Document - Historical Society Minutes - Meeting Minutes - 12/3/2013MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
December 3, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room A/B
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Martin DesLauriers,
Millie Gignac, Ted Ringberg, Kenny Ekblad, Lori Tripp, Bernie Jansen, Joe Reid, Dawn
Simpson, Steve Hansen. Also present was Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote and the
City of Eagan’s Strategic & Digital Marketing Specialist Crystal Couillard.
MEETING MINUTES
No changes were recommended to the minutes from the November 6, 2013 meeting and they
were accepted as presented.
Jansen distributed in advance of the meeting a newsletter from Babbage Inst., as well as a web
page for local museums. Each featured information on Lockheed Martin exhibit.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
Outline Future Priorities Regarding Museum Space
The Historical Society members were asked to develop priorities regarding the type of space it
would like for future Historical purposes and its salvage priorities for the 1914 Town Hall. These
priorities will be brought to the City Administrator and ultimately to the City Council for
advancement.
Based on discussions held at the Finance Committee of the City Council the following four
options were indicated as areas they were interested in researching further:
OPTION 1: Addition to a City building such as City Hall, Eagan Community Center or Cedar
Grove
OPTION 2: Build new similar size structure on Municipal Campus
OPTION 3: More storage space to existing City building without modifications
OPTION 4: Explore Partnership Options
With these options in mind, Foote had asked the committee to consider their own priorities for
both preservation and future considerations for the new Historical Society space.
The group proceeded to discuss and outline its priorities within several areas. All discussion was
captured within topic groups and then refined to list included first in the notes below.
MUST HAVES
A. Preservation of the footprint/integrity of original 1914 Town Hall in some fashion
B. Front Façade & Significant Structural Items Preserved
• Sign over door
• Salvage Windows
• Corn Cob section of voting booth
• Voting Booths
• Floor Boards
• Wainscoting
• Light fixtures
• Interior Railing
• Wall Display Cabinet
C. More Space
• Larger Display Space
o If façade is used as exterior entrance two times more square
footage will be required
o 2. If the existing building is to become an interior display, it will
require three times the square footage.
• Flexible Arrangements (Partitions)
• Bathroom facilities
• Lockable Modern Office/Workroom Space (Separate from display area)
o Computer Station
o Network Connections
o Area for Scanner
• Sink and Countertop
• Data Jacks, Electrical and Phone
• Minimum 25/30 Parking Spaces (Shared or dedicated depending on chosen
site)
• Office and Storage on Site of Display Space
Fire Suppression, Security System, HVAC and Humidity
Control and Fire Resistance Construction Materials
• Multi-Use Space for
o Meetings
o Research
o Small Presentations
LIKE TO HAVE
A. Larger Presentation / Classroom Space
B. Kitchenette
NOT ACCEPTABLE
A. Not rebuilding
B. Same size space only
C. Site without Historical feel and integrity of 1914 Town Hall
C. Taking insurance money and walking away
D. Historical Society functions spread over multiple locations
E. A location in the “Middle of Nowhere”
Items of Note:
A. Current Site Too Small To Add On/Parking
B. Holtz Farm Site is too difficult to find, not near original 1914 Town Hall site at all;
interprets only 1940s era, combining would confuse/dilute both missions
The following lists reflect all items discussed prior to refinement into categories above:
Physical Size
1. Need more space. Yes! Smaller space is a deal breaker
Original building was roughly 1000 square feet
2. Meeting rooms
3. More wall space
Type of Space
1. More walls/half walls/movable walls
2. Fixed, lockable office
3. Display cases
4. Ability to reconfigure space for events
5. New space with old things
6. Keep front look and use a bench or two
7. Incorporate façade inside
8. Bathroom Facilities
9. Kitchenette
Location
1. No need to preserve current site
2. Municipal center preferred because it is closer to center of town or another central
location
3. If connected to City Hall, larger meetings could be held in the Council Chamber
Parking
1. Minimum of 25 to 30 parking spots
What to Salvage
1. Old windows
2. Voting booths
3. Old Town Hall sign
4. Flooring and wainscoating
5. Light fixtures
6. Wall display cabinet
Storage
1. Storage/office space at same building as exhibit
Systems
1. Fire Suppression suitable for historical displays
2. Security system and alarms
3. Temperature and humidity control/HVAC suitable for historic displays
4. Plumbing and electric
5. Computer Station and area for Scanner
6. Network Connections for data and phone line
Building Materials
1. Consider using materials that are fire resistant.
Tripp asked if there was a way of generating a longer term funding source for the Historical
Society such as a park dedication fund.
OTHER
Hazel brought in news clipping/photo from the a September 2006 Sun Current showing Foote
and Hazel talking to a visitor at the Old Town Hall.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
DesLauriers made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Reid seconded, all members voted to
adjourn at 5:30 p.m.