Everett Historical Commission

Everett Historical Commission Minutes January 22, 2019 Members Present Members Excused Speaking Visitors City Staff Arnold Morrison Council Liaison, Liz Vogeli David Stalheim Laura Cameron-Behee Paul Popelka Kathy Davis Amelia Hieb Ross Johnson Glen Hunter Andrea Tucker Thomas Feeney Patrick Hall Neil Anderson Jack O’Donnell Steve Fox Dave Ramstad CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Everett Historical Commission on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the VAN VALEY HOUSE, 2130 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Vice-Chair Morrison called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Introduction of Commissioners. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion: Commissioner O’Donnell made a motion to elect Vice-Chair Morrison as Chair. Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion. Motion Passed. Motion: Commissioner Anderson made a motion to elect Commissioner Fox as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Ramstad seconded the motion. Motion Passed. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner O’Donnell mentioned that there was an article in the Herald regarding new signs on the freeway to the Edmonds cultural district. He asked about Commission terms. Mr. Stalheim responded that Commission terms are on the member roster. Commissioner O’Donnell also mentioned that Faheem Siddiq, former City planner, passed away. Commissioner Fox distributed pictures of the former Bast Building, now known as the Judd and Black Building. Page 1 of 4 Commissioner Anderson mentioned that there is a new crosswalk with push button flashing lights on West Marine View Drive providing access to the waterfront and Mill Town Trail from Alverson Boulevard. He also was looking forward to the pedestrian overpass at Grand Avenue Park. Commissioner Hall stated that as of January 1, 2019, the Downtown Everett Association was a Main Street Affiliate Member. He informed the Commission that before the National Conference, there is a Main Street 101 Seminar on March 24, noon to 5 pm, at the Hyatt Regency in Seattle. If anyone was interested in attending that event, let him know. Commissioner Feeney introduced himself to Commission. Commissioner Tucker mentioned that David Chrisman from Historic Everett was attending the National Mainstreet Conference. She added that Historic Everett is looking for board members. Commissioner Hunter asked about Harvey’s Tavern. Commissioner O’Donnell provided a brief history of the site. Commissioner Hunter asked about the Longfellow building. Commissioner Hall mentioned that he attended a school board meeting and there was no further information presented at that meeting. Commissioner Hieb introduced herself to Commission. Commissioner Cameron-Behee stated that she received an email from Steve Bertrand requesting a book acknowledgement. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Morrison pointed out the location correction and Commissioner Tucker made a correction to her testimony regarding Historic Everett updates. Commissioner Anderson moved to approve the October 23, 2018 minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Fox. Motion passed unanimously. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Commissioner Fox proposed a redesign for the Everett Register Plaque for the Bank of Everett building, which is a mid-century building. Commissioner Anderson would prefer one design for all Everett Register properties. Discussion regarding the proposals. Long Range Manager Stalheim suggested that Commissioner Fox speak to Carol Thomas, the City’s Cultural Arts Director for feedback. STAFFING UPDATE Long Range Manager Stalheim briefed Commissioners on City staff changes and resources. Commissioner Hall asked about Commission’s help with the Brown Awards and other work program items. Discussion on the limited staff resources, and Commission objectives. DESIGN REVIEWS None. BROWN AWARDS Commissioner Tucker stated that the Brown Awards were discussed at the Historic Everett meeting. She stated that Jack O’Donnell would work on the identification and Historic Everett would put on the event. She asked if the City would provide the venue and reserve the Weyerhaeuser Room for the ceremony. Page 2 of 4 Long Range Manager Stalheim asked the City’s prior employees who were guests at the meeting if they could provide an overview of City staff tasks that were accomplished leading up to the 2017 awards ceremony. Ross Johnson stated that the City prepared all the certificates and awards. Paul Popelka stated that it was about 2 months of work leading up to the event. Commissioner Tucker asked Mr. Popelka if there was a checklist of all the tasks. Commissioner O’Donnell would work on the list of properties. He asked if the City could provide him the Brown Awards database. Mr. Johnson added that the City should also schedule the event with the Mayor. Long Range Manager Stalheim asked Commissioner Tucker to let him know what more the City could help with. He stated that the City would provide the database to Commissioner O’Donnell, provide Mr. Popelka’s checklist to Commissioner Tucker, do the mailing, reserve the venue, and schedule with the Mayor. Commissioner Ramstad provided information on the Brown Awards for the new Commissioners and City Council Liaison, Liz Vogeli. Chair Morrison asked about possible dates. The dates suggested were May 4, 11, or 18. Commissioner Tucker suggested that if the Mayor can’t participate, staff could ask City Council. HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATIONS UDPATE Commissioner O’Donnell would like to add 1927 Rucker Avenue to the Everett Register. Long Range Manager Stalheim stated that the City would have to prepare and mail out a public hearing notice for Historical Commission to take action on the nomination. Commissioner Fox is working on the Balboa Theater nomination. Discussion on other 2018 Historical Commission work efforts and the status. Commissioner Hall suggested that before speaking to the property owners again, he would like a refresher on what it means for properties to be on the Everett Register so Commissioners are better prepared to respond to property owner questions. Other commission members agreed. Chair Morrison stated that he would like to have copies of the previously sent letters or the template used. Long Range Manager Stalheim asked if there was interest in creating a historic overlay district in the Claremont neighborhood. Commissioner Fox offered to contact the consultant. Long Range Manager Stalheim can provide the property owners list so Commissioners can make some initial contacts with recognized names. Commissioner Ramstad suggested contacting the citizens who attended the Historical Commission meeting who expressed interest in the project. 2019 WORK PLAN Long Range Manager Stalheim reviewed the 2019 Work Plan with Commissioners. He is working with Julio Cortes the City’s Senior Communications Officer on freeway signage, who is in contact with WSDOT. Commissioner Hall provided a brief overview of the Main Street Program. He would like to follow-up on program training after he returns from the conference. Commissioner Ramstad would like to work with Commissioners O’Donnell and Fox on the Hewitt Building Inventory. Commissioner O’Donnell stated that there was an earlier discussion about reevaluating properties as contributing. Commissioner Hall felt that anything having to do with historic preservation in the downtown has some urgency to it because of Metro Everett. Long Range Manager Stalheim asked for Commissioners help to review the City’s Historic Preservation website and to make suggestions on what information would be beneficial to have available on the web Page 3 of 4 for Commissioners and the public. Long Range Manager Stalheim reviewed the rest of the items and their status on the work plan. Commissioners interested in CLG training with Kim Grant who is the CLG Coordinator for Washington State. Long Range Manager Stalheim offered to see if she would be interested in holding a training in Everett. Commissioner Hall wanted clarification on the 2019 Work Plan. Long Range Manager Stalheim responded that the Riverside Boundary Revision is off the Work Plan, removing the overlay from the Hewitt Inventory, Donovan District status is changing to HC taking the lead, and everything else is as listed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Action on Historic Register Nomination, 1927 Rucker Avenue. Historic Preservation Website maintenance. Brown Awards Update. OTHER BUSINESS None. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Fox moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hieb. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:09 pm. Page 4 of 4