Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 1/6/2015MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
January 6, 2015
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room A/B
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Millie Gignac, Bernie
Jansen, Joe Reid, Ted Ringberg and Dawn Simpson. Also present was Communication
Coordinator Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
There was no December 2014 meeting.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
1914 Town Hall Paintings and Prints Update
Prints of “Old Eagan Town Hall” are selling steadily. 25 canvas prints selling @ $120.00 and
approximately 35 paper prints selling for $35.00 each have been sold. All proceeds from the
sale will go to EHS. Foote stated that the artist has donated the use of the print to EHS and
therefore retains no proceeds from our sales. EHS is also still receiving proceeds from the
sale of cards and books.
Landis resubmitted a new contract that extends the copyright use to us through June 2015.
1914 Town Hall Building Reconstruction
Update on Council Decisions to Date
Foote gave a recap of the December 9, 2014, Special City Council Meeting, Based on the minutes of that
meeting which read in part:
City Administrator Osberg noted that at the August 11, 2014 budget workshop, five capital projects
related to City facilities were identified for the Council’s consideration. Among these is the 1914
Town Hall. The focus of the December 9, presentation was to illustrate the capacity the City has to
take on additional debt without increasing the tax levy. Osberg indicated that staff is looking for
feedback and/or direction on priority, timing, funding source, and financing options for the proposed
capital projects.
The City’s Financial Advisor gave a presentation on the funding capacity estimate for future City
space needs. Director of Finance Pepper was available for questions.
The Council discussed the Public Building Finance Plan and responded to several Public Policy Questions,
including
• Are there projects that should be advanced? If so, in what order of priority, and when?
It was the consensus of the Council to use cash financing (e.g. Community Investment Fund) to
proceed ahead on the Old Town Hall restoration, Fire Station #4 remodel, and Cascade Bay pump
house projects. Councilmember Bakken also suggested proceeding on Phase 1 of the Central
Maintenance Facility project in as one of the first capital needs to address. The Council noted the
priority of projects should be based on what will have the greatest impact to City services. There was
Council consensus that the fire station consolidation should not begin until the Fire Administration
Building has been sold or a use for the building has been determined. The Council was open to seeing
how the Fire Administration Building could be used for City services in place of or in conjunction with
remodelling at City Hall/Police. Councilmember Hansen noted that any financial analysis should
include cost impacts by phasing or delaying projects.
Foote also noted that following the Special City Council Meeting she was told that that
Community Development Department has Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding available and they earmarked $100,000 of the 2015 grant for this project. If granted,
the City Council will need to determine if this is instead of or in addition to the allotted
Community Investment funding.
In order to determine what level of additional fundraising might be required, the Eagan
Historical Society members discussed items they wish to consider or have researched for the
1914 Town Hall reconstruction. These are items that appear to fall outside of the project
scope outlined by the architects for the estimated $290,000 allocation approved by the City
Council.
Foote noted that the City Council will take action at tonight’s meeting to extend the
architects contract to refine all costs and recommendations for enhanced accuracy. When
complete, the plans will then go out for bid.
Following its discussion, the Historical Society identified the following items for
consideration/research - in order of priority. Where possible, the pricing indicated in the
original architect estimates has been included, if no pricing included, estimate is requested.
1. Additional interior lighting & outlets
i. Unsure of upgrades included in architect specs/code compliance
Justifications: ability to use building after dark, better light
exhibits, have more than one electrical outlet
2. Upgrade HVAC/climate control to include air conditioning
Current project includes replacement heater. Architects indicated that air
conditioning could be easily added
i. Possibly MNHS/Legacy grant eligible
Justifications: increase building functionality, enhance climate
control for artifact preservation and access for public use for a
greater portion of the year
3. Re-grading to expand the existing parking lot & Enhanced Landscape options
(To coincide with site grading for ramp access/removal) to the east and/or north to
provide additional parking stalls and potentially enough space for a single school bus.
i. A potential public gathering space/irrigation
4. Exterior site lighting
i. Illuminate façade and increase building security
5. Enhanced security system
6. Fire suppression system (non-sprinkler options to be explored)
7. Service Sink
Justification: to allow cleaning of historic materials, allow
refreshment prep and clean-up at Open Houses, etc.
8. Bathroom
Determine the feasibility of adding a bathroom component for use by
the public, historical Society members at open houses and during
routine site/display maintenance. Especially considering that the fire
administration building may no longer be a future option either for
parking or restrooms, as has been available in the past.
9. Cedar Shake Roof
Committee members are committed to giving back to the city by holding more events, being
open more frequently, more displays and recruiting more members and volunteers. It was
mentioned that maybe the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and high school kids would be interested.
Other
Foote gave updates on Martin and Maria DesLauriers’s health.
Jansen discussed news from the Dakota County Historical Center. Starting with a update on
Unisys/Lockheed retirees. The retirees are celebrating their 35th year. He recognized Gignac
for having created the retirees club. He also shared a copy of the new newsletter with an
article which recognizes Gignac’s vision and steadfast support. A copy of December 2014
newsletter is included.
The DCHS is creating posters; a draft of the poster is also included. The poster will
document the history of the computer industry and is funded by a grant received. Andrew
Fox is working on huge poster board exhibit that shows the history of computers in
Minnesota. The exhibit will be displayed throughout the County.
Reid asked if the committee would be interested in a donation of a death mask made for
Thomas Edward Shields. Shields was an uncle to Reid’s grandmother and an important
Catholic priest/ doctor in the United States. He described that during the pre-photograph
era, death masks were made of the decedent, this was a common way of capturing and
saving a person’s image. Reid stated that he has one of two death masks of Father/Dr.
Shields that were made. Included with the mask, is Shields’s written information regarding
his life. The committee accepted the donation with much enthusiasm.
Foote stated that someone had also donated a German Bible she has added to the Historical
Society’s collection.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Lone Oak Room there will be a potluck meal at
10:00am. Seniors will be encouraged to talk about their life and history in Eagan. Members
discussed the possibilities of attending.
Hazel and Jansen brought recent newspaper articles regarding the Old Town Hall which are
included with the minutes.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 3:30p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.