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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting Elk River City Hall October 17,2015 Discussion followed regarding historical information being available on the city's website. Commissioner Mortensen stated that what was previously on the site, written by Steve Rohlf,has been condensed and is not very informative. She suggested that Mr. Rohlf be contacted for an update. Mr. Carlton asked that Commissioner Mortensen send what information she has that was previously written. Further discussion followed regarding involving the community in gathering ideas for the water tower site. The consensus was to pursue such a meeting after the water tower painting was completed. The suggestion was made to request that the Star News publish a story regarding the proposed restoration of the Jackson Street Water Tower to generate interest in the site. 5.3 Historic Cemeteries Commissioner Mortensen stated that she would like to pursue a project involving historic cemeteries in Elk River. She recalled that in 2010,Joni Astrup of the Star News published an article regarding the historic cemeteries in Elk River. She stated that Jim Nystrom used to be the head of the cemetery association,but did not know if he still held that position. Chair Fox stated that he the Orono Cemetery and Vernon Cemetery are the oldest ones,with grave sites dating back to 1855. The St. Andrews and Meadowvale Cemeteries have sites dating back to 1895 and 1899. Commissioner Mortensen stated that some of the earliest tombstones are in disrepair,with lichens growing on them that need to be removed. She suggested tombstone restoration/cleaning could be a Boy Scout or Eagle Scout project. Commissioner Mortensen suggested doing a cemetery tour,with a person dressing as one of the oldest person's buried there,with storytelling of their life. Commissioner Fox suggested that Commissioner Mortensen research who owns the cemeteries for permissions for a possible project. It was suggested that an Elk River history teacher named Hustafeldt be contacted for possible interest in a project. 5.4 Oral Histories Staff and the Commission discussed reviving a past goal of obtaining oral histories from some of Elk River's oldest residents. Commissioner Mortensen stated that she completed a 5-hour interview with Stan Wheaton and received a great deal of very interesting history of Elk River over his lifetime. She stated that she interviewed several other residents,but those were not as fruitful. She noted that she has since passed on the audio recordings to the historical society. Commissioner Lindberg stated that at one time, they called for volunteers to come in and take a class in how to do these interviews. He stated he was concern that so many of these residents are passing on without having been interviewed.