HomeMy WebLinkAbout19831010_special106A
MINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL AND EDINA SCHOOL BOARD HELD AT CITY HALL
OCTOBER 10, 1983
City Council Members present: Richards, Schmidt, Turner and Courtney.
School Board Members present: Atchison, Christianson, Gleason, Jones, Kelly and
Moe. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Courtney. introduced Mrs. Kelly, Chair of the School Board, who explained that
the purpose of the meeting was to-consider the use of the Wooddale School property
for which the Board, after 'setting enrollment projections, sees no need at this time.
The Board believes, therefore,"that the property.'should be held under the domain of
the City of Edina for the benefit and interest of the public. Mrs. Kelly advised
that Council Member Fred Richards would-chair the meeting.
Mr..Richards explained that he and Member Turner had met with some of the School. Board
members.to- discuss.:some of- .the.concernaIof,.the Board regarding the Wooddale School
property and other sch_ool.property'and that this joint meeting was scheduled to give
residents of the.City an opportunity to comment and -voice their concerns, -He noted
that it was not the intent of'the City Council or the School Board to.make a decision
at this meeting regarding the Wooddale School property.
Glenn Smith, former School Board Member, -read a:proposal fox-the Wooddale School
property in which he agreed with the premise:-that the land be used for park.purposes
but was concerned about the disposition of-the- ,.building. He suggested that the building
should survive if .there is a need for it to survive and that the need to survive is
based on whether or.not.there is an effective and viable use and occupancy for the
Wooddale building..: He stated that it should not be at the expense of the taxpayers.
Mr. Smith proposed that occupants be found- .who--can afford to rent at Wooddale and that
if we cannot get commitments for occupancy then we should not maintain the building.
To implement this plan he suggested the'following: l) appoint a task force, 2) fund
the task force so that they might receive.information relative to remodeling and
rehabilitation work, etc., 3) charge them with:developing a funding proposal for the
work that nee.ds-:to be done, and 4) have them report to the Council and School Board
in- February.
Foster'Duriwiddie; Chairman of the Heritage Preservation Board, also presented a
written report regarding the Wooddale School. He noted that Wooddale School has
long been recognized for its historical and architectural significance. In 1982,
it was listed in the National Register of Rtp toric Places in Washington, D.C. as a
"pivotal" building within the Country Club Historic District of Edina. As a National
Register property, it is afforded certain protection from the adverse effect of
Federally - funded projects. Mr.:Dunwiddie advised that one of the benefits of
National Register status is that rehabilitation -and restoration costs expended on
such income producing properties qualify fora 25% tax credit. It would also
qualify for matching State and.Federal grants for rehabilitation costs. He noted
that he had conducted an inspection of the building to,assess its current condition
and need for repair and had concluded that it is in -good condition for a building of
its age. He agreed - that-:a citizen's committee should be established to study the
matter -of the continued use of Wooddale School and its future disposition.
Donna Skagerberg, representing the Edina Historical Society, advised that the Society
feels strongly.that the building should.be saved...Joan-Cornwell, 4905 Browndale Ave.,
expressed the..concern -of area residents for more park space. Canny Wright, 4600
Sunnyside Road, questioned. th:e cost of maintaining the closed school building. Jack
Curtis, 4400 W. 50th Street, asked about the square foot rental now being charged
the present tenants. Nat Robbins, 5023 Wooddale Avenue, said that he would not like
to see future uses creating more traffic in the area, that the building should go,
and the-land be used for a.park or playground. Other concerns expressed were that
the land should not be-used - 'as parking for.St. Stephens's church, that if the building
were preserved it should not be through use of taxpayers' funds, that the Council
and'School Board should take a long range look for the maintenance of the building,
and that. -any decision regarding the Wooddale School property should be based on how
it.would best serve the community.
Chairman Richards adjourned the discussion meeting at 8:00 p.m. Members of the City
Council then met in"the. Manager Conference Room to discuss implementation of the,
Committee on Alternative. -- Strategies for Delivering Municipal Services. No formal
action was taken. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
City Clerk
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