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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1999Lighthouse Landing Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 1999 Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 1:30 PM Aldermanic Library Members Present: Paul D'Agostino Pam Elesh Linda Lutz Max Rubin Don Terras Don Torras The July 10, 1999 National Historic landmark celebration went off very well. The area looked great. Don thanked Max and Paul for their efforts in helping with the property preparation. News coverage of the event included the Tribune and NPR. The Lighthouse operating budget is approximately $50,000 a year Requests for lighthouse tours have been more than they can handle. Adjustments will be made and guidelines adjusted starting in the spring due to pressure for these services. The number of visitors to the lighthouse has increased; lots of out of town people are showing up for tours. Prices for tours are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. Tours must be safe; Don has consulted with Victor de la Cruz at the City regarding safety. Paul D'Agostino Paul reported that the estate of Fred Yoder left $20,599.40 for the specific benefit of the Lighthouse Landing complex for ongoing beautification of the area; especially around the coachhouse, grotto, and Art Center. Ideas for projects included the area in front of the greenhouse and rebuilding of the grotto. The grotto could be rebuilt and fixed once and for all and perhaps dedicated to Fred Yoder. It's unsure what will happen to the coach house, so Paul will probably hold off until construction or restoration is done on the coach house. Paul still has to remove the dead tree by the conservatory and remove the stumps from last fall's trees. Pam Elesh The butterfly and wildflower garden looked good this year. The area down by the dunes was cleared. The McMans donated the funding and the clearing was done when their personal property was cleared. Garden Club of Evanston cleared the dune area of grapevines. There is a tree to be removed by the balustrade near the art center. Paul will remove a tree on the east side of the house near the middle of the building. Paul will check to see if a silver maple between the coach house and the fence should be removed also. Tuckpointing on the conservatory looks great! The pond is not working. Paul will be cleaning up the islands in the parking lot in spring 2000. Ornamental grasses may be placed in the islands. Ms. Elesh noted that plans for the Jens Jensen garden were available from the University of Michigan library. The site is of significant importance in the history of landscaping. She had copies for everyone, which will be beneficial in maintaining important elements of the plan. Some of the original plants may not be suited to the climate. A new plan by Tim Loley (?) for restoration has a lot of crabapples, witchhazel, and roses. The Art Center has done edging and trimming. Low maintenance plants will be use. They are looking to replace the steps in back but need to check on a price, as ADA requires some kind of ramping. Max suggested checking with the City's inclusion specialist. The Art Center will be fundraising for the landscaping plan and still need to receive a price estimate. Finials still need replacing. Max noted that the City has an ADA committee and continued work on the site has produced many improvements. The lease requires ADA modifications to the building. Linda Lutz Summer camp programs are finished; several camps utilized the site during the ten weeks of summer camp. Campfires continued at the fire circle during the summer. The fall programs include additional campfires twice a month. Some fall and spring programs are planned at the Lighthouse site as construction on the Ecology Center may occur at these times. Some discussion was held on the condition of the roofs on the two foghouses. The north foghouse has experienced considerable leaking, and the south foghouse has several slate tiles missing. Next Meeting Linda will check with Alderman Engleman to set up a date for the late whiter/earfy spring meeting. Lighthouse Park Committee Meeting Lighthouse Park District Director's Report 1) Last year 1 received a number of complaints from parentsconcerned atwwut kids possibly getting hurt from lifting the cover to an underground water main turn-off This is located in the middle of the south pathway through the %ildllower gardens at its east end (it sometimes is covered "ith gravel). At times children, and others, lift this cover to see what's inside. If the cover came down on a hand or hr� or if someone was to enter this underground area, they could be hurt. Is there a way that this iron cover can be secured? It might save everyone a liability problem in the future. 2) The lighthouse was given a safety inspection over the winter by representatives from Factory Mutual Insurance Co. (at the request of Evanston) and Chief Alan Berkowski, Fire Marshall for Evanston. As a result, we are in the process of completing safety upgrades that include modifications to the rules governing our lighthouse tours. Most noteworthy are changes in number of people allowed per tour and that children under age 8 may no longer be a part of tours that include the light tower. We also are having to make qualifications regarding access to the light tower during extreme weather conditions. All of this will result in stricter guidelines for tours which the visiting public —I'm sure —will have a hard time nderstanding. This is a problem that all lighthouse museums are dealing with day with the exception of those operated by state and/or the federal govemmenL ese agencies have a high tolerance for liability. 3) 1 slibmitted a grant proposal to [DOT for funds that will be used to complete t9insformation. of the interior of the north foghorn house into a maritime useum/visitor center. This use will be in keeping with the Lighthouse Master Plan agreed upon by Evanston and Lighthouse Park District and will enab a larger tour groups to visit the lighthouse site in a safe and manageable way. Since the lighthouse became designated a National Historic Landmark, the District has been under increasing pressure from Evanston organizations (most notably, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce) to provide large Chamber -sponsored tour groups access to the site. We should know whether funding for this proposal is successful by June. If successful, the project would not begin in earnest until spring of 2001. If not successful, we will be re -applying for funds in the fall, 4) Specially scheduled lighthouse tours will begin in May with our regular weekend season opening on Saturday, June 3`d. The cost for admission is being reconsidered. However, at the present time the fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children between the ages of 8 and 12. CITY OF EVANSTON NTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM August 10, 1999 TO: Lighthouse Landing Committee - FROM: Linda Lutz, Ecology Center RE: June 10, 1999 Meeting Minutes Present: Alderman £ngleman, Michelle Rowe -Shields, Paul D'Agostino, Linda Lutes Don Terras, Janna Caldarelli, Pam Elesh Absent: Max Rubin, Frank Kassen NEXT MEETING: Wednesday. September 15. 1:30 p.=-. Aldermanir Ubrary Linda Lutz, Evanston Ecology Center: Summer camp training taking place at the foghouse for Ecoexplorer camp; camp will last 10 weeks. Staff will do work on dunes removing grapevines, etc., for the lighthouse opening. The Evanston Garden Council met June 10 at the lighthouse. Thank you to Don Terms for the department tour of the lighthouse in early June. Paul D'Agostino, Superintendent of Parks/Forestry: Ordered plant material; large hawthorns and a redbud for just outside the lighthouse. Paul's To Do List: Stump removal by greenhouse Tree by conservatory Remove Patrick Dougherty piece (In Nature's Sway) (completed) Foghouses: The south roof has tiles falling off, the north copper roof is leaking badly. Facilities Maintenance fixed the south foghouse louvers. They need to be exercised frequently to work effectively. Janna Caldarelii: Would like the big bird bath removed, it is too large. Sheridan Road to the lakefront is the National Historic landmark site. The wildflower garden looks good and the pond is working. Don Terras, Lighthouse Park District: July 18 will be the celebration of the National Historic Landmark Status of the lighthouse, from 4-5:30 p.m. Mayor Morton will speak and a representative of the Department of the Interior will present a bronze plaque. Local, State and Federal officials to attend. The Chamber of Commerce would like to see the lighthouse expand their operations. The Lighthouse Park District Board feels they can't keep the lighthouse open any more than it already is; staff is limited and there are weather restrictions (the tower can't be heated November to February). The Lighthouse Park District budget is $50,000 a year. Mr. Terras said the City should come up with extra money to redo the beach bathrooms. He sees no problem with increased tourism as long as it does not include going up the tower_ He would like an interpretative program independent of the tower. The current probbean is to make it as accessible as it can be; the park district is being very prudent with resources. Ue thanked Paul for being resourceful and for a good job with the LHPD h the Art Center Pam Elesh, Evanston Garden Club: Annuals and perennials have been planted the