Document - Historical Society Minutes - Minutes - 4/4/2004 Eagan Historical Society
May 4, 2004
Eagan Historical Society Minutes
of May 4, 2004 Meeting
A meeting of the Eagan Historical Society was held on Tuesday, May 4, 2004, in the
Community Room at Eagan City Hall at 3:30 p.m. Present at the meeting were Ted
Wachter, Dan Kahnke, Judith Miller, Alyce Bolke, Martin DesLauriers, Tom Kubista,
Ray Wade and Kim Hazel. Also present was staff member Joanna Foote.
Adoption of Agenda
Chair Wachter called the meeting to order and welcomed visitor/new member, Tom
Kubista. Miller moved, Wade seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. All
members present voted in favor.
Approve April 6, 2004 Minutes
Foote stated that Mary Ellen Voracek, who was present at the April 6 meeting, was not
noted in the minutes. Foote will make the correction. Miller moved, Wade seconded a
motion to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2004 Historical Society meeting as
amended. All members present voted in favor.
Historical Society Business
Card Project Update
Foote presented the proof of the cards, noting that the printer is in the process of
making some recent changes; a second proof is expected to arrive soon. The cards
should be ready for distribution in a few weeks. There was brief discussion regarding
the cards. The decks will sell for approximately $5 each with 2,000 decks being
printed. It has not yet been determined how the proceeds will be used. Knight has
been contacting schools to ascertain how many decks of cards would be donated.
Foote requested that Commissioners inform her of anyone they would like to receive a
free deck; she will compile a list and each person can be considered individually at the
next meeting.
Eagan History Recap
Foote gave background on this item, noting that at the last meeting, it was determined
that Wade would add additional information to the Eagan History Recap that is
presently on the City’s website. Wade commented on the information and reformatting
ideas he had presented to Foote. Chair Wachter recommended that Wade’s recap be
reviewed by the members and discussed at the next meeting.
Schedule Summer Open Houses
Foote introduced the item, noting that at last month’s meeting, the Committee had
discussed holding open houses in late May or early June and September or October.
The possibility of scheduling daytime open houses where school classes would be
invited had also been suggested. If the Committee should decide to invite school
Eagan Historical Society
May 4, 2004
classes, Foote suggested sending invitations before the end of this school year for an
open house that would be held next school year. The group further discussed the
concept of hosting open houses for school classes.
Miller made a motion authorizing a letter be forwarded to both public and private
schools in Eagan asking about the feasibility of school classes attending an open house
session at the 1914 Town Hall in September or October. Wade seconded; all members
present voted in favor.
1914 Town Hall Sign Issues
In answer to inquiries by Wade, Foote explained that City maintenance staff makes
decisions regarding any maintenance assistance the Committee requests from City
staff. Hazel noted that the flag is typically flown from Memorial Day to Labor Day,
depending on the weather.
Foote noted that a member of the Eagan Rotary Club had contacted the City
Administrator regarding a sign he remembered being in front of the Old Town Hall
which recognized the Rotary Club for a past donation towards restoration. Foote does
not recall this sign and has not been able to locate a photo of it. She did, however,
locate a photo of a sign with “Celebrate Minnesota 1991” on it and feels this may have
been in recognition of the entire restoration, including the Rotary Club involvement.
Foote asked the members if they recalled any other sign that specifically recognizes the
Rotary Club. She noted that she has forwarded a memo to City Administrator Hedges
explaining this issue and suggesting that any Rotary Club member who may have a
photo of this sign should contact the City. She further discussed the possibility of
making a recognition sign as well as a sign denoting open houses. After further
discussion, a motion was made by Miller, seconded by DesLauriers to table the item
regarding the 1914 Town Hall Sign recognizing the Rotary Club to the next meeting in
order to further research the contributions made to the restoration by the Rotary Club.
All members present voted in favor.
DesLauriers will research the possibility of placing movable signs in front of Old Town
Hall during open houses. Foote requested that the City’s Inspection Department be
contacted regarding the feasibility of using these signs.
Foote noted that if the Committee should decide to have any wood signs and/or
recognition plaques made, a request would need to be forwarded to the City’s
Maintenance Department for work over the summer.
July 4 Display for Community Center
Foote presented background on this item, noting that if the Committee would like to
place last year’s display at the Community Center, it would need to be moved from the
Old Town Hall to the Community Center and appropriate paperwork would need to be
filled out. Hazel, and possibly Knight, will be responsible for the placement of this
display.
Eagan Historical Society
May 4, 2004
The Committee further discussed the open house for September/October. Foote
suggested also holding an open house sometime in June, in addition to the fall open
house. The Committee decided to hold an open house on Sunday, June 6, from 1:00 to
3:00 p.m. Hazel, Miller, Bolke, Wade, Wachter, and possibly Knight will be present.
Schedule Work Session
Foote made note of the farming display that was put together at the last work session.
The Committee discussed past displays and ideas for future displays. Foote will
coordinate a future work session with Knight. She also noted that she had purchased a
publication regarding railroads in Dakota County for the Committee’s files.
Next Historical Society Meeting
The next meeting of the Historical Society will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1,
2004.
Adjournment
DesLauriers moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:39 p.m.; Bolke seconded the motion
with all members present voting in favor.