Part 2 of 2.
Discussion of the Historic Theodore Wirth House.
Mason says that the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) moved out of the Wirth House in July of 2004. She says there are 4 things the board needs to address. (1) Future usage of the house. Says that 2 groups have emerged, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society (MPLS), and she suggests both could share the building, with the Foundation upstairs and MPLS in the basement drafting room. (2) Scheduling and logistics of moving environmental staff out of house into old police offices when police move into new offices on lower level of the headquarters building. (3) Lease terms. (4) Access policy.
[Quick recent history: The Wirth house was historically the superintendent's residence. Superintendent Fisher moved out and was the last superintendent to live in the house. Superintendent Mary Merrill Anderson signed a lease with MRPA for the 5,000 square foot plus mansion overlooking Lyndale Park on the northeast corner of Lake Harriet. The lease terms were for $750 a month, including utilities. Merrill Anderson became president of the MRPA the following year, and is now running for Park Board as an at-large commissioner.]
Mason also suggests a reception for the Park Board commissioners and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation board of directors at the house [as the two parties of reportedly not met one another], with a historical tour provided by MPLS.
Young supports Mason's comments and asks how does the board move the ideas forward. Which committee considers the lease?
Staff: Siggelkow says if they are deciding on the type of use of the house, it would go through the Planning committee.
Berry Graves says the lease to MRPA established a policy as to use, so there is no impediment to using it as suggested. She says it is a win/win situation.
Fine moves that the whole business be referred to planning staff, who will present their preferred usage to the Planning Committee. [wag the dog]
Hauser complains that they need a report from staff about their needs for space. [how about that big headquarters building?] She complains that some people have said the MRPA did not pay enough rent and wants to know what other groups are offering to pay.
Berry Graves addresses Hauser and says do I hear you saying we will request more rent than the MRPA paid?
Young points out the house is historic and that both the Foundation and MPLS are non-profits providing valuable services to the park system
Olson says the house needs repairs [funny, the MRPA was supposed to fix the house up -- what happened?]. He wants to get money from potential tenants for the repairs.
Mason says that MPLS has offered to raise money for some restoration work. She does not believe this issue needs to go through planning department.
Hauser says "call the question." [a misunderstanding of Robert's Rules of Order, shared by many on the board.]
Erwin support Fine's motion.
Vote is taken. Berry Graves, Young and Mason are all opposed. Motion PASSES 5 to 3.
Young moves to have staff report to Planning Committee within 60 days, and to allow for 3 public visits to the house during the coming summer.
Mason says we could still have an access policy regardless of future use, and adds it as a friendly amendment.
Young clarifies her motion.
Olson asks Rietkerk if maybe he doesn't have too many projects and if maybe 60 days is not enough? [hint-hint, nudge-nudge...]
Rietkerk says his staff his absolutely buried with work, that he has absolutely no time at all, does not see the rush to come up with a future use, etc.
Fine makes some statement about a meeting he and Gurban had with MPLS that "went well." He claims that access to the house can just be worked out with the staff, that is Gurban. Says what's the rush to make policy?
Kummer asks to make a friendly amendment removing the 60 day limit from Young's motion.
Young says she will accept Kummer's amendment if it is clear regarding public access.
Berry Graves wants to know "what meeting" went on between Gurban, Fine and MPLS.
Olson says he suggested the meeting in December.
Amended motion PASSES allowing public access 3 times this summer.
[Ultimate disposition and policy for the house remains buried in committee for as long as the majority "5" want to keep it out of the public's hands -- either forever, or until we kick them out of office this November -- your choice.]
* New Business
9.1 THAT THE BOARD ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2005-102, CAPTIONED AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-102
AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR A MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT FOR FRANKLIN STEELE SQUARE WADING POOL AND SHELTER BUILDING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Passes unanimously on a role call vote.
- Walt Dziedzic's discussion item postponed to next meeting in his absence.
* Petitions and Communications
All commissioners are getting lots of letters from DeLaSalle students, parents, alumni.
Mason says she has continued to get follow-ups from Bryn Mawr and other Bassetts Creek neighborhoods regarding the Bassetts Creek Master Plan, and about which the neighborhood association sent a letter asking for an official response last summer. Could the Park Board please respond?
Erwin announces he will not be seeking re-election.
7:00pm ADJOURNED.
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