06-09-2005 HPC MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
• HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
THURSDAY JUNE 9, 2005
Members Present: Jeff Gongoll,Pat Dwyer,Lance Lindberg,Kurt Kragness,new members
Molly Nadeau and Matt Christiansen
Members Absent Cliff Lundberg and Larry Farber
Staff Present Stephen Rohif and Mara Anderson
1. Call Meeting to Order
Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:17 p.m. The first order
of business was the resignation of chair Cindy Olson.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECONDED BY KURT
KRAGNESS TO NOMINATE LANCE LINDBERG AS CHAIR OF HPC AS
FORMER CHAIR CINDY OLSON HAD RESIGNED. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
2. Consider HPC Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GONGOLL AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
3. Consider 5/12/05 HPC Minutes
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DWYER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER GONGOLL TO CONCUR WITH MAY 12th,2005 MINUTES
TO RETAIN DR.RICHARD ROTHAUS FOR ARCHEOLOGICAL
EXCAVATION EVEN THOUGH NO QUORUM AT THE TIME.
4. Consider Items on Planning Commission 6/27/05 Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER DWYER TO RECOMMEND THE STANDARD
CONDITION BE PLACED ON ITEM 5.1 PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL
(KLIEVER LAKE FIELDS 3RD ADDITION): "ANY ITEM OR CONDITION
FOUND THAT INDICATES THE SITE IS LIKELY TO YIELD
INFORMATION IMPORTANT TO PRE-HISTORY OR HISTORY SHALL BE
REPORTED TO THE CITY IMMEDIATELY. FURTHER,THE CITY
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO STOP WORK AUTHORIZED IN ITS APPROVAL
UNTIL THE SITE IS APPROPRIATELY INVESTIGATED AND WORK IS
AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE BY THE CITY." MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
5. Discuss City Comprehensive Plan
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Commissioner Lindberg discussed the Old Town location,boundaries, and objectives. Mr.
Rohlf mentioned the trend of"workforce housing"and its impact on Old Town. The
definition of Old Town as stated in the City's Comprehensive Plan does not seem to have
much influence in the current development/redevelopment of Old Town. Commissioner
Lindberg informed that most of the affordable single family homes in Elk River are within
the designated Old Town and that affordability might be threatened by new projects.
Commissioner Dwyer wondered what the Housing and Redevelopment Authority's visions
were for Old Town and how that vision preserves Elk River's historic character. Does that
vision support the language of the Comprehensive Plan?Additionally Commissioner
Kragness thought asking HRA for clarification would be helpful in determining the HPC's
goals for Old Town.
6. Discuss upcoming Archeological Dig e waroaer44Z116.v.e4 f i PACti
Mr.Rohlf updated the Commission on e status of the public event which will take place at
the farm of Allen and Shirley Hoeb drich. With the location set,Dr.Richard Rothaus
confirmed to participate,and dates selected to dig,its time to begin advertising around town
and in the paper. The wording of the advertisements was generally worked out and Mr.
Rohlf suggested a postcard that could be inserted with June garbage collection bills to most
effectively notify people. Commissioner Nadeau offered to hand out flyers at Art Soup and
said that the newspaper will format the ad if asked,and Commissioner Dwyer suggested the
Boys and Girls Club and Great River Energy as distributors. Following Mr. Rohlf's advice
that one Port-a-Potty be secured for volunteers and workers at the site,
COMMISSIONER NADEAU MOVED TO ORDER A PORT-A-POTTY FOR
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEKENDS OF JULY
8, 9, 10 AND 15, 16, 17.COMMISSIONER GONGOLL SECONDED. MOTION
PASSED 6-0.
COMMISSIONER DWYER MOVED AND COMMISSIONER NADEAU
SECONDED TO SPEND UP TO $1000 FOR PUBLISHING ARCHEOLOGICAL
DIG NOTICES. MOTION PASSED 6-0.
7. Discuss Top 8 or 10 Historic Sites in Elk River for Inclusion in the Downtown City Park
Stephen Rohlf gave an update on the Downtown City Park project and asked for
suggestions of significant sites in Elk River. A number of sites were thought to be important
to the history of Elk River,while clear objectives of the park were unknown. Design details
such as interpretive signs,building materials,and extent of the water feature were also
unknown. Commissioner Kragness thought context important to frame the locations,
events, and significance of the designated sites. Some sites that the HPC suggested for
highlighting include:Handke Stadium,Upper Town,Lower Town,Old Court House,Brick
Block,Band Shell,Atomic Dome, Houlton Sawmill,Battle Point,Kelly Farm, 1851 Sawmill
and Dam,Railroad Depot,Military Road, and the Oxcart Trail.
8. Discuss 26th Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
To be held in Duluth September 15 and 16th 2005. Preservation Alliance Awards given too.
Mr.Rohlf encouraged participation by HPC members and reminded their tuition and board
could be paid for with HPC monies. •
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9. Schedule Next HPC Meeting
The next scheduled meeting of the Elk River HPC is set for 12:00 noon July 14th, 2005 at
City Hall. Items to be discussed include any proposed developments within the Old Town
district and Archeological Dig update.
10. Adjournment
Having no further business meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
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