4.1. DRAFT HPC MINUTES 07-20-2023
Meeting of the Elk River
Heritage Preservation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Members Present: Acting Chair Tony Mauren, Commissioner Mike Hangaard, and Zachary Griffiths
Members Absent: Chair Lance Lindberg, Commissioners Michele Cole, and Debra Mortensen
Council Liaison: Councilmember Cory Grupa
Staff Present: Community Development Director Zack Carlton
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Acting Chair Mauren.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Hangaard and seconded by Commissioner Griffiths to approve the May
18, 2023, Heritage Preservation Commission agenda.
Motion carried 3-0.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Griffiths and seconded by Commissioner Hangaard to approve the March
16, 2023, Heritage Preservation minutes.
Motion carried 3-0.
6.1 Elk River Documentary
Commissioner Griffiths explained he does have the next 9-minute segment of the documentary
available for viewing on his YouTube channel. He will forward the link to Mr. Carlton, who will distribute it
to all commission members for viewing. He hoped to have the entirety of the documentary first draft at
the Farmers Market.
6.2 Farmers Market Booth
Mr. Carlton stated the HPC will have a booth at the Farmers Market on Thursday, August 10.
Mr. Carlton will send out a notice of a quorum. He asked the commission what they would like to review at
the July meeting to prepare for the market.
Acting Chair Mauren felt that Chris’ overlay would be beneficial to show the public. They discussed having
a trivia wheel with candy suckers for game winners. They also discussed having the power with battery
backup to operate speakers and possibly a projector. Their location at the market hasn’t been determined
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 2
March 16, 2023
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yet. They felt that having the trivia wheel would pull people over to guess a question and then the
commission members could ask about whether they have any historical artifacts they would like to
contribute (digitally).
The commission will finalize the discussions and articles to distribute at the July meeting. Mr. Carlton asked
them to think of trivia questions.
6.3 Discuss Elk River’s “History Minute”
Mr. Carlton explained the Communications department’s idea for content on Facebook to briefly interview
members of the HPC about a brief Elk River historical event while showing B-roll footage. It will also tie
into driving traffic to the future Elk River documentary. Staff will write a script and commission members
will volunteer interviewing for the 1–2-minute video segments.
Acting Chair Mauren suggested discussion about the water tower and why it has recently been improved
and painted, explaining its historical significance. Mr. Mauren will be the first volunteer for the video. Mr.
Carlton suggested additional topics could be Bailey Point, the Handke pit, and the Upper and Lower
town history of the mill and dam.
6.4 Other Business
Mr. Carlton discussed the state legislature closing soon will determine if we were awarded any grant funding
for 2024. He is hoping for funds for a kiosk/park space around the water tower base. The commission
discussed the upcoming state historic preservation office annual conference September 27-29.
Acting Chair Mauren discussed his research of the topic of the nuclear storage plant in Elk River and will
continue to explore this topic.
7. Adjournment
Moved by Commissioner Hangaard and seconded by Commissioner Griffiths to adjourn the
meeting of the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Lance Lindberg, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk