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5.4. SR 12-07-2009i ~ ~,tY or Elk. River MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator DATE: December 7, 2009 Item # 5.4. SUBJECT: Update on Jackson Street Water Tower Discussion At the September 9, 2008 Elk River Municipal Utility (ERMU) Commission meeting, the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) was granted one year to research funding opportunities to save the Jackson Street Water Tower. Staff spoke with Michael Koop, Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, and was informed that during the last Highway 10 study, it was determined that the water tower is eligible to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The Jackson Street Water Tower has been identified as being significant in American History as it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a period, type, or method of construction. It was also determined that is has excellent integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Next Steas On November 17, 2009, staff asked the Utility Commission to consider applying fora "Fast Track" Legacy Grant through the State Historic Preservation Office in order to hire a consultant to prepare the National Register nomination form. Staff anticipates the cost to be around $5,000. The Commission agreed to apply for the grant. The Fast Track Grant allows the Utility Commission to apply for up to $7,000 to cover the cost of the consultant. The grant does not require matching funds. The HPC is aware of a few consultants who can do this work. Staff recommends utilizing the HPC to research and contact potential consultants to complete the nomination form. Staff will complete the grant application as directed by ERMU. Once the water tower is listed on the National Register, there are additional grant funds available through the Legacy Grant and the Minnesota Historical Society (some which may require matching funds) to cover the costs to restore the water tower. Attachments ^ MN Architectural History Inventory Form ^ National Register of Historic Places FAQ ^ Page 2 of draft November 17, 2009, Utility Commission meeting minutes MINNESOTA /a-RCHITECTURAL HISTORY INVENTORY FORM PROPERTY NAME: Elk River Water Tower ADDRESS: 4`h and Jackson Streets NW CITY/TOWNSHIP: Elk River COUNTY: Sherburne PROPERTY OWNER: LOCATION INFORMATION TOWNSHIP: 33N RANGE: 26W SECTION 34 QTR NW QTR NE QTR SW USGS QUAD ELK RIVER UTM ZONE: 15 DATUM: NAD27 FASTING 455602 NORTHING 5016896 PROPERTY TYPE: Water Tower NRHP PROPERTY TYPE: Structure HISTORIC USE: Water Tower CURRENT USE: Water Tower DESCRIPTION The Elk River Water Tower is an all-metal elevated tank designed to store water and to maintain water pressure in the city water system. The Elk River Water Tower has ariveted- steel cylindrical tank with a conical cap with finial and a hemispherical bottom. The tank is elevated on a four-post lattice-girder trestle tower with diagonal tie rods, and a riser pipe connects the tank with the underground water system. The tank is encircled by a balcony with steel railing, and an access ladder rises on the northwest leg of the tower. A hip- roofed pump house with stucco veneered walls is located immediately west of the water tower. STYLE, IF APPLICABLE ARCHITECT/ENGINEER HISTORY The village of Elk River established a water system in 1920 through construction of an elevated water tank and underground distribution. Prior to the establishment of a city water system, Elk River residents relied on private wells for. water. In other communities with water systems, water works during the nineteenth century operated either with a pumping system, whereby water was pumped from the source into the mains, or with a reservoir located above the distribution system to maintain pressure. Initially, elevated water tanks were built primarily for private use, such as those built by railroads or industrial operations. Public water tanks became more common during the 1880s, as it became understood that stored-water systems eliminated the need for continuous pumping and provided a supply for fire suppression. To elevate the water to sufficient height to maintain pressure within the system, many communities used water tanks raised up on metal standpipes or stone or brick towers. The expense of stone or brick towers and the failure of standpipes led to SHPO NUMBER: SH-ERC-OI6 DATE SURVEYED: April 2008 SURVEY PROJECT: TH 10 Elk River, Sherburne County SURVEYOR/FIRM: Andrew J. Schmidt, Summit Envirosolutions widespread use of the all-metal elevated tank after the turn of the twentieth century. The first known use of a metal tank and tower was in Princeton, New Jersey in 1883. An elevated water tank designed by Edward Flad in 1893 for Laredo, Texas employed a spherical bottom tank and a trestle tower. Variations on this design became the most common form for elevated water tanks in the United States during the early twentieth century, particularly riveted-steel tanks on lattice- steel towers. This type of tanl: and tower was commonly built in Minnesota during the early twentieth century. For example, a group of five such towers were built in towns on the Cuyuna Iron Range during the 1910s and are currently listed in the NRHP. The Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company built the Ell: River elevated water tank and tower during April of 1920. The ditching and pipe laying also were begun at that time and completed by August of 1920. Elk River's new water system was officially dedicated on August 28 with a daylong celebration led by the Elk River Fire Department that was said to be one of the biggest celebrations ever held in town. The immediate motivation for establishing the water system'is unclear, but fire protection would have been a benefit of the system. Downtown Elk River had suffered four major foes, 1887, 1898, 1903 and 1914; the last one destroyed four commercial buildings on Main Street, including the post office building. The Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company was a fabricator of elevated steel water tanks in Minnesota and throughout the Midwest during the early twentieth century. The company was founded in 1902, and by 1916, it employed 2,200 workers, mainly in its Minneapolis manufacturing plant at Minnehaha Avenue and L• ake Street (razed). Through the 1920s, the company was a manufacturer of steel water tanks and towers, tractors, threshers, small engines, hoists and derricks, structural steel, grain bins, and bridges. The Twin City Steel Water Tanks and Towers division of the company manufactured tanks, towers, and stand pipes for small towns and cities, railroads, large buildings, and the federal government. In 1929, Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company merged with Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company.and Moline Plow Company to form Minneapolis- Moline Power Implement Company. APPLICABLE STATE HISTORIC CONTEXT: Railroads and Agricultural Development 1870-1940 EIk River Water Tower, 4`h and Jackson Streets NW Page 1 of 3 National Register of Historic Places :State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) : MNHS.... Page 1 of 3 Frequently Asked Questions The following are the most frequently asked National Register questions. The answers are brief and are