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01-17-2019 HPC MIN 4. Elk ,� Meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall January 17, 2019 Members Present: Commissioners Joshua Fox,Tony Mauren, and Lance Lindberg Members Absent: Chair Debra Mortensen (6:10 p.m.) Others Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton; Council Liaison Jennifer Wagner I. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Commissioner Fox. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. S3. Consider January 17, 2019, Agenda Moved by Commissioner Lindberg and seconded by Commissioner Mauren to approve the January 17,2019, agenda. Motion carried 3-0. 4. Minutes of October 18, 2018, meeting Moved by Commissioner Lindberg and seconded by Commissioner Mauren to approve the October 18,2018, HPC meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0. 5.1 Discuss Goals and Actions for 2019 Mr. Carlton discussed the current projects the HPC is involved in during 2019, which include the water tower and the architectural grant plan. He explained Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) is poised to transfer$90,000 to the city for a long- term sinking fund for maintenance and pay for the required grant match for the water tower. He stated the year 2020 is the 100-year anniversary of the water tower and ERMU would be having recognition events. S Mr. Carlton discussed the plans to continue the Walking Tour in 2019 to again coincide with the downtown concert series. Commissioner Lindberg stated he had discussed with Karen Wingard some ideas for a spring walking tour in conjunction Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall January 17,2019 with the Farmers Market dates in May and June before the concert series begins. • Commissioner Lindberg discussed challenges such as weather and the number of people along for the tour,indicating a smaller group around 20 is better than 40. Councilmember Wagner suggested setting up the dates in advance and having a limit of participants sign up. Mr. Carlton asked for other goals and opportunities the HPC was interested in pursuing. Commissioner Fox stated the oral histories would be an area the HPC could kick- start again. He stated they made great strides a few years ago on compiling audio and then progress seemed to fizzle out. Mr. Carlton indicated Commissioner Mortenson would be arriving at the meeting shortly and had more information regarding the oral history project. Commissioner Fox and Lindberg received oral history training. Commissioner Lindberg asked for a listing of those who had been interviewed and he could make contact with those folks who haven't yet been interviewed to hear their stories. Mr. Carlton stated he will review Rebecca Haug's records to see who had been interviewed. • Commissioner Lindberg discussed promoting history articles regarding Elk River on the website. He suggested topics such as historical events,the coming together of Elk River Village and Township joining,bank robberies,the role of the railroad,the Hungarian agricultural community, and Elk River beating Big Lake in football every year. It was the consensus of the HPC to include a history article on each agenda and promoting them quarterly on social media. Commissioner Lindberg will do the next article for the April meeting. Commissioner Mortensen arrived. Chair Mortensen stated she has three oral histories she hasn't transcribed yet.Mr. Carlton asked where those go once they are transcribed. She indicated they are sent to the Sherburne History Center. He stated the police department may be able to assist with transcription if their schedule allows. Mr. Carlton stated the HPC will continue to review applications for improvements made to downtown historic buildings as they arise. Commissioner Wagner asked if anyone had questions regarding the downtown redevelopment proposal that was discussed and HPC members dispensing the 111 correct facts that no one was ever going to demolish downtown but rather business Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall January 17,2019 owners alongJackson Ave.would have opportunities to bringbuildings to code ppup by using TIF money for updates as the buildings were deemed substandard. Chair Mortensen stated she wasn't aware of any downtown redevelopment efforts. Commissioner Mauren indicated ERMU will have a marketing push regarding the well built in 1919 upon which the water tower it built upon it in 1920. He indicated this will anticipate a ramp up of conversation for the 2020 water tower anniversary. He asked the details of the water tower grant and Mr. Carlton provided an update on those details. Mr. Carlton suggested using the ERMU marketing campaign water tower history as the October article. Councilmember Wagner suggested ways of making the HRA meetings more productive and using the time wisely to move the commission forward instead of discussing the same topics at each meeting. She felt it reasonable to complete the items for the April meeting such as the oral histories,the quarterly history article, and a tentative walking tour schedule for spring and summer. Commissioner Lindberg didn't think a schedule was necessary, stating only a week or two timeframe was sufficient by using social media,and possibly doing some on • random days like Saturdays. Councilmember Wagner stated it's asked about frequently at the downtown business group meeting and local business owners appreciate and discuss it. She stated if he didn't feel it necessary to put together a schedule, she requested he come with suggestions regarding dates. Commissioner Fox offered to write the April meeting article regarding the Hungarian settlers while Commissioner Lindberg can focus on the walking tour dates. Chair Mortensen suggested a cemetery tour where people portrayed early interesting residents during the Halloween time. Mr. Carlton stated that could be planned for the October timeframe to coincide around Halloween. Councilmember Wagner asked Chair Mortensen who would put together that information. She felt it was a pretty large undertaking that staff shouldn't be required to take on. Chair Mortensen stated she was a historical re-enactor for many years and would • have something ready for discussion at the April meeting. Commissioner Lindberg stated the cemetery re-enactment event could be paired with a zombie pub crawl. Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall January 17,2019 • Commissioner Fox stated when he's at the Sherburne History Center he will get a listing of the completed oral histories and have that available for the April meeting. Commissioner Mauren asked if they have books for interviews on early settler's days or the like and if he could do some research that's relevant to Elk River history. Commissioner Lindberg suggested some books he had dealing with early American- European relationships for 200 years regarding the beneficial fur trade. He also discussed Sioux,Dakota,and Ojibwa conflicts and the history of Sherburne County, which included various communities including Elk River during 1875-1975. Chair Mortensen suggested spending time at both the Sherburne History Center and the History Center in St. Paul to gather information for future articles. 6. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair Mortensen adjourned the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission at 6:40 p.m. Tina Allard • City Clerk Debra Mortensen Heritage Preservation Commission Chair •