08-22-96 OHPC MINCITY OF OTSEGO - HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting - Thursday, August 22, 1996
Otsego City Hall
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 by chr. Joy Swenson. Members present:
Janet Bridgland, Arlene Holen, Frieda Lobeck, Joan Nichols, Elaine Norin, Joy
Swenson and CM Suzanne Ackerman. Norman Schwanbeck excused; out of the city.
Minutes of the July 25 meeting were corrected to delete the sentence: "Janet
commented that the figure seems high, that we should get in touch with Maureen."
and change the word "will" to "may" in the line immediately above that. Joan
moved to accept the minutes as corre cted; seconded by Arlene. Motion carried.
Joy reported the Elk River Festival went well, passed around many pictures taken
of the event and played part of the video which showed our float "The Otsego
Ferry". She also obtained the "Smokey Bear" costume from the DNR.
Plans for Heritage Day were discussed. It was suggested that all members look
for additional names to whom we can send invitations. A press release to all the
nearby newspapers should be prepared and sent in time for publicizing the event.
Joy will call and have Norm handle it. It was agreed that invitations should be
sent about a month ahead of time and we should request a response in order to
have some indication of the number of people who will attend. It was suggested
that we list all members of the HPC with telephone numbers for response.
We had previously decided to charge for the lunch; a minimal amount to help defray
expenses. Elaine moved that we place a basket or container with a sign "Donation
of $ (amount to be decided by Norm's committee) suggested." Janet seconded;
motion carried.
Table decorations, place mats, napkins, etc. will be decided by Norm's committee.
Arlene suggested we have taped music for background. She will try to make a tape
from some of her records.
Maine reported that her 308 page book "Otsego - In The Beginning" is ready to
print except for the picture of the cemetery gate and letter from the mayor. It
contains 22 pictures. She prepared requests for funding and has sent them to
Lutheran Brotherhood and Wright Hennepin Electric Trust. Janet questioned
whether we have approval to publish from the City Council. Elaine agreed to
request approval from Mayor Freske and the City Council. She also questioned
whether we have sufficient funds available to pay for printing, which will be
approximately $1500.00 for 100 copies. According to the financial statement as
of June 30, 1996, we had spent $220.00 of the $1550.00 approved, leaving a bal-
ance of only $1330.00. Grants, if any, and sale of books will recover most of
the initial expenditure. Suzanne agreed to check the status of our funds with
Phyllis and let us know.
The budget committee presented a proposed 1997 budget of $4800.00 to the City
Council for approval. A copy is attached.
Joy reported that she had discovered a source that will give us archival quality
paper without charge.
Arlene volunteered to try to transcribe the oral history tapes that Joy has in
her possession.
Elaine reported that she had worked July 31, August 21 and 22 with Peter Rognli
and his crew of boy scouts at the cemetery. They plan to finish most of it on
August 28. They have trimmed back bushes and grass that had grown over some
stones, located and mapped the "blocks", raised some stones that were falling
over, and re -checked inscriptions with existing records. There are over 450
graves.
Joy stated that Mike Koop was unable to attend this -meeting, but will attend our
September meeting.
Janet moved to adjourn; Joan seconded; motion carried.
Elaine Norin, Secretary