2.7 ERMUSR 04-13-2021UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU Commission Theresa Slominski –General Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
April 13, 2021 2.7
SUBJECT:
Transfer of Asset -Jackson Street Water Tower
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve the agreement for the transfer of the Jackson Street Water Tower to the City of Elk
River.
BACKGROUND:
The Jackson Street Water Tower has been an asset of Elk River Municipal Utilities since 1920. It
has not been a functioning water tower since 1960 and so has not been maintained since that
time. Needing repair and believed to coated in lead-basedpaint, the ERMU Commission
authorized demolishing the tower in 2002. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)
requested a delay to research options to save the tower for historical reasons. In 2011, after a
joint meeting with ERMU and the HPC, ERMU agreed to provide funds it would have spent on
the demolition of the tower in return for the City taking over this asset, provided it was on the
National Register. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 23,
2012, and a grant was sought to restore the tower to its original 1920 appearance.
DISCUSSION:
The HPC obtained a grant and has been working with Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd. for a plan
to restore the tower. The project is expected to begin this month and ERMU has worked with
the City and legal counsel to create an agreement to transfer the tower to the City along with a
quitclaim deed to complete the transaction. The City approved the agreement and quitclaim
deed at their April 5 council meeting, and the document is attached for reference.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Per the agreement, Elk River Municipal Utilities will make a one-time transfer of $90,000 to the
City of Elk River to assist with the current improvements and long-term maintenance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Agreement for the transfer of Jackson Street Water Tower to City of Elk River
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