09-21-2012 HPC MIN MINUTES OF THE ELK RIVER
• HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, September 21,2012
HPC Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg,Debra Mortensen,Marilyn VanPatten and
Joshua Fox
HPC Members absent: Stephen Rohlf
Staff Present: Environmental Administrator,Rebecca Haug
Environmental Assistant,Rachel King
Park Planner/Planner,Chris Leeseberg
Others Present: Stewart Wilson,HRA Chair
1) Meeting called to Order
Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m.by Chair Lindberg.
2) Consider September 20,2012 HPC Agenda
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE ADDITION OF THE SALK MIDDLE
SCHOOL UPDATE BY COMMISSIONER MORfl NSEN AND SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER FOX.ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED.
. 3) Consider August 16,2012 HPC Minutes:
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 16,2012.MINUTES BY COMMISSIONER
MORTENSEN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FOX. ALL IN FAVOR MOTION
CARRIED.
4) GENERAL BUSINESS
4.1) Downtown Task Force Update
HRA Chair,Stewart Wilson and Chris Lees eberg,Park Planner/Planner presented the draft
Redevelopment Plan for the core of Elk River. Mr.Wilson explained why this plan is being
completed and the history of the plan since it originally started in 2006 and was then suspended in
2007 because MN DOT was working on their Hwy 10 plan. Mr.Wilson explained that there needs
to be a connection between the north and south sections of Elk River. The task force was
reconvened in November 2011 and some of the goals are to minimize impacts to existing properties
and accommodate the MN DOT plans for Hwy 10 as well as Burlington Northern's plan for the
railroad. Comments on the plan may be submitted to staff through September 24. Final
presentations on the plan will be made to the HRA and the City Council in November.
4.2) Elk River Water Tower Update
Staff received a second bid on the water tower and it is half of the original bid. The first bid was for
$400,000 and the second is for$210,000. Discussion took place on how best to raise the funds to
restore the water tower. It was suggested that a presentation be given to the Elk River Rotary.
Possibly have a painting contest similar to what was done for the Handke Stadium and possibly sell
bricks.
Chair Lindberg excused himself at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Mortensen took over as Chair
• Vice Chair Mortensen suggested selling benches with the purchasers name on them.
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Elk River City Hall
September 20,2012
Commissioner Fox suggested creating Facebook and Twitter accounts for the water tower. Ms.King
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suggested having twitter be "tweets from the tower" and use the information gathered from the
SCSU students as the tweets. It was also suggested that there be short videos of stories from the
tower that could be shown on the cable channel,YouTube or Facebook
Vice Chair Mortensen volunteered to research setting up a 501c3 for Friends of the Water Tower as
the commission agreed that the city shouldn't collect the funds for the water tower. Each
Commissioner also agreed to send information to be posted on Facebook and twitter. Staff
emphasized the importance of making sure the City Council and Utility commission are informed of
the HPC's plans and that a good plan be developed and presented to both prior to soliciting for
funds.
4.3) HPC Review of Downtown Building permits
The HPC agreed that the areas shaded on the map provided by staff be the areas triggered by the
Building Department for review by HPC staff and/or HPC.
4.4) Planning Commission Items
There were no items for discussion.
4.5) Bailey Point& Houlton Property
Staff informed the HPC that the Bailey Point property would be owned by the City by the end of the
month. SCSU students are researching information to be put on trail markers and a kiosk about the
history of the site.
4.6) SCSU Project Update •
Staff met with 3 classes from SCSU who will be conducting work for the HPC. Some students will
be doing research on Bailey Point for interpretive signage and a kiosk,some will be doing stories on
the water tower and others will be looking at the significance of the downtown.
4.6) 32nd Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference update
Commissioner Mortensen,Rachel King and Rebecca Haug attended the conference in Fergus Falls
on September 13-14,2012. The three discussed some of the information learned from the
conference such as ways to market the historic aspects of your community and financing options
available.
4.7) Cancel October 18,2012 HPC meeting
MOTION TO CANCEL THE OCTOBER 18,2012 HPC MEETING WAS MADE BY
COMMISSIONER FOX AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VANPA11EN. ALL IN
FAVOR MOTION CARRIED.
5) Other
Salk Middle School Update
Staff informed the HPC that a history teacher,Ron Hustvedt contacted Ms.Haug about a possible
partnership with the HPC and his students along with his History Club. Also,they will be having a
"History Day" in March and are looking for judges.
6)Adjournment
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on November 15,2012 at 6:00 p.m.in the Uppertown
Conference Room at City Hall.Items for the agenda include Water Tower update and fundraising
ideas,Planning Commission items,Bailey Point and Houlton property Update,Promotional •
Materials and the SCSU&Salk Middle School Project Updates.
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Elk River City Hall
September 20,2012
• The meeting was adjourned by Vice Chair Mortensen at 7:35 p.m.
Minutes repar•. : t becca Haug
Tina Allard
City erk
Chair Lindberg
Heritage Preservation Co ../o air
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