05-19-2011 HPC MINMINUTES OF 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: I~xistin Hazxis 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 Pxeseroation Commission was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chair
Lindberg.
2~ Consider May 19, 2011 HPC Agenda:
Ms. Haug requested the addition of several item as follows:
• SOlc-3 group
• Marketing Elk River
• State Historic Pxeseroation Office (SHPO) Conference
• Born By the River Book
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA BY COMMISSIONER
MORTENSEN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF. ALL IN FAVOR.
MOTION CARRIED.
3) Consider A rn i121 2011 HPC Minutes:
MOTION TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 21, 2011 MINUTES UNTIL THE
NEXT MEETING BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY
COMMISSIONERMORTENSEN. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRTFn,
41 Anti-wrecking Ball Update
Ms. Haug discussed the Anti-Wrecking Ball and the display that Planner, Chris L,eesebexg
put together, which was the most popular display. Commissioners Mortensen and Rolilf
(with Mrs. Rohlf), Ms. Haug and Ms. Blake-Bradley attended. It was a good event to be pazt
of and there were other very notable locations on the endangered list. The Water Tower
came in fourth fox votes. There was a very large delegation from Faribault that attended to
vote for 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 Leesebexg fox his work on the display. The
display may be used at the upcoming summer concert series if Patks and Recreation will
allow us to have a booth.
National Rggister ~Tpdate 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 Rivet (due to the fire suppression).
We have until June 30s' 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 Aunrove letter to HRA
Ms. Haug discussed the letter/memo in the packet to the HRA regarding the buildings at
71G 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 for 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 fires 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 character".
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 doting this time
of economic hardship.
Ms. Deckext 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 eaough parking for businesses to consider locating
downtown.
A comment was made that if the buildings axe tom down, there would be less reason to go
there and the character of downtown would be changed. Concerns about the longevity of
the meat market if the other buildings were removed woe discussed. Ms. Deckert
commented that the HRA is not even close 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 modem buildings downtown followed.
7) Oral History Update
Commissioner Mortensen has set up several interviews to gather histories. She will interview
Doris Anderson on May 31°`,Vexa Peloquin (93), Lois Lundemo (May 25`~ and Gene
Thompson (May 26`s). She has left messages with several also. Millicent and Jexxy Busch
backed out
Originally RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) had conducted interviews fox the
commission. Ms. Deckext questioned whether the interviews ate on-line as audio clips. Ms.
Haug responded that they axe not yet available. Discussion of making sure "Grub" Thomas
is interviewed followed. Chair Lindberg will get contact information.
501C-3 Group
Commissioner Mortensen talked with the IlZS (Internal Revenue Service) and has a packet of
information with an application but the HPC cannot do this... it must be a separate group.
Ms. Deckert shared 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 Ellc River, with two signers on the
account followed Having a system of checks and balances is strongly suggested as well as
incorporating the group.
Couunissionex 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 Centex could do something but would "take a cut". Discussion followed
regarding finding the agreement between the History Centex and the Kelly Farrn that Kurt
Kragness had drawn up.
A 501C-3 doesn't help with giants. A comment was made that the Rivers Edge group is pazt
of MN Main Street.
7b~ Mazketing 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 mazketing 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 coxnxnunity survey which will be distributed in July.
7c) State Historic Preservation Offic~SHPO) Conference
The SHPO conference will be held in Faxibault 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 yeaz and asked if any commissioners axe interested in going. She typically
writes giant requests fox one staff and one commissioner and is willing to write for one again
this year. Commissioner Roh1f 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 fox 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 G:00 p.m. in the Uppextowa Conference Room at City Hall but if the
commission meets with the IIRA, the meeting will be June 6's at 5:30. The Utilities meeting
is scheduled for June 14'" at 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. The River's Edge meeting is at 2:30 p.m. on
the second or 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's. There will be no meeting in
September due to the conference.
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindberg at 7:30 p.m.
Blake-Bradley
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Lance Lindberg
Heritage Preservation Commission Chair
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