Members present: Audrey Alton, Rick Burgsteiner, Lori Kukuska (arrived 6:52p.m.), Betty Most, Ursula Peterson and Jeanne Zirbel

Members absent: Mike Woolsey

Staff present: Buddy Lucero, Planning Director

Guests present: Susan Reese, Marge Stokke

PUBLIC/CITIZEN COMMENTS – Stokke presented an article from today’s St. Paul Pioneer Press regarding historic homes. She also brought an article from the Pierce County newsletter regarding the Freeman house, how to get on the registry and what it means.

Reese had given Lucero a video "America in Bloom." Lucero would like to show the video at the January meeting. The video discusses naming historic buildings for when it was originally built. Riverland Laser can create a plaque for about $30 that would have the name of the building on it and a laser photo of what the building used to look like. Leadership River Falls would like to propose this to the business owners and they would pay the cost of the plaques. Peterson asked that samples of the plaques be brought to the Commission in January.

1. Preserve the Freight and Railway Express Warehouse

Lucero suggested the Commission take a trip to the Freight House to visit the inside. The new City Hall is planned to occupy that block. The building may need to be moved because the current plans show this area as a parking lot. The HPC agreed that the structure needs to be preserved. Lucero recommended sending a resolution to the City Hall Committee and City Council from the HPC and Park Board to help preserve the building. Lucero was asked to put together a resolution, give a draft to the Park Board and bring it back to this Commission in January.

Kukuska would like the Ingram Center preserved on paper such as floor plans, historical uses of the building, etc. Lucero reported that the Ingram Center is set to be torn down to make room for the new City Hall. An architect could recreate blue prints. Any building that is over 50 years old and going to be torn down must be documented by photographing. In order to do this process, the Council must approve it. Lucero and Zirbel will meet with Woolsey to help this process along. Alton’s dad helped build the Ingram Center. She will look into getting the old Journal records for preservation documentation.

Reese would like the Commission to consider getting the arch at the Ingram Center moved to the hospital and placed in the Healing Garden.

2. Historic Preservation Commission’s Goals for 2007-2008

3. Update on Plaques

Lucero presented a plaque to Stokke for the Freeman House built in 1908. The Swimming Pool plaque also arrived and the City will put it up in the spring.

Alton is upset regarding the removal of the mural on the Ben Franklin Building. Zirbel, Most and Kukuska will plan a meeting to talk with the owner about preserving the mural.

Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Molly McLagan, Recording Secretary