4.1. DRAFT HPC MINUTES from 11-21-2024
Meeting of the Elk River
Heritage Preservation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Commissioners Linda Campbell, Jayne Dietz, Zachary Griffiths, and
Gavin Tuckey
Members Absent: None
Council Liaison: Councilmember Cory Grupa
Staff Present: Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg
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 Chair Lindberg.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Lindberg led the commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consider Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Griffiths to approve the November
21, 2024, Heritage Preservation Commission agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Griffiths and seconded by Commissioner Tuckey to approve the
September 26, 2024, Heritage Preservation minutes.
Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 Historic Interpretive Site
Mr. Leeseberg presented the staff report and asked the commissioners for ideas and thoughts on what they
would like to see for the water tower site. This information could then be detailed in the RFP.
Commissioner Campbell felt it would be important to have some sort of site that could be interpretive,
interactive, and include text, maps, and pictures. She thought it should be durable to withstand weather.
Chair Lindberg suggested the history focus on the impetus for building the water tower in the first place,
which was to provide drinking water and help fight the numerous fires.
The commission discussed displaying a map of the area at the time the water tower was constructed.
Commissioner Griffiths suggested the Sherburne History Center as a resource for images to see if they can
obtain pictures of the tower under construction. Chair Lindberg wondered if insurance maps would provide
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November 21, 2024
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any information. Other ideas were a digital display with a voice feature, a water feature, an example of how
water towers work, a bike rack if it’s on a bike trail, benches, a wayfinding sign (park sign). Landscaping
should be easy to maintain. It could post the current fire level threat. If looking for a concrete area, use
pavers with holes that allow grass to grow through.
5.2 Downtown Small Area Plan 2024
Chair Lindberg provided an update on the downtown small area plan, explaining there were numerous
options being presented and the consultant does a good job providing suggestions and ideas. He stated this
plan will take about 20 years to accomplish and will include the downtown areas over the railroad tracks. Mr.
Leeseberg added details to the options being discussed, with better utilization of current space and parking
needs, along with public restrooms, offering winter activities, river amenities, and trail connections.
Meetings will continue monthly until spring when a more finalized plan will be presented for public
discussion and input.
5.3 Other Business
The next HPC meeting will be January 16, 2025. J. Brian Calva will be the HPC council liaison, replacing
Councilmember Grupa.
The HPC will present an annual report to the City Council on February 3, 2025, and Chair Lindberg will be
the presenter.
Commissioner Campbell’s term will be expiring and if she would like to reapply, she can fill out an
application.
Commissioner Griffiths provided Mr. Leeseberg with some artifacts he received from the Kelley Farm for
digitization. The HPC would like to discuss at a future meeting the direction for what to do when artifacts
are donated to the city. Commissioner Tuckey recently spoke with the Otsego Heritage Preservation
Commission, who has also received artifacts donated, and have digitized them but doesn’t know if the
public is even aware they are available. The HPC commission should decide if any donated material will be
of any interest to the city and if so, develop a process for digitization.
6. Adjournment
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to adjourn the meeting
of the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
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November 21, 2024
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Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Lance Lindberg, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk