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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 01-03 EBFMMINUTES OF THE JANUARY 3, 1990 EARLE BROWN FARM COMMITTEE MEETING CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Farm Committee was called to order at 7:35 a.m. by Chairman Orn. ROLL CALL Dr. Duane Orn, Leone Howe, Sylvia Kenney, Gil Engdahl, Don Peterson, Warren Lindquist, Ron Christensen, Bill Eldridge, and Bernie Ackerson. Also present were Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmember Phil Cohen, City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman and Administrative Aide Patti Page. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 4. :988 There was a motion by Warren Lindquist and seconded by Leone Howe to approve the minutes of the November 4, 1988, Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 17. 1989 There was a motion by Warren Lindquist and seconded by Leone Howe to approve the minutes of the May 17, 1989, Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 12. 1989 There was a motion by Warren Lindquist and seconded by Leone Howe to approve the minutes of the June 12, 1989, Earle Brown Farm Committee meeting. The motion passed unanimously. PROGRESS REVIEW The EDA Coordinator noted the Bed and Breakfast is 90% complete. He stated it opened on December 1, 1989, for promotional events during the Christmas season. He added it will not be open to the general public until after February 15, 1990. The EDA Coordinator explained they have already leased some of the tenant space and are working with a few other interested parties. The EDA Coordinator stated they are expecting completion of the stable/hippodrome sometime in March. He noted at this time the management company has already scheduled several bookings for the hippodrome. Al Beisner entered the meeting at 7:42 a.m. Mr. Beisner went on to explain the various types of functions which are booked at the Hippodrome and the interested tenants for the office space. There was a brief discussion regarding access and the different types of tables, chairs and various other pieces of equipment available. Councilmember Cohen inquired if the maintenance and setup crews would be in a union. Mr. Beisner stated this type of operation is too small for unionization. He noted the wage and benefit schedule has been patterned after the city's. GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION The City Manager stated planning has started for the Grand Opening Celebration. He stated a gala ball would be held on April 20, 1990, with the proceeds going to the Brooklyn Center Foundation. He noted this would become an annual event. He explained there would be an open house for the public on April 22, 1990 and an open house for meeting planners and the business community on April 25, 1990. The EDA Coordinator noted there would be an invitation to the community in the City Manager's newsletter. He added the committee is looking for ideas for this event. Dr. Orn stated he had some concerns with regards to the historical nature of the information that will be available during the open house. He stated he would like to see some information on Earle Brown and what he did for the community. There was a general consensus that Dr. Orn, Leone Howe and Bernie Ackerson would assist the grand opening celebration committee. Councilmember Cohen briefly explained the various activities that are being planned for the gala ball and the open houses. It was noted there would be a grand opening celebration meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday. OTHER BUSINESS Leone Howe stated she did not feel the city is being served historically by the decorator. She noted she feels it has become too "fluffy". She added she feels the decorator has treated all the houses the same with the exception of the Carriage House. Leone Howe went on to list some of the modifications which she felt would preserve the historical character of the buildings. The Committee then went on a tour of the Bed and Breakfast buildings. Following the tour, the committee met to discuss some of Leone Howe's suggestions. Dr. Orn stated he was impressed with the quality of workmanship and construction. He added he does agree with Leone Howe's remarks. He inquired if the city should be seeking more authenticity. Bill Eldridge stated he does not know anything about antiques and he does not believe most people will know the difference. Sylvia Kenney stated she felt too many of the light fixtures were installed too low and some people may be injured on them. Ron Christensen stated he felt there is a definite clash between old and new. He inquired if it were too late to get the message across to the decorator. The EDA Coordinator stated it would be near to impossible to return any of the furniture at this time. Ron Christensen noted he thought the committee had decided they would not be involved with the day to day items. He noted the committee is basically powerless at this point to make major changes. Dr. Orn stated if the committee and the City is interested in more authentic furniture and accessories they should contact the decorator with a list of written recommendations. Leone Howe stated it is not the city's responsibility to do the decorating. She noted she felt it was the city's responsibility to set the tone for the project and let the decorator handle the details. She added the decorator has turned several items down which are related to the farm or the people which the rooms are named after. She stated she is sure the rooms will have to be left as they are but she thinks they have lost some of their uniqueness. Ron Christensen asked how the EDA Coordinator would feel if Leone worked with the decorator. The EDA Coordinator stated it would depend on how far backwards they want to go with the project. He noted the art work and finishing accessories have not yet been purchased. The EDA Coordinator stated he would talk with the decorator and express the committee's concerns to her. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Sylvia Kenney and seconded by Ron Christensen to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Earle Brown Farm Committee adjourned at 9:50 a.m.