HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-84 Informal Meeting atentintttu Smart
•
Wo the mammon QIounril of 11, Q t11J of£►path stud: INFORMAL M EETIN3 OF THE calm ON COUNCIL
The August 9, 1984 informal meeting of the Common Coualcil was called
to order at 3 :00 p.m. by Council President Beverlie Beck in1the Council
informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmen Serge, Beck, Puzzello, Crone,
Paszek, and Voorde, John Oxian, Ron Snyder, Jack Detzler, Peter Braasch,
Martha Cehortz, Louis Hegyi, Karen Kiemnec, Leslie J. Choitz, Ron Radecki,
Colleen Rosenfeld, Ed Talley, Jim Wensits, Paul Rohleder, David Warrenhove,
Mayor Parent, members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Beck began the meeting by an introduction of all individuals
in attendance. She noted that recently the Common Council• had taken a tour
of the Fredrickson House and noted that in many instances the house is
deteriorating.
Peter Braasch of 1st Sourve Bank noted that .he is actively pursuing
purchases of the home. He has shown it to potential office users as well as
residential users. The house is not formally listed with the real estate
broker in light of such interest. He noted that the ParkBoard has made its'
decision to develop a park within the 7 : year period from M r. ' Fredrickson' s
date of ;death . in 1982. He noted that the highest and best use for the
., property would be commerical. As -=aTrustee, he is obligated to pursue its '
highest value and the last offer was $125, 000 for a commercial use which later
fell through. He also noted that many of the personal property items- in-the
home are valuable for historic reasons rather than monetary, and that he
would be as flexible as possible in this area.
Mr. John Oxian of Southhbld Restorations, Inc. then briefly reviewed
his letter of August 9th and the worksheet breakdown (copies attached) .
Councilman Beck also passed out a letter dated August 7th from T. Brooks
Brademas (copy attached)
Councilman Serge noted that the property is zoned commercial and
upon questioning was informed that the house could be ranked a "13" which
would qualify it for national and local historic preservation.
Councilman Beck noted that she had requested an inventory:�thf ,the personal
property and /Mr. Braasch. stated that a copy would be given to her. She also
noted that there wer:ea 1920 and a 1955 automobiles, one of which was on
consignment to the Auburn Museum. Various films are also part_ of the estate.
She hoped that the contents of the home would not be sold since it would
destroy the value of the home.. She noted that many of the items have.
duplicates, and was informed that between. 25-330 of the personal property
could be sold without destroying the historical nature.
Mayor Parent saw- no .need in moving the home. He stated that if the.
structure is to become a -museums that action must be taken now He stressed
that the City doesimot have the money and that the entire County should play
an active role. He noted that the Park Department will begin building the
Fredrickson Park next summer and that the Trustee is obligated to fund this
activity.
FREE PRESS D PUBLISHING CO.
Page 2.
John Oxian stressed the need for all historical groups to actively
work on various fund drives. Mr. Radecki noted that the public needs to
be aware of this project and needs to seethe home. He believed that the
ambience of the Community was searching to find its' historical roots. He
also thought that a few thousand dollars could resolve the current structural
problem.
One individual suggested setting up four weekends in the fall for the
community to see the structure at $4. 00 per person. He stressed the need
for State-wide publicity. . Councilman Puzzello thought that such a fee
would be to high but that several other activities could be used to raise
funds. Mr. Oxian noted that approximately $13,000 had been raised to date
without anyone going through the building.
One member of Southhold stressed the need for a. major community-wide
fund-raising effort : and sought the cooperation of all community leaders .
Mr. Braa,sch stated that he would be willing to open the building to
the public and noted that it was just a matter of taking time to arrange
all of the procedures. He also noted that the probate process has been
closed, and that a trust has been set up which will be used to pay the
Park Department.
Councilman Beck recommended that tax benefits be stressed and that
members of the Chamber of Commerce and other community leaders should be
contacted. Marketing people should be included at all levels.
A Southhold representative noted that a "house museum" never pays
for itself,, even Mount Vernon runs at a deficit and that this should be
taken into consideration for fund-raising activities. Mr. Braasch noted
that approximately $600, 000 would be available for the Park Department.
There was agreement that if the house would be sold that the project would
be over.
An individual recommended that a, resolution instructing the City
Administration to pursue the Fredrickson House as a. museum should be passed
by the Common Council. Councilman Crone noted that in light of the Park
Board' s acquisition of property for the park that the Administration was not
interested in both a museum and a park. She did not believe that a.
resolution would be very helpful.,
It was the consensus of the group that another meeting be held with
marketing-type individuals being invited. This meeting would take place.
Thursday, August 16th at •30Q. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
B.everlie J. Beck., President