06-26-2007 HPC MIN S MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
Tuesday,June 26, 2007
Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg,Kurt Kragness,Matt Christiaansen,Kristin Harris,
Debra Mortensen,Molly Nadeau-Peterson and Councilman Larry Farber
Members Absent: Steve Rohlf
Staff Present: Rebecca Haug and Nicki Blake-Bradley „
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Others Present: Chris Leeseberg and Jennifer Harmer ,
1. Call Meeting to Order 4 %
Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was.called'to order at 530 p, m.
2. Oath of office for new HPC member -
Notary,Jennifer Harmer was present to swear in thew Heritage Preservation
Commissioner,Debra Mortensen.,,Following the swear in,Ms.Harmer left the meeting.
t/
3. Consider June 26.2007 HPC Agenda , v
• Ms.Haug added two items to the agenda.Ankh� pdate and Budget Update were
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added under"Othe.
y
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MOTION BY I MMIS ER KRAGI' ESS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
HARRIS TO A!ROVE THE AGENDA WITH CHANGES.ALL IN FAVOR.
MOTION CARRI�;�
4. Consider .� `, d Ma\ 2007 HPC Minutes
LOTION BY 1�,I I SSI ER NADEU-PETERSON AND SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER:"CHRIS SEN TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS
PRESENTED. ALLOT FAVOR..MOTION CARRIED.
5. Downt•_$1'.Redevelo.:.ent Task Force Update
Chair Lind ,gave the update from the last Downtown Redevelopment Task Force
meeting with'th " sistance of Chris Leeseberg,Planner for the City of Elk River,who was
present to answquestions regarding the Draft Plan.Discussion of the following items
occurred:
• What will be removed on the North side of the railroad tracks (buildings and roads),
• Changes to the Lions Park area,
• Heights of buildings south of Main Street,
• The Task Force's focus on the Mississippi River views,
• Future of Highway 10 with regard to traffic and access to downtown,
• Trail to Babcock Park and safety,
• • Making the downtown areas pedestrian friendly,and
Heritage Preservation Commission Page 2
June 26,2007
• • Potential development plans near the Boys'and Girls'Club.
Commissioner Farber commented that the City Council preferred the preliminary plan for
Hwy 10 that would lower it,but concluded that decisions wouldn't be made without a traffic
study and grant funding. Mr.Leeseberg stated that the Task Force was adamant about
maintaining a visual connection from Hwy 10 to downtown so if the road were lowered,this
Plan would not work(in his opinion).
Commissioner Farber discussed rehabilitation of buildings and expressed concern that the
Brick Block not be forgotten during the redevelopment process.
Commissioner Kragness discussed the public meeting portion the Task Force agenda and
questioned whether they will be information dispersing meets or information gathering
meetings. He questioned whether public input would be y;:
Heritage Preservation Commission Page 3
June 26,2007
The commissioners recommended studying Main Street or all of downtown rather than just
the Brick Block. Commissioner Kragness expressed his feelings that to do otherwise would
suggest that the HPC does not care about anything but the Brick Block.
Arch Dig—The Dig will be held on the weekend of July 20—22 and the following week
(Thursday through Saturday)July 26—28.Past volunteers will receive invitation letters with
liability waivers.The event will be advertised through cable,the newspaper,our website,and
with flyers/brochures.All the sponsors will be thanked through the same means.
Letters requesting donations were signed by Chair Lindberg and sent out. So far,three
sponsors have been identified and one has declined.The Bank of .lk River gave$200,
Diamond City Bread has offered baked items,and John Oliver e .,sociates has donated
$250.
Commissioner Nadeau-Peterson commented that she ditt7,hot receive a letter requesting a
donation and indicated that she would sponsor the Penh Ms.Blake- dley stated that one
will be sent out as soon as Chair Lindberg can s'
Commissioner Kragness stated that he could couljr#Otentially advertise through the Sherburne
County Historical Center's (SCHC) newsletter a t the qty Fair.Ms.Blake-Bradley will
talk with Bobbie Scott about putting an insert in the n letter(SCHC).
National Historic Preservation Conference—The natio i� inference will be held in the
Twin Cities in October(2nd—6th).ls. stated that gran . c not available unless a
person wants to go for the whole week.Two PC members ca a go(tuition paid through the
• budget).She commented that commissioners could days if more than two are
interested. Commissioner Mortensen stated at she' dike to go. Commissioner
Nadeau-Peterson �a ed she could pi ably go for one or two days.Commissioner
Farber stated he feels it is difficult to plan that far in advance.
8. Schedule next H \, ee d Identify Agenda Items
It was dt0ed that no wt ""''' In July. The next regularly scheduled meeting for
th rit<agPreservation ommissiori l be held on Tuesday,August 14,2007 at 5:30
, .m The it s, be discussed include the minutes,Downtown Redevelopment Task
Force Update,P Commission items (if there are any),and the Archaeological Dig.
9. A. . ent
Commit ner Lindberg adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m.