03-19-2009 HPC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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A suggestion was made to keep the fund open because some people might want to bequeath funds from their will or estates. Discussion of possible fund sources brought the estimate of needed funds to be raised down to approximately $29,000. A question was raised of whether lead abatement was factored into the evaluation for tearing the tower down or for repainting. A firm number must be found through official estimates with signatures. Guesses aren't helpful. A comment was made that the estimated cost of $35,000 to tear down the tower cannot be correct if they have to take it down, truck it, and mitigate the lead based paint as well. Councilmember Westgaard suggested making sure the tower is savable before moving ahead. Commissioner Kragness stated there should be a plan (with the case for saving the tower being made). The National Trust for Preservation has grants available for fund-raising. The City of Cloquet might be a contact regarding this. Discussion of the well followed. The well is a deep aquifer well which has not been officially abandoned. Questions of ownership followed. Commissioner Kragness discussed high points of research on water towers. If it's non- functioning, it may qualify as a sculpture. There maybe less stringent requirements if it's not functional as well. The City of Elk .River's water tower is a symbol of first water in . the City's Engineering History and may qualify for a national register nomination as such. Due to the amount of research that Commissioner Kragness has done already, it may qualify as well. If the water tower is on the national register, there would be much more funding opportunity (and sympathy for the cause). A key necessity is a comprehensive plan or package. There is a lot of overlap for bridges and water towers. Commissioner Kragness will get grant/register contact information to Environmental Administrator Haug. The next Utilities Commission meeting is set for April 14~'. Environmental Administrator Haug will ask Vance Zehringer for two quotes. Discussion of opposition to saving the tower followed with a question being raised concerning the City's goal for the HPC. A comment was made that the focal point for the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force was/is the water tower. The water tower could be a focal point for parks, trails, etc. The reason the Task Force was put on hold was for waiting to find out what Hwy 10 should look like in the future. The contractor (SRF) has determined that the Hwy should be suppressed (excavated and lowered) through the downtown area. The FAST study will be done at the end of April and the Task Force will be re-convened following this. Councilmember Westgaard commented that the land where the water tower is located is "very valuable land". A comment was made that decisions are not • always made regarding what's most valuable but what the best use is. Community input