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Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
P. O. Box 13876
Grand Forks, ND 58208-3876
701-772-8756

Meeting Minutes
(corrected 11/13/07)
October 23, 2007
7:00 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Marsha Gunderson, Chair, Caprice Benoit, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Ted Jelliff, Melinda Leach, Cory Lien, Dale Sickels, Sandy Slater
Others: Arlene Helgeson; Kevin Severson, RRVCA; Peg O’Leary

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.; a quorum was present.

Motion: to approve the minutes of the Oct. 9, 2007 meeting as presented. (Slater, Jelliff)
Motion carries.

Red River Valley Community Action – Kevin Severson
  1726 11th Avenue North; built 1955 – The owners propose using a federally subsidized loan to remove and replace roofing shingles; remove and replace wood shake siding with new vinyl double four or vinyl shakes by Nailite; install metal fascia and soffit; wrap all door and window trims; add ½” insulation under siding (house and garage); install gutters and downspouts (house and garage); install new metal combination storm doors at front and side entries; replace patio door with new vinyl clad door to match existing; install egress vinyl clad windows to the east and west basement bedrooms; install metal hand rails to the front steps (both sides); install pre-hung steel door in front entry; replace and widen driveway; and interior work not affecting the exterior. The new roof and new driveway were approved at the Oct. 9 meeting. The other proposals were not acted upon pending a review of the neighborhood and its potential as a historic district. It has been determined that the homes on 11th Ave. N. would not really constitute a potential historic district due to many changes. Gunderson shared notes from Mary Kate Ryan and Susan Quinnell, responding to a query from O’Leary that indicated the house would not be individually eligible either.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect historic properties affected for the requested work at 1726 11th Avenue North. (Sickels, Slater)
Discussion: Members strongly recommended using a siding that mimics the existing shakes and that the windows be double-hung and of the same size as existing. They also said that the distinctive diamond shapes on the front of the house are worthy of preservation.
Motion carries.
  1328 Linden Court, built 1949 – The owner proposes using a federally subsidized loan to vinyl side the house and put in nine vinyl windows to replace existing.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect historic properties affected for the requested work at 1328 Linden Court. (Slater, Sickels)
Motion carries.
  510 Chestnut Street, built 1888 – Listed on the National Register of Historic Preservation as contributing to the Near Southside Historic District. The owner proposes to use a federally subsidized loan to put vinyl siding on the house; paint the exterior trim; replace five windows with vinyl windows; replace exterior front steps; repair and resurface the concrete on the back steps; install new railings around rear porch; and assorted interior work. The owner would use triple-three vinyl siding to recreate the original look of the house. It was noted that the house retains much of its architectural integrity. The windows to be replaced are in the living room (2), the kitchen (2), and the bathroom (1). Gunderson reminded the commission that this is a contributing home. Iseminger said replacement windows need to be wood. Severson was asked to find 2 over 2, wood, double-hung windows for all the proposed openings.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect from the proposed exterior work if the replacement windows are 2 over 2, wood, double-hung, and sized to fit in the existing openings, and if the new siding is triple-three. (Leach, Jelliff)
Motion carries.
Melinda Leach left the meeting at this point.
  701 N. 6th Street, built 1912 – RRVCA proposes to use a federal grant to remove and install new 3-tab shingles to the main house and repair roof as necessary. Severson noted that this is an emergency grant.
Motion: to concur with a determination of no adverse effect from the proposed exterior work and to recommend the use of architectural shake shingles that mimic the appearance of wood shakes. (Flemmer, Jelliff)
Motion carries.

Preserve America Award – Caprice Benoit
Benoit has completed the first draft of the Preserve America Award nomination for the St. Michael’s Hospital and Nurses’ Residence flood wall. She noted that the whole city might be eligible for the award for its overall flood recovery.

Chair Report – Marsha Gunderson
No report.

Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
Gunderson gave the report in O’Leary’s absence.
  Web Site – No new information.
  Regrant Status – Dinnie Apartments – No new information.
  Infill Presentation in Fargo – O’Leary will present information on Grand Forks’ infill programs to a heritage group in Fargo.
  UND Nomination – The first phase of the contract has been completed and the contractor has submitted billing for $4,995 in direct costs. The required insurance is also in place and the $200 change order amount for insurance is also due the contractor.
Motion: to approve payment of $5,195 to M.L. Dennis Consulting for payment of the first phase of the UND nomination contract and the insurance change order.
(Jelliff, Iseminger)
Motion carries.
  Flood Plaques
- City Plaques – The Mayor’s office asked O’Leary to design and supervise the construction of plaques to thank the Corps and various other entities that contributed to the flood recovery. The bronze plaques have been completed and will be placed on the flood wall within the next two weeks.
- N. 3rd Street Plaques – The plaques commemorating the Security Building, Dinnie Apartment Building and the New Hampshire Building will be back in place by the middle of November. Jim Kobetsky told O’Leary that the plaques will be back in place as soon as the capstones are installed.

Other Business
  UND President’s House – Flemmer inquired about the house; Gunderson said there have been discussions about moving the house (Oxford House) and discussion ensued. Flemmer asked about documentation of the current president’s house on Yale Drive; Gunderson said O’Leary will probably do the photo documentation. There was general discussion about the recent discovery of skeletal remains near the house.
  Walnut Place Lots – Iseminger questioned whether the lots would be sold as a development or one lot at a time. O’Leary will be asked to check into it.
  9th Annual Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History – Gunderson noted that the conference will be held November 2-3, 2007, at the Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Motion: to adjourn. (Iseminger, Jelliff)
Motion carries.

Meeting adjourned. 8:30 p.m.

(Meeting notes taken by Cory Lien)

The next regular meeting will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, room A101, City Hall.


Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator