Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 1/14/2014MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
January 14, 2014
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room A/B
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Martin DesLauriers,
Millie Gignac, Dawn Simpson, Steve Hansen. Also present was Communication Coordinator
Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
It was noted that the meeting had been cancelled for January 7, 2014 and rescheduled for January
14, 2014. No changes were recommended to the minutes from the December 3, 2013 meeting
and they were accepted as presented. A motion was made by DesLauriers to approve.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
Review Discussion with City Administrator Regarding Historical Society Priorities
Presented Regarding Future Museum Space
Foote indicated a summary of the Historical Society Priorities for the 1914 Town Hall and future
space needs had been included in the January Packet. This information was presented to City
Administrator Osberg and key City staff at a December 6 meeting.
She indicated that the priorities list was well received and that staff believes it complimented
what the Finance Committee had defined as options for consideration. The Historical Society
priorities document will be used as a part of the information presented to the City Council at the
February 11 City Council Work session on February 11.
Review Discussion with Architects
Foote recapped a meeting that was held with three architects who were invited to meet with staff
regarding the 1914 Town Hall. The meeting was held Tuesday, December 17, 2013.
• Photos were shown of the 1914 Town Hall during an Open House to show its previous
uses and internal displays. Additional photos were then shown of the fire and the
subsequent bracing that has been done to protect the structure.
• Architects discussed and/or indicated the following:
o Preservation and commemoration of original site recommended due to the
structure being unique within Eagan.
o If restored, would building need to meet current building codes?
o Discussion regarding benefits of repairing in place are that structure and
foundation would be saved.
o Consider options and feasibility of preserving the building within a building in a
less restored state - merging the old and new. Consider building “under glass” or
encapsulated inside an existing or a new structure to provide security and
protection from elements.
o Discussed this as a “golden opportunity” for the City and its community to move
the building to create an education center.
o Rebuild 1914 structure on new site to incorporate with Municipal Center or
Library with two sides open to walk through to new display space.
o Concerned that if the displays are incorporated into existing City Hall or other
current space, it would diminish historic worth – like putting it into a closest,
people would not be able to see or celebrate it.
o Incorporating building with Municipal Campus/Library made more sense to these
architects than considering the ECC site.
o Consider how Historical Society needs for meeting space, storage, and other
activities might align with other existing City needs and align the two.
o Consider potential partners and the benefits of their shared needs and resources.
Funding
Similar space needs
Similar missions
Research and collection management skills (library) not available through
city staff or volunteers.
Next suggested steps from architects:
o Develop several options along a continuum of feasibility/scale for consideration
o Begin to assign costs to various options
o Consider holding a charrette process to vet ideas and generate feedback from the
community
Further Refine Priorities for February City Council Workshop
The City Council will be holding a worksession on February 11 at 5:30 p.m. At this workshop
they will be briefed on all of the meetings that have occurred and the priorities that have been
developed with regard to the 1914 Town Hall. Eagan Historical Society members are welcome to
attend and City Administrator Osberg has asked that a representative of the Minnesota Historical
Society be present should questions regarding preservation or grants arise.
Architect will have some information back to staff by this time. These worksessions typically
are to discuss options and provide direction for staff. If specific actions are to be recommended,
these are typically directed to a Regular City Council meeting to vote upon.
Briefly Review Greenway Request
Foote recapped a request received from a consultant working for Dakota County on a “River to
River Greenway” project. She presented a brief description of the project nad a map of a portion
of the project area that will impact Eagan from the “Dakota County Parks, Lakes, Trails and
Greenway Vision 2030.” The consultant indicated that historical interpretation may be included
as a part of the greenway project and that they would like to meet with the Historical Society to
determine what some of the significant geological, historical and other features might have
shaped the areas through which the Greenway routes will pass. He would like to attend the
March meeting. Foote asked the member to think about areas they thought would be significant
from a historic standpoint. It is also likely the consultant will receive feedback from Dakota
County Historical Society, Mn Historical Society and others. The EHS members immediately
indicated an interest in informing the consultant about Native American Grave sites in Eagan, the
calcariaus Fens near the Minnesota River, the ancient trees found during well drilling on Central
Park land and Kenneally Sand and Gravel.
OTHER
DesLauriers asked about the State bonding he has been hearing about for capital building
projects that the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and others are persuing. He is curious if this
type of funding might be available for Eagan’s Historic building project. Foote indicated that she
would find out more about the bond requirements.
Foote noted that all of the items from the 1914 Town Hall Museum have now been returned to
the City’s possession. Items have been moved to the basement of the former Fire Administration
building at present.
Update was given on the painting that Larry Landus is doing and donating to the Historic Society
for fundraising purposes. He will have it completed in sometime in February. Foote asked that
the members begin thinking about what type of event we might hold either to accep or unveil the
painting and/or if there are other events EHS wishes to hold during the 100-year anniversary of
the 1914 Town Hall.
Questions arose and discussion followed about the outhouse at the 1914 Town Hall and whether
that was original to the site. DesLauriers does not believe there was an outhouse on the site prior
to the building restoration in the 1990s. He will try to locate photos to verify. He thought the
Rahn daughters or Alyce Bolke could be consulted.
Foote and the committee noted the passing of Helen Kennedy, Eagan’s first female Justice of the
Peace. She and her husband Jim were both original members of the Eagan Historical Society.
The fate of the Sperry water tower is soon to be considered by the City Council. A survey is
being conducted and Foote encouraged members to provide input on that survey if they have an
opinion.
Florence Reid passed away over Christmas. Her husband is Joe Reid’s brother. A family
member had inquired to Joe whther the Historical Society had a memorial program. Foote
indicated that there is no such program through the Historical Society but there are a couple of
options within the Parks Department. She also indicated that this may be an item the members
wish to discuss and potentially develop in the future. On a related note, Foote mentioned she
also received a call from Ann Watcher who is questioning whether there is still consideration for
a tree to be planted in Ted’s honor.
Hazel mention that she saw an article in the Eagan paper regarding the Burnsville Historical
Society. The event will be held at the Burnhaven Library to talk about that community’s history.
Foote mentioned that two gentlemen had come to the January meeting date, and were informed
that the meeting was cancelled due to poor weather. One was Dick Nightingale – his original
family name was Nachtegal. DesLauriers said that John Nachtegal had a little service station
located at Hwy 55 and Hwy 149. He had a little farm where John and his sisters lived along with
Wayne Wenzel. He also said that O’Neils lived near the area too and had a small service station
and store and their house and barn still are still standing.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
DesLauriers made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Hansen seconded, all members voted to
adjourn at 4:52 p.m.