HPC Minutes 1-16-25
Meeting of the Elk River
Heritage Preservation Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Members Present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Commissioners Linda Campbell, Jayne Dietz, and Gavin Tuckey
Members Absent: Commissioner Zachary Griffiths
Council Liaison: Councilmember J. Brian Calva
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 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 Tuckey to approve the January 16,
2025, Heritage Preservation Commission agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
4. Consider Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to approve the
November 21, 2024, Heritage Preservation minutes.
Motion carried 4-0.
5.1 Election of Officers - Chair
Moved by Commissioner Dietz and seconded by Commissioner Tuckey to re-appoint Lance
Lindberg as Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission for 2025.
Motion carried 4-0.
5.2 Election of Officers – Vice-Chair
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to re-appoint Zachary
Griffiths as Vice-Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission for 2025.
Motion carried 4-0.
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 2
January 16, 2025
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6.1 Annual Review of the Bylaws
Mr. Carlton asked the commission for any changes to the bylaws. He noted the election of officers at the
first meeting of the year could be modified to the March meeting to coincide with appointments if the
commission so chooses.
It was the consensus of the commission was to keep the bylaws as they are written.
6.2 Annual Scheduled Meeting Calendar
Mr. Carlton presented the calendar of HPC meeting dates. He noted the bylaws state the chair will present
an annual report on the first meeting in February to the City Council; this year will be on February 3. Topics
for discussion will be the annual appearance at the Farmers Market, the documentary, and the interpretive
site at the water tower.
6.3 Historic Interpretive Site
Mr. Carlton brought Councilmember Calva up to date with the proposed interpretive site at the recently
rehabilitated water tower.
Councilmember Calva asked questions about the site and Commissioner Campbell directed him to the
November meeting minutes where HPC members providing some ideas for what the site should look like.
Commissioner Campbell asked if there were any photographs before and after the fires. She wondered if
this could be part of the site.
Chair Lindberg was not sure if he has seen any photographs but there were maps showing the business
district and what building were in place prior to the fires. Mr. Carlton stated Elk River Municipal Utilities
may have some photographs.
Commissioner Tuckey suggested the consultant should also discuss sidewalks around and leading to the site.
Mr. Carlton stated he is looking for two commissioners to join on a subcommittee to work with the
consultant on this development.
Commissioner Campbell suggested the dedication should be on a date of some significance.
Commissioner Tuckey suggested the dedication date be an anniversary of when the tower was
decommissioned.
6.4 Downtown Small Area Plan 2024
Mr. Carlton stated the consultant recently met with staff from engineering and public works to further
develop details of the small area plan. He stated the next committee meeting will be January 28. On
February 25, a public open house will be held, where feedback from the public will be taken and given to
the committee. He stated the HPC, Planning Commission, and City Council will then review the plan during
their respective March meetings.
Heritage Preservation Commission Minutes Page 3
January 16, 2025
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Mr. Lindberg stated he was glad to see the proposed plans involve preserving all the downtown historic
buildings.
Mr. Carlton stated there will be streetscape changes enlarging sidewalk sizes and provide more pedestrian
opportunities by changing and improving the functionality of parking.
Councilmember Calva discussed his viewpoints about parking, that if there is currently enough parking,
increasing parking could create additional opportunities to attract more shoppers and new businesses. The
commission discussed aspects of parking along with opportunities to draw people into the area through
redevelopment on both sides of the railroad tracks.
Commissioner Campbell would like to see a citywide increase in bicycle trail connectivity and signage.
6.5 Other Business
Commissioner Lindberg noticed the Wikipedia page for the city of Elk River, Minnesota, contained
incorrect population and census information and will research it so its corrected.
Mr. Carlton will send out the link to the HPC documentary to the commissioners.
7. Adjournment
Moved by Commissioner Campbell and seconded by Commissioner Dietz to adjourn the meeting
of the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
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Lance Lindberg, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk