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3. HPSR 08-18-2011MINUTES OP THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, May 19, 201 I HPC Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Debra Mortensen, and Stephen Rohlf HPC Members absent: Kristin Hams and Mark Konietzko Staff Present: Environmental Administrator, Rebecca Haug Environmental Technician, Nicola Blake-Bradley Economic Development Director, Annie Deckert Others Present: Michael Brubaker, Sherburne History Centex 1) Meeting called to Order: Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chair Lindberg. 21 Consider May 19 2011 HPC Agenda: Ms. Haug requested the addition of several item as follows: • 501c-3 group • Marketing Elk River • State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Conference • Born By the Rives Book MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 31 Consider Apri121, 2011 HPC Minutes: MOTION TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 21, 2011 MINUTES UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. Anti-wrecking Ball Undate Ms. Haug discussed the Anti-Wrecking Ball and the display that Planner, Chris Leesebexg put together, which was the most popular display. Commissioners Mortensen and Rohlf (with Mrs. Rohlf), Ms. Haug and Ms. Blake-Bradley attended. It was a good event to be part of and there were other very notable locations on the endangered list. The Water Tower came in fourth for votes. There was a very large delegation from Faribault that attended to vote fox their project (which won the seed grant funds). Currently, information is being blasted on Facebook, KSTP did a blurb on the tower, and the Star News had an article on the front page. Commissioner Rohlf thanked staff for work done on behalf of the tower and suggested afollow-up meeting ox discussion with the Utilities Commission. Discussion of whether there should be a joint meeting followed. A suggestion was made to formally thank Chris Leeseberg for his work on the display. The display may be used at the upcoming suxnxnex concert series if Parks and Recreation will allow us to have a booth. ,5~ National Register U~ate for the Water Tower Ms. Haug met with Alexa McDowell last week. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) wants more information about how it grew Elk River (due to the fire suppression) We have until June 30`s to get the information and then SHPO will move forward. Perhaps this could be covered on the joint meeting with the HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority). 61 Aourove letter to HRA Ms. Haug discussed the letter/memo in the packet to the HRA xegazding the buildings at 716 and 720 Main Street (Arts Alliance and Old O'Reilly building) and asked fox input. Ms. Deckert commented that the lease renews every two years and the question is whether it will be renewed fox 2012. This is a good time to go to the HRA meeting to discuss the buildings. Commissioner Mortensen did research on them. The original building was constructed in 1900 and due to fixes was rebuilt in 1975 (with a room added in the back and walls moved internally) and essentially remodeled in 1985. In 1985 it was operated as a mini mall. The various retail stores over the years were discussed. The buildings themselves are not historic so the letter says "preserves historic chazactex". The foundation is there but the integrity is gone. Chair Lindberg commented that the "feel" of downtown could be lost. Commissioner Mortensen questioned how the City would justify spending tax payers money to tear down the buildings and blacktop the area during this time of economic hardship. Ms. Deckert explained that the HRA purchased the buildings fox the purpose of removal fox parking space. She discussed getting quotes fox keeping the meat market and added that there is a perception that there isn't enough parking fox businesses to consider locating downtown. A comment was made that if the buildings are tom down, there would be less reason to go there and the chazactex of downtown would be changed. Concerns about the longevity of the meat market if the other buildings were removed were discussed. Ms. Deckert commented that the HRA is not even dose to approaching the meat market to buy it. Commissioner Rohlf shared that the meat market has been used continually fox its original purpose fox approximately 125 years. Ms. Haug will revise the memo and send it out to the commission for review. Discussion of the modern buildings downtown followed. 71 Oral History Update Commissioner Mortensen has set up several interviews to gather histories. She will interview Doris Anderson on May 31",Vera Peloquin (93), Lois Lundemo (May 25s') and Gene Thompson (May 26'x). She has left messages with several also. Millicent and Jerry Busch backed out. Originally RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) had conducted interviews for the commission. Ms. Deckert questioned whether the interviews are on-line as audio clips. Ms. Haug responded that they are not yet available. Discussion of making sure "Grub" Thomas is interviewed followed. Chair Lindberg will get contact information. 7a1501C-3 Grong Commissioner Mortensen talked with the IRS (internal Revenue Service) and has a packet of information with an application but the HPC cannot do this... it must be a sepazate group. Ms. Deckert shazed that the River's Edge group just became one and added that Ms. Haug will be attending the July meeting to request assistance from them. Discussion of waived service fees through the Bank of Elk River, with two signers on the account followed. Having a system of checks and balances is strongly suggested as well as incorporating the group. Commissioner Mortensen stated it sounds simple, but taxes have to be filed every year. She suggested a simple acronym such as PAER "Preservation Association of Elk River". The Kelly Farm was discussed and how they have conducted fund raising, etc. The MN Historical Society is not a State agency. Sherburne History Center could do something but would "take a cut". Discussion followed regarding finding the agreement between the History Center and the Kelly Farm that Kurt Kragness had drawn up. A 501 C-3 doesn't help with giants. A comment was made that the Rivers Edge group is part of MN Main Street 7bl Marketing Elk River Commissioner Mortensen has been picking up marketing brochures, etc. in other cities as she has been traveling around the State to see how they are marketing their towns. She shared the information that she has gathered. Ms. Deckert stated that the River's Edge group has created a brochure. The City of Jordan was discussed as an example. Ms. Haug showed a postcard that was done by a group in Duluth trying to save a church which was handed out at the Anti-Wrecking Ball. Ms. Deckert also discussed a community survey which will be distributed in July. 7cl State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Conference The SHPO conference will be held in Faribault this year on September 22 - 23. The City of Elk River has been asked to speak about the Archaeological Digs. Ms. Haug will be attending this year and asked $ any commissioners are interested in going. She typically writes giant requests for one staff and one commissioner and is willing to write fox one again this year. Commissioner Rohlf stated he is interested in attending. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN TO HAVE STAFF (MS. HAUG) SPEAK AT THE SHPO CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 7dl Born by the .River Book Ms. Deckert found a chapter on Elk River in this book (Chapter 4) and offered to a-mail pdfs to all commissioners. She stated that the Branding committee found it and brought it to hex attention. Other items for discussion... Chair Lindberg requested that Betty Thomas be added to the Oral Histories list. Adjournment Discussion of potential upcoming meetings commenced. The next meeting is scheduled to be held on June 16`~ at 6:00 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room at City Hall but if the commission meets with the HRA, the meeting will be June 6~' at 5:30. The Utilities meeting is scheduled for June 14~' at 3:30 ox 4:00 p.m. The River's Edge meeting is at 2:30 p.m. on the second ox third Wednesday. Ms. Haug would like an August meeting to discuss the presentation fox the SHPO conference. Because there will be two special meetings in June, there will be no meeting in July. The meeting in August will be held on August 18~'. There will be no meeting in September due to the conference. The meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindberg at 7:30 p.m Minutes prepared by Nicola Blake-Bradley Tina illlard City Clerk Lance Lindberg Heritage Preservation Commission Chair