Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 6/2/2015MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
June 2, 2015
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Millie Gignac, Bernie Jansen,
Kenneth Morrison and Joe Reid. Also present was Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote
and several first-time attendees.
Committee members introduced themselves and welcomed new attendees; Kern Hough, Don
and Mary Klein and Greg Oxley.
MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from May 5, 2015 were approved and accepted with one change.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
1914 Town Hall Building Reconstruction
Communications Coordinator Foote gave a brief overview of the timeline for the new members
regarding the fire at the OTH and the subsequent planning for rebuilding. She finished with the
current scope of the project regarding architects, bids, add-on items and construction. She also
noted that contracts were not accepted at last City Council meeting due to the Community
Development Block Grant (federal) funding being delayed due to added requirement that the
1914 Town hall be evaluated for National Historic Registry eligibility. This needs to be completed
before bids can be awarded. This is expected to push back the original construction completion
date –likely toward the end of 2015. Bids came in over the original estimate of $290,000. The
City Administrator has indicated he does not expect this to be an issue and work can proceed
when approvals are all in.
Foote noted the architects provided a list of bid alternatives (outside the bid) and more
information will be included in the next packet if decisions are needed. The additional cost of
these items of approximately $150,000 would likely need to be paid for through fundraising
efforts.
Foote noted that fundraising efforts will start with a letter going out to residents or business
representatives who have expressed an interest in fundraising/donating to gauge interest in
serving on a committee.
Town Hall Displays Assembly
Foote introduced the item by asking if any members help spearhead the efforts to organize
displays being prepared/reassembled for the 1914 Town Hall. Many members volunteered for
both of the dates below.
Next workshop meeting dates:
• Tuesday, June 9 at 3:30 p.m. - Former Fire Admin
• Tuesday, June 16 at 3:30 p.m. - Former Fire Admin
Police 50th Anniversary
The Eagan Police Department held its 50th Anniversary celebration on Thursday, May 14th, 2015.
It was estimated that about 2,000 people attended even though it was raining. It was a great
success. As part of the commemoration, Foote is writing the third installment about the 1980’s
in the July/Aug Experience Eagan which she will incorporate some of Linda Myhre’s stories
among others. Foote also talked to Eagan’s 2nd Police Chief Jay Berthe who is now retired and
resides near Brainerd, MN.
Streets Alive Event
The committee discussed Streets Alive: The Cedar Grove Experience Event which will be held
Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Eagan Outlets Parkway near the new
Outlets Mall. Foote asked the group for someone to take the lead on this project. Members
thought that member Ringberg may be interested in leading or being a part of the effort as he
already had some suggestions. Use of the decades and historical marker signage might be
limited or need modification since there are few grass areas to along this route.
DCHS Update
Jansen and Oxley provided an update about the Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS). Since
January, the DCHS Board has been working without an executive director. The board is in the
process of creating a job description of the position and hope to have it filled soon.
Other
Foote noted that next year the July 4th Funfest will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. This
event would be something to keep in mind to participate in.
Foote stated that she submitted the EHS budget for the year 2016. Among other items, she
asked for was an intern for fourteen weeks at ten hours a week.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.