3.3. SR 04-03-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Consent A ril 3, 2006
Item Description
Request Donations from Local Businesses to Continue
Archaeolo . cal Work
Item Number
3.3
Prepared by
Rebecca Hau , Environmental Admin
Reviewed by
Introduction
The City of Elk River, on behalf of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), applied for a grant in
the amount of $15,150 from the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) to continue the
archaeological work at the Hoebelheinrich property off Twin Lake. The grant was denied because the
work is not a program activity eligible for Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant assistance through the
Certified Local Government (CLG) grant program. The reasoning for the denial is because work was
done at this site in 2005 and the grant does not allow for further testing at the same site.
Discussion
Approximately 200 individuals attended last year's excavation, with half spending at least 4 hours getting
hands-on experience. The project was offered to volunteers for two consecutive weekends. The City
was able to receive donations from area businesses for food and beverages. The individuals were surveyed
to determine if there was enough interest to pursue another project in 2006. The overwhelming response
was to continue the work in 2006. The HPC and St. Cloud State University (SCSU) believe this is a
public educational opportunity rarely matched in the State and believe this work to be valuable to the
community and should be continued.
The HPC, along with St. Cloud State University (SCSU), discussed pooling their monies together to
continue the work. The HPC has $5,000 budgeted for this work and SCSU will match the $5,000. Dr.
Rothaus is willing to donate his time, which is worth $50/hour. There is still a need for additional paid
archaeologists to continue this work. Once the work is completed, additional time and money are spent
on reporting the data, soil testing, dating the materials found, etc. The $10,000 does not allow for the
work to be adequately completed nor does it allow many opportunities for the volunteers to receive
hands-on experience. At the March 9, 2006 HPC meeting it was discussed that the HPC members talk to
local businesses about receiving donations to continue the work. A few businesses, First National Bank,
the Bank of Elk River, Elk River Landfill, and Wal-Mart, have been contacted and each is willing to
donate $1,000 to continue the work. If this request is approved, the HPC will continue pursuing further
donations.
Financial Impact
$5,000 out of the HPC budget, staff time
Attachments
N/A
C: \Documents and Settings \tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \ OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-hpc.doc
Action Requested
Staff is requesting the Council to approve accepting donations from area businesses to continue the
archaeological work at the Hoebelheinrich site.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
C:\Documents and Settings\tallard\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-hpc.doc