10-20-2016 HPC MINMeeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
October 20, 2016
Members Present: Chair Fox, Commissioners Lindberg, Mortensen, and Nicholas
Others Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Planner BrieAnna Simon,
Council Liaison Jerry Olsen.
Members Absent: Commissioner Jones
Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Heritage Preservation
Commission was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chau Fox.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider October 20, 2016, Agenda
Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consent Agenda
4.1 July 21, 2016, HPC Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Mortensen and seconded by Commissioner
Nicholas to approve the July 21, 2016, minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
5.1 Water Tower Subcommittee Update — discuss 501(c)(3)
Commissioner Mortensen provided the progress update on the articles of
incorporation and the minutes. She was drafting a public notice with the hope for
inclusion in the city paper early November 2016. The plan was to gain interest in
becoming board members of the subcommittee and provide information on
committee roles.
Commissioner Mortensen also stated the draft articles of incorporation are prepared
for review by city staff and the city attorney. Chau Fox noted the goal was to have
the subcommittee board established by the time the water tower painting takes place.
Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Elk River City Hall
October 20, 2016
5.2 Discuss Historic Walking Tour Content
Chair Fox provide an overview of a practice walking tour he took the Elk River
Ambassadors on in August. He noted the participants provided feedback on
additional information to include, for example:
• Historic houses in the city and when each one was built.
• Discussion on how things have changed. For example, the Handke High
School is no longer a high school.
• Facts about the community.
• Rumors of any haunted buildings or separate tour.
The group started at the stone arch at Handke Stadium and ended at Elk River
Commons. Mr. Carlton stated ending at Elk River Common allows the tour to see
the Elk River Water Tower without having to cross the highway. This route worked
well and provided an opportunity to include additional facts and places in Elk River.
The Elk River Ambassadors would like to participate in a yearly tour in order to
familiarize new members with the community. Commissioner Lindberg also provides
a yearly tour for the Chamber of Commerce.
Chair Fox suggested providing regular guided tours to improve knowledge on
historic features in the community. Mr. Carlton proposed partnering with the Elk
River Concert Series to get more people involved by providing guided tours during
the weekly events. The tours could be each week, or monthly. Chair Fox and
Commissioner Lindberg will work together to organize tours.
For the content of the walking tour brochures Ms. Simon noted additional places,
including Orono Cemetery, Baily Station Cemetery, the hitching posts, and first
nuclear reactor were discussed at the last meeting to be incorporated into the
brochures. Commission Mortensen recommended also including the Bank of Elk
River, Vernon Cemetery and Kemper Drug. Chair Fox will also provide information
on the historic homes along the tour and in the area.
Mr. Carlton requested all comments on the walking tour content by the first week of
November so Ms. Simon can compile all the information.
5.3 Discuss 100 Years of the National Park Service and 50 Years of the
National Historic Preservation Act
Ms. Simon stated that 2016 marks the 100`s year anniversary of the National Park
Service and 50"' year anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. She
suggested having a Handke Stadium and Elk River Water Tower week. This week
would provide an opportunity to give more information on the historic features
located in Elk River. An activity to get children involved could be a coloring page
contest. Chair Fox suggested hanging all of the submittals on display at city hall.
Commissioner Nicholas also suggested putting a picture of the winner in the local
newspaper.
Heritage Preservation Commissicm Meeting
Elk River City Hall
October 20, 2016
Mr. Carlton stated a proclamation will be needed from the Mayor noting the
anniversary of both the National Park Service and National Historic Preservation
Act. He also requested comments on both Handke Stadium and the Elk River Water
Tower by the first week of November so we can get these items on the City Council
agenda.
6.1 Minnesota Historic Preservation Conference Summary
Ms. Simon provided a summary of the Minnesota Historic Preservation Conference
and stated that there was a lot of valuable materials provided at the conference this
year including the Heritage Preservation Commission Training Manual for the State
of Minnesota. A link was provided to this material earlier in the week. Chair Fox
suggested having someone from the Minnesota Historical Society or the Main Street
Program come to a future meeting to provide additional training materials and a
workshop.
6.2 Next Meeting
Mr. Carlton stated the Annual Report will be ready for the next meeting. He also
stated that staff will be working the Sauk Middle School to get more information on
judging the History Fair if anyone is interested. More information will be provided at
the next meeting, along with specific dates.
Additionally, Chair Fox asked the commission if they would like to get drone footage
of the Elk River Water Tower before and after it is painted. He has a contact that
would be able to obtain that footage. Consensus was given from the group to get this
footage.
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Fox adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Heritage Preservation Commission at 6:49 p.m.
Tina Allard —
CCity` Clerk
Joshua Fox
Heritage Preservation Commission Chair