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

Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2005
7:00 p.m.
City Hall


Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: John Riske, RRVCA; Brad Kouba; John Dekker

Quorum not present. Members decided to continue with agenda and perhaps conduct a vote on essential business by phone or email. Chuck Flemmer agreed to take notes.

1006 Cottonwood, Section 106 review – John Riske, Red River Valley Community Action
Riske said RRVCA is planning minimal exterior work on this house: repairing small sections of roof, painting the inside of the porch, replacing the concrete driveway, and replacing the existing, non-original metal storm windows with new aluminum storms. Members discussed the roof and windows and decided that replacing things that are not original with similar items was in keeping with past Commission decisions on Section 106 reviews. Riske stated that he no longer requests to make changes to potentially historic items.
Motion: to concur that the described actions will have no adverse effect on the house at 1006 Cottonwood. (Slater, Sickels)
Vote of those present: Four (4) in favor. Since a quorum is not present, other members will be canvassed by e-mail for their input.
Riske noted that he is working within a narrow time-frame.

1119 Almonte, covenant review – Brad Kouba, owner
Kouba was present to address questions which had arisen at the previous meeting. He said he has not yet replaced the French doors to the patio. He wants to put two double-hung aluminum windows in the kitchen window opening; he was unsure of the type of grill he could get. He noted that the current, non-original casements are badly rotted. Members noted that wooden double-hung windows would be the best replacement. The window Kouba proposed would be slightly smaller than the opening and allow for wider trim moulding, to match existing moulding on the rest of the house. No action taken.

Kouba also wants to replace the side door and storm (opening on Lincoln Drive). His suggestions were in keeping with the style of the house. Members suggested that the original door could be replaced but kept in storage. No action taken.

Kouba said the front stoop is dangerous and does not meet code. He wants to change or replace it. Members agreed that there would be no problem with replacement, since it was built after the house was moved to its current location.

608 18th Ave. S. – Jack Dekker, owner
Dekker explained that he wants to replace the original, high casement windows in his bedrooms with the same size and style of window. The existing windows are rotting and have other problems. City health and safety codes require inclusion of an egress window when changes are made to existing bedroom windows that do not meet code. The house is in nearly pristine condition: original windows, doors, siding, etc. Changing the size and style of windows will significantly change the appearance of this mid-century style house. There is a question of whether the City and/or the Commission would have any liability if a code exception is made and problems arise later. All agreed it would be better if the repairs could wait until the house meets the 50-year-old minimum criterion established by the National Park Service.
No action taken.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
  Grand Forks Federal Building – O’Leary sent a letter to the GSA conveying the Commission’s concurrence with a “no adverse effect” decision regarding the pending work on the building and also relating the difficulty she and the State representative had in accessing the space.
  State Historical Society of North Dakota Covenant Reviews – Amy Munson and Mary Kate Ryan examined Lyons Auto, GF City Hall, and the Woolen Mill as part of the covenant agreements the state has with each owner. All of the buildings passed the inspection.
  County Fairgrounds – O’Leary was unable to schedule a meeting before she left for the conference.

Members departed. 8:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, in room A101, City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator