12-15-2011 HPC MIN • MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday,December 15,2011
HPC Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg,Debra Mortensen,and Mark Konietzko,
Joshua.Fox
HPC Members absent: Stephen Rohlf
Staff Present: Environmental Administrator,Rebecca Haug
Environmental Technician,Nicki Blake-Bradley
Others Present: Michael Brubaker,Sherburne History Center
1) Meeting called to Order:
Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m.by Chair Lindberg.
2) Consider December 15,2011 HPC Agenda:
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN AND
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FOX.ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED.
• 3) Consider October 20,2011 HPC Minutes:
MOTION TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 20,2011 MINUTES BY COMMISSIONER
MORTENSEN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FOX.ALL IN FAVOR MOTION
CARRIED.
4)Welcome new HPC Commissioner-Joshua Fox
The newest commissioner,Joshua Fox was introduced and welcomed by the Commission.
5) Planning Commission Items
Ms.Haug stated there are no Planning Commission items at this time that would affect the Heritage
Preservation Commission.Great River Energy is moving their new processing plant(the "old"
Resource Recovery Technologies,refuse derived fuel plant) under the existing Conditional Use
Permit and license.Ms.Haug explained the archaeological model and procedure to Commissioner
Fox.
6) 716&720 Main Street update
Ms.Haug asked Ms.Deckert to attend to be able to answer any questions about the buildings.Ms.
Deckert discussed the memo in the packet and stated that Veit has the contract.Asbestos in the
buildings will be removed prior to being demolished between January 3rd- 9th.The site will be
backfilled.Ms.Deckert stated that there are two separate walls for 716 and the meat market.
7) Downtown Task Force Update
Chair Lindberg gave history on the Downtown Task Force to Commissioner Fox.He stated that the
original plan called for taking out older homes along Jackson Avenue to make new businesses.The
Task Force was put on"hold" until the Hwy 10 plan could be completed byMNDOT.
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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Elk River City Hall
December 15,2011
Ms.Deckert stated that the City helped MNDOT finish the plan so that it would be done in a more
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timely fashion.The Task Force has been re-started and is being led byJeremy Barnhart,Planning
Manager for the City.The City Council added several more members so the task force is now at 18
people.They will be convening in January and hope to be done with the plan by July.
Chair Lindberg sits on the Task Force as a representative for the HPC He commented that the initial
meeting had four Housing and Redevelopment Association(HRA) members in attendance without
having been published as a meeting so two members had to leave.
Discussion within the task force has been centered upon Hwy 10,the future of the road and resale
values based upon the changes to come.The 2007 plan had a continuation of the bluff block with
multiple story buildings having commercial business space on the bottom.
Ms.Haug questioned whether it would be beneficial to have Michael Koop or Bonnie McDonald
from the State Historic Preservation Office come and talk to the task force about preservation since
there will be new members who haven't heard about preservation before.Chair Lindberg questions
whether four meetings will be enough to get all the work done.There is one meeting per month that
lasts two hours.Ms.Deckert acknowledged that the time line was before new members were added
so things could change.
8) Oral History Update
Commissioner Mortensen is working on transcribing the tapes that she has.She hasn't heard back
from Pat Dwyer yet.She talked with Leroy Toth about an interview.She planned to call him back
and tried but hasn't been able to make contact yet.
Ms.Haug sent an updated job description to Charlotte Strye and offered Michael Brubaker as a •
teacher for new interviewers.Other names discussed included Brad Rohlf,Phil Hals,Arne Engstrom,
and Denny Anderson.
Discussion followed regarding getting testimonials on videotape as well as interviewing details.Mr.
Brubaker commented that he prefers using both digital and tape recorders.Purchasing digital
equipment through a CLG (certified local government) grant was considered,and may be set up if
possible.
9) Other
Bailey Point:Ms.Haug informed the commission that there is an extremely high probability of a
historic site on the property.Public archaeological digs may be possible once again on this property.
As a passive use park,there will be a trail that may have historic signs because the area has significant
historical value with regard to Elk River's early days.Dr.Richard Rothaus will be doing a"walk
through" soon and will provide a report to the City Council.
Water Tower:New information delivered to Ms.Haug shows that the City owns the Jackson Street
Water Tower,not the Utilities Commission.The paperwork is all in now for the nomination to the
National Register,so we're just waiting to hear the decision.Commissioner Fox commented that he
attended a student forum regarding the 10 most endangered sites in Minnesota and there was a
presentation done by a young man concerning the Jackson Street Water Tower.It was interesting and
Commissioner Fox stated that the plans are available via the internet if anyone is interested in
viewing them.
10)Adjournment
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on January 19th at 6:00 p.m.in the Uppertown Conference
Room at City Hall.Items for the agenda include elections,Planning Commission,the Downtown •
Task Force,Oral Histories,and Bailey Point.
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Elk River City Hall
December 15,2011
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindberg at 7:04 p.m.
Minute repare• •eki Blake-Bradley
Tina Allard
City Clerk
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ance Lin.
Heritage Preservation Co :con Chair
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