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04-19-2012 HPC MIN MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER 411) HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday,April 19,2012 HPC Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg,Debra Mortensen,and 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 Fern Larson Eileen Stambaugh 1) Meeting called to Order: Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m.by Chair Lindberg. 2) Oath of Office Commissioner Rohlf was not present to be sworn in.His oath of office will be administered in May. 3) Consider April 19,2012 HPC Agenda: Ms.Haug requested the addition of one item under Other:Update on HRA parking lot • MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA BY COMMISSIONER FOX AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN.ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED. 4) Elections MOTION TO RE-ELECT THE STANDING CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR BY COMMISSIONER FOX AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN. ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED. 5) Consider February 162012 HPC Minutes: MOTION TO APPROVE THE February 16,2012 MINUTES BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FOX. ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED. 6.1 Water Tower On March 27th,Nicki,Josh,Alexa and Rebecca attended the State Review Board's meeting for SHPO to support the nomination of the Jackson Street water tower to the National Register.It was unanimously supported by the board.All that wrote letters were thanked(Lance,Mayor,Preservation Alliance of MN,Josh,and Michael).The National Register people now have around 60 days to make a final determination. Rebecca stated that the HPC needs to figure out fund raising now.The HPC can be a 501c-3. Sherburne History Center will not be able to administer the account for us.Discussion followed regarding using other City accounts,but general consensus is to have a dedicated account for the HPC(such as "Friends of the Water Tower"). 411 Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall April 19,2012 Rebecca is set to attend the Utility Commission meeting in May to ask for permission to get bids for • painting the tower(to get an idea of what funds need to be raised).A question of whether sandblasting will be allowed by SHPO was raised.Rebecca will check into that. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FOX AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MORTENSEN TO HAVE STAFF A 1"1'END THE UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING IN MAY TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO OBTAIN BIDS FOR THE WATER TOWER ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED. 6.2 Planning Commission Items There were no items for discussion. 6.3Downtown Task Force Update Chair Lindberg updated the commission that the last meeting was held on March 26th and the next will be on April 23rd.He referred to maps posted in the Uppertown Conference room during his update.The following items were discussed: • Multifamily unit housing proposed along Irving Avenue has been removed.The housing will stay as single family residences. • The task force is looking at whether 10-20 homes South and West of Hwy 10(bordering the road) could be mixed use zoning rather than just single family residences. • Downtown,there are no proposed changes currently.Originally,they had discussed putting in condos similar to the Bluffs building. • A trail connecting Bailey's Point to downtown along the river has been changed to have the sidewalks of the horseshoe district act as the trail. Chair Lindberg is concerned about the home owners along Hwy 10 being able to refinance or sell if • the zone is changed.He added that maps are to be redone reflecting the zoning changes proposed and showing what is going to be preserved as a result.There maybe meetings in April and May with public input(feedback) opportunities in June. 6.4 Oral Histories Rebecca updated the list for 2012.Now is a better time for Charlotte Strei because the snowbirds are back Chair Lindberg talked with Larry Toth and Mr.Toth appears to be more receptive to being interviewed now. 6.5 Bailey Point The third round of discussions with the conservation people have occurred.The area has been catalogued and videotaped.They are shooting for a June closing date.The park will be a more passive use park Rebecca discussed the details of the changes which include a parking lot, stormwater best management practices,and a potential bridge (if the Houlton property is acquired by the city). 6.6 2012 Goals Discussion History Day,Water Tower fund raising,Historic Neighborhood District,and Archaeological Dig(s) were discussed. Rebecca reminded the commission that pursuing a historic district is a requirement.Perhaps the area north of the Water Tower would be interested.Chair Lindberg prefers being a"conduit of information" regarding Historic Neighborhood Districts.Commissioner Mortensen commented that • she feels that once one district is in place,others will follow. A windshield survey will need to be Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall April 19,2012 • conducted but that could be paid for through a CLG (certified local government) grant.Chair Lindberg commented that he thought the houses were from the late 19th century to perhaps the 1950's or 60's in age. Commissioner Mortensen volunteered to write an article for the Current to be given to Rebecca no later than May 17th (the next meeting) asking for any neighborhoods interested in being the first to contact staff. Commissioner Fox suggested approaching the downtown area for a commercial district due to financial incentives that may be available.Commissioner Mortensen commented that the HPC could give each business a plaque. History Day was discussed at length.Chair Lindberg stated that Heritage Days had been done approximately 10- 12 years ago and thought it would be a good idea to discuss that with the people that put it on.One person to talk with would be Ron Wilkes.The following ideas were discussed as options for the day/weekend: • Water tower pictures and information • An exhibit of historic people that have lived here (i.e.Speaker of the House Dare) • Civil War information(regarding Elk River residents who served) • 150th anniversary of the Dakota uprising(discussed as potentially controversial) • An auction/sale of donated items as a fund raiser • Sherburne History Center/Kelly Farm partnerships • Historic readings • Parade? • Historic dinner(pay a fee to participate) • • Promote the cemeteries (perhaps with tours) • Swap meet (where only antiques could be sold,similar to a Rendezvous) • Tradespeople demonstrating skills (like blacksmiths) • Advertising at the Now Then Logging and Threshing show • Sherburne County Fair Booth • History tour(either led by someone such as Jeff Gongoll or creating a walking tour with CLG grant funds) • A Historic geocaching activity • A Pub crawl(Chair Lindberg volunteered to lead that event) • A cocktail hour Rebecca discussed that the SCSU students who will be helping with other projects may be able to assist with this as well... especially the walking tour.They would be working during the Winter semester,as Fall is already set. The booth at the Sherburne County Fair was discussed.The Fair will be held from July 18th- 22nd.Michael suggested getting RSVP volunteers through Charlotte Strei to help"man" the booth. 7) Other Rebecca discussed the HRA staff report that she dispersed at the meeting from Annie Deckert (Economic Development Director).The area will be put into a parking lot and the Farmer's Market will likely be held there.A comment was made that it appears that the City will have paid approximately$850,000 for 18 parking spots. • 8)Adjournment Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall April 19,2012 The next meeting is scheduled to be held on May 17,2012 at 6:00 p.m.in the Uppertown III Conference Room at City Hall.Items for the agenda include Water Tower update,bids for the water tower,Current article (Debra),Planning Commission items,Bailey Point and Houlton property Update,Fair Booth information The meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindberg at 7:19p.m. Minutes repare• t ski Blake-Bradley Tina Allard City Cl- k Allf ill, / // Lance Lindb r• ` Heritage Preservation Co • on air III III