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4.1 HP DRAFT MIN 02-24-2016 of EMeeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall October 17, 2015 Members Present: Chair Fox, Commissioners Lindberg,Mortensen,Nicholas, and Jones Members Absent: None Others Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton I. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chair Fox. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider October 17, 2016, Agenda Moved by Commissioner Nicholas and seconded by Commissioner Mortensen to approve the October 17,2015, agenda with the following additions: Item 5.3 - Historic Cemeteries Item 5.4—Oral Histories Motion carried 5-0. 4. Consent Agenda 4.1 July 16, 2015, HPC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Mortensen and seconded by Commissioner Lindberg to approve the July 16,2015, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. 5.1 Water Tower Subcommittee Update Chair Fox stated he contacted the Friends of the Kelly Farm regarding a possible partnership for a 501C3 and they seemed interested. He stated that he has not heard anything from them to date. Mr. Carlton stated that the costs for the project are covered, and there is more than enough for matching funds to receive the grant. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall October 17,2015 5.2 Discuss Water Tower Site and Plans for the Area Chair Fox stated that staff would like feedback from the Commission regarding what they would like to see happen at the water tower site. Mr. Carlton stated the City Council is interested in seeing the project through. He stated that they have the funds to paint the tower,but he would like to know what other ideas the Commission has to draw people to the site. He stated that there is an opportunity for additional funding,and he suggested some type of project to tie back to the historic element of the site. He also asked if the Commission was interested in getting the community involved. He felt a project should build on the history of the city somehow. Discussion followed regarding ideas to incorporate at the site,including: Historic bricks that people could purchase Benches and landscaping Water fountain possibility Include site in walking tour Historical information kiosk Mr. Carlton stated that he felt the most important component is to get the community involved to appreciate and want what is at the site. He stated that he would like to see a plan that would encourage people to stop by, spend some time, and maybe go across the highway to patronize the downtown restaurants. Commissioner Nicholas stated that he liked the idea of the site being the way it was. He suggested a mural could be incorporated somehow. Commissioner Lindberg stated he would be in favor of the original look,but was not sure how a mural would fit in. Commissioner Mortensen stated she would like to see signage throughout the city, identifying where historical places used to be, such as the Babcock home, the original train depots, etc. Mr. Carlton suggested a concrete slab with the identifying information in an inlay. Discussion followed regarding the fact that most residents do not know the history of Elk River and ways to provide that information at the site. Commissioner Jones suggested a large map kiosk at the site,identifying historic sites in Elk River. Mr. Carlton asked that the Commissioners send their ideas to him for the water tower site. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall October 17,2015 Discussion followed regarding historical information being available on the city's website. Commissioner Mortensen stated that what was previously on the site, written by Steve Rohlf,has been condensed and is not very informative. She suggested that Mr. Rohlf be contacted for an update. Mr. Carlton asked that Commissioner Mortensen send what information she has that was previously written. Further discussion followed regarding involving the community in gathering ideas for the water tower site. The consensus was to pursue such a meeting after the water tower painting was completed. The suggestion was made to request that the Star News publish a story regarding the proposed restoration of the Jackson Street Water Tower to generate interest in the site. 5.3 Historic Cemeteries Commissioner Mortensen stated that she would like to pursue a project involving historic cemeteries in Elk River. She recalled that in 2010,Joni Astrup of the Star News published an article regarding the historic cemeteries in Elk River. She stated that Jim Nystrom used to be the head of the cemetery association,but did not know if he still held that position. Chair Fox stated that he the Orono Cemetery and Vernon Cemetery are the oldest ones,with grave sites dating back to 1855. The St. Andrews and Meadowvale Cemeteries have sites dating back to 1895 and 1899. Commissioner Mortensen stated that some of the earliest tombstones are in disrepair,with lichens growing on them that need to be removed. She suggested tombstone restoration/cleaning could be a Boy Scout or Eagle Scout project. Commissioner Mortensen suggested doing a cemetery tour,with a person dressing as one of the oldest person's buried there,with storytelling of their life. Commissioner Fox suggested that Commissioner Mortensen research who owns the cemeteries for permissions for a possible project. It was suggested that an Elk River history teacher named Hustafeldt be contacted for possible interest in a project. 5.4 Oral Histories Staff and the Commission discussed reviving a past goal of obtaining oral histories from some of Elk River's oldest residents. Commissioner Mortensen stated that she completed a 5-hour interview with Stan Wheaton and received a great deal of very interesting history of Elk River over his lifetime. She stated that she interviewed several other residents,but those were not as fruitful. She noted that she has since passed on the audio recordings to the historical society. Commissioner Lindberg stated that at one time, they called for volunteers to come in and take a class in how to do these interviews. He stated he was concern that so many of these residents are passing on without having been interviewed. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall October 17,2015 Mr. Carlton stated that he did recall an oral histories file with a list of people to be interviewed and he would get back to the Commission at the next meeting. 6.1 State Preservation Conference Commissioner Mortensen provided an update on the State Preservation Conference she attended. 7. Adjournment There being no further business,Chair Fox adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission at 7:08 p.m. Tina Allard City Clerk Joshua Fox Heritage Preservation Commission Chair