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08-20-2009 HPC MINNOTES OF THE ELK RIVER HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL Thursday, August 20, 2009 Members present: Chair Lance Lindberg, Kristin Harris, Kurt Kragness, Debra Mortensen, and Councilmember Matt Westgaard Members absent: Stephen Rohlf and Matt Christiaansen Staff Present: Environmental Administrator, Rebecca Haug Environmental Technician, Nicki Blake-Bradley 1) Meeting called to Order: Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chair Lance Lindberg. There is no quorum. This means discussion will occur but no decisions can be made. Commissioner Christiaansen will be resigning his position. 2_) Consider August 20, 2009 HPC Agenda Environmental Administrator Haug added possible changes to the ordinance to Other. 3) Consider May 21, 2009 HPC Minutes One change to "Other" was requested. The percentage 7% is correct rather than 10% 4) Historic Neighborhood Update There is an informational meeting scheduled for October 1 at 6:00 p.m. at 201 Norfolk Avenue. Mary is very interested in pursuing the designation. Environmental Administrator Haug is still waiting to hear from Michael Koop (MN Historical Society) on whether he'll be able to attend. She and Commissioner Kragness will meet with him regarding the water tower as well. The HPC commissioners were invited to attend the meeting, if only to become better educated about the designation. Councilman Westgaard commented the HPC should get the endorsement of the City Council. It is not intended for this to become a forced issue. Commissioner Kragness stated there are benefits to establishing historic districts because legal issues and design standards are set, but there are also tax credits for rehabilitation as well. Commissioner Kragness did some research on the horseshoe district. He handed out a brief summary to all commissioners present. He commented about "Look Out" versus "Out Look" and added that there would be benefit to having a survey of historic properties regarding style, age of construction, etc. 5) Book Proposals Update The book is at the publishers. Commissioner Mortensen stated that it will be at the publishers for approximately 7 - 8 weeks. Several pictures have been deemed substandard so she added more pictures. The minimum number of photos was 180 and maximum number allowed was 240. It will have both a bibliography and an index. There was a limit of 140 words per page (only 70 words per picture when there were two photos on the page). This made it difficult for Commissioner Mortensen to capture everything she wanted to say regarding the Civil War (for example) because the veterans essentially built the Elk River population. Most came from Maine. The title of the book is "Images of America -Elk River". Commissioner Mortensen stated she enjoyed writing the book and thanked the HPC for the opportunity. The HPC thanked Commissioner Mortensen for all of her hard work on this project. After two weeks for proofing, it will go to print and should be available (perhaps) for November purchasing. The books will be available through distributors such as Borders Books and the Historical Center in Becker. It was discussed briefly that the book sales could be used for a fund raiser for saving the water tower. The cost of the book will be $21.99 6) HPC Conference Environmental Administrator Haug and Commissioner Mortensen will be attending the conference at the Arboretum in Chaska. The theme this year is Preserve History, Conserve Energy. Commissioner Mortensen commented that she attended a class about restoration of historic facades. 7 Planning Commission items Environmental Administrator Haug stated there were no items from the Planning Commission. 8 Other Environmental Administrator Haug questioned whether staff should look at changing the HPC bylaw language to allow five members rather than seven since Commissioner Christiaansen has resigned due to the broken back. His term is up in February 2010. Commissioner Kragness commented that he could not think of a reason not to lower the number. The HPC commissioners present felt it was a good idea all around. Discussion followed regarding reappointment without an interview by the City Council. This is in regard to Kristin not being able to come to a Council meeting because of work conflicts. Commisiioner Kragness and Councilman Westgaard suggested waiting until the Historic Nieghborhood meeting is held. Next meeting -The September meeting will be cancelled since Environmental Administrator Haug and Commissioner Mortensen will be in Chaska. The next meeting will be held on October 15 with the same agenda items. There may be a targeted mailing to the Horseshoe Neighborhood. Commissioner Kragness discussed that will the Legacy funding, it may be possible to revisit the Houlton Farm since a portion of the funds can be used to acquire historic property and that property is prime historic land (it could qualify as having Statewide Significant Priority). The largest tree in Sherburne County is on this property. Discussion of Dr. Rothaus' work on the Archaeological model followed. Perhaps the Parks Commission would work with the HPC on this acquisition. Environmental Administrator Haug will set up a meeting with Bill Maertz, herself, and Commissioner Kragness concerning this issue. This could be another matter to discuss with Michael Koop. 10) Schedule Negt HPC Meeting and Identify Agenda Items Environmental Administrator Haug suggested cancelling the September meeting. The next meeting will be held on October 20, 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 6:58 p.m. Minutes prepared by Nicki Blake-Bradley • Tina Allard ~ ? , __ City Clerk ~__.. ,, Lance Lindberg `~ -~ ~ ~ Y ` ~~~~~ Heritage Preservation Commission Chair, •