HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-17 Wk Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
MAY 17, 2011
5:37 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Answering rolicall were Members Brindle,
Sprague, Swenson, and Mayor Hovland. Member Bennett entered the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
Heritage Preservation Board Members attending included: Terry Ahlstrom, David Anger, Claudia
Carr, Ross Davis,Jean Rehkamp Larson, Katherine McLellan, Robert Schwartzbauer, and Joel Stegner.
Board member absent was Colleen Curran.
Staff attending the meeting included: Scott Neal, City Manager; Cary Teague, Director of Planning;
Joyce Repya, Associate Planner; Ceil Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; Ari Klugman, Student
Observer and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland stated the purpose of the meeting was to review several issues of mutual concern.
Following introductions of all present, Mayor Hovland asked Chair Stegner to lead off the Heritage
Preservation Board's agenda.
SOUTHDALE CENTER Chair Stegner explained the Board's interest in the recognition, documentation,
protection and display of original architectural elements of Southdale Center for their cultural value since
as Southdale was the first enclosed mall in the United States. The Council and Board discussed various
strategies to develop an inventory of what is left, possibly find space for a permanent display at Southdale
and engage the staff of Southdale in pursuing the preservation. Of particular interest were the Harry
Bertoia Sculpture, the clock and the architectural clerestory windows. Member Swenson offered to
accompany Board Members in approaching Southdale with the hopes of obtaining an inventory of
available artifacts.
NEIGHBORHOODS The Board explained that it might work on the identification and preservation of
neighborhoods, detailing each neighborhood's overall character and outstanding heritage elements. The
Council noted it was slated to have a work session on neighborhood associations on June 21, 2011.
Discussion included: the process of defining the boundaries of a neighborhood and developing
neighborhood signage, undesirability of designating av► most entire neighborhoods "historic" (as the case
of the historic "plat" in the Country Club District), the possibility of developing public education about
historic properties and community educations classes on house history research, potentially identifying
iconic properties and possibly developing an annual home tour. Also discussed was the possibility of
designing a commemorative plaque that could be posted near historic homes within neighborhoods.
BOARD PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNICATION Briefly discussed were some recent activities within the
City as it related to the Heritage Preservation Board, such as reviewing the air conditioning installation at
Cahill School and the Grange Hall and the impact on the Board of the updated City Code relating to
advisory boards and commissions.
HPB ACCOMPLISHMENTS REVIEWED The 2010 Certified Local Government (CLG) Report was
reviewed, noting work done by the Board relative to: Local Designation of Preservation Sites,
Requests for Certificates of Appropriateness Reviewed, National Register Nominations, and Local
Inventories and Studies
Minutes—Work Session/Edina City Council/May 17, 2011
2011 HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD WORK PLAN—GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Council and H P B
briefly reviewed the proposed work plan for 2011. Several items had already been accomplished
including: orientation of new members, recognition of departing members, election of officers,
review of possible Heritage Award nominations, goal setting for the year, review of HPB budget,
approval of Heritage Award winners and "Preservation Month" planning, Preservation Month
proclaimed, and joint activity with Edina Historical Society. Still ahead on the plan were: White Oaks
Neighborhood walking tour, MN Historic Preservation Annual Conference on September 22-23, 2011,
goal review and the development of a work plan for 2012.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION BOARD'S CURRENT INITIATIVES Highlighted for the Council were current
initiatives such as: HPB's receipt of a $6,000 CLG Grant to designate six Morningside bungalow
properties Edina Heritage Landmark status, walking tours to evaluate how best to recognize unique
historic neighborhoods such as: White Oaks and West Minneapolis Heights; consideration of a
Preservation Road Show — preservation workshop with experts in construction, landscapes, and
archaeology to be coordinated with the Edina Community Education.
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ebra A. an n, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council,June 7, 2011
James B. Hovland, Mayor
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