07-25-96 OHPC MINCITY OF OTSEGO - HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting - Thursday, July 25, 1996
Otsego City Hall
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Chr. Joy Swenson. Members present:
Janet Bridgland, Arlene Holen, Frieda Lobeck, Joan Nichols; Elaine Norin, and Joy
Swenson. Norman Schwanbeck absent - out of city. CM Suzanne Ackermann present.
Elaine offered a correction to the June 27 minutes; it should read "20" pictures,
not "10". Janet moved to accept minutes as corrected. Second by Frieda. Motion
carried.
Elaine Beatty, City Clerk, was present for a short time and answered several ques-
tions about the recent annexation of part of Frankfort township.
Joy reported that Mae Spencer is helping with the float for the Elk River celebra-
tion. Bob and Mae Spencer will furnish -and operate a tractor to pull the float.
It is possible we may have a vintage car on the float, courtesy of Suzanne's father.
Several people in costume will ride it.
Sally Dare, our guest, spoke about the book she has written "Anna: Letters From
The Attic". The story is based on letters, found in the attic of the Dare's cen-
tury old home in Elk River, from Anna Fournier of Otsego to Laurence Dare of Elk
River, from 1903 to 1907 when they married. The book will be available at the
Elk River Celebration August 10-11.
Elaine reported she will meet with Peter Rognli and his boy scout crew at the
cemetery at 9 am Wednesday, July 31. Their first project is to clear some brush
and trim grass and weeds around stones. Some monuments that are falling over will
be straightened up.
Table decorations for our Heritage Day, October 6 were discussed. It was agreed
we would use small antique items, loaned for the day.
Elaine has prepared letters and forms requesting funds for publishing the book.
They will be signed by Chr. Joy Swenson and sent to Lutheran Brotherhood and
Wright -Hennepin Electric.
The city has requested we present our budget needs for 1996-7. Joy stated the
format used last year was fine; we listed a copy stand and used camera, archival
office supplies, flat files, tissue, photographic supplies, audio tape recorder
and tapes. We have some oral history tapes and are looking for someone to trans-
cribe them. It is quite expensive to hire this work. Elaine offered to "adver-
tise" for a volunteer to do this in the next issue of the newsletter, the Otsego
VIEW. Other items on last years proposed budget were seminars, education and
miscellaneous. Joy reported that our CLG status has been approved and formal
notification will be received in about 3 weeks and that Mike advised that we
will need a Historic Context Study Report - a review of what is available in the
city - a planning document including a short narrative history of the community
and list of property types and resources. The river and activities related to it
are a major resource as well as farms and the cemetery. Mike will send a copy of
the Farmington report as a guideline. Joy further stated that we will need a
professional to do the report which will cost between $3,000.00 and $5,000.00.
Janet commented that the figure seems high, that we should get in touch with
Maureen. Joy did not know if the fiscal year is the calendar year or other; will
check with Phyllis. A long discussion followed. It was decided that a financial
E
statement showing last year's approved budget and our expenditures should be
obtained. Suzanne will arrange for copies to be placed in our mail slots.
Elaine moved that a committee of three be appointed to study our previous budget
and expenditures and prepare a written proposed budget to the city council. Joan
seconded. Suzanne stated it is needed in two weeks. Motion carried. The commi-
ttee was appointed: Joy, Janet and Joan. Janet requested this be done by August
6 as she will not be available for a while after that date.
Suzanne reported that the city council is concerned about the old city hall windows.
Discussion followed. It was determined that the former school building (stucco)
is the one concerned. The commission has not designated it as a historic site.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.
Elaine Norin, Secretary