Everett Historical Commission

APPROVED Everett Historical Commission Minutes April 25, 2017 Members Present Members Excused Visitors City Staff Allan White Andrea Tucker Scott Bader, Council Paul Popelka Arnold Morrison Neil Anderson Sonja Molchany (BOLA) Ross Johnson Dave Ramstad Bob Freitag (UW) Sarah LaVelle Glenn Hunter John Siu (City of Seattle) Karen Stewart Jack O’Donnell Sandy Howard (City of Seattle) Laura Cameron-Behee Steve Fox William Vincent CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Everett Historical Commission was scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at the Van Valey House at 2130 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Chair Cameron-Behee called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner O’Donnell moved to approve the February 28, 2017 and March 25, 2017 minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Ramstad. Motion passed unanimously. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA There were no additions to the agenda. BOLA ARCHITECTS – 2017 GRANT FOR DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS ASSESSMENT Sonja Molchany, BOLA Architects + Planners, reviewed the building assessment project and discussed each building (ten total buildings) to be assessed: • Greenberg Block, 1620 Hewitt Avenue • Hodges Building, 1804 Hewitt Avenue • Horseshoe Saloon, 1805 Hewitt Avenue • Evergreen Building, 1909 Hewitt Avenue • Mitchell Hotel/Cascadia Apartments, 1915 Hewitt Avenue • VFW Building, 2711 Oakes Avenue • Morrow Building, 2823 Rockefeller Avenue • 2816 Rockefeller Avenue • IOOF Hall, 2815 Wetmore Avenue • Culmback Building, 3013 Colby Avenue Page 1 of 3 Their work will also include a Report/Toolkit to be presented at a public workshop in July. The report will include the following: • Matrix/table of materials, elements & common issues • Labeled photos • Technical information & guidance • Preservation incentives • Potential funding sources UW PRESENTATION ON HAZARDS FROM UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS Sarah LaVelle, City of Everett office of Emergency Management, introduced their project for updating the City’s 2011 Hazards Mitigation Plan. Bob Freitag, University of Washington, discussed issues and threats from earthquakes and their effects on unreinforced masonry buildings (URM’s). He reviewed an inventory of URM’s in Everett’s downtown area that included 329 buildings. Jon Siu, City of Seattle Principal Engineer/Building Official, discussed Seattle policies and programs for addressing URM’s. He reviewed typical brick building issues and methods to retrofit buildings to prevent damage. He described the retrofit status of all inventoried buildings with 11% having completed substantial alteration and 29% permitted for retrofits. Sandy Howard, City of Seattle Strategic Advisor-Sustainability, reviewed current retrofit policies and discussed the process of working with the URM Policy Committee to develop program recommendations. The current program includes these recommendations: • Threshold for requiring retrofit (1-2 unit buildings are exempt) • Retrofit timeline (7-13 years based on risk category of building) • Incentives to encourage retrofit beyond the minimum work required • Enforcement to ensure compliance • Funding options (help with retrofit costs) She further discussed each step in the program, and concluded with the next steps to adopt a retrofit ordinance in late 2017. There was a general discussion about the Seattle retrofit program and possible application to the City of Everett, particularly in relation to the Metro Everett plan. BANK OF EVERETT (COPE-GILLETTE THEATRE) Planner Popelka reviewed the Everett Register nomination. He noted that the City Administration has granted owner’s consent, and fully supports the nomination. Next steps for the Commission include a full review of the nomination; action to set a public hearing date for the June 27 meeting; and forwarding a recommendation to City Council for approval. The Commission commended Commissioner Fox for preparing a very thorough nomination that has garnered widespread support. Page 2 of 3 2017 BROWN AWARDS UPDATE Planner Popelka announced an additional Brown Award for Cameron Johnson (Everett Public Library) for his work in the Everett Massacre Series. The 2017 program now includes 10 Brown Awards and 24 Certificates of Commendation. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Fox attended a presentation at Everett Public Library for Judy Bentley’s book, Walking Washington’s History, which has walking tours of 10 Washington communities including Everett. Commissioner Ramstad announced a concert on April 29 with four local bands at the Historic Everett Theatre. He arranged Steve Bertram to give a talk on the theatre’s history. He noted the success of Isabella Valencia’s Black Lab Gallery and her plans for live-work units at 1705 Hewitt and an event space at 1808 Hewitt. Ross Johnson was at an event for the ongoing restoration of the UW Crew Shell House. PROJECT UPDATES Planner Popelka gave an update on the Mill Town Trail signage program. The sign design and layout is being finalized and may be installed as early as the end of May; a brochure and website should also be developed to support the signage program. He also noted that Patrick Hall has submitted an application for the Commission. For the Old City Hall project, masonry work is nearly complete and staff will be confirming a paint color for the stucco walls and elevator tower. The 2018 historic preservation grant application will be submitted April 29 for a mobile walking tour of the downtown core. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future agenda items include the following:  2017 Grant for Downtown Building Assessments (May)  Metro Everett Metro Building Survey (May)  Cope-Gillette Theatre Nomination (May)  Public improvements for signage, walks, standards, wayfinding for pedestrians, etc. (June) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner White moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner O’Donnell. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:57pm. Page 3 of 3