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05-21-2009 HPC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL Thursday, May 21, 2009 Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Kristin Harris, Stephen Rohlf, Debra Mortensen, Members absent: Councilmember Matt Westgaard, Kurt Kragness, and Matt Christiaansen Staff Present: Environmental Administrator, Rebecca Haug Environmental Technician, Nicki Blake-Bradley Others Present: Vance Zehringer, Elk River Municipal Utilities 1) Meeting called to Order: Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chair Lance Lindberg. 2) Consider May 21, 2009 HPC Agenda No changes were made to the agenda. • 3) Consider March 19, 2009 HPC Minutes No changes to the minutes were requested. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KRAGNESS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES WITHOUT CHANGES. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED. 4) Historic Water Tower Discussion Vance Zehringer, Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU), was present to discuss the situation with the water tower. The water tower was erected in 1920 and remains structurally sound but badly needs to be repainted. The concrete piers are not too damaged to require tearing it down at this time. SEH and KLM were contacted for estimates. In April, Vance stated that ERMU was directed by the Utilities Commission to award the bid to the lowest bidder. In May, the condition of the paint was discussed. The Tower needs to be repainted once every 10 years at an approximate cost of $10,000. If painted every 20 years, the cost is between $25 - 50,000. "X-scribes" were done to determine the adhesion of the paint and to test the paint for lead. The adhesion came back moderate to poor. The paint testing determined that there in no lead on the tank (.026%), but there is 1.5% lead on the legs and supports. The maximum lead allowed by the State is .5% so there is three times the limit on the legs and supports. The cost to sandblast with a full drape is between $190 - 300,000 due to unknowns such as railings, OSHA standards, etc. • • Mr. Zehringer stated that the Aluminum and Red colored paints favored by the HPC are undesirable due to cost (very expensive) and longevity (they don't last as long). The Utilities Commission has decided to leave up the Tower until the structural integrity is compromised or the paint peels (which could be another 4-5 years). There will be no further maintenance by ERMU although they retain ownership. Mr. Zehringer added that the longer the tower is left up, the more expensive it will be to tear down due to lead abatement regulations. The approximate cost to tear it down is $35,000. A question was raised as to what the cost to abate the lead will be when it's torn down. Mr. Zehringer did not know the cost. He read the minutes (draft form) from the Utilities Commission meeting and will give Environmental Administrator Haug a copy for the files. Discussion turned to funding to save the water tower. The Historical Society will provide a matching grant of 50% to help. Environmental Administrator Haug suggested a meeting with SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office). Discussion regarding the draping followed. Commissioner Mortenson stated that Ridgedale draped their tower when re-painting. Theoretically, the Tower could last 20 years if it's re-painted. Discussion turned to involving the Star News. Environmental Administrator Haug and Mr. Zehringer could do an article to determine the public's interest in saving the tower. Perhaps a new group would be interested in fund-raising to save it. Bob McCartney was the previous supervisor regarding the Tower prior to Bryan Adams. Commissioner Mortenson commented that historically speaking, whatever didn't burn down has been torn down (regarding historical structures) in Elk River. The Tower is part of the Elk River view shed from a distance and has been commented upon by non- residents as far away as the Twin Cities (who have visited Elk River). Mr. Zehringer stated that he doesn't want to see the Tower go either, but understands the viewpoint of the Utilities Commission as well. He would be willing to help with efforts to save the Tower if possible. 5) Historic Neighborhood Update Environmental Administrator Haug stated that she spoke with Mary Ernhart. Mary is willing to help with this, and has volunteered to host an open house or have a meeting at her home. Environmental Administrator Haug added that Councilmember Westgaard feels the HPC should pursue a historic neighborhood designation. Chair Lindberg stated that Councilmember Zerwas had commented to him that Councilmember Zerwas would like to see something. SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) representative, Mike Koop needs to be present. Commissioner Kragness will help Environmental Administrator Haug with a flyer for late Summer/early fall. • Chair Lindberg questioned whether the downtown redevelopment task force will be getting going again soon. Environmental Administrator Haug responded that it will probably not happen until the FAST (Focused Area Study) is done. She will work with Commissioner Kragness to fmd a date that works with Mr. Koop in addition to the flyer. Chair Lindberg commented that it would be best to have it on a week night. 7) Book Proaosals Update Commissioner Mortensen reported that the book has been approved by Arcadia! She had to have the cover photo and text for the back of the book by last Tuesday. She sent five pictures in a week and a half early for approval. Commissioner Mortensen discussed the costs of photos ($5 each at the Sherburne County History Center and between $7 - $60 from the MN History Center in the Twin Cities). She added that Arcadia has graciously allowed her to have both a Bibliography and Index (up to 60 items). The book has to be complete and to the publishers by July 14th. It will be ready for sale sometime in late summer to early fall. Currently, Commissioner Mortensen has 105 photos, but she needs a minimum of 180. She is working up to 1920 currently and may have to go as late as 1940 to get enough photos. Environmental Technician Blake-Bradley questioned whether a PSA (public service announcement) would be in order, asking for assistance from 1850 - 1920. Commissioner Mortensen commented that she needs a variety of photos and will get that information to the Environmental staff as soon as possible. She would like to finish the book early if possible. 8) Planning Commission items Environmental Administrator Haug discussed two items for the June 9 Planning Commission meeting. Neither have any SHPO sites and both have low potential for Archaeological Sites. Elk River Landfill and Knife River both will be mined out. 9 Other 2010 budget is being discussed. It's pretty bleak. Environmental Administrator Haug plans to ask for the same amount as last year. She is asking for $10,000 for professional services, $1,000 for conferences and schools (which is required), $200 for publishing, and $500 for Oxcart membership to Sherburne County History Center. Environmental Administrator Haug is not too optimistic, but wanted everyone to be aware. Commissioner Mortensen commented on her costs regarding the book and photos. She will get 10% commission for the books. She will reimburse the City those funds since she never intended to make any money on writing the book. She doesn't know whether that will amount to very much but she felt every little bit will help. Legacy Amendment funding... lot of $ being allocated to history programs or local historical groups to save locally significant, cultural resources. This may be a source of funds for the saving the water tower. • Commissioner Mortensen commented that Vernon and Orono cemeteries need someone to take on the maintenance. A lot of stones are sinking, headstones have been stolen or vandalized, and some need to be restored. She felt this would be a good Eagle Scout project, although some of the stones axe very heavy and would need a number of strong men to reset. Environmental Administrator Haug stated Jim Nystrom is the contact person for the cemeteries. Lichen is becoming a problem on some headstones. A question of whether the County STS (Sentenced to Serve) crews could help. Caretakers might be contacted. Commissioner Mortensen spoke to both Senior Centers regarding the book. 10) Schedule Negt HPC Meetiin~ and Identify Agenda Items Environmental Administrator Haug suggested cancelling the June meeting. The next meeting will be held on July 16, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room. Items will include the Historic Neighborhood, Book promotion, Planning Commission items and Historic Water Tower discussion. 11) Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindberg at 7:13 p.m. Minutes prepared by Nicki Blake-Bradley Tina Allard City Clerk ;~ ~, ~~ ,...,., ~7 `^^~ w ~ J ~ ~ L~fiice Lindberg ~~~,~° Heritage Preservation Commission Chair •