butterfly garden; many people enjoy and comment on the Arden Garden Club of Evanston has a $2,000 budget to trim, weed, etc. perimeter of the site (l x a month May - October, leaf;; ck up and trim.) The Long range plan is to restore the Jens Jensen garden Some funding has been pledged: Garden Club of Evanston $6,000, Lincolnwood $1,900, plus $500 priv-.uK funding. Looking for more donations. Possibility of funding through Founders Fund of Gasden Club of America. Landscape Architect firm can get original plans from University of Michigan library /Don Terras has plans too Lighthouse Landing information: look through and get ideas, Ms. Elesh had copies for the committee Ms. Elesh is interested in restoring the garden, although some plants are now considered invasive or not obtainable The Art Center would be working with the city; the project couldn't be an "official' restoration since the parking lot decimated a lot of area. Possibilities: do grotto, council ring, plantings around the foundation. Pam Elesh will be putting together a plan and costs; looking for grants or matching grants, maybe a family foundation. The question of overuse was raised. Paul D'Agostino noted trees are planned for the parking isles. The Pk asant Home Foundation of Oak Park plans a visit in June, they will stop at the Shakespeare garden as well. Pam gave a copy of a past plan for the Lighthouse Landing area to all committee members. Michelle Rowe -Shields, Evanston Art Center: The annual Open House and student sale is June 12/13. The new sculpture will go where the Patrick Dougherty sculpture is. Next year, outdoor installations in January/February will feature four artists, 2 colored ice sculptures, 1 on the beach. In May 2000, Herb Parker's sculpture will be "Sod Houses" - rammed sod with steel supports. It will be up for one year, installation is expected to take 3 weeks Concern over the cement finials which are falling off, probably some urgency in addressing this problem since they are crumbling. Tuck pointing is needed too. Facilities Management will check this out. A new floor was put in the entrance of the Art Center, The Art Canter is currently negotiating for use of the coachhouse for classes of up to 12 kids. Would like to use the garage and 1 st floor for classes, 2nd floor as offices 70th anniversary is October 29th, 6-8 p m , honoring Board President Katie O'Neal, student trustee for many years Alderman Steve Engleman Alderman Engleman thanked Michelle for a great job for the community, the outdoor sculpture program is truly a gift to the community. LL:ejf CITY OF EVANSTON INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM March 17, 1999 TO: Lighthouse Landing Committee: FROM: Linda Lutz, Ecology Center RE: March 17, 1999 Meeting Minutes Present: Michelle Rowe -Shields, Paul D'Agostino, Linda Lutz, Don Terras, Elaine Ferris, Jana Caldarelli Absent: Max Rubin, Frank Kassen, Pam Elesh, Alderman Engleman NEXT MEETING: June 9. 1:30 Q.m.. Aldermanic Library Michelle Row&Shidds, Evanston Art Center. The Art Center is in negotiation for Fred Yoder's apartnnnt at the coachhouse; waiting to hear back from Max Rubin as to the cost to bring it up to code. Possibility of use for a summer arts camp exists. Another meeting before Human Services is scheduled regarding the use of space for youth programming. Support from the garden clubs for landscaping planting at the Art Center is organized through Pam Elesh. The Art Center Board's building maintenance funds have expanded to include landscaping and some rejuvenation towards the rear of the building. The Spring Arts Auction "A Taste of Art" (attractive to all "palettes") is May 22. The Spring Sale/Open House is scheduled for the second weekend in June. This change from May is made because weather has usually been bad for previous openings. July 16 is the 70th Anniversary. More information to come. Sometime in end of May, beginning of June the conservatory is getting a poured cement floor. Facilities Maintenance has been consulted. Ms. Rowe -Shields noted the stone was knocked off by the handicapped parking and looks unsightly. She will put through a work order. Elaine Ferris: Little Garden Club Kendall College will be planting in front of the greenhouse for a class. Chef Mayer's group will trade expertise on cooking for expertise on gardening_ The Little Garden Club has completed planting at the Lighthouse area but will consider further requests for funding. Ecology's Greenhouse plant sale is the Saturday May 8, from 11-3. Don Terms, Lighthouse Park District: The Department of the Interior has officially declared the Lighthouse a National ffmoric Landmark. It is also the only publicly owned building that has landmark status in Evanston (Francis Willard House and Dawes mansion are others). Mr. Terms encouraged upkeep this year especially, to reflect the new status, and recommended this year as a transitional year to make recommendations for use of the area with its new status. He also mentioned the idea of going ahead with the Maritime Museum, open on a more permanent basis. There was a plan from 1978 which was abandoned in 1982, of which Ms. Shields would like a copy. Ms. Lutz will furnish. Climate inside the tower and accompanying liability (moisturre 4ippery stairs) nuy cause hazardous conditions at other times. Some discussion on increased sitr use followed, concentrating on the nature of the area (fairly residential) and current usdwgxcted iner1L`alse with landmark status. Cost for tours was increased this year to $3 adultM children. Mr. Texas noted the tendency to have the trash containers pushed into the femx, and asked if a parking block could be placed between the two for protection Mr. D'Agostino will 1ggt the site. The north side of the parking lot will be art back by Mr. Terra4-if it gets high by mid -July. W. Torras passed on information from the Lighthouse Park District Report: "On January 20, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babitt officially designated Grosse Point Lighthouse a National Historic Landmark —one of only eight in the United States and the only one on the Great Lakes. This designation comes after several years of hard work (Don Torras wrote the nomination that the NHL designation v.-as based on) and places Grosse Point among the most important historical aids to maritime navigation in the country. This designation now gives Evanston three properties listed as National Historic Landmarks. For a community of its size, this is rare. Grosse Point Lighthouse --through the City of Evanston and Lighthouse Park District --is the only one of the three that is publicly operated. The District is planning a public celebration to coincide with presentation of our National Historic Landmark plaque and paperwork from the Department of the Interior. The date and time of this event will be determined by mid -April. Garbage pickup on the south side of the Art Center property requires movement of the large receptacles to the garbage truck for emptying. Sometimes these receptacles are pushed back into place coming into contact with the white fence bordering the lighthouse property. The snow plows also inadvertently pack snow against these receptacles, having the same effect. As a result this fence as been damaged over the last year. Mr. Teras requests that some kind of curb or other obstruction be placed between the concrete pad the receptacles sit on and the white fencae. The Lighthouse will be open to the general public on weekends from June through September. Group tour arrangements for visitation during the week can be made May through September. However, group size is limited to 12 people (maximium) because of liability." Paul D'Agostino, Parks/Forestry: Will remove the shrub on the north side of the Art Center entrance that blocks vision along the sidewalk. Mr. Terras noted the cleared up embankment looks great. More o_ lm&g is planned mid -May; to include trees and shrubs (witch hazel, oaks, sumacs). Jinn Caldare li, Evanston Garden Club: Want to remove the bird bath and benches. Discussion followed, agreed the bird bath was unsightly and not used by birds; but benches were useful and should remain. May need Facilities Maintenance to remove - it was put in solidly. The small bench near the south foe house needs a new board. Mr. D'Agostino will have replaced. Suggested replace the redbud which was lost to a fallen tree last year. There is a stump needing removal. Mr. D'Agostino will look at site and set un reolacement.. Depending on site, stump may need to decay naturally. - Pond has a new liner (put in in November). They are anxious to see how it will work. A ky is needed so that electricity to the pond can be turned on, since electric oudet i3 in the conservatory. Ms. Rowe -Shields will provide. Garden Club of Evanston needs water and eiecxricity from foghouse as they start the a mma grogram. Electricity is on year-round, water is on approximately first week of May. earlier if %vather permits. Undrt Lutz, Ecology Center. The Ecology Center will not be holding any spring classes at the foghouses. Several Campfires are planned in May and more for the summer. The Ecoexplorer summer camp grogram will be based, as usual, at the foghou.ses. 'Ibis program has several overnights throughout the aunmer. Ms. Lutz will work with ParksTorestry landscape architect Stefanie Levine to devion a VIM fDrDiamirtg and maintenim for the front of the greenhouse with the goal of having outside planting that looks well kept.