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04-26-2018 HPC MINMeeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall April 26, 2018 Members Present: Chair Fox, Commissioners Lindberg, and Mortensen Members Absent: n/a Others Present: Council Liaison Jennifer Wagner, 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 6:00 p.m. by Chair Fox. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited due to lack of American flag being present. 3. Consider April 26, 2018, Agenda Commissioner Mortensen requested item 6.1 be removed from the agenda and heard at a future meeting. Moved by Commissioner Mortensen and seconded by Commissioner Lindberg to approve the April 26, 2018, agenda, with the removal of item 6.1. Motion carried 3-0. 4. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Chair Fox indicated he would like to stay on the commission but due to his work commitments cannot offer to be Chair. Moved by Commissioner Lindberg and seconded by Commissioner Fox to appoint Debra Mortensen as Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission. Motion carried 3-0. Moved by Commissioner Fox and seconded by Commissioner Mortensen to appoint Lance Lindberg as Vice -Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission. Motion carried 3-0. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall April 26, 2018 5.1 May 25, 2017, HPC Minutes Moved by Commissioner Mortensen and seconded by Commissioner Lindberg to approve the May 25, 2017, HPC minutes. Motion carried 3-0. 6.2 Jackson Street Water Tower Mr. Carlton explained the results of the restoration estimates received for the cost to repaint the historical water tower. He stated there is another grant available with an application deadline in May to assist in covering the costs of option 2 or 3 but the Commission would need to budget for ongoing maintenance costs of the tower, which future grants would not cover. Commissioner Mortensen discussed the 501c3 that could be created for future donations to assist in long-term upkeep and maintenance. She stated she would send Mr. Carlton in the next week a copy of a document for another 501c3 she is helping create. She was interested in pursuing Slack Painting Option 2. Chair Fox and Commissioner Lindberg were interested in pursuing Slack Painting Option 1 because it could be a more affordable first step in repairs and repainting. Moved by Commissioner Fox and seconded by Commissioner Lindberg to support recommending Option 1 by Slack Painting for pressure washing the Jackson Street Water Tower and repainting as outlined in the staff report. Motion carried 3-0. It was the consensus of the Commission to apply for the grant and to have a discussion with the City Council on May 7, 2018, for direction about the water tower's future maintenance needs and the possibility of accepting donations. Councilmember Wagner asked questions regarding the Commission's goals for saving the water tower and budget. Mr. Carlton indicated the HPC has a budget within the City Council budget but any additional funds not budgeted for would be paid for out of the General Fund. The Commission discussed the historical significance of repairing and maintaining the water tower with ideas such as placing a plaque or marker explaining its historical significance, installing benches and creating landscaping, and including it in part of the Walking Tour. They indicated the end goal would be to not only have the water tower repaired and repainted to its original colors but to increase its historical significance and'.bring awareness in the community. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elly River City Hall April 26, 2018 Commissioner Wagner suggested the Commission write and post information explaining the history at the downtown Rivers Edge park kiosk to draw attention to the tower and increase its historical significance. 6.3 2018 Guided Historic Walking Tours Commissioner Lindberg explained the walking tour experience while inputting his own perspective of growing up in Elk River. He stated attendees seemed to enjoy it and it took longer than expected, as they asked questions about particular homes and sights. He stated he was looking forward to having the tours again in 2018, stating Thursday evenings seemed to work well to coincide with concertgoers. Mr. Carlton distributed the summer concert series and suggested a walking tour date scheduled in June, July, and August. Chair Fox indicated he would be interested and possibly available to cover a tour. Commissioner Lindberg stated he would also continue offering the tour. Councilmember Wagner suggested distributing information at the Farmers Market in addition to advertising on social media. Mr. Carlton requested writing contributions from the Commission members to be used on a blog on the city's website, which would highlight not only downtown walking tour information but other city history topics. He explained the website redesign and more content that would be added. 6.4 Annual Report Mr. Carlton presented the annual report. Moved by Commissioner Mortensen and seconded by Commissioner Lindberg to approve the 2017 Annual Report of the Elk River Historical Preservation Commission. Motion carried 3-0. 6.5 HPC = Past, Present, and Future Mr. Carlton reviewed the meeting schedule, recent commission openings that aren't filled, and the city ordinance which describes the purpose, powers, and duties of the Heritage Preservation Commission. He requested the members discuss the future of the commission, where they see the focus or projects of the group in the future, and the possibility of shifting to a targeted commission where subcommittees are formed by the City Council to work towards goals on specific projects. The Commission discussed the history of the HPC, the need to fill open seats, and the purpose of their actions. They discussed attendance requirements. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall April 26, 2018 Councilmember Wagner expressed her concerns with lack of holding a meeting for 11 months, noting the HPC is only required to meet four times a year. She requested the HPC invest in its own self if they wanted the City Council to commit in them. She felt this commission is a community -driven commission and while the content is unique, it can still be an active, vibrant commission. She suggested reaching out to those folks who they feel would also be interested in supporting the cause of the HPC and assisting in continuing the vision. It was the consensus of the Heritage Preservation Commission to commit to finding additional members, commit to showing up to meetings, and continue the Commission as outlined in city ordinance. 7. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Fox adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission at 7:07 p.m. —4 ( C, Tina Allard City Clerk Debra Mortensen Heritage Preservation Commission Chair