intended to address a wide range of questions. Direct more specific questions to the State Historic P~°eservation Office. What does it mean to me to have my property listed in the National Register? It means that your property has been documented and evaluated according to federal standards and listed in the National Register because it is significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture. When my property is listed in the National Register, is it preserved forever? Listing a property gives it recognition and may change the way people or communities view historic properties. The National Register is sometimes criticized because it does not bring greater protection. Listing does not interfere with an owner's right to alter, or dispose of their property if they use their own money. The Preservation Office encourages owners of historic properties to contact the office if they have questions about changes they are thinking of making to their property. Staff would like to work with them so that the changes respect the historic character of the property. Does listing in the National Register protect my property during Federal or State projects? Projects undertaken, funded, licensed, or permitted by Federal agencies are reviewed by the Preservation Office to determine if they will affect properties which are listed in the National Register or eligible for listing in the National Register. The Preservation Office also reviews projects undertaken, funded or licensed by State departments and agencies which may affect a property which is listed in the National Register. It is the responsibility of the Federal or State agencies to notify the Preservation Office of proposed projects. Ways are then discussed to protect the property or mitigate the effects of the project on it. Is additional maintenance required once a property is listed in the National Register? No. The property owner may maintain the property as they choose following local requirements. '/www.mnhs. .htm 10/20/2009 National Register of Historic Places :State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) : MNHS.... Page 3 of 3 assistance programs release grant money. It is important to check with the Preservation Office or your local housing assistance program to inquire if funds are available. Are low interest loans or mortgages available if my property is listed? The Preservation Office does not manage a low interest loan or mortgage program. It is important to check with local housing assistance programs or financial institutions to determine if low interest financial assistance is available. The National Register and the Government If a property or a historic district is listed in the National Register, does this require the local government in which the property or district is located to form a Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)? No. The decision to create an ordinance which would establish a preservation commission rests entirely with the local government and its residents. If my property is listed in the Register are there provisions in building codes which affect my property? A property listed in the National Register is not exempt from state and local building codes. Historic properties, however, may receive special consideration under Chanter 1341.0413 of the Minnesota State Building Code which has been adopted by the State of Minnesota. The local building inspector may allow some variance for significant historic building features that do not meet modern building codes provided the features do not pose a health or safety hazard. Interpretation of this section is at the discretion of the local building official. How does the American with Disabilities Act affect National Register properties? If a National Register property is open to the public, ADA calls for the building to meet basic levels of accessibility for people with disabilities. While the law requires the removal of certain barriers, it does have special provisions for historic structures where changes would destroy a building's significant historic features. Minnesota Historical Society • 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102-1906. 651-259- 3000 cO 20Q9 MHS. Send questions or comments to webnaaste ananhs.ara. View our Privac Policy. 10/20/2009 Page 2 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission November 17, 2009 4.1 Review and Consider Jackson Street Water Tower Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator for the City of Elk River spoke to the Commissioners regarding the Jackson Street water tower. Michael Koop from the MN State Historic Preservation Office informed the City staff that during the last Highwati 1 ~~ study, it was determined the water tower on Jackson Street was eligible to be on the National Register~of Historic Places. Rebecca Haug informed the Commission of a "Fast Track" Legacy grant that is available through the State Historic Preservation Office. This "Fast Track" Legacy. grant would not cost ERMU anything, and the City of Elk River would file the paperwork applying for the grant that would pay for hiring a consultant to prepare the National Register nomination form. Once the Jackson Street tower is listed on the National Register, there are additional grant funds available (some may require matching funds) to cover the costs to restore the Jackson Street water to~~ cr through the Legacy Grant and the Minnesota Historical Society. Rebecca Haug asked for the Commissioners approval to proceed with applying for the grant. Jerry Gumphrey moved to proceed with applying for the "Fast Track" Legacy grant. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 4.2 Review Project Consc~-~~c Ur~date (verbal) Rebecca Haug, Environmental "Administrator for the City of Elk River gave an update of the Project Conserve program she has been working on with Vance Zehringer. She went onto say the project has far e~e~eded the cspectations thee had when this program was first started. In the first year the participants have rcco~~niLCCt reductions oI~ 1.4.2% on electric and 18% on their water charges. In the first year there were onl ~ >> applicants chosen out of the 180 that applied. This next year they hope to have closer to 500 participants..Tcrr~ Gumphrey asked how much the average person saves. Rebecca .Hann responded that the date is still being gathered. 4.3 Review and Consider Pay Request for 2009 At the October 13, 2009 ERMU Commission meeting, management provided an industry comparison survey of seven predetermined peer metro utilities. At this meeting the Commission will decide on the pay request. John Dietz read a prepared statement regarding his stand on the 2009 pay raise increase. He began by saying he believes the Commission appreciates all the employees for everything they do for the company and are compensated well for their work. But considering ones employment you have to consider more than wages; benefits and working conditions are also two important factors. ERMU's benefits are as good as anyone's. Technically staff is receiving a 4.5% benefit already with the health insurance increase. Economic conditions and profitability are also a part of this decision. The City of Elk River and Sherburne County have frozen wages for 2010. At this time he proposed a 1.5% increase effective January 1, 2010.