect will result from the described actions to be taken at 1712 5th Ave. N. (Polovitz, Slater)
Motion carries.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
  HPC Vacancies – Gunderson read a letter of resignation from member Dave Beach. Beach cited travel and personal considerations as reasons for his departure from the Commission after more than nineteen years of service. Members expressed their appreciation for his many contributions and disappointment that he would no longer be serving on the Commission. Gunderson noted that there are now two unfilled seats on the Commission and four members up for reappointment (Gunderson, Jelliff, Ottum, and Sickels). It was agreed that having an attorney on the Commission is very helpful. Members will contact potential members to ascertain a level of interest and names will be forwarded to the Mayor’s office for review and appointment.
  County Fairgrounds – Sickels provided sketches of how a garden surround could look if implemented at the Fairground Gates. Gunderson and O’Leary will try to set up a lunch meeting with County Commission members to discuss the possibility of preserving the gateway and ticket booth in this manner.

­Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
  Riverside Survey – The first installment has been paid out to the Contractors for the survey. Due to the HPC summer meeting schedule, the payment was authorized by the Chair and the Coordinator, so as not to place undue hardship on the Contractors.
Motion: to approve the June 24 installment payments to Steve Martens ($3,761.86) and Dave Seifert (1,294.50) for work on the Riverside Survey. (Slater, Sickels)
Motion carries.
  COE Mitigation – Final reports from the Corps of Engineers on mitigation affecting the carriage house at
625 Reeves Drive, Granitoid removal, and the Riverside Pool and Bathhouse were distributed.
  812 Almonte – It was reported that the GF Herald carried a short story on the Attorney General’s opinion.
  Possible Foundation Grand Applications – The Masonic Temple is contemplating a grant request to assist with resurfacing the roof over the stage. This is very important, since leaking there would seriously jeopardize the historic scenery and lighting equipment.
  Vacation – O’Leary’s vacation seems to be workable only during the second week of August. That is also the week of the August meeting. It was decided that the meeting would be held as scheduled and O’Leary could take vacation during that time if necessary.
  Conference – The FY04 budget from the state includes nearly $3,000 for travel, and must be expended by Sept. 30, 2005. The National Preservation Conference is in Portland at the end of September.
Motion: to authorize the coordinator to attend the 2005 Preservation Conference in Portland. (Slater, Leach)
Motion carries.
  Announcements – Members signed the donated material record for mileage to the annual CLG meeting held in Fargo in April.

Other Business
  Kannowski Peony Garden – Flemmer said that he has visited with the Park District and they have indicated that the area next to the water plant on S. 4th Street is being considered for the park. They also told him that Mrs. Kannowski left money in her will for a fountain in Kannowski Park.
  Gunderson explained where the granite horse trough, currently at N. 5th Street and Gateway Drive, was originally located.
  514 University Avenue – Why is there an A&L Siding sign at this site? This house is not to be sided. O’Leary will ask Urban Development to check into it.
  Friends of Preservation – Gunderson noted that the group has put together a historic display about Lincoln Golf Course that is on display at the Lincoln Club House. It’s open to the public during course hours.

Meeting adjourned. 8:15 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, in room A101, City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,


Peg O’Leary, Coordinator