Document - Historical Society Minutes - Minutes - 12/7/2004
Eagan Historical Society Minutes
of December 7, 2004 Meeting
A meeting of the Eagan Historical Society was held on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, in
the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall at 3:30 p.m. Present at the meeting were Ted
Wachter, Gin Knight, Mary Ellen Voracek, Alyce Bolke, Judith Miller, Mimi Cerny,
Bob Cerny and Kim Hazel. Also present was staff member Joanna Foote.
Adoption of Agenda
Wachter called the meeting to order. The agenda was approved as presented by
acclamation of the members present.
Approve November 9, 2004 Minutes
Miller moved, Boelke seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the November 9,
2004 Historical Society meeting as presented. All members present voted in favor.
Historical Society Business
Update from Chair on Discussions with Mayor
Wachter gave an update on his meeting with the Mayor. Mayor Geagan expressed a
willingness to listen to the Commission’s concerns and to bring ideas to the full
Council when appropriate. There was brief discussion regarding present budget
constraints and their impacts. The issue of needed space was also discussed. Foote
noted that a space inventory had been completed years ago but has not been updated
since. In doing her own inquiries she found that there do not seem to be any appropriate
available areas at this time. The Fire Administration building basement is too damp to
be an appropriate storage area for historic preservation. The maintenance facility has
some “deep storage” areas which would not be accessible on any regular basis. There
may be more available space there following the opening of the Water Treatment plant
when Utilities staff is moved. Joanna will monitor this situation and report back when
appropriate.
Display Ideas
Chair Wachter made note of the displays at the Police Department. Foote stated that
2005 will be the 40th anniversary of the Eagan Police Department. Knight has been
assisting with the displays. Members discussed the possibilities of cross-referencing
Police Department displays in the Municipal Center as well.
Foote suggested swapping the upstairs display case to the first floor of City Hall. She
further noted that most of the maps in one of the displays on the first floor of the
Municipal Center belong to Dan Kahnke and should eventually be returned to him. She
noted that Dan has been promoted at his State job and is no longer able to attend
meetings regularly.
Knight recommended a work session to consider refurbishing the display cases and
made a motion to schedule a work session for January 4, 2005 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
to discuss refurbishing the display cases; Bolke seconded the motion with all members
present voting in favor.
Further Discussion Summer Open Houses
A suggestion was made to include items that would be of interest to children at the
Open Houses. Discussion followed regarding the difference between items being from
Eagan and related to City government versus including antiques not related to Eagan
history. The members discussed Open Houses, in particular attendance by schools. A
suggestion was made to research ways to ascertain school’s interest, including sending
letters and checking into school curriculum. The members further discussed including
a tour and parking an old fire truck “Jenny” on the Old Town Hall lawn during the 4th
of July celebration if an Open House were scheduled at that time. After further
discussion, the members agreed to discuss this item further at the January meeting.
Update on Map File & Pencils
Foote is looking for a different company to order pencils from as the one used in the
past has apparently closed. There has been no success in locating a map file internally;
therefore Miller was authorized to order one from e-bay and the Historical Society will
reimburse her the costs. Knight made a motion to authorize Miller to order a map file
from e-bay; Bolke seconded with all members present voting in favor. The City will
reimburse Miller.
Wachter’s Attendance @ the Lakeville/Rosemount Historical Meeting
Chair Wachter gave an update on the meeting. He also passed around an old corn
husker and onion weeding tool for the members to view.
Next Historical Society Meeting
The next meeting of the Historical Society will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January
4, 2004. It was noted that Bolke will have left for Florida for the winter by the next
meeting and DesLauriers is already gone for winter months.
Adjournment
Knight moved to adjourn the meeting; Miller seconded the motion with all members
present voting in